Woot! I love me that kinda stupid cliffhanger. Especially when I know what's gonna happen and you don't.

And surer is a word. Because more sure just doesn't work.

Luke always felt the professor had done more for him than just become his mentor. He acted as a father when his father never had. Luke felt like he would do anything for the professor. He felt as if he was is Hershel's eternal debt, a servant if you will.

That was why he disliked Klaus s much. Layton saved his life, too, and he hated him for it. He was always playing tricks and snapping at Layton, Luke, and Flora. Klaus never came across to Luke as much of a caring person.

When Luke went down the hall to his and Klaus's room, he was surprised to see a little girl with black hair. She used to be near the storage closet, but she began backing towards the window. Luke could see it was opened from the outside.

"PROF-!" Luke started to shout. But the girl lunged and covered his mouth. Klaus came from behind and pinned Luke's arms behind him.

"Not. A. Word," she growled quietly, yet managing to sound scary. She did look frightening, one of her dark eyes covered up with that messy black hair, and a ragged purple skirt and white blouse.

Luke nodded eagerly. The girl slowly took her hand off her mouth.

Klaus spun look around and grabbed his shoulders. "No telling Layton, got it? She was going to go to the streets," Klaus whispered.

What! Since when did Klaus care about that? Loads of people lost their homes every day. Why was this one so special? He should go tell the professor and Flora right now: Klaus was harboring a possible criminal.

He turned back and looked at the girls pleading eyes. She was sad, desperate. Klaus looked ready to drop on his knees and beg. As much as Luke wanted to see that, he nodded once again. "I won't tell," he promised. The blue-clad boy stuck up his right hand.

Klaus gave Luke a thumbs up. He picked up the puzzle book from Luke's bed and put it in his hand. "Go be a nerd," he smiled and pushed the boy out the door.

Luke went back to the den, where Flora and Layton were waiting for him.

"What happened my boy? You look shaken up."

"What took so long, Luke? Did you misplace the book?"

"Uh…. Um…" Luke stammered. "I, uh, heard something scary at the window. But it was just the wind slamming the shutters… and the book was under my bed…." Luke hoped he sounded surer than he felt.

Hershel and Flora gave him an odd look. 'Well, come show us some of those puzzles," the professor said. He patted the spot on the sofa where he was sitting earlier.

Luke nodded nervously. He sat down on the couch. When he tried to flip through the page, he kept on getting paper cuts when the pages slid off his sweaty fingers. He winced the whole time.

"H-here Flora," he stuttered. He handed the book to Flora.

"Luke, we already did this one. Are you sure you're ok?" Flora asked. She gave him a concerned look.

"I think I'm sick,' the boy muttered. He ran off the couch and down to the bathroom.

Luke didn't like lying to Flora and the professor. He had to tell them about the girl…. But he promised Klaus…. And she looked so desperate…. Luke was either going to lie to the professor or to Klaus.

Definitely Klaus.

Luke walked shakily out of the bathroom and back to the den. "Professor, Flora… I have to tell you something," he said.

"Oh? What is it, my boy?" Layton asked. He and Flora both looked curious. Luke knew they both were waiting for an explanation of his odd behavior.

"Uh… when I went to get the puzzle book, this little girl was in our room," Luke aid, fumbling for the words. "And, uh, she and Klaus made me promise not to tell that she would hide there… Klaus actually cared she wanted to stay… and I didn't want to lie to you guys..." Luke continued. He kept his head down, messing with his fingers.

The professor gave him a warm smile. He didn't seem upset or anything. "It's okay, my boy. Thank you for telling the truth." Layton stood up and started walking towards the hallway. Flora was right behind.

"N-n-no! Klaus will be super mad I told you!" Luke stammered. He was blocking the closed door to Klaus and Luke's bedroom. "And the girl was so sad! She really needs a home!" Luke cried.

"Luke, I'm sure Klaus won't do anything to you, and I never said anything about making her leave," Layton chuckled.

Luke reluctantly stepped away from the door. Layton opened it and the trio stepped inside.

Klaus was laying on his bed- short the quilt from the edge of it- reading a book. The girl huddled near the window in Klaus's quilt.

"Luke!" Klaus snarled. "I told you not to tell!"

Luke backed up behind the professor. "I would rather lie to you than to the professor!" he exclaimed.

Layton and Klaus shared wary glances. "Her name is Alex, and she's that old Inspector Chelmey's kid. He was going to toss her out for some reason," Klaus explained monotonously. Luke though Klaus had read the professor's mind.

"I have more questions that need to be answered than that," Layton said sternly. "Let's all go back to the kitchen and get some tea," he said. Hershel ushered the children and Klaus out and to the kitchen.

As soon as Layton, Luke, Flora, Klaus, and Alex sat down, Layton asked Klaus and Alex questions.

"Klaus, how did you know our young friend was at Chelmey's house, let alone his daughter?" the professor asked. Thank goodness he was answering Luke's main question first.

"It was just a prank, you know? I told you I was going out, and I did- with a fake mustache. I snuck in wearing different clothes, saying I was here to work with Chelmey. They let me in, I got a uniform, and heard them talking about how hard it would be to get rid of her without anyone getting suspicious. I got mad Chelmey would just toss aside more people like that, so I brought her here," Klaus explained. He left out their wild exit.

Before Layton could ask another question, Alex piped up, "Why did we have to leave like that anyway? Either way we would have gotten caught. Walking out without vandalism would be the better choice."

"The better choice, not the fun and revenge-filled choice," Klaus said. Alex kept quiet.

Before any more interruptions, Layton asked his most important questions- To Alex. "Why did you father want you to remain hidden? What need was there to abandon you?"

Alex glared at the floor. "I-I don't know. Mum and Father have always been telling me to stay quiet and out of sight," she whispered. "And then when Klaus…. came, Father and Barton were on their way, and we heard them…" tears were dripping into her tea, making a soft plink on the surface. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

Layton nodded grimly and gave her a pat on the back. "I have many theories of why, but none of them make sense according to Chelmey's character. Then again, neither does being ready to send his daughter to the streets…" Layton continued muttering as he stood up and shuffled to his office.

Klaus grinned. "House party!