Chapter 7 – The Morning After
Layton woke up to the sound of Luke's snores and to the blinding light seeping in through the gap in Luke's curtains. He sighed, remembering the events of last night and how Emmy was still in captivity. He thought of Bronev and what he was currently going through.
"I can tell he cares very deeply for Emmy," the professor thought to himself. "But I can't shake the feeling that something is off with those two."
He decided to get up and see Bronev, and also to check if anything had been heard of Emmy's whereabouts.
He sat up and began to get dressed. He looked over at Luke, who was still snoring his head off. Layton smiled. He was glad that his apprentice was alright; despite everything he had been through in the past few weeks. "Beneath it all, he's a tough lad," the professor told himself. "He'll be fine."
The professor descended the stairs and entered the kitchen, where Flora was waiting for him, making tea and toast for everyone. "Good morning, Professor!" she said brightly.
"Good morning Flora. Did you sleep well?"
"No," Flora said. "I don't think anyone did. I heard Luke crying last night, when you were in the kitchen."
Layton sighed. "Well, I'm sure we'll hear from Emmy soon, and she'll be alright."
He was trying to convince himself of that more than Flora. Layton couldn't shake the feeling that things were different this time and that there was something deeply wrong with Emmy. He suddenly remembered Bronev's words the previous day, before they set off in the plane: "I'm worried about Emmeline. I think she knows Vaughan. 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?"
"So, what's the plan Professor?" Flora asked.
"But the fact remains that Emmy knows Vaughan," Layton thought. "Whether she is aware that it is the man she knows or not, she is connected to him. He wants her, to hurt her or kill her is unknown as of yet, but what does this all have to do with the Grounds of Rebirth?"
"Professor?" Flora asked.
"He did things to her when she was little... what is that supposed to mean? Was she the victim of abuse? Did he hurt her? Emmy seemed off before we left to see him yesterday, but when we got there, the two were laughing and joking like old friends." Layton remembered the conversation that they had:
"I'm sorry... am I supposed to know you?"
Vaughan laughed maliciously. Emmy laughed back in a sarcastic monotone.
"I suppose you are, considering how we spent the last year and a half together."
"Oh, really?" Emmy asked. "I guess you were so quiet I forgot you were there!"
They both laughed again.
"Emmy was terrified before we left, but she went away with Bronev and two minutes later she was fine! How odd..." Layton smiled. He had it.
"Professor?" Flora said a little louder so that the professor could actually hear her over his crowded thoughts.
"Oh ... yes, my dear?" the professor said, coming out of his trance.
"Are you okay? You seemed a bit distant there."
"Yes. I'm fine. I was just... mulling a few things over."
"So how do we go about this "trade"?" Jai came back by the way, and she brought some people with her, friends of Emmy's joining up with the resistance, apparently. And Bronev's gone."
Layton paused, confused. "What do you mean, gone?"
"I got up at about five, and he wasn't there. Jai was up, though, and she said that resistance members came last night, they were in the living room and Bronev was gone. I don't think Jai even slept last night. She was a bit shaky when I spoke to her."
"Where is Jai?" the professor asked.
"She went out for a stroll, but she promised to be back soon. The guests in the living room are still asleep, but I'll wake them for breakfast in a minute. It is nine o'clock now, and the trade is at twelve thirty."
"Right," the professor said, picking up his teacup and downing its contents in three gulps. He crammed his toast in his mouth and ran out the back door. Flora stared after him, confused.
"He's definitely up to something," she said to herself.
Layton ran out of the estate and onto the road. He saw Jai some distance down the road, looking around. Layton ran up to her.
"Jai! Good to see you, my dear. Have you seen Bronev by any chance?"
"He's in the hospital."
Layton froze. "What do you mean by that?"
"I found Emmy last night. We got into a fight with some guards and she got hurt. She's in hospital now and Bronev went up last night with her things. Carla De La Vega, a friend of Emmy's, is also there."
"So wait... Emmy is no longer in Vaughan's clutches, correct?"
"Correct. But she was in a critical condition, last I heard. You may want to go up there and see her. Please report back with her condition. I will take care of things here until you return."
"Thank you," the professor said, turning to leave.
"Go to Celeste. She has hired a car and will be going to see Emmy anyway. You can get a lift with her."
"Thank you." Layton left.
