Chapter 2 – The Journey Begins.

The professor awoke at half past six to find Flora at his bedside with tea and toast.

"Good morning Professor! I thought I'd make you something easier today. Now isn't the best time for you to get food poisoning. Not even I can screw up toast."

"Thank you, my dear." Layton appreciated Flora's consideration for his health and the current situation. "Have you eaten already?"

"Eaten, showered, packed, and ready to go!" Flora said enthusiastically.

"Good girl."

"Did you tell Dean Delmona that we're going?" Flora asked.

"Yes, my dear, just before we left the university yesterday."

"What about school?" Flora asked. "Won't they think it's weird that I'm not there and you don't answer when they call home?"

"Ah," Layton said softly. He hadn't thought of that. "I'll give them a call later on. Remind me, will you?"

"Yes Professor."

"Good girl."

"I'll leave you to eat your breakfast and get ready," Flora said brightly. "I'll be in the living room."

"Alright, my dear." Flora left the room Layton smiled and took a bite out of his toast.


Flora sat on the sofa, deep in thought. She felt guilty for the way she had treated Emmy. She shouldn't have assumed that Emmy was behind it all. She could see now that Emmy cared deeply for Luke. "I'll apologise when I see her," Flora thought to herself. "I hope she doesn't hate me. I don't hate her... anymore." She suddenly heard the professor coming down the stairs.

"Are you ready, Flora?" he called.

"Yes, Professor."

"Come now, let's go."


Bronev knocked on the door of Emmy's room. "Are you up yet, my dear?" he asked gently. No reply. He opened the door to see Emmy curled up in a warm ball under her covers, still asleep. He smiled to himself and sat on the bed beside Emmy. He leaned over and pinched her nose shut. Unable to breathe, she choked and gagged.

"Leon!" she cried furiously.

"Morning, my dear," he said with a grin. "I trust you slept well?"

"Yeah," Emmy replied, rubbing her eyes.

"Good." He paused as he ran his fingers over the scabs on her arm. "Are you still in pain?"

"No," Emmy replied, "just itchy."

"Okay. You go for a shower, and don't forget to put on that ointment. Breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes."

Emmy smiled. "Thank you, Uncle Leon. Thank you so much." She leaned towards him and kissed him on the cheek. Bronev smiled and held her there.

"You're a good girl, Emmeline. Such a good girl. Such a brave girl." He kissed her back and stood up. "I know I've been horrible to you in the past, but despite what I say, I will always love you." He stroked her hair and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. He then left the room.

Emmy laid back down, hugging herself and smiling. "I love you too, Uncle Leon," she thought to herself. "I love you so much."


Bronev entered the kitchen and began to cook bacon for Emmy. He then spotted her bag on the floor. He lowered the heat on the hob and picked it up, placing it on the table. He unzipped it and looked through it. There was nothing but clothes in the bag. He frowned. Just at that moment, Emmy entered.

"Uncle Leon, do you know where I put my ointme—" Emmy stopped and stared at Bronev, puzzled. "Why are you looking through my bag?"

"Where are your pills?" he asked sharply. "You are still taking them, like I told you to, aren't you?"

Emmy reached into the chest pocket of her nightshirt. She pulled out the pills and handed them to Bronev. He opened the box and counted the pills. Everything was in order there. Bronev smiled.

"Good girl," he said, and smiled.

Emmy walked over to the hob and tended to the bacon. Bronev stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"You know, Emmeline," he said, "I spoke to Doctor Folley, and she said it's alright if we start to lower your dose again."

Emmy turned towards him and beamed. "Really?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied. "One catch, though."

"What's that, then?" Emmy asked, turning over the bacon in the pan to let the other side cook.

"She wants to come with us to Ireland and stay with us so she can monitor your progress."

Emmy froze. "But... but the professor..." she trailed off.

"Don't worry," he said soothingly, holding her tighter, "he won't find out. No one will." He kissed her neck and let go of her. "Let me do that," he said, "you go for your shower." He opened the cupboard above their heads and took out Emmy's ointment and handed it to her. Emmy smiled and left.

