Chapter 3: The Blind Guest
Ratham Hall: London Outskirts. 9:00 Pm
The sound of Layton's words chilled Clark & Brenda to the bone; Sir Ratham-one of England's top businessmen was lying dead in cold blood, they had faced something like this years before, but it was mashed potatoes compared to this.
Layton rose to his feet and approached them
"How could this have happened?" Said Clark, scratching his head, Brenda was completely shaken up, she couldn't talk at all. It had all happened so quickly!
"I'm just as baffled too, Clark," Said the Professor.
"Wait a Minute!" Brenda piped up. "Where's Vivian?"
Layton scratched his head, he didn't know. "I don't ever recall seeing her during the dinner at all…"
"I concur, Herschel," Agreed Clark. "Perhaps she had skipped out to the bathroom"
But the Professor continued scratching his head, something bigger was afoot here, and he knew this was another case for the great Professor Layton.
Meanwhile, Flora and Luke dashed to the nearest phone, which was in the sitting room next room over; Luke grabbed the receiver and dialed Scotland Yard. Inspector Chelmey, Chief investigator of Scotland Yard, answered.
"Scotland Yard, Chelmey Speaking!"
"Hi, Inspector, this is Luke Triton, Professor Layton's Apprentice."
"Oh Hello, there," The Inspector answered a bit gruffly, How's old Layton doing?"
"Oh, He's alright" Luke Answered. "Just solving mysteries and such-"
"Well, what do you want?" The Inspector cut him off
"There's been a murder at Ratham Hall! A man's been murdered, One Sir James A Ratham."
The Inspector seemed shocked on the other line, "James A Ratham, you say?" he gasped.
Luke was a bit shocked himself, "Yes sir, I just found his body a minute ago."
"Bloody hell!" The Inspector cried, "Is Layton around, per chance?"
Luke Answered, "He's with the body, searching for evidence-"
Chelmey cut him off quickly, he nearly shouted with horror over the phone, "Well, you hold tight, lad! I'll send Emmy over as soon as I can contact her!
"Thank you, Inspector, Good Night!" Luke slammed down the phone, completely baffled and turned to Flora. "Emmy's been contacted and will be coming to investigate."
Just then, they heard a noise behind them. They turned around, no one was there; just then Vivian entered from the side door, she seemed to be sneaking away quietly. Luke quietly motioned for Flora to block the door while he snuck up to her; he turned behind her and said, "Leaving the party so soon?"
Vivian shrieked quietly and faced Luke, who stood behind her, glaring, arms folded, almost instantly she turned and ran to the side door, shoving Flora aside
"Flora, follow me!" Cried Luke. "Vivian, hold it there!" He Shouted after Vivian as she ran down the narrow corridor, Luke and Flora shouted and ran as fast as they could, since they were kids, they were nimble and faster. Vivian raced down the corridor, desperately shoving over vases and knocking over tables, with Luke and Flora dodging everything thrown at them.
Just before she reached the door at the end of the hall; she stumbled on her shoe and fell to the floor, she stumbled to her feet, But Luke was at the door before she was, she forced the door open and stumbled into the courtyard but Luke clutched her arm in a vice-grip while Flora helped to restrain her
"Hey there, lad! What are you doing?" A Man's voice demanded. Luke looked over and saw a tall man wearing a black suit and dark sunglasses.
"You deaf?" the man raised his voice, "I said let her go! I don't care who you came with, release her or you'll taste my bullets!"
Flora remained with Vivian while Luke addressed the man, "Now see here, sir: I am Luke Triton and I'll have you know that-"but the man cut him off instantly
"L...Luke Triton! Hold on, you're the Luke Triton that works alongside that puzzle detective Professor Layton?" the man asked in surprise.
"That's me," he replied, "In the flesh."
"Well, that is different! I...I apologize for my rudeness."
Luke didn't really think the man was being rude, only misjudgment, but he decided to let it slide. "What's your name, sir?"
"My Name's Wilson, I'm Sir Ratham's bodyguard and chauffeur. Tell me, is Professor Layton investigating this murder? Cause this would be the ideal case for someone like him."
Luke seemed motivated by the man's enthusiasm that he decided to put it to good use. Addressing Wilson once more, he said, "Look sharp, Wilson, because Professor Layton and I require your assistance!"