Jai looked around. There was no one in sight, as the school had been closed due to the murder that had taken place the previous day. She felt something stir inside of her. She felt her chest, alarmed. She suddenly heard a voice inside her head.
"Jai... where am I?"
Jai shook her head, trying to get rid of the voice.
"Jai... what have you done to me? Why can't I feel anything? This wasn't part of the deal!"
"Shut up!" Jai hissed.
"I want my body back! I miss my family! You never told me that I was going to die, you bitch!"
"But you're not dead!" Jai said, outraged.
"I'm dead and my poor family can't bury me! I only wanted to help you stop that freak from hurting people and all I get in return is shit!"
"Just stick with it!" Jai thought sharply. "It'll all be over soon! I'll go back where I came from and you'll go back where you came from! You'll get your family back and your life back! Just let me do this."
"Listen to yourself! Just let me do this! I'll go back where I came from! You only ever think about yourself!"
Jai froze. "I'm doing this for everyone's good. Not my own, but the others. Emmy. Bronev. Aleks. The Grounds of Rebirth ruined all of their lives."
"Including mine."
Jai sighed. "I know. And I'm sorry. But you were there, in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"But all I wanted was a box of chips! With cheese on top!"
Jai sighed again. "Please. Look, how about we have a compromise. I'll control the body until this whole trade thing is over with, then when I give the all clear, you can take control. I'll come back again if and when I'm needed. Deal?"
Jai heard a sigh in her head. "Deal."
"It'll be over soon. So long as we get Vaughan in and away from those artefacts, everything will be fine."
The voice was gone. Jai smiled.
"I'll be home again soon," Jai thought. "I've just got one job left."
"Emmeline? Emmeline? Wake up, dear. Everything is alright. You're in the hospital. I'm here, don't worry."
Bronev stroked Emmy's hair as she moaned slightly.
"That's right," Bronev said softly. "Wake up now. We need to talk to you about last night. The police are here. I can get them to come back later, if you feel that you're not ready."
Emmy nodded. Bronev waved at the police to leave and they nodded.
"We'll be back at around three," one cop said. "Just call us if you need anything." The left.
"Uncle Leon?"
"Yes dear?"
"Why can't I open my eyes?"
Bronev sighed. "You were badly beaten, my dear. Your eyes are swollen shut. The swelling should go down in a few days, but for now, you're temporarily blinded."
"What happened?" Emmy asked groggily. "I remember getting out of the cell with Jai, and going through the sluice gate, but I was fighting Vladimir and he was hitting me and—"
"Vladimir?" Bronev asked, confused. "Why were you fighting Vladimir? He's on our side."
"But ... he said he joined Vaughan's side, and so did Katarina, and he let me out of the cell, but when he found me and Jai at the sluice gate, he said that he had to kill me and he choked me and kicked me and he wouldn't stop punching me..." Emmy began to cry again.
Bronev stroked her hair some more. He was shocked. He couldn't believe that Vladimir would do something so horrific to Emmy. He had been such a loyal friend to her for so many years. Why would he turn on her now?
"How did I get out of there?" Emmy asked.
Bronev smiled. "Jai saved you. She carried you away and she and Carla got you to the hospital before you lost too much blood from your stab wound."
"Oh." Emmy felt her side and there was indeed a deep gash where Vladimir had stabbed her.
"Vladimir won't hurt you again. He's in police custody, along with about forty others. Many of Vaughan's men escaped, but we got a large bulk of them."
"Okay."
"Vladimir was pretty badly hurt when the police got to him, though. Do you know how that happened?" Bronev asked.
Emmy frowned, trying to remember. "I punched him in the face and stomach, but that's all I was able to do. But I think Jai got him to stop hitting me. I... I can't really remember..."
"That's alright, my dear," Bronev said gently. "You've done very well. Did... did Vaughan hurt you at all? Did he say anything?"
"No." Emmy sniffed, about to cry again. "He... he came in, when I was in the shower. He said... that he wanted me to go home with him and we could be a family again. I was scared... I screamed... he chloroformed me... everything's a bit hazy after that. I tried to call you, but you didn't answer, so I called Carla. She answered and she managed to track me down. I don't remember seeing Vaughan at all in the cell. He wasn't there."
"I see." Bronev stood up. "You rest easy, now. I'll get you some breakfast. Do you want me to send Carla in? She's dying to see you."
Emmy nodded and gave Bronev a small smile.
