"Master!" Descole flipped as one of the remaining members still loyal to Targent fired at him, feet planted firmly into the ground. He grit his teeth. The Azran were gone, then only thing left that he needed to get rid of was Targent. Targent had stolen his family from him twice. They were unforgivable.
Descole spared a glance back at his butler when he landed before lunging at the man, knocking the gun out of his hands and pinning him to the ground. The Targent member's eyes widened -- he could see one of them through the cracked lenses of the sunglasses. Blood trickled down his head -- Des had managed to catch him unawares. He snarled, placing the blade of his sword against the man's neck.
"W-wait!" Descole smiled mirthlessly.
"Why should I hesitate when you didn't for my family?"
"Who --"
"My name doesn't matter. You should be more concerned about the rather unfortunate position you've found yourself in." He pressed the blade harder against the agent's neck. The man stiffened, swallowed thickly.
"P-please --"
"Master." Raymond's voice was calm, low. "Let him speak." Descole huffed, then removed the blade, frowning deeply when the agent gave a soft sigh of relief, visibly relaxing.
"Be quick about it." The Targent member took a deep breath, his body trembling.
"We didn't kill every family that we came across who refused." Descole grit his teeth, his patience beginning to wear thin. His grip on his sword tightened.
"I saw them. I saw the blood. They were dead." The agent trembled more violently. "You are truly a coward if you try to rely on sympathy to save you." Descole placed the sword back on the agent's neck. "Your entire organization is cowardly, killing families when they have nothing to defend themselves with, when their husbands, their fathers, aren't even home."
"W-what were… their names?"
"You truly are a desperate fool." Descole paused, then said: "Their names were Olivia and Violet." The agent's lips parted slightly.
"The Sycamores?" Silence. "You're Professor Sy --"
"Not anymore. He died when they did." He applied more pressure; enough talking to this sorry excuse for a person.
"Pl-Please, l-listen to me! They're --" The agent's eyes bulged when Descole sliced his neck, letting out a gurgling scream. The blood pooled around the two as Descole stood up, wiping his sword on his cape nonchalantly. The agent placed both hands on his neck, his mouth wide open, nothing more than gurgles slipping past his lips.
"No more excuses." It was silent for a moment while the gurgles faded, then went quiet. The agent's arms went slack, then slid from his neck and rested next to his head. Raymond placed a hand on Des's shoulder.
"Des --" Raymond paused when the masked man turned to give him a sideways glance. "What if he wasn't lying?" Descole shook his head, his lips pursed.
"He had to've been." His voice was a whisper. "They were dead, we saw them, remember?"
"Desmond…." Raymond sighed. "Let's go back to the Bostonius. Okay?" Desmond was silent, then sheathed his sword.
"Alright." Descole was silent for another moment. "Raymond?"
"Yes?"
"Can you…." Des sighed, gritting his teeth. "Could you do some searching on that?"
"Des?" He just said that the agent had lied.
"I…. I want to believe him. That they're… not dead." Raymond frowned, then nodded.
"Aye, I can try."
"Professor?" Layton glanced down at Violet, smiling. She smiled back at him nervously. Olivia was resting in the other room; she seemed so exhausted, so tired, ever since she had arrived here. Layton could understand, to a degree. Searching for a loved one really took a lot out of you.
"What is it, my dear?"
"How do you know my papa?" Layton blinked.
"Did he never tell you about me?" Violet thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"If he did, I was too young. I was three when me and mum were taken by Targent."
"Ah -- I see." Layton thought for a moment. "I'm your papa's brother." Violet's eyes grew large, then she grinned, her tiny body practically vibrating in excitement.
"You're my uncle?" Layton smiled back.
"I suppose I am, dear." She giggled. Layton gave a soft laugh. Then, his mind started turning again. "Violet." She looked up at him, dark eyes sparkling. Layton noticed the gold and red flecks in her eyes -- the same as Desmond's.
"Yes?"
"Can you tell me what it was like at Targent?" Violet tilted her head and frowned slightly.
"Why?"
"Your papa always said that they were cruel. Were they?" Violet blinked, then shook her head.
"Grandpapa made sure we were safe and provided for."
"Bronev did?" Violet nodded.
"He made sure I always had something to do! He would always give me puzzles."
"Is that so?"
"Mhm!" Violet smiled. "He kept a close watch on us. He talked to mum a lot, too."
"Do you remember what they'd talk about?" Violet stuck her lips out.
"No. They'd never let me listen in." Layton frowned.
"I see."
"Violet!" She turned her head as Luke bounded into the room.
"What is it?" Luke grinned.
"I found a puzzle for us to solve!"
"Really?!" Layton chuckled as they both ran out. Violet was energetic, and she was beginning to rub off on Luke. Not that Layton was upset that Luke was acting like a child of his age. It was honestly very refreshing to see.
"Violet likes you." Layton started, then saw Olivia leaning in the doorway, a small smile on her face. "She doesn't normally warm up to people this fast."
Layton smiled. "That's a relief." Olivia was silent for a moment.
"Is Luke yours?"
"Ah, no -- he's my friends' son."
"I see." She smiled again. "It's nice, seeing her this happy." Layton frowned. Olivia glanced at him.
"Do you have an idea of where he might be?" Layton's frown deepened before he shook his head.
"He could be anywhere."
"I… see."
"I could always start by asking colleagues, then we could go to Scotland Yard for help." Olivia smiled wearily.
"Can we start tomorrow, then?" Layton nodded.
"Yes, Olivia. We can."