Chapter 2: Dinner and a Murder
Prof. Layton's Apartment: Central London. 6:30 Pm
Professor Layton was dressing in a brown suit with his top hat and a matching Bow tie and orange shirt. He had never been more slicked up that he was now, and he hadn't really wore a suit since his younger days, but he knew Luke and Flora were more than willing to slick themselves up whenever needed, which made him feel rather guilty, he knew that a true Gentleman always dresses properly for any occasion.
He took one last look in the mirror, He remembered when he last wore a suit: it was back in his younger days, he and Claire had attended a faculty dinner, and they held a couples dance afterwards, Layton had never been a great dancer-then again, Claire wasn't ether-but then again, nobody's perfect.
Meanwhile, Luke was finishing his blue Bow tie in his own room, and then added his blue waistcoat and jacket; he also had matching blue pants and his carefully combed Chestnut Colored Hair.
He reminded himself of Clive; the Teenager who tried to destroy London in a desperate attempt to kill those who killed his family, but deep down, he really had a heart for the Professor and his family, as Layton was the one who saved him from insanity. He was sent to Jail by Inspector Chelmey, but was released on parole because of his age; he was then taken in by Emmy Altava, The Professor's former assistant and friend, who visited on occasion. Emmy was currently training as a detective at Scotland Yard.
Luke finished his suit and went to the living room, just as Flora entered from her room, and with one look at her, he'd swore he'd been drunk. Flora was wearing her red satin long sleeved sequined dress-the one they bought; her chestnut colored hair was curled and pulled back in a silky red ribbon and a red Rose was pinned on her right side, she still wore her black boots.
Rosa, The Professor's housekeeper, stood behind Flora, pleased at the good job she had done of Getting Flora ready.
Luke approached Flora with a huge smile; Flora was stunned to see Luke not wearing his trademark blue cap, but it seemed Luke didn't care, he stopped a few inches from Flora, then before Flora could react; Luke took her hand, and kissed it, Flora's cheeks turned blood red at this act of respect.
"You look beautiful tonight, Flora." said Luke proudly.
"Thanks, Luke," Said Flora. "You look like a true Gentleman"
"You do look wonderful, dear" Said the Professor, entering the room in his own suit. "Do look after things while we're away, Rosa."
"Don't you worry about a thing." she told him
A horn honked outside, Luke took Flora's arm in his and they walked towards the white limo sitting outside the apartment, Layton followed behind them, the Chauffeur opened the back door, Flora entered first, Luke following behind, his blue cap now on his head. Layton entered last, sitting next to Flora; The Chauffeur closed the door and the limo slowly pulled away.
It was nighttime when they arrived at Ratham Hall, The Chauffeur opened the door and The Professor, Luke & Flora stepped onto the cobblestone walkway to Ratham Hall, the courtyard was laced with flowers and Limos and waiting man servants who were talking, drinking and occasionally having a cigarette.
"What a beautiful Place!" Flora said in amazement.
Ratham Hall was tall and immense, as big as Reinhold Manor, with party guests talking and laughing together in the courtyard, they approached the double doors to the Hall.
A Tall Man in his early forties addressed them. "Herschel Layton, I presume?"
"Professor Herschel Layton" he corrected, "But yes, I am he"
The Man checked his name off the list in his hand, he turned to Flora and his eyebrow raised skeptically "Miss Flora Reinhold?"
Layton forgot that Flora was shy about meeting new people; she answered shyly "Yes sir…that's me" she said as if the Man's snooty appearance scared her.
The Man eased a little, showing concern. "Sir, this young Lady is your daughter?" he asked Layton
"Adopted Daughter," he corrected, "but yes"
He checked her name off "First time, I take it?"
"Yes sir…" she gestured to Luke, who was standing beside her "This is my escort"
The Man turned to Luke, "And you are Mr. Luke Triton?"
"Yes, Sir, we were invited by my father, Clark Triton"
"Ah, yes, he is just inside and has been awaiting your arrival, according to his request; you three will be seated together during the dinner" he turned to Luke "if you don't mind?" he took Luke's cap and hung it on a nearby coat rack, he did a double take on Layton "Have you an escort to the dance?"
Layton sighed "I'm afraid not, my good man"
The Man changed the subject "very well, please enter here" he opened the double doors to the Ballroom of Ratham Hall.
The Ballroom was immense, with a stage opposite them. A small bar counter was set up at the left, with a lone barman busily serving patrons; a gold chandelier hung from the ceiling, bathing the room in bright light. Several tables were arranged before them in a strange shape, it looked like a capital H, and Layton scanned the room, searching for Clark and Brenda.
Flora gazed around the ballroom herself, she had never imagined a ballroom like this-then again, she had never known ballrooms were like this.
"I see them!" Luke cried
"You see them?" Said Layton "Good eyes, my boy, Where are they?"
Puzzle 4: Sea of Faces: 25 Picarats
Luke has spotted his parents among the party guests, and so have Layton and Flora.
Their statements are:
Luke: They're right next to the bar on the left, I can see a man wearing blue
Layton: Nonsense, they're standing opposite us, I know his face anywhere
Flora: There's a man talking to a woman wearing a blue flower.
Although these statements are helpful, only one of them is right, which one of the statements is right?
(Note: Cover the answer, else you'll ruin everything)
Layton spoke up, "they are next to the lectern"
Luke was surprised, "you're right, Professor! How did you figure that out?"