Bronev rooted around the drawer to his right and pulled out a gun. He then pulled out bullets and loaded the gun. He placed it in a gun rest in his jacket. "We will get him," he thought. "He will pay for what he's done to my little girl."


"Why aren't they here?" Flora asked anxiously. "They said seven. It's quarter past now."

"I'm not sure," the professor replied. "Perhaps Emmy overslept." He smiled, remembering how Emmy used to sleep in the odd time.

Flora sighed. "I hope they're here soon."

"They will be," Layton said, pointing into the crowd. Bronev and Emmy were both approaching them. Emmy smiled as she reached the professor.

"Hi, Professor! Hi Flora! Sorry we're late, traffic. Are you both ready to go?"

"Yes, we are," Layton said. "Are we using your plane to get there, Emmy?"

"Your plane?" Flora asked. She looked confused.

"Er..." Emmy looked at Bronev.

"Yes," Bronev replied. "We'll use the four seater."

"Are you flying or will I?"

"You can," Bronev answered, leaning towards her. "I think you need to get your confidence back," Bronev whispered in Emmy's ear, "or he'll get suspicious." He glanced at the professor and winked at Emmy.

"Er... alright then," Layton said, unsure of what just happened. "Lead the way."

"Just one moment," Bronev said. "I'd like to have a quick word with you before we set off. Excuse us, ladies," he said, beckoning Layton to follow. Layton looked at Emmy and she shrugged. Bronev left and Layton followed.

There was awkwardness between the two girls.

"Uh..." Flora didn't know what to say.

"So... how are you?" Emmy asked, attempting to make conversation and hoping that another argument wouldn't break out.

"Yeah, I'm pretty good. You?"

"I'm okay," Emmy replied. "Bit tired, but that's just my morning brain."

Flora laughed at this. Emmy laughed too.

"I... um..." Flora began, hesitating and turning a bit pink, "I'm sorry. For what I said yesterday. That was so rude."

"That's alright," Emmy smiled. "You're just worried about Luke. I'd probably react in the same way if I found out that Luke was in trouble over a strange woman in a yellow Hi-De-Hi jacket that I'd never seen before."

Flora and Emmy laughed again. They smiled at each other. Emmy held out her hand.

"Friends?" she asked.

This time Flora took it. "Friends," she replied, shaking Emmy's hand.


"So what do you want to talk to me about?" Layton asked.

"I'm worried about Emmeline," Bronev replied. "I think she knows Vaughan."

"What do you mean?" Layton asked. He felt a chill run down his spine.

Bronev hesitated. "She doesn't want me to tell you this, so if she finds out that you know; tell her that someone called Vinnie told you, alright?"

"Er... alright," Layton agreed, slightly confused. "So how does she know this person?"

"He... he did some... things to her, when she was...was little. She... she's terrified of him. But... but I don't think she knows it's him yet. When she finds out that it is... well, who knows how she'll react?"

"And you're sure it's him?" Layton asked nervously. He didn't like the idea of Emmy getting hurt.

"I have a suspicion; call it an intuition, which needs to be confirmed. Tell me, do you know anyone who's good with computers?" Bronev asked suddenly.

"What? Well, I think Flora knows a thing or two. I can ask her for you, if you like."

"Thank you. And Layton..."

"Yes?"

"I... I am sorry... about what happened last time we met," Bronev said. He looked sad.

Layton smiled. "Forgiven and forgotten," he said.

"Good. I hope what happened won't bring any bad blood between us, or the boy." He was referring to Luke.

"Of course not."

"Good. One last thing, Layton. While we're in this situation, Vaughan will be looking for people to get to us through, so I'd advise you to keep a close eye on that little girl of yours, just in case."

"Er... right you are," Layton said nervously. He didn't like the sound of this.

"Right," Bronev said, checking his watch. "If we head off now, we should get there for about ten o'clock. Shall we?"

"Yes," Layton replied, and the two set off back towards the girls.


"Is everything alright?" Emmy asked as Layton and Bronev returned.

"Fine," Bronev replied. "Let's go. Follow me everyone."

The four of them set of towards Emmy's four seater airplane with Bronev leading the way and Emmy at his heals.

"What was that about?" Emmy whispered to Bronev.

"Never you mind," Bronev replied. "You're alright to fly, you are?"