Bronev smiled back. "I'll be back," he promised and left.
Emmy tried to wipe her eyes, but cried out and winced as soon as she touched her face. She couldn't see a thing – everything was just a hazy blur where her eyes were full of water and mucus. She sighed. "I want to go home," she said to herself.
"All I can recall is seeing that girl carrying Emmy away and the warehouse exploding. I don't know who beat Emmy up or who blew up the warehouse," Carla lied. It was true that she didn't know who hurt Emmy, but she didn't want to get her brothers in trouble.
"I see. Thank you for your time, Mrs. De La Vega," the cop said politely, turning to leave.
"You're welcome."
Bronev approached Carla, who was accompanied by Layton and Celeste, who had arrived five minutes before.
"How is she?" the professor asked worriedly.
"She's stable," Bronev replied, "But she took a heavy beating. She has a lot of bruising to her face, but it's not as bad as it looks. Why don't you three go in and see her while I get her some food?" Bronev suggested.
"You two go ahead, I need a word with Bronev," the professor said. "I'll see you in there."
Carla and Celeste walked away while the professor and Bronev headed towards the cafeteria.
"I have a few questions for you, Bronev. Regarding Emmy."
"What about her?"Bronev asked, trying to sound casual.
"How does she know Vaughan really?"
"As I said before, it is only a suspicion I have," Bronev said calmly.
"Be that as it may, I think it could bear a lot of relevance to our case," Layton explained. "There are a lot of questions to be answered here, not only about Vaughan, but about Jai, and Emmy too. Jai and Emmy have been acting oddly lately, admit it. Jai's case is understandable, what with her coming from a completely different world and all, but Emmy seems incredibly off. She's a lot quieter than she used to be. And before we left to see Vaughan yesterday, she was as white as a sheet, but when we got there, she was fine. How do you explain that?"
"There is a very good reason for that, one which she would rather not share with other people," Bronev snapped.
"Except for you?"
"I'm her family. I'm all that girl has left in this world. I was the one who took her in when she had no one else. Of course she would tell me things, because she knows that I wil not under any circumstances breath a word to anyone about it. She doesn't want you to know."
"But you agree that she has not been herself recently?"
"Yes. She has been unwell, but that is not her fault."
"I'm not saying that any of this is Emmy's fault," Layton said defensively, "But if neither of you will tell me the truth, then what am I to think? For all I know, either one of you could be on Vaughan's side, spying on us."
"You are being absurd," Bronev snapped. "Why would I spy on my own side? Why would Emmy spy on the behalf of a man she is terrified of?"
"Because of the fact that she's terrified of him," Layton explained. "He could be threatening her."
"He isn't. I watch that girl twenty four seven. She hasn't received letters or calls of that nature. She is not against us."
Layton sighed. "If you will not give me the answers I need, I will search elsewhere."
"Emmeline was not with us when we saw Vaughan last night," Bronev explained. "And the man you saw was not Vaughan. Emmeline was indeed scared last night. She told me that she was too scared to go. So I called on an old acquaintance of mine to fill in for her."
"Don Paolo, I presume?" Layton asked.
"How did you know that?" Bronev asked.
"Flora followed Emmy last night. She saw her go into an alleyway at the back of the estate and remove the disguise. Emmy was in fact Don Paolo the whole time. He also aided Vaughan in kidnapping Emmy in the first place. He waited with the car parked around the back and drove off as soon as Vaughan came out of the house with Emmy."
"Son of a bitch," Bronev swore.
"Indeed. I would advise you against trusting him again. His incentives aren't usually the best," the professor warned. "But if the man we saw last night wasn't Vaughan, then who was it?"
"A friend of Emmeline's named Jorge De La Vega. He is Carla's brother in law. He is being blackmailed by Vaughan. That was the man you saw me and Celeste with last night. Celeste took him away and had him put into witness protection. None of it was his fault. Vaughan threatened to hurt Carla and her husband Antonio if he didn't comply with his demands."
"So, while we were distracted by Jorge..." the professor began.
"... the real Vaughan broke into the Triton's place and kidnapped the real Emmeline while she was in the shower," Bronev finished. "There were a few gaps before, but now it all makes sense to me."
"Right," the professor said, satisfied. "That's one mystery solved. But I would like to know what happened to Emmy last night, if you don't mind."
