Luke ran into the museum. Flora and Arianna ran after him.
"Excuse me!" Luke said to people in his way. "Pardon me. Please; I must see if the professor's okay." People let Luke pass. Luke bent down to his fallen professor.
"Oh, professor," He said. "Please be alright."
"Do you know this man, little boy?" A man asked him. Luke looked at him, and nodded.
"He's my mentor." He answered. The man frowned.
"I'm sorry, then. Gun violence, what an awful, awful thing."
"Will he be all right?" The man shrugged.
"Wish I can say, but I think he's still breathing."
"That's good."
"Out of my way, people!" John Kidd said as people made way for him. "I heard somebody got shot." He then saw the professor's body. "Oh my; how terrible. Did someone call the police?"
"The police are on their way, sir." An employee informed him. "Along with someone from the Scotland Yard." John Kidd nodded.
"Good; good." He noticed Luke, and pointed madly at him.
"You! What are you doing here?!"
"Him and a bunch of other kids were outside protesting." Someone explained. Luke stood up, and nodded.
"That's right. My friends and I are here on behalf of kids everywhere." John groaned.
"Oh; not this again!"
"Do you know this boy, John?" Asked the same man from before. John nodded.
"Unfortunately yes, Collin." John replied. "He, and this man, saved a painting a couple days ago." Collin was impressed. He looked at Luke.
"Wow; good going, kid! My brother may not look it, but deep down, he's very proud." Luke looked at him, confused.
"You and him are brothers?" Collin nodded.
"That's right. What's your name?"
"Luke."
"And I see you and a bunch of other kids protesting outside before this horrible shooting." Luke nodded again.
"I don't like the way your brother feels about kids."
"Ah yeah, my brother is a tough old bird. He means well though."
"I'm sure he does, but that still doesn't give him the right to ban kids from coming in here and stuff."
"I'm not too fond of it ether, but he's my brother and I can't change that. I love him just the same. I, on the other hand, adore children, and think they're precious."
"Really?" Collin nodded.
"In fact did you know my name Collin means child in Gaelic?"
"Wow; that's interesting." Collin nodded.
"That's what I like about it."
"Oh, brother!" John murmured with an eye roll. "Here he goes again!"
Luke was about ask the meaning of his name, when police sirens sounded.
"Here comes the police!" A little boy piped up as police officers came into the museum. Inspector Chelmey came as well. Luke ran to him.
"Inspector Chelmey!" He said.
"Oh, hello Luke." The inspector greeted.
"You know him?" John wanted to know. inspector Chelmey nodded. The police began taping up police tape around the professor's body.
"He and Professor Hershel Layton helped me solve a murder." Luke then grew worried.
"Inspector, somebody shot the professor!"
"So I hear. Quite awful!" He went to the professor's body. EMTs then came, and put Professor Layton on a stretcher.
"Please!" Luke begged an EMT. "Please make the professor better."
"We'll do the best we can." She promised him. "We're taking him to the hospital now."
"Can I come?"
"And you are?"
"I'm Luke Triton. I'm Professor Layton's trusty assistant."
"Are your parents around?""
"No, but…"
"Then I can't let you come with without a parent or a guardian's permission."
"But…" He held his head in shame with a sigh. "I understand." Layton was then rolled out of the building.
"Luke?" Flora wanted to know. Luke looked at her. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I just hope the professor gets better.
"Me too."
"Luke," Inspector Chelmey began. The kids looked at him. "Did you see who shot the professor?" Luke shook his head.
"No; we were protesting when it happened. I wish I could say, but I honestly can't."
"That's okay." He looked at the two other kids. "Did any of you?" Both Flora and Arianna shook their heads. The inspector looked at everyone else. "Did anyone see who shot Professor Layton?" Everyone shook their heads. "I see. This will be one tough case to crack then." John sighed.
"I guess I'll have to shut down the museum for the rest of the day." He said to no one in particular. "Pity this had to happen on the grand opening."
"Yes," The inspector told him. "That'll be wise. This is a crime scene now. Sorry this had to happen."
"I'm sorry too." He looked at everybody in the room. "I'm sorry everyone, but the museum will have to close. We'll reopen when we can. When we do, it'll still be free for one day." Everyone groaned with disappointment, but they all understood. They all headed for the exit. John talked into his walkie- talkie, and left.
