Chapter 10: A Queen's Fortune

Cher Burleigh's Residence: London Outskirts. 12:00 pm

Mystery No. 5: The Mysterious Diamonds:

Luke, Flora & Clive Obtained a necklace from a local Pawnshop. The Necklace has several various valuble diamonds. Many of which are very rare and not commonly found in England. How could such a necklace be made? And is there more to the necklace than meets the eye?

Professor Layton, Ross, Emmy & Patrick brought Ross's new police cruiser to a stop just a block before they would've reached Cher Burleigh's lodgings, as the road could only go so far.

They were still recovering from the hell that had just plagued London. Under the space of one minute, Several young revelutionaries and a hooded stranger had nearly destroyed all of Trafalgar Square and had burned Sir Ratham's body as well as the casket. The boys had escaped with a few casualties, but because they had escaped, and no one could challenge their attacks at present; It was going to be a tough task to stop their next siege, and Layton knew that this attack was only the beginning. When they would attack and where was-as of right now-a mystery far beyond mortal solution.

"So this is where her Lodgings are located? Said Layton. Nodding to the large and lavish apartment complex in front of them.

"According to our information." Answered Ross.

"Let's hope she will cooperate," Said Patrick, "I've known a singer or two in my day, and they aren't the kind of people you'd want to involve in a disaster."

"If you could even call this a disaster." Remarked Emmy.

Ross walked up to the door of the building and knocked. A short woman, Presumably the landlady, answered the door.

"Yes, Can I help you?" she asked

Layton and the others joined Ross at the door, "Yes, I am Detective Ross Callen of Scotland Yard," He flashed his I.D and Badge, Emmy did likewise as Ross gestured to them, "and this is Professor Herschel Layton. And my Partner, Emmy Altava." they acknowledged themselves before her.

"What can I do for you, Detective?" the Woman asked

"Is this the Lodgings of Cher Burleigh?"

The woman nodded, "Yes, indeed. She has been in here for two months and not a single complaint. she even paid me the full principal of the two months she'd be staying here in London."

"What is the rent to stay here? If I may ask?" Layton inquired.

"1.000 Pounds per Month," The Landlady answered, "She'll be out by the end of next week, so I'd suggest you do what you need to right now. She's in the top floor, room 10. She rarely goes abroad, save for when she is to perform."

The Quartet noted this fact instantly, Though Layton wasn't fazed by it. He had attended quite a few theater shows in his day, both musical and theatrical. and he knew from his early days that the cast were more than open to meeting the audience. The upside to both of these was he had been given VIP passes for himself and Flora for his role in helping London's finest with puzzles and clues that were far beyond their knowledge. The passes allowed Layton and Flora to meet the cast of "Les Miserables" during a post-performance dinner party at the Paris Opera House. It was there that Flora was able to slowly overcome her fear of meeting real-life Human Beings as opposed to humanoid robots in a village that didn't exist.

Several of the cast members enjoyed meeting Layton and many of the Actresses had the pleasure of meeting Flora. The Actress who played Fantine even took Flora to the Opera House's sitting room following the meal's adjournment, while the gentlemen, including Layton, Adjourned to the smoking room to hear about Layton's past escapades. The Actress, by the name of Nina Jernholm, had suggested the arrangement, knowing that Flora would fare well in a quiet atmosphere and, despite the fact that she didn't have Layton to encourage her, Nina had wanted to converse with Flora privately.

Layton still remembered that night. He had broken away after a card game and heard most of their dialogue, though he didn't interfere:

Flora and Nina were seated on the flower-embroidered sofa in the sitting room on the west side of the opera house. Flora was used to sitting on the beautiful furniture in Layton's lodgings, which were similar to the furniture in the room. But it was the company that she was unaccustomed with. Instead of Layton, who had been by her side since he took her home to London; she was seated with Nina, a beautiful young woman in her late twenties. her golden hair illuminated by the chandelier in the room that seem to even make Flora's chestnut locks sparkle as well.