"I'll explain," Bronev said. "Emmeline is still terribly upset after the ordeal. "
"I understand," the professor nodded. "Please go on."
"Vaughan said to Emmeline that he wanted her to go with him. Emmeline protested, so he chloroformed her and took her to that warehouse. She woke up and tried to call me, but my battery was gone, so she called Carla. Then Jai came out of nowhere and took Emmeline out through the sewage system. But when they got out, they were met by three guards. Emmy dispatched one of them, but the other beat her up quiet badly. Jai dispatched one and managed to knock out the other one and prevent him from doing further damage to Emmeline. Jai then carried Emmeline away and she ran into Carla. Carla took Emmeline to hospital while Antonio took the boys, Xavier and Aldaz, Carla's brothers, back to the Triton's place. Antonio called me before he got back, so I left for the hospital and I've been here ever since," Bronev explained.
"I see," Layton said. "So, what are we to do about this whole "trade" business with Vaughan?"
"I'm not sure," Bronev admitted. "I daresay he has noticed Emmeline's disappearance by now, but he may yet come anyway. Wait for him by the school and if he doesn't come within one hour, return to the Triton's place."
"Right," Layton replied. "I'll go and see Emmy, and then I'll get right on it."
"I'll get Emmeline some food," Bronev said. "I'll see you later."
Layton walked away from the cafeteria and back towards the wards Emmy was in. He was only halfway back when he heard his name being called.
"Layton! Oi, Layton!"
"Why, hello, Superintendant Grosky!" Layton said, tipping his hat welcomingly.
"Grosky will do just fine thank you," Grosky said. "I heard Emmy's in here. What happened? Did she crash her scooter again?"
"No, I'm afraid she was most viciously attacked," Layton explained. "She was kidnapped last night and—"
"WHAT!" Grosky exclaimed. "Is she alright? Who did this?!"
"She was in a critical condition last night, but she seems a lot better now apparently, although I have yet to see her in person," Layton said. "Come with me and we'll see how she is."
"Agreed," Grosky said and the two walked to Emmy's room. "I received that email from young... what's her name... Florence... Rainfeld?"
"Flora Reinhold, yes," the professor said.
"Yes, young Flora. I showed it to higher resources, and they said to report here immediately. I also talked to the chief constable at the station in Midleton and the one in the city centre here, and they've given your team access to any files you need."
"Thank you very much, Grosky. That will be invaluable to us."
"No worries, Layton."
"Here we are."
Layton pushed the door open and stepped inside followed by Grosky. They both stared, shocked at the pitiful sight of Emmy's poor face, covered in bruises and her eyes and jaw line swollen up.
"Wha? Who's that?" Emmy said, scrambling around.
"Shh, it's okay Emmy, it's only the professor and..." Celeste stopped.
"Superintendant Clamp Grosky, ma'am. It's a pleasure." He held out his hand, which Celeste shook.
The professor took a seat next to Emmy and looked at her sadly.
"Professor..."
"Yes?" the professor leaned in towards Emmy.
"I'm sorry... about this..."
"Don't be. It's not your fault."
"It most certainly is not your fault, Emmy!" Grosky exclaimed. "I, Grosky of the yard, will not rest until the culprit is found and put behind bars."
"That's really not necessary, although your help would be very valuable, I'm sure," Celeste said. "We have thousands of agents all over the country and worldwide, who are looking for the artefacts and are on their way here to fight this man as we speak. But your police clearance will be an invaluable ally to us. I must take this opportunity to thank you for your time, services and co-operation—"
"No need, ma'am, no need!" Grosky waved away her thanks. "Helping a friend in need is all that counts! I'll be on my way, searching for clues and whatnot. Get well soon, Emmy!" And with that, he tore off.
Emmy reached out for Carla's hand and she took it. Emmy smiled faintly and Carla smiled back.
"So... how do you know Emmy, Mrs De La Vega?" the professor asked.
"Please, call me Carla. Emmy and I are cousins. We lived together in London for some time before I moved to America for work," Carla explained.
"Can someone get me some water and a straw?" Emmy croaked. "I can't see a thing."
"Of course, Emmy," Layton said, pouring her a glass of water from the jug beside him and getting a straw out from the packet on Emmy's bedside table. He handed it to her.
"Thank you," Emmy said and smiled at his chin, unable to see his eyes. Layton smiled back.
