Chapter 6: Guns and Roses

Professor Layton's Journal:

Mystery No. 1: The Missing boy:

According To Jack Craven, Sir Ratham and his wife had a boy many years before Vivian was born. A week afterwards, the boy went missing, and no one ever spoke of him again. Who is the boy, and is he still alive?

Mystery No. 2: The Lawyer:

Patrick Reynolds, A Lawyer from New York, Arrived in London the Morning after Sir Ratham's murder, and claims to be a Friend of him. he also seems very interested in Unmasking the culprit. What is his true motive as to his presence?

Mystery No. 3: The Unwelcoming Staff:

The Staff of Ratham Hall do not seem to enjoy Patrick's Presence in London for an unknown reason. Vivian does not seem to get along with him too, Is there a certain reason behind their behavior around him?

Double Decker Bus stop, Southampton, England: 5:30 pm

Southampton, England. One of the most popular sites in the United Kingdom, it was unknown if Professor Layton would enjoy such a place. But he came with business, not with pleasure.

One man stood among the very few passengers that crowded the platform, waiting for the next bus to London, He was tall and skinny, wearing a Purple coat and A Brown Fedora that nearly covered his face, to the casual observer, he would stand out in any group, any day, but he was no ordinary man, and this was no ordinary place for him to stand out.

The Double Decker Bus soon came into view, he didn't perk up, he didn't have to, he knew what it was and who was coming. He left quickly and quietly, but not before sneaking a peak at the Man in the top hat that was just about to disembark.

Meanwhile, Professor Layton, Luke, Flora, Vivian, Emmy and Ross stepped onto the Platform as Ross scouted among the passengers that crowded the platform. One of them kept his back turned, Not turning or even moving, Ross saw a puff of white smoke, which was evident that he was having a cigarette...or was he...Ross decided to find out

He walked up beside him and said, "Strange. It's not often that anyone skips the bus when it comes."

The Man turned to Ross, He wore a Gray suit with a Black Wool Coat and his head was covered with a Black Fedora that matched his coat, "Hardly, I suppose I am the first," He turned to Layton, who was coming to join them, The Man extended a hand to Ross, who shook it, "Detective Bryan, Southampton Police department."

"Ross Callen, Scotland Yard," he turned to Layton, who had just joined the group.

"Professor Layton?" Detective Bryan's eyes lit up, and Layton smiled. He knew that it was hard to him to walk freely around London without being waved at or recognized wherever he went. But he rather liked it, as most people would too, and if there was a place in the United Kingdom which didn't know Layton, he had yet to find it.

"Yes, I am he," he shook Bryan's hand, "My Apprentice, Luke and my Daughter Flora are over at the bench behind me,"

"Who's the other one?" the Detective gestured to Emmy.

"That'd be my partner, Emmy Altava, who formerly worked alongside Layton," Bryan looked out at them, they had been in deep conversation with a man they had met on the bus, and now they were walking up to Layton and the others.

Layton made the introductions, and Ross turned back to Detective Bryan, "We received your message to Scotland Yard about a Witness who had some information about Sir Ratham's Lawyer, One Thomas Barkley."

"Ah yes," Said The Detective, "a Neighbor of Mr. Barkley spotted him leaving on a trip somewhere, and passed me the message to you."

"That's good to hear," Said Layton, "Could you please take us to the Witness who saw Mr. Barkley?"

"Certainly, However, I do have a favor to ask of you, Professor Layton,"

Layton didn't have to ask any further, he knew what that meant: there was a puzzle brewing, he could read any man's expression like he read one of his favorite books.

"Do I smell a Puzzle brewing?" Asked Luke, who had joined them.

"Indeed," Said Bryan, "Care to give it a go?"

"No Puzzle can stop Layton's apprentice!" he declared.

Puzzle 8: Gun Shy: 40 Picarats

A gunman has been assigned to an Undercover mission, and for the mission he needs to carry a gun with him, but the mission requirments say he needs a gun that's small but carries a big magazine, his choices are:

Gun A: A Beretta

Gun B: A Sig Sauer 900m

Gun C: A Cobray MI 1

Which Gun is the one that the gunman needs to pull off his mission?