"Wow, it's so beautiful in here." Flora said in wonder, "I feel as if I never left home."

Nina smiled, "Yes, this room is rather breathtaking. and I do enjoy being here when I'm not performing." she turned her gaze to Flora, "Have you ever attended a show here before?

"No," Said Flora, her words nearly forced out of her mouth, "Truth be told, I never saw a Theater in my life, nor did I watch any shows during my upbringing...I didn't even know they existed..." Her words retreated quickly, and she turned away, embarrassed.

Nina had learned from Layton that Flora had only been with him a short time prior to the show and had not met anyone-save for Luke and his own family. She placed a hand on Flora's own and spoke softly, as if she offended Flora greatly.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Flora." she said, assuring her that all was well, "I didn't mean to throw you like that."

Flora answered, " It's Ok, You didn't know." her confidence had cranked up a notch and she felt comfortable now, "Do you travel often with the troupe?"

"Yes, of course," Said Nina, and she explained that the troupe had started off the first few shows in America. then they went from there to Canada for the next few shows and concluded with the last 7 shows in England, Belgium, Ireland & Italy before ending their tour in Paris.

Layton listened to the dialogue that the two women were exchanging, despite the door blocking his view of them and disorting their voices. he seemed rather pleased that Flora was enjoying himself, despite his absence. It warmed his heart to know that Flora, who, despite her age, hadn't known a single human being since her family, who had passed when she was younger; had now, in his opionion, spoke to or even made conversation with a another woman without his motivation or support.

He opened the door to the sitting room to join the two while the men were continuing their card game, he had decided to speak with Nina herself so Flora and him could return to their Hotel to prepare for their trip home.

Nina turned to see Layton walk up to them, resplendent in a brown suit with an orange shirt and dark ascot tie.

"Good evening, Ladies." he nodded to them both, "Pardon me if I'm intruding..."

"Oh no," Said Nina, Not at all, Professor Layton."

Flora then squinted at the necklace Nina wore: It was expensive, no doubt, but strange-looking, like it was custom-made. The necklace was made from gold trimmings and had a ten empty rings that were now filled with ten diverse jewels. Each jewel stood out on it's own. Most unlikely, even for a woman such as Nina.

"Such a beautiful Necklace," Layton Commented, "May I ask where it is you acquired it and the price of it?"

Nina grew seemingly hostile at Layton's remark, which made Flora rise from the sofa and back away from it until she was standing opposite Layton, shocked at the Woman's sudden change of behavior.

"Well," Said Nina, her voice now shaky but calm, "I did indeed buy it, but it was a long time ago and I really don't wish to now go to the past."

Layton thought this woman's behavior was uncommon and rather deranged. But all the same, he decided to leave right there and then before something else happened.

Flora joined him as he left the theater with the same thought churning in his stomach like a rotten tomato. What could've made Nina so hostile, Especially because of her necklace?

Layton then snapped back into reality thanks to Emmy and Ross. He quickly got his head straight and followed them and Patrick to Cher's room to speak with her. The Landlady lead them to the top floor, which, by Layton's standards, had the best view there was.

The Landlady knocked on the door. for a while, nothing happened. Then a voice answered, "It's open," The foursome entered the room while the Landlady held the door open.

The Flat's appearance certainly matched it's price tag sufficiently. The Flat was about the same size as Layton's own apartment, although Layton's was less elaborate and decorated. The carpet was blood red and well-swept, as if the Landlady had refused for any dust to infiltrate the room. The furniture in the room included two Chairs, A sofa and a coffee table with a tray that held a teapot and freshly buttered scones. A large bookshelf stood off to one side of the wall, and a Piano stood opposite with a fairly sized pile of sheet music on it. Obviously this woman had been writing extensively during her time here, which concluded Layton's theory on Why she never left the Flat.