The PA system came on, and all said that the museum had to close unexpectedly, and that it'll be free for a full day when it reopens.
"Luke!" Mr. Triton said when he ran in. Luke looked at his dad.
"Dad!" He cried. "Dad, I'm sorry I skipped school. You see I had to…" But instead of being mad, his dad hugged him.
"I'm glad you're all right." Mr. Triton said. Luke withdrew from him and frowned.
"The professor's not." He told his dad. Mr. Triton frowned as well.
"I know. When I heard the gunshot over the phone, I knew that something had gone wrong. I got here as fast as I could."
"You're not mad at me for skipping?" Mr. Triton stood up.
"I am, Luke." Luke hung his head in shame. "But your mother and I will talk to you about it later."
"Can we go to the hospital? I have to make sure the professor's alright."
"When the hospital says that he can have visitors, we can. I'll go call your mum." Luke nodded.
"Okay." Mr. Triton looked at Arianna and Flora.
"Arianna, I'll take you home. Flora, you will live with us until this all blows over."
"Thank you!" Flora thanked him. The kids then left the museum.
Outside, Mr. Triton told the other children to call for rides home. Kids pulled out their phones, and began dialing. Arianna saw something from the corner of her eye.
"What's that?" She asked. Something black was in the street. Luke went to it.
"Careful when you're in the streets, son." Mr. Triton said to his son. Luke picked it up, and showed it to his friends and father. "It's a glove." He said. He went over to them. "Somebody must have lost it."
"Should we give it to the Lost and Found? We did find it near the museum after all." Luke shrugged.
"I'll take it." Mr. Triton offered, offering his hand to take it. You kids stay here. When I come back, we'll go home." Luke gave it to his dad. "Don't go anywhere."
"We won't." Luke promised. He then headed back to the building.
Luke then thought of something.
"Wait a minute!" He said to himself. Flora and Arianna looked confused.
"What're you thinking, Luke?" Flora wanted to know. But instead of answering her, Luke ran towards the museum again. Flora and Arianna ran after him.
"Luke! What's on your mind? We're not allowed in there!" The kids went in. Mr. Triton was about to head out when he saw them. He stopped, and looked at his son and his friends.
"Luke?" He questioned. "What are you kids doing back in here?"
"I have to tell the inspector something, Dad." His son told him. "Where's the glove?"
"I gave it to Lost and Found."
"Well, get it back! It may be evidence." Mr. Triton was more confused now.
"What ever do you mean?" But Luke didn't answer. He and his friends ran towards the crime scene. The inspector, the police, John, Beatrice, and Collin were all there. Mr. Triton went after them. The police tape was still up.
"Inspector Chelmey!" Luke called to him. "Inspector Chelmey!" Luke was running so fast that he bumped into the pedestal. The same pedestal with the sapphire vase. The adults all cried out as the vase spun. It then fell, and broke into a million pieces. John's face grew beet red. Luke and the others saw this. "Oops; sorry!" He then changed the subject. "Inspector; we found a black glove outside. I think it's the same glove the thief who stole the painting the other day had. I think he might've shot the professor in vengeance, and dropped his glove making his getaway. He must have escaped from jail!"
"Hmmm, I see. But I didn't hear that he escaped. Where is this glove?"
"In the Lost and Found."
"I'll go get it." Mr. Triton offered.
"Yes. Do that. We might need it." Mr. Triton then left. Chelmey looked back at the children. "Thank you, kids. This might be our first clue." The kids all smiled. A cell phone then went off. Chelmey got out his cell phone.
"Hold on, children. This is the police." He answered it. "Hello? Really? Oh my! Yes, yes; I'll be on the lookout." Chelmey then hung up.
"What is it?" Arianna asked. Chelmey put his phone away, and looked at them.
"I'm sorry; I must go. It seems like Mr. Painter did escape!" The kids gasped.
"Then Alistair Painter did shoot the professor; I knew it! He had a motive too, revenge."
"But Luke," Flora said. "Didn't you catch him?" Luke realized she was right.
"Oh yeah, that's right."