Bronev returned with a tray for Emmy. "Scrambled egg and bacon for you, my dear," he said.
"Thank you, Uncle Leon," Emmy said sweetly and smiled at him. Bronev placed a board across the bars of Emmy's bed and put the tray on top of it. He then took a seat beside Celeste.
"Has she taken her pills yet?" Celeste whispered to Bronev.
"No, she only woke up ten minutes ago," Bronev whispered in reply. "I think we should wait until those two leave, so we don't embarrass her."
"Can somebody feed me?" Emmy asked, blushing slightly. "I can't see."
"I'll do it," Bronev said, taking the knife and fork and cutting up Emmy's food into bite-sized pieces.
"Shall I leave you to it?" Layton asked. "I'll be back at around lunchtime."
"Thanks, Professor," Emmy said. "I really appreciate you coming."
Layton smiled. "I'll visit every day. I promise."
Emmy beamed, but had to stop because it hurt her face.
"I'll see you all later." Layton said his goodbyes and left.
Emmy smiled to herself. "Bye Professor," she thought.
Bronev grinned at Emmy. "Open wide, Emmeline. Here comes the choo-choo train. Oh, my, this takes me back..."
Celeste and Carla laughed loudly. Emmy scowled.
"Shut up, Leon."
Jai slumped against the front door of the Triton's place. Her head was banging and she was furious.
"Will you go the fuck away and give me a break?" Jai growled. "We agreed I'd give you the all-clear and I'd go away until I was needed! What part of that don't you understand?"
"Well I can't fucking control when I come and go, I haven't mastered that yet!" the voice snapped.
"I should've killed you when I had the chance!" Jai snapped aloud, coming in the door and slamming it behind her.
"Who are you talking to?" Aurora came out of the kitchen.
"The dead girl," Jai said shortly. "She's coming back and giving me a headache."
"You're the one who gave me a headache when you got that bastard to shoot me in the head!" the voice yelled, outraged.
"Shut the fuck up!" Jai roared.
Aurora jumped and took a step backwards.
"Sorry, Aurora, not you. Did you need something?" Jai asked.
"Where is everyone?" Aurora asked.
"Clark and Brenda took the kids to the shop and Antonio is upstairs washing up. Emmy, Bronev and Layton are all at the hospital," Jai replied. "And I'm here."
"Okay. And... Are you going to be alright?" Aurora asked.
"Yes," Jai replied, "as soon as we stop Vaughan. The sooner I get out of this crazy fucked up body, the better."
Aurora smiled and Jai smiled back. Jai suddenly keeled over, holding her head in agony.
"AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRHGHH! STOP IT!"
"What is the plan, master?" Raymond asked. "Have you decided which side we are on yet?"
"Yes," Desmond said. "We are on neither side."
"What do you mean by that?" Raymond asked.
"It is simple, Raymond. I will pass on information from the resistance to Vaughan, and yet at the same time I will pass on information from Vaughan to the resistance. That will make the whole process much quicker."
"To which process are you referring to?" Raymond asked.
"The discovery of the Grounds of Rebirth. There are now three different sides, but one common objective. We all want the Grounds of Rebirth and the renaissance artefacts. The two sides will undoubtedly be gathering information, and whichever information that cross references with the opposite side is presumably the correct information. That means I will know if the information is correct before anyone else does, and I will be the first one to get to the Grounds of Rebirth and the first to use it," Desmond said proudly. "That will be stage one of my master plan complete."
"Stage one?" Raymond echoed, confused.
"Yes. You see, stage two requires..."
"Are you ready yet, my dear?" Vaughan asked the woman.
"Yes," she said. "All packed and ready to go."
"Good. Are our spies put in place yet?"
"For the most part. The only spies left to enter are agent Van De Garde and myself."
"Good. Very good. And have you managed to track down young Miss Altava yet?"
"Yes," the dark haired woman confirmed. "She is currently in the Cork University Hospital with her eyes swollen shut."
Vaughan sighed, looking sad. The woman touched his arm. "She will learn, do not worry," she said, leaning towards his chair to kiss him on the cheek. "She will comply with our demands if she knows what is good for her."
"Yes." Vaughan stood up and walked across the room. "Yes she will."
"Where are you going?" the woman asked.
"It's almost twelve o'clock. I have to go. So do you. Go to Descole and team up with him. I must see Miss Altava. I proposed a trade, and a trade is what I will get."