(Cover the Answer until you know)

Luke pondered so deep in his thoughts that Layton almost felt inclined to answer for him, but Luke perked up and faced Detective Bryan, "I have the answer: it's Gun C!"

Detective Bryan smiled, "Well Done, lad. I daresay the Professor has taught you well." Layton Smiled in agreement.

"Wait a Minute" said Vivian, "How is it Gun C? I don't understand?"

"I Know," Said Emmy, "Gun A was a Beretta which holds 8 bullets per Magazine, Gun B was a Sig Sauer which holds 12 rounds, and Gun C is a Cobray MI 1 which holds 32 bullets per clip." She Paused to let in all sink in.

"Well put, Emmy." Said Layton, "Detective, may we depart now?"

Detective Bryan grinded his Cigarette with his heel and said, "Very well, Follow me and I will take you to the witness who saw Mr. Barkley." He headed for the Sidewalk and the others followed closely behind him. Not long after they left, Blake emerged from a nearby building with Grady behind him, Both carried gunpowder rifles strapped around their shoulders.

"Man," Blake wiped sweat from his face,he and Grady had ran the whole length to the Bus stop to avoid suspicion, "At least we know what's going on now, Huh, Grady?" he said to the guy who crouched a few inches behind him, "what's your problem?"

"Well," said Grady, "We didn't catch Vivian in time, and I wanted to see her,"

Blake gave him a Twisted smile, "We'll get here when we can, but not yet. For now, we just spy," He ducked down the sidewalk quickly, "Hurry," He hissed, "Let's follow them."

Well, so long as I can see her, I'm okay with this, Grady thought as he slung his gun strap around his back and ran after Blake, who had started down the street.

Detective Bryan had led Layton and the gang to a secluded part of town near the Dockyards, after another few minutes of walking they arrived at a white two story house, a smaller wooden house stood adjacent to it. It was dark and wet by the time they arrived, and Layton wondered how anyone could live in this part of town.

Detective Bryan walked up to the wooden door, But no one answered when he knocked. He tried again, nothing happened. Luke and Flora ran to the windows to see inside, but the shutters covered the windows completely so that They couldn't make out anything. Flora tried to find a back entrance while Vivian tried to find a Way to pick the lock at the front door.

"Strange," Said Detective Bryan, "It's locked, it wasn't before the last time I came here,"

"When did you come?" Asked Ross,

"A few hours before I left to meet you."

"Hmm..." Layton frowned and put a hand to his chin thoughtfully, "Interesting..." Emmy and Ross nodded in Agreement. Especially at Bryan, He should've seen the person at least walk out before he left, but then again, a lot could've happened between the time it took for him to reach the Bus station and Bring the group back here, but still...

"Hey Professor!" Said Luke, Called Luke from around the corner, "We found a way in!" And everyone hurried over to Where Luke was standing alongside Flora And Vivian, They stood near an old back door that had a single door knob, but no lock.

"Well done, Number one apprentice," Emmy joked, "will it open?" Luke tried to turn the knob, the door rattled but didn't move,

"Nothing," he said, "It's locked too! how can we get it?"

Ross took his gun out, "I'll handle this," He aimed the gun at the door, Fired three shots and blew the knob to smithereens.

Luke swung the door open, "Why not do that on the other door?" he asked.

But Layton answered for him, "because, Luke; The Other Door couldn't opened because it was sealed tightly from the inside." He directed Luke to the Front door which had a wooden plank bolted across the door and a Chair propped up against it.

"Oh, I get it," Said Flora, "Since the Door was sealed, it wouldn't have made much difference at all." Layton smiled at his daughter and nodded.

Layton then began to examine the house: it was very dark and musty, as if it had been recently abandoned and unused. The sofa was old but stuffed, and the coffee table was titled to one side. Flora ran to the kitchen area, which itself was a sight for sore eyes: The sick was cluttered with dirty dishes, the cabinets were empty and filled with cobwebs, and the fridge was dusty and old. It definitely is clear to Flora that the place was abandoned for a VERY long time, despite that should've noticed the mess when he didn't.

Vivian coughed next to Flora, "Great Scot, this place is a mess! we won't find anything here."

Flora coughed in agreement, "Yeah, this is a pigsty compared to the Professor's apartment."