"Well," The inspector began. "That might have been impossible. The police said that he just escaped." The kids all looked at him, puzzled.
"What?!" They all wanted to know. Chelmey nodded. He produced out his notepad.
"According to the information I got, the gunshot was precisely at 10:19 AM, and Alistair was still in his cell at that time." Luke was confused.
"So," He stated. "If Alistair was in his cell at that time, and couldn't have done it, that means…" Chelmey nodded.
"Then somebody else must have done it." Luke then thought of something.
"Couldn't he have paid someone to do it for him?" Chelmey shrugged.
"It's possible. But, I have to go now. Alistair might be getting further and further as we speak." Luke grinned nervously.
"Oops; sorry!" Mr. Triton then came back. He held up the glove.
"I have the glove." He announced.
"I'll take it to the police station." Chelmey offered. "It can still be crucial to the investigation. But, I have to go now. Alistair Painter, the thief who stole the painting the other day, escaped from his cell"
"Yes, yes, I understand." Mr. Triton gave the glove to the inspector. The inspector thanked them all, waved, and left.
"Good luck on finding that no-good thief!" Flora called after him. Luke then thought of something.
"Chelmey!" He called. "Can I go with you?" But Chelmey couldn't hear. Luke was about to go when his father pulled him back.
"Whoa, hold on son." He said. "You're not going." Luke looked at him.
"Aw, come on, Dad!" He complained. "I want to help." Mr. Triton shook his head.
"Sorry, son. The professor told me what happened last time when you caught him. It's too dangerous."
"But, Dad! I was careful, and I'll be careful this time as well, and always. Please; let me help!" Mr. Triton shook his head again.
"Luke, you got lucky last time, and the times before that, but you may not get lucky next time. Your mum and I won't know what we'll do if we lost you."
"And you won't lose me; I got to help." Luke tried to go, but his father stood in his path.
"Luke!"
"But…" His father arched an eyebrow.
"Luke, I mean it." Luke sighed in defeat.
"Fine; I won't go." His father smiled.
"And don't forget once we get home, your mother and I would like to talk to you." Luke sighed again.
"Alright." Luke looked at John.
"I apologize for the vase again." He apologized.
"That vase goes back hundreds of years. This is why I hate kids. So irresponsible."
"I'm sure he didn't mean to." Collin assured his brother. "It was an accident."
"Yeah a careless accident. If he wasn't running, which is against the museum's policy, and watched where he was going, this wouldn't have happened."
"This is why you shouldn't have nice things." Luke remarked, trying to make a joke. But no one laughed. "Sorry, lame joke."
"I promise my son will repay the damage somehow." Mr. Triton promised for his son.
"He better. He's an accident waiting to happen. Please leave my sight, and take your ungrateful son with you." Luke glared at him.
"Come on, Luke." His father said. "We better go." And with that, Luke, Mr. Triton, Flora, and Arianna left the building.
"Flora, go upstairs." Mr. Triton told Flora when they were home. Flora held a snow- white suitcase. "Unpack."
"Got it!" Flora said, and went upstairs. Mrs. Triton greeted them, and kissed her husband. He mentioned Luke skipping school. Mrs. Triton was shocked.
"He did what?! I thought I saw Luke on the telly." She and her husband glared at Luke who was tip- toeing away. Mr. Triton cleared his throat.
"Luke Triton!" He bellowed. "Into the living room!" Luke looked at his parents, and held his head in shame.
"Yes, Dad." He said, and went into the living room with his parents.
"When I saw you on the TV," Mrs. Triton began as she and her husband sat on the sofa. Luke sat on the chair beside them. "I thought 'nah! That couldn't be my boy. He's in school. He wouldn't skip. I was wrong apparently, and I'm extremely disappointed in you."
"I am too," His dad agreed. Luke sighed.
"I know," He began. "and I'm very sorry." He then perked up. "But I did it for a good reason. I was protesting kid rights."
"Luke," His mom said. "There are reasons why to not be in school; this wasn't a good one. I'm glad you stood for what you believe in, but skipping school because of it wasn't okay."
"Your mother's right." Mr. Triton said.
"I promise, I won't do it again." He then stood up. "So, what's my punishment? No TV for a month? No friends over? No electronics?" The parents looked at each other, then back at Luke.