Emmy nodded.

"Good."

They got to the plane. Bronev unlocked it and Emmy got into the pilot's seat. She buckled herself up and put on her helmet. Bronev opened the back door and gestured for the professor and Flora to get in. They did so, and Bronev piled all of their bags into the storage compartment at the back. He then got in and did up his seatbelt. Emmy started up the ignition and drove the plane to the runway.

There was a man on the runway dressed in high visibility clothing and holding two red batons.

"Runway's clear!" he shouted. Emmy waved her arm in thanks.

"We are now ready for take-off," Emmy said in a voice that sounded familiarly like an air hostess. "Please fasten your seatbelts."

Flora and the professor laughed at this, and Bronev smiled at Emmy, which she returned. She drove down the runway and took off.


No one said much during the flight. Emmy was busy concentrating on her flying and the others were too busy admiring the view below.

"Wow," Flora said, awestruck. "Everything looks so small from up here! I wish I had a camera."

"I have one!" Emmy exclaimed. "It's right here. Give it to her, Leon, would you?"

Bronev passed Emmy's camera back to Flora. Flora immediately began to take shots of down below.

"Don't drop it," Emmy warned. "I did that before."

"And it's still in one piece?" Layton asked, astounded.

Bronev chuckled. "Emmeline went to look for it after she dropped it, and it turns out that it landed in some poor old dear's basket of washing. It was only when we knocked on her door that she was able to return it to us."

The four of them laughed.

"Don't worry, Emmy," Flora said, "I'll be careful."

"Good girl," Emmy said, and she smiled.

After Flora had finished, she passed the camera back and asked, "So, you like photography, Emmy?"

Emmy smiled fondly. "Yeah," she said, "Ever since I was little."

Bronev smiled too. "Yes, Emmeline has always been a shutterbug, ever since the day I met her. She was delighted when I bought her that camera."

Layton listened intently. He had never heard anything about Emmy's past, or her childhood and he wanted to know as much as possible.

"How old were you when you got that camera, Emmy?" the professor asked.

"Twelve. Uncle Leon got it for me for my birthday."

"Yes. I saw how reluctant you used to be giving mine back after you used to borrow it, and you were always such a good girl." Bronev reached over and stroked Emmy's arm. Emmy beamed at him.

Layton smiled. "Did you have any other hobbies as a child?"

"I did gymnastics and martial arts. And athletics. And running."

"You like to keep active?"

"Yes, Professor. How do you think I was able to beat up so many people on our adventures?" Emmy teased.

"Ha. I suppose so."

"You also did "fight club"," Bronev reminded her.

"Fight club?" Flora asked.

Emmy grinned mischievously. "Whenever anyone at school got into an argument, they'd go to the fight club, and whoever could stay standing for the longest was the winner."

"And Emmeline was always the one fighting," Bronev teased.

"And Emmeline was always the one winning," Emmy laughed. "Three hundred straight wins, wasn't it?"

"Really?" Flora asked incredulously. "Gosh, you must be tough."

Bronev grinned. "Well, she had more than one trick up her collective sleeve."

"Yeah," Emmy laughed. "If they're bigger than you, consider them fat and just keep running until they fall over. Then, you kick them in the ribs, step on their neck—"

"Emmy, please!" Layton cried as Flora and Bronev doubled over with laughter.

"Oh, we're nearly there!" Emmy interrupted. They could see a large city in the distance, which was rapidly getting closer.

"Hold on tight and fasten your seatbelts. I'm not too good at this part, so hang on tight and prepare for a bumpy ride," Emmy said, and the plane entered a descent. They went lower and lower towards the airport. "Hopefully they'll let me park here for a while," Emmy said.

They were nearly at the ground. Layton closed his eyes, preparing for a bump, but to his surprise, the plane landed gracefully on the runway.

"I thought you said you weren't good at this?" Layton asked.

Emmy grinned. "I've got to keep you on your toes, haven't I?"

Layton smiled back. "I suppose so."

They were suddenly interrupted by a man yelling at them from the ground. "What da fuck're ye playing at?" he roared in a strong Cork accent.

Emmy snickered. "I'd better sort this one out. Unload the bags, will you?"