"Well," he said "Clark couldn't be next to the bar, because there is no one with light brown hair next to it, and Clark has light brown hair, and he couldn't be talking to the woman with the blue flower, because The woman is nothing like Brenda, therefore they are at the lectern." Luke and Flora were both surprised and pleased at Layton's observation.
They walked to the lectern to find Clark and Brenda waiting for them, the two were splendidly dressed in their best as well: Clark was wearing a blue business suit with a blue bow tie, and carried a crystal flute with red wine, Brenda stood next to him wearing a purple evening gown and wore a blue rose pinned to her Chestnut hair, Luke was pleased at their appearance as they were at his own
"Herschel" said Clark, shaking his hand, "How wonderful for you to come"
"Well, I couldn't refuse the request of a good friend" he turned to Brenda "My, don't you look splendid?"
"Thank you, Professor." She turned to Flora and smiled at her Dress and Hair, "Flora, my Dear girl! Heaven be good to me, how beautiful you look!" she planted a kiss on her cheek, "I never imagined you'd look like this on a night like tonight."
"Well," Said Flora "a True Lady always dresses properly for any occasion."
A man next to Clark approached Layton; he was a tall English man in his late forties, with dark grey hair, a matching suit, and a matching well-trimmed beard
"Professor Herschel Layton, I presume"
"I am he." Layton replied.
"Sir James 'A' Ratham" He smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you," he turned to Flora and Luke, who were talking with Brenda and Clark, "and who is the young Lady here?"
Luke heard Sir Ratham address Flora, and he and Luke faced him,"Oh, Hello, Sir Ratham," said Luke, "This is my Date, Flora."
Sir Ratham smiled at her, "She is such a beautiful young lady," Flora heard him and blushed, and then she and Luke wandered off in the crowd, Luke was starting to ask where they would like to be seated during the dinner, and then a young teenager about Flora's age almost walked into them,
"Watch where you're- "Flora stopped. Once she saw whom she was addressing.
Luke observed her carefully: she was about the same age and height as Flora, with short dark curly hair, wearing a very pretty dress riddled with flowers-one of which was pinned above her right ear, and a timid smile.
"Hello," Said Flora" "what's your name?"
The Girl said nothing for a minute, then said, "Vivian Ratham"
"Ah, I remember," said Luke. "My name is Luke Triton, and this is my date, Flora."
"Hi there" she said, her voice just above that of a mouse, Luke could only assume that she was very timid. Flora knew how that felt; she was very timid herself; but she warmed up more by meeting new people around London.
"So, My Dad says you came with that Brown Gentleman over there." she pointed to Layton, who was in conversation with Sir Ratham.
"You bet," said Luke, "That's Professor Herschel Layton, London's most famous archeologist and Puzzle solving Detective!"
He's a Detective?" Vivian said. "He solves cases?"
Yeah," Flora piped up," We go with him, I'm his adopted daughter, and Luke's his apprentice."
"You're his daughter?" She Asked Flora, "You're no older than I am; I'm thirteen."
That's no different," Luke replied, "I'm thirteen, and Flora's fourteen."
"Oh," Vivian looked rather embarrassed, "I'm so sorry."
Sir Ratham materialized next to his daughter, "Are you alright, Vivian?" Vivian nodded slightly
Clark, Brenda and Layton appeared beside Luke and Flora, "Well, Herschel, it appears the kids have become friends." The Professor nodded in agreement.
But Sir Ratham didn't seem at ease, "I think at best I should announce the meal."
"I Agree" Said Layton, "Come Luke, Flora, we will sit together" But Sir Ratham stopped them abruptly, and rather rudely.
Actually, Professor Layton," He cocked his head towards the stage. "I shall seat you and your companions personally"
Clark Stroked his chin suspiciously, "Are you sure of that, James?"
Absolutely" he stated firmly, but he sounded somewhat
Guilty, as if he was sensing danger.
Layton tensed up, his face a scowl of suspicion, Luke scowled with suspicion too, he didn't like this, Nor did Flora, they were with Layton long enough to know that when something like this happened, trouble followed with it.
"Actually, Sir Ratham," Luke spoke up, "I'd rather sit with my family, if it's all the same to you."
Layton then added, "I agree, but thank you anyway, Sir Ratham." And he and Flora were seated on the right side of the room adjacent to Luke's family; Sir Ratham was seated at the head of the table.
Soon the meal was announced, and maids and waiters approached the tables and served plates of Roasted Turkey, Mashed Potatoes with butter and steamed vegetables. Soon after the meal was served, Sir Ratham rose to his feet
"Attention, Ladies and gentlemen," and everyone diverted their gaze towards him "First of all, I wish to talk you all for your attendance during this special reception in honor of my beautiful daughter, Vivian." The audience seemed to drink in every word, "Her mother passed on when she was very young, and so afterwards, I-"then a loud gunshot sounded across the room, Sir Ratham quickly collapsed to the floor. And guests screamed and ran quickly out the door, trampling over one another as they went.
The Professor quickly grabbed Flora and they ducked near the stage, Clark and Brenda followed suit with Luke.
As soon as they caught their breaths, Layton raced to Sir Ratham's body, blood poured from his chest, he felt his body for a pulse, and turned to the group, "We must split up!" he said urgently, "Luke, Flora, Find the telephone and call Emmy at Scotland Yard. Then tell Miss Perry to close the gates at once. Afterwards, stay in the courtyard and wait for Emmy's arrival!"
"What has happened?" Asked Brenda
"Layton's face grew dark." He's dead.
And there's chapter 2, chapters 3 & 4 will be released soon, so stay tuned for that. Please review. Thanks