"We'll talk about it." His dad said. Luke then thought of something else. "So, if the professor can have visitors tonight, can I go?" The parents hesitated. "Please; I have to see if the professor's okay."
"We'll talk about it." Mr. Triton promised. "In the meantime, you go up and check up on Flora. See if she needs help." Luke nodded, and went out of the room, and up the stairs.
But instead of going upstairs, he went towards the wall, and put his ear against it to hear his parents' conversation.
"I don't get it." Mrs. Triton began. "Luke's a good kid. He never skipped school before. I thought we raised him right."
"I know." Mr. Triton said. "And we did. He's just growing, and we, as his
parents must keep leading him on the right path." He then changed the subject. "What punishment should we give our son?" Mrs. Triton shrugged.
"The usual. Grounded for a month. No TV, or any electronics. No friends. No calling friends, no computer, no going out except school, of course. How does that sound?" Mr. Triton nodded.
"I agree. Should we let him come with us when we visit Hershel?"
"He's going to anyways. He is very close to him. It wouldn't be right if we didn't allow it."
"I agree." He then went to the wall. "I know you're back there, son. You better get to Flora." Luke came out from behind the wall.
"Right." He said with a nervous grin, hand behind his back. He went upstairs. "Sorry, Dad!"
Luke knocked on the guestroom's door.
"Come in!" Flora called. Luke came in.
"I came to see if you needed any help."
"No, I'm good." She plopped onto her temporary bed. "So, how long are you grounded for?" Luke told her what his parents had said. "Sorry Luke, but you knew this was coming."
"I know." Luke then perked up. "But my parents said that we can visit the professor in the hospital when he's ready to have visitors." Flora smiled.
"That's good."
"So, can the professor have visitors?" Luke wanted to know as soon as he came down for breakfast.
"And hello, and a good morning to you too." His mom said. "We can visit Layton after your father gets up, If he's not up when you're done with your breakfast, you go do your homework." Luke nodded.
"I will." He then began eating
Luke's father knocked on Luke's door. Luke was still doing his homework.
"We can go now, son." He said. "How's your homework?"
"Almost done, Dad." Luke told him.
"Perfect. You can finish when we get back." Luke stood up, dropping his pencil on his desk.
"Okay!" He followed his dad out of the room.
"Luke," His mother started telling him when they were going to Layton's hospital room. "Now, the professor is in a coma. You can still talk to him, and he'll still hear you."
"I know how comas work, Mum." Luke told her. His mother looked at Flora.
"I know how comas work too." She told her too.
"Aha, here we are." Mr. Triton said and went in. Luke ran up to Layton the moment he saw him lying in his hospital bed.
"Luke," His mother warned. "Don't run." Luke nodded. He looked back at the professor, and began sniffing back tears. He couldn't bear seeing the professor like this. "Awe, Luke. It'll be all right."
"I can't help thinking this is partially my fault."
"It's not your fault, Luke." Flora said to him. '
"I know. But, I shouldn't have gotten him upset. I should have been in school, and protested another day, or after school like he said."
"But, Luke. He still would've been shot anyways." Luke pounded the side of the bed in frustration.
"Luke!" His mother warned.
"I know!" Luke sobbed. "I'm sorry, professor; I'm so sorry!" He sobbed and sobbed. Flora and his parents frowned, feeling sorry and sad as well. "I was stupid; so stupid!"
"You weren't stupid." His mom stated. "You just made a mistake."
"Yeah, a really stupid one." He looked at the nurse who just came in. "Is the professor going to be okay? Tell me the professor's going to be okay! He hasto be okay, he just has too!" Luke's mom was about to snap at him, when Mr. Triton put his arm in front of her, and she saw him shaking his head, so she just stayed quiet.
"We'll try our very best." The nurse promised him. "But, it's not a guarantee. When we have done all we can, it's up to him and God." Luke looked at the professor again as the nurse checked on Layton.
"Good evening, Inspector Chelmey." Mr. Triton greeted. Luke looked at the inspector who just came in as the nurse left.
"Good evening, Tritons, Flora." He looked at Luke. "Good evening Luke." He went to the professor's bedside. "How are you doing, Layton?"