Layton and the others seated themselves on the furniture and after a moment, Cher Burleigh walked over and sat down with them. She had a willowly figure, her dark hair wet from recently being through the shower, she wore a black flannell shirt with a pair of jeans and brown boots. The group introduced themselves to Her, then Ross started the conversation.

"Do you know a Man Named Sir James Ratham?"

"Indeed, I do," Cher Answered, Her American accented voice was soft and simple, "I met him during my performance at the 02 Arena, He had personally requested to meet with me following the Performance. I did so."

"And What was the purpose of this 'meeting'?" Asked Layton.

"It was because he was very pleased with my performance that night. Back at the Arena, he told me that he had commissioned me to perform at his daughter's upcoming birthday gala next week. I had no performances booked for the following week, but even I had to admit that this did seem rather strange, not to mention last minute."

"How so?" Said Emmy.

"He seemed rather manic," Cher continued, taking a sip of tea, "His behavior was the kind you'd expect from a man like him. But what was odd was that he had some kind of look in his eye, like he had been scared or...like he was being hunted."

"I wouldn't imagine," Said Patrick, he took a scone from the tray, "He possesses a massive fortune that many people in London would kill for, especially because he's got a medium-sized portion of the city in the bank."

"Yes, I was told. However, I noticed his strange behavior more than twice through Dinner back at the resturant where we shared dinner. And afterwards, he did pick up the tab. And although he did promise me a handsome commission to perform for his daughter's birthday Gala; I knew I couldn't tell him I couldn't attend. So instead, I managed to book a performance at the Paris Opera House and left for Paris and after that performance, I returned to London and decided to do one more Performance before leaving for America."

Cher paused to let it sink in, Layton cleared the air and said.

"So you turned down the performance secretly because you thought danger was inevitable?"

"Cher nodded, "I knew it was unladylike, But I valued my life." Layton understood. In the conventional sense, She was right.

"Well," Said Ross," I'll have you know that yesterday evening, Sir Ratham was assassinated by an unknown assailant. And His Daughter, Vivian, is a prime suspect in the incident."

The Singer was slightly shaken, though she didn't relay any emotion, "Well now," She said, "I didn't notice."

Ross closed his notebook and rose to his feet, as did the others. To Layton, it seemed as if his hunch had paid off; Cher had been most complying with them, though she wasn't going to say so. and he wasn't going to tell the others why.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful to you," she said to the group, "I really am." she stood to go towards the bathroom as the others headed for the door.

"That's quite all right," said Layton, "I think we can take what we have and run with it."

he was the last to leave as the others had already left. However, soon after he closed the door, he heard a muffled thump which stopped him as though a sniper laser was playing across his chest, the others stopped when he didn't follow them, which, by their standards, wasn't the first time. Layton's intellect and brain worked in many different ways, he usually never followed anyone's lead or did something strange-unless something had happened.

Layton opened the door slowly, the others following suit, Emmy called Cher's name, to which there was no response. There could be many reasons for no response, such as if the person was sleeping, busy...or dead! He headed for the bathroom, following the damp trail the loose water on her hair left behind. and as they turned the corner, The water trail turned into a blood trail which lead to a woman's body which lay suspended over the bathroom sink, her face and neck were submersed in running water, the trail of blood started at her neck, and it wasn't a stereotypical wound, it seemed to have eaten away at her skin, so much so that it was hard to look at without retching.

Layton studied the wound as Ross shut off the running water and as it subsided, he was able to study the wound more closely, blood poured from the wound, which seemed to have eaten away several layers of skin, as if the water had been poisoned.

"Well," Said Ross, "Al least that's what they call 'A dying profession,'. He find a towel and pressed it against the wound to stop the bleeding, although Cher was already dead.

"Indeed," Agreed Layton, "but not quite. Someone was waiting for her." He motioned to the water draining from the faucett. It had already eaten away at some of the bottom of the basin. "Someone tainted the waterpipes with acid."

Ross finished dressing the wound as Patrick ran to call the Landlady. If someone was trying to eliminate all lose ends, they sure were pulling out all stops to do so.