Chapter 8: Meeting with Prof. H. Layton

'Morning prof…'

'Morning Lucy, you look different today'

'Really, how.. Hahaha oh are you referring to my dress?'

Alfedi blush and nodded. It's a beautiful morning which unexpectedly warm in temperature, given the weather in London is always wet and gray.

Alfendi and Lucy plan to visit Prof. H. Layton to obtain more insights into knowing more about Pual Wickerman, as their family used to live in the same neighborhood as the Layton.

Something about Barton and his concerns about this case prompted Alfendi to think further into other meanings Barton could have and cannot spell it out.

Alfendi thought to himself, while Lucy has gone to get some coffee for the trip.

The case is about the 12 stolen paintings by Paul, and yes, it does make sense to find out more about Paul's social circle and past for possible clues to the case, however, Alfendi thinks that it is not necessary to have expanded the radius of search, all the way to his childhood and involves Dad. The only thing that could mean is that, Barton wish to know more about Paul, though he said the his niece married Paul, but it seems like Barton knows very little about Paul and perhaps Barton would like to know more about him and hopefully links to something he wants to find out?

Alffendi stops his thoughts as Lucy handed him the morning he needed coffee.

'Lucy, what do you think of Paul? You heard Barton said about his niece die a year ago and they were married'

'Well… Paul seems like a nice bloke if you ask me. It is no surprise he is already married, he is good looking..'

'Okok Lucy I am not asking you about his look'

' oops sorry got carried away, but still, good look comes in handy and I am not surprise he is married, but importantly he is young and he achieved so much in such short time'

'Huh what do you mean' questioned Alfendi, sounded like Lucy read up a bit on this Paul guy.

'He was married to Barton's niece 3 years ago, moved to London, both got good jobs and lived in a very nice area near the Yard'

'Wait, you said he moved to London?'Alfendi getting more curious Paul's profile

'Yes, Paul was not in London before, he was in France, that's where he met Lynette.

'and how do you get these information?' asked Alfendi

'Well.. I am curious and read up his profile in the year and supping find on his life story as well when I came across the article about the murder of Lynette….'

'Murder huh? and in London….'

'Yes prof. and guess what? They were staying at the area where I initially wanted to rent…and remember the agent said a year ago there was this murder…'

'so I see how it is..'ponder Alfendi, as he slowed down for red light on the road.

'Now Lucy, we are approximately 15 minutes to well my home.. erm to Dad I meant Prof Layton.. We do not need to stay for long, get the answers we needed and go..'

'but prof. why did you address him as Prof. Layton, shouldn't it be 'Dad' and why we need to shorten the time, I got lots of questions to ask him, after all it has always been my dream to meet Prof Layton..'

'Lucy, it just the way it is .. the way I remember him as..Anyway, this is not about you, it is about the case, it is also about me.. I don't want to stay…'

Lucy and Alfendi keep quiet along the way, passing rolling green hills and lovely padi fields and until they arrive at the Layton's residence, which is on top of the hill looking down the village.

'So this is the place you grew up?' asked Lucy and turning her head around admiring the scenery and the cottage.

' yep.. Most of it' answered Alfendi

'Is this where you were born too?'

Alfendi remains silence for a while, as if trying to recollect his thoughts and looking confuse then answered

' I am not sure, I don't know'

'What do you mean you don't know, your own birth place…'

'Are you here to question about my history or Paul's?'

Lucy recognizes that resistance and let it go for now but she is already planning on how to prolong the time here.. she is not cutting short the time here…

'damn! The front door is locked?! I told him I am coming over…'

'you called your Dad?'

' I did last night'

'I should have known it' Alfendi examined the door knob and realised that there is a puzzle within the knob.

' we have to solve this puzzle, before we can enter' said Alfendi

'Solved!'

' but.. wow.. but how did you do it so fast?' asked Lucy in awe

'I see that you are still good doing puzzles' said a voice

Both Alfendi and Lucy turned around to meet this tall, medium size gentleman in a tall hat

' you must be Prof Layton!' Lucy face is filled with joy

'yes I am, very pleased to meet you and how may I address you.. ah I guess you must be Alfie's co-worker in the Yard- Lucy?'

' Alfie?' Lucy half questioned and half giggles as she finds the name cute

' yes, she is Lucy, Lucy this is the famous Prof Layton you wanting to meet' Alfendi introduced them quickly but awkwardly and stop his Dad from saying more things that he do not want Lucy to know.

The three move inside the house and to the verander for some tea. Lucy noticed how quaint the cottage is and as she moved through the hallway, she also see repeated pictures of Prof Layton and other people who apperar to be more than freinds, a girl with blond hair, boy in blue beret, of course there are Alfendis, who is very recognizable with his big sharp nose and brown curly long hair as a child. There is a portrait which piped Lucy interests,a young woman with brown orange hair standing next to a young Prof. Layton, the background looks like a University campus.. and she is wearing something that Lucy finds it familiar.. a white lab coat!