Vivian Looked Flora all over, which made Flora a bit uneasy, "What is it?"

"I Don't Understand," Said Vivian , "You don't resemble Professor Layton in any way. How can you be his Daughter?"

"Well, He adopted me a few years ago after my father died..." Flora's voice trailed off at the sound of the word 'father', Which made Vivian decide to drop the subject altogether. She didn't know yet what Flora had gone through before becoming part of Professor Layton's family, But she decided to ask another time.

Just then, Vivian leaned against the refrigerator, and then it fell apart completely, she jumped quickly out of the way, and where the fridge once stood was a trap door with a handle.

"What did you do?" Flora asked in surprise, But Vivian was too stunned to answer. Then a voice came from behind them.

"What is that?" Flora And Vivian turned and saw Blake and Grady standing at the entrance, their guns slung across their backs.

"Blake!" cried Vivian, "What the devil are you doing here?"

"I was About to ask you the same thing," he replied smugly.

Hey, Viv!" Grady started into the kitchen. But before Blake could stop him; they heard a huge creak and then the whole floor caved in on them and the whole group fell and down and down until they landed on a soft dirt floor, but it wasn't just any dirt floor. As Vivian got to her feet, she saw that they had fell in an underground tunnel, and a well constructed one at that.

"Flora?" Called Luke as he walked into what was left of the kitchen, "Vivian?" but before he could say more, ho found himself falling head first into a pile of earth, with Flora giggling at him.

"Oh Luke," she giggled, "You're so amusing," and she helped him to his feet and helped him cleaned the specks of dirt on his face. As Luke brushed off the last specks off his eyes, he found his hand brushing back one of Flora's chestnut waves and his eyes linked directly to hers Both stood transfixed at one another, nether one of them spoke, it was like time had stopped completely for them.

Flora and Luke had been extremely close for such a long time ever since Flora became part of Layton's family, and they had become closer than any brother or sister or best friend relationship there ever was. Luke remembered The fun time the two of them had at the Dropstone fair, and especially the fun adventures they had together during their time in Future London. Flora had already began to miss Luke when she had hear his family was leaving London and traveling to America.

Since their time away from one another, Flora had missed him every day and even wrote him every week, but since Flora had been really shy, she never got the courage to tell Luke how much she liked him until after a bone chilling mystery they solved in America that nearly left Luke at Death's door. when she visited Luke, he read her the poem she had written to him that explained her feelings for him. They had share their first kiss afterwards, and both of them agreed that that was one moment of their lives that they would remember forever.

Their perfect moment was cut when Grady shouted down the tunnel, "Hey, Blake. Let's follow this tunnel and see where it leads," and they took off after Vivian, Grady & Blake, who had already started down the tunnel.

Blake and Grady each held torches as they lit the way down the tunnel, Blake's face was grim but determined. To the casual observer, one would say he looked very sinister, but that was just his daily pessimism. In other words, he did look sinister, but it did not mean he was sinister.

Finally the tunnel hit a dead end, but then Blake called out, "There's a ladder here. we're gonna have to go up." he pulled down a dusty rope ladder that thankfully wasn't fraying. and started up the ladder first. Luke and Flora frowned in disapproval, knowing that a gentleman always puts a lady before himself.

Luke held the ladder while Flora climbed up after him, Then Vivian, Luke and finally Grady. They joined Blake in what appeared to be a basement/pantry of someone's home. Shelves of canned goods and condiments lined the shelves, they found Blake waiting for them when they climbed up.

"What is this place?" asked Vivian.

"Some guy's pantry if you ask me," Sniffed Blake, then before Grady could talk to Vivian; Luke yelped suddenly.

"Guys, over here!" He was standing near a pile of potatoes in a corner, and was frantically trying to dig whoever was he there out. Blake and Grady dragged the Potatoes away with their guns until Blake's rifle barrel was resting on a tall thickset man lying on the floor wearing red and black flannel pajamas.

Luke took one look at the body then swung back to the others, "Flora, go get Professor Layton and the others, there's a dead man here."

"Who is he?"

Just then Grady found a driver's license covered in dirt next to the body, he dusted it off and read, "The man name is...Thomas Barkley."

And the entire room fell silent.