"No Doubt about it" Wilson agreed. "If Layton was around, one would expect that"
Luke motioned for Flora to bring Vivian over to them with her, Vivian had stopped struggling, but looked rather afraid and shy, "You stand guard at the gate, wait for the police and stop anyone from leaving or entering. Maintain this duty until Layton, Flora and I return from our work."
Wilson nodded vigorously, "My Pleasure, Luke Triton. I know this place better than anyone. And if anyone gets past me; they'll taste my fists!"
"Vivian" Said Flora. "Go with Wilson, you'll be useful to him over there than with us."
Vivian spoke to them a little louder and clearer this time, "Well, ok. If you insist." And followed him to the big entrance gate.
"So…now what?" Asked Flora, obviously baffled. Luke understood that Flora wasn't known for quick thinking.
Luke scanned the courtyard and spotted several guests, none of them was the tall man they met earlier, a light bulb flashed in his head suddenly, why didn't he think of it sooner?
"Flora!" he said urgently, "What would Professor Layton do in a time like this?"
Flora seemed to rack her whole body, she wasn't known for quick thinking, and Luke must've rolled his eyes so fast he felt like a game show wheel…finally he answered for Flora
"Question the suspects" he said. "Since everyone here is a suspect, we need to question them and find out what they know about the murder, this will prove useful to Emmy when she arrives."
"Oh," said Flora, "I get it now." She scanned the people in the courtyard; they included Miss Perry, the Governess, a drunken valet and a frightened man sitting on a bench.
"Well, into the trenches" Luke thought. He and Flora walked to the drunk; he was slumped against a bench with a shattered bottle of red wine, Luke never liked drunken people, but what information he had could be important "...Pardon me, sir..." he started.
"Well, there's someone who knows a flying elephant when he sees one!" he said wildly, Flora's eyes nearby jumped out of her sockets at his words.
"Flying Elephants?" she gasped. Luke's eyes rolled once more,
"Flora, he's drunk, he's seeing things, drunks do that." Flora was still getting used to strange people; He was still reminding himself of that.
"Uhh…sir," Flora started "Do you know about the murder?"
"Of the murder of the flying elephant and the Red Baron? Sure, I know all about it!" the Valet cried, "Look! There they go!" he started to race pass Luke and Flora and toward the gate,
"Oh, well," sighed Luke, "Wilson will handle him." And they started for Miss Perry, a middle-aged woman who was standing by the doors, wearing an elaborate dress with brown hair.
"Oh, Hello, Miss Perry, we've been looking for you," Said Flora, "it's…quite horrid, isn't it?"
"It's so dreadful indeed," Miss Perry agreed, "All these rumors about Miss Vivian, about her Father's murder; I don't believe these, do you?"
"No," Said Flora, "I don't and neither does Luke!"
"Indeed," Luke agreed, "but down to business," he took his notebook from his satchel and addressed her, "first, what sort of Man was Sir Ratham?"
"Oh, he was such a great man! The residents of the Hall considered him very harsh, but I am certain it was only his way of showing a fatherly attitude towards them." Luke knew what she meant; his own parents had been harsh towards him and even themselves. He even knew that the Professor did the same to Flora.
"Is there a list of the party Guests?" Flora Asked her.
"Oh, of course," Said Miss Perry, "It is in the dining room, the police will find it very useful, I'm sure. Either way, I hope they don't find the annotations I made very confusing."
Flora spoke up "What were the annotations for?"
They were made to note specific seating arrangements for the meal and the recital. Some individuals, whom I considered were important, were written in italic."
"And who suggested this in the first place, do you know?"
"Jean-Michele Dumas, a wonderful French party planner and head waiter. He took great care with the tables, the tablecloths, and even the guests as well"
Luke and Flora felt a little confused when she mentioned the guests. "I don't know what you mean by the guests" Said Flora.
"Well," explained Miss Perry, "He assumed that some of the guests that would attend would have poor hearing or eyesight, so he had the tables and tablecloths arranged so that the guests would have the view and seating position necessary for them to have a good time during the recital."
Luke was deeply intrigued now; he started to assume that maybe the table arrangements were made so that the shot could be orchestrated perfectly, he would definitely take note of that. "Is he still around, so that we can talk with him?"
"He left soon after the reception began, on personal business in London; he went to visit his doctor, something about his eyesight."
"Thank you, Miss Perry," Said Flora. "We appreciate your help."
"You're welcome, dear."
Luke was completely startled at how many notes had been jotted in his notebook; almost 10 pages of facts covered it all! He and Professor Layton would have a LOT to discuss when they met again