Chapter 8: The Red Coats

Professor Layton, Luke, Flora and Vivian all were silent At Jack's body. He lay motionless, his eyes closed, his suit smudged with dirt, and his body lay on the soot covered floor. Nothing was heard except for the churning of the air vents and the furnace. After what seemed to be an hour of silence, Flora spoke first.

"Uhh...Professor?" She squeaked, "what do we do now? I don't like standing next to a dead body." She shifted uncomfortably for emphasis.

You right, Flora," Said Luke, who seemed less shaken than he was earlier, "I do like mysteries as much as the next person, but dead bodies are not a pretty sight. Especially in the dark."

"Yes," said Layton, "I concur with Luke. We should take our leave as quietly as we can. There is no doubt that some devil is at work here."

Just then, Luke tore open Jack's collar and ran his finger around the neckline, he then stood up with a confused frown on his face,"Professor, are you sure he's dead?"

"Of course, Luke."

Luke turned back to the body, "Well, there's no doubt he's dead, but I don't see any signs."

"Well, I'm sure we'll find out soon. For now, we must make haste immediately!"

Layton lead the others to the elevator and back to the lobby, but as they got off, Layton stopped them abruptly. "We can't go this way. If we do, we would be noticed on the spot. It is important that we leave this place unseen."

Luke nodded in agreement, and pointed down the corrider, "there might be a back door down this corrider."

"Is there?" Asked Vivian.

"Only one way to find out." Said Flora. And they followed Layton down the corrider, their footsteps echoed across the stainless steel floor.

In no time they had breached an emergency door. Layton studied it.

"It appears we have a puzzle to jump over before we can leave."

Puzzle 9: Three of a kind: 25 Picarats

There are three different images on eack lock, A dog, A Top hat & a Cat. however only one image can be found on all three locks, which image is the one found on all three locks?

Layton fiddled with each image until he tried the Dog image on all three locks. the lock shifted until the door creaked open.

"Great. it's open!" Flora cheered.

"Quickly, "Layton said, "we must leave. No doubt the guards will be after us."

The group ran quickly out the door as the alarm wailed throughout the building, guards could be heard running around inside shouting, "Quickly, find them!" "Don't let them escape!" "Shoot to kill if need be!".

They continued to run and didn't stop until they had reached the main road. By the time they had cleared Ratham industries; Layton was leaning against a streetlamp to steady himself, Luke and Flora had both plopped down on the sidewalk, while Vivian was resting on a nearby bench.

after a while, Layton spoke. "I do believe we've managed to clear the area."

"I agree, Professor," Said Luke, "But I think we'd better split for the night. There's not much that can be done right now."

"Yeah," Said Vivian, "Especially because The police will be after us."

"I concur," Said Layton, "Come you two, let's be on our way."

But as they neared the end of the street, A shadow emerged from a dark alley, and three tough guys emerged from the darkness. they wore red and blue british army style jackets, red bandanas around their necks, and spiked hair each dyed a different color. One was red, the middle one had blonde hair & the last one's hair was multi-colored. all three were young, at least twenty, but very menacing. And they didn't appear to have any intention of letting them leave in one piece.

The middle one took a hunting knife from his belt, and with a smirk approached them silently. Just then, A gunshot rang out and they quickly ran off as Ross and Emmy emerged from the alley, Firing shots after them.

"Professor!" Cried Emmy, "Get away from here! We'll hold them back!"

Layton nodded, "Come, Luke, Flora." and they followed behind him, running swiftly as Emmy And Ross continued to fire shots. They ran for at least a mile before they reached Layton's apartment. it was blowing rain by the time they had gotten inside.

"Phew, that was close." Said Luke.

"My heart's still pounding." Agreed Flora, Who had sunk into the sofa to catch her breath.

"I concur," Said Layton, his hand at his chin, he looked deep in thought. "Well, I can say that there's more to this than we know. Tomorrow we'll go visit Patrick. I'd suspect he would know something about Sir Ratham that we don't know."

Luke nodded, "I agree, Professor. If he's a lawyer; he'll have a lot to say."

"That sounds good," Said Flora, "But I'd like to retire for the night. All that running had exhausted me."

"I concur," Agreed Layton, "Luke, you can manage from here?" Luke nodded then left the apartment, closing the door as he left.

Layton nodded to Flora and the both of them retired to their rooms.

Meanwhile, Emmy and Ross hadn't been able to find the three toughs who attacked Layton. As they skimmed the alley, Blake and Grady peeked from around the corner, then turned away with their backs pressed against the wall.

"What do you suppose they're searching for?" Blake asked.

"I sure hope it ain't us," muttered Grady, "I'd hate to think those blazing guns are after us."

"Me neither." Came Vivian's voice from behind them, Brandishing a Brtish military Jacket.

"Vivian?" said Blake, "What are you doing wearing that?" he pointed to the Jacket she was wearing. Vivian just shrugged.

Grady tried to answer, "Vivian. Why you wearing one of these?"

"She's one of us, now." Said Reid, who appeared behind her. He handed Vivian a Pistol. "Because tomorrow we strike. It's time we raise our flag!

Blake and Grady stared at one another for a long time and smiled. It WAS time!