They got off the plane. Bronev got their bags out while Emmy made for the screaming Cork man.

"Excuse me sir—" Emmy began.

"What da fuck!" he yelled.

"Please, sir, can you refrain from using obscenities in front of our young lady?" Emmy asked sternly.

"What're ye parked here for?" he demanded.

"My name is Emmy Altava. My acquaintances and I are here to investigate the explosion that happened in a high school in Midleton yesterday. We are here on behalf of the government to catch the man responsible for this. Could I please leave my plane here, where it will be safe?"

The man paused. "Uh... I'll ask my supervisor."

"Thank you."

"Wait here. I'll be back." He ran off.

The other three approached Emmy. "What did he say?" Flora asked.

"He said he'll ask his supervisor," Emmy said.

The man returned with haste, along with his supervisor.

"Hello," said the supervisor, holding out his hand to Emmy, "my name is Jerry Fitzgerald."

"Hello, sir," Emmy said, shaking his hand.

"Johnny here says you're here investigating?"

"Yes, that's right," the professor said.

"Well then by all means, there is room here for your plane. If you could move off of the runway and into our storage area—"

"Thank you," Bronev cut in.

"Right," Jerry said. "Johnny, you show them where to go."

"Right ye are," Johnny replied.

"I'll move it," Bronev said. "I have to meet someone here anyway. You three head off. Emmy, go to Anne, she'll probably know where the boy is. She'll help you find him. I'll meet you at the school."

"Okay then," Emmy said brightly. She took her keys out of her pocket and handed them to Bronev. "See you later," she said.

Bronev left with Johnny.

"C'mon," Emmy said to the professor. "We'll have to get a taxi to the school."

"Alright," Layton said, and the three of them set off.


"So, why the school?" Flora asked.

"To see Luke and get a witness statement while everything is still fresh in his mind," Emmy replied. The three of them were in a taxi and on their way to a school nearby to the one that exploded the previous day.

"How do you know if we're going to the right school?" Flora wondered. "I mean, there's bound to be more than one school in the area. There could be three or four."

"Well, even if we're at the wrong school, Anne can always phone around until we do find the right one," Emmy replied.

"Oh. Okay," Flora said.

"So, who exactly is this Anne, anyhow?" the professor asked.

"She's a teacher. She works at the C.C." Emmy explained. "If anyone can find a schoolboy, she can."

"And how do you know this person?" Layton asked.

"I lived over here for about eighteen months with Uncle Leon while he was searching for Azran relics," Emmy said. "I don't know much about that situation. We stayed for a year and a half, and we still didn't find anything, so Leon decided we should go home. I went to school at the C.C., because I was only thirteen at the time, and she was my English teacher. She was the one who actually taught me to speak English properly."

"What do you mean?" Layton asked, confused. "I thought you were from London?"

"No," Emmy replied. "I moved from the Czech Republic when I was ten. I had a lot of trouble picking up English. When I moved over here, I only had basic English, so she helped me to improve it."

"Oh," Layton said, surprised. "I had no idea that you were foreign, Emmy."

The taxi stopped at a queue of traffic. Emmy looked out the window and sighed.

"It's okay, we can walk from here," Emmy said to the driver. "You turn around while you still can."

"Thanks, love. That'll be twenty five, fifty three when you're ready."

"Did you bring Irish money, Emmy?" Layton asked.

"Yep, got it converted on my way home yesterday," Emmy replied, handing the driver a fifty euro note. "Keep the change."

"God bless you. See you love!"

The trio said goodbye to the taxi driver, grabbed their bags and hurried out of the taxi. They began to make their way up the road and past some houses.

"How far is it?" Flora asked.

"Not too far," Emmy replied. "Fifty yards at most."

They watched the traffic as they walked. Emmy frowned.

"Is something wrong, Emmy?" the professor asked.

"Yeah," Emmy said, "the roads are usually very quiet at this time. It's twelve o'clock, right?"

"Yeah," Flora said, checking her phone.

"Well, it's not the four o'clock rush, so I don't know why there would be such heavy traffic..." Emmy trailed off.

She stopped suddenly, causing Flora to bump into her.

"...unless something has happened."