"He won't answer." Luke told him. "He's in a coma."
"I know." Chelmey said back. "Still, I'm sure Layton loves our company." He looked back at Luke. "How are you holding on?"
"Okay, I guess."
"I know this must be hard on you, Luke. It's hard on all of us, but you spent a lot of time with the professor. He must be like a family member to you, and seeing him here, not knowing if he'll live or die, must be extremely painful to you." Luke nodded.
"Yeah."
"I assure you Luke, that no matter what happens, we'll find whoever's responsible for this, and put him or her to justice."
"Did you talk to Alistair Painter before he escaped? Did he have someone do this?" Chelmey shrugged.
"He wouldn't talk about that."
"It figures."
"And I'm afraid that Mr. Painter is still at large. The cops are searching for him. I took a break so I could visit with the professor. Right after this; I'll rejoin the search."
"Hope you catch him." Chelmey smiled.
"Thank you. I'm sure we will."
"I know you will, and I'm sure you'll catch whoever shot Layton too. Sooner will be better than later." Chelmey nodded.
"We'll do what we can. In the meantime, do you all want to play cards with me? I'll go get the hospital cards from the lobby." The Tritons and Flora nodded.
"That'll be lovely." Mrs. Triton put in.
"I'm sure the professor would play with us to if he could." Luke added.
"I'm sure he would too, Luke." The inspector agreed. "Some card games have thinking involved, and the professor loves thinking! I'll be right back." He then left.
"It's time to go Luke." His mother told him as they finished a card game. "You have homework to finish." Luke sighed.
"Yes, Mum." Luke didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay here until Layton was out of his coma, but he didn't tell his parents that. He got up as well as everyone else.
"I'll put the cards away." Chelmey volunteered.
"Thanks." Mrs. Triton said, handing him the card case. Luke looked at his dad.
"Can we visit again?" He wanted to know.
"We'll talk about it." His father answered her.
As they all said their farewells, including Layton, they all left.
"Luke, are you alright?" Flora asked him on the car ride home.
"Shhhh!" Luke shushed her. "I'm thinking."
"Thinking of the professor?"
"Yeah, among other things. Now shush, and let me think." And that is what she did.
"Okay." Flora said when they were both in Luke's room. Luke had called her to his room. She was hesitant if she was allowed in his room or not, but Luke pulled her in. The door was shut so his parents wouldn't see. "What were you thinking?"
"We're, along with Arianna, are going to all become detectives, and figure out who shot the professor."
"But Luke, you're grounded. Besides, the police and the inspector can handle it."
"That might take too long. Besides, that haven't stopped the professor and I from cracking cases before."
"True."
"I'll call Arianna to tell her the news."
"But Luke, again, you're grounded. I'm pretty sure you can't use the phone. I'm sure I'm not allowed to even be talking to you in your room right now. We'll tell her at school on Monday."
"No; that'll take too long. Look, sometimes you have to break the rules to do what's important."
"But…"
"I know I'll get in trouble, but I honestly don't care. As long as the mystery's solved, and the professor's out of the hospital. Don't tell my parents about this, okay?"
"But…"
"Please, Flora! This is important to me." Flora sighed, knowing that arguing was pointless.
"Okay; I'm in. I won't tell your parents." Luke smiled.
"Thank you, Flora." He went towards the phone. "Now, to call Arianna. Follow me." The kids went out of his room; careful the parents won't see them.
"Luke," Flora said to him when they were in Mr. Triton's office. Luke sat in his father's desk, and picked up the phone. "We really shouldn't be in here."
"I know. You go down and make sure they don't come near here. If they are about to, stall them until I'm out and in my room again."
"But, Luke…"
"Please, Flora." The girl sighed.
"Alright. I do hope you know what you're doing." She left.
Luke dialed, and put the phone by his ear.
"Luke?" Arianna asked, surprised when she answered the phone on the other line. "Aren't you grounded? You can't use the phone, can you?"
"No, but that's not going to stop me from doing what's right." Arianna sighed.
"Oh, Luke!"
"Arianna, I need you to listen." Arianna sighed.
"Alright; I'm listening."
"You, Flora, and I are going to become junior detectives."
