Chapter 14 - Breakthrough

"Alright, I'll do a bit of hacking and see f i can't track the car's trail. We should be able to retrace their route and find out where they're staying..."

Emmy listened intently as Alex spoke to the professor over the phone. "Has he found something...?"

"Alright. See you in a few days."

Emmy looked at him enquiringly as he hung up the phone.

"Layton thinks she's in Scotland," Alex confirmed.

"Let's go."

"Wait, Emmy. I have an idea of how to track the car down. It might give us a better idea of where she might be. If we hack into the street computers, we'll be able to get into the speeding cameras. Once we find her car, we can trace it to her location." he stood up and grabbed his bag. "I'll head over to Leon's and get on it right away. For now, I suggest you pack a bag. This may take some time."

Emmy nodded. "And Alex..."

Alex looked up.

"How is he?"

"I think he's alright," Alex nodded. "He seems very sure that she's in Scotland... And he said that he has one or two more things to check out..."

Emmy frowned. "All we need to know is where she is. What else do we need to know? All I want is Alfendi back..."

"And we're really close," Celeste said, taking her hand. "Alex will track the car and we'll find her with it. I know it..."

Emmy nodded silently.

"We're very close, Emmeline. It's only a matter of time, now..." Bronev wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Alex nodded and patted Emmy's shoulder as he passed her.

"I'll let you know as soon as I find her."

As they wandered through the streets of Prague, despite the circumstances of their presence, Flora couldn't help but be captivated by the beauty of the city's Romanesque and Gothic architecture, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge... Flora couldn't help but smile as she passed through the old town square and watched the locals as they went about their daily business, jabbering away in their native tongue. The professor turned to her and smiled as they crossed on of the many bridges over to the other side of the River Vltava.

"Prague is truly spectacular," he commented as they reached the other side of the river.

"Yeah!" Flora agreed. "Emmy was so lucky to have been raised here. I wish she was here with Alfendi..."

They stood in silence as they looked at Prague castle over the river.

"We will return here, Flora. When Alfendi is a little bigger," the professor promised. "We want him to remember it, after all. But for now, we need to see if the doctor resides where Alex said he is. Politických vězňů 1511/5. Just down this alley." They reached the end of the alley and approached the block of apartments. They approached the right number and the professor knocked on the door. A young man in his twenties answered.

"Mohu vám pomoci?" he asked tiredly.

The professor and Flora looked at each other. "Er... Do you speak English?" the professor asked.

"Ano. Come in." he stepped aside and held the door open. The professor entered and Flora followed suit. The young man invited them into the kitchen.

"For you to drink? Cup of tea?" he offered.

The professor shook his head. "I'm afraid i must decline. I have a few questions for you. Are you Doctor Darnel Alecksa?"

"Ano. I am."

The professor nodded. "And have you ever been in contact with a man named Aleksander Chovanek?"

The man's eyes suddenly narrowed as he glared at the professor. "No. I only know ze man by name. I am Darnel Alecksa Jr, my father vorked vis him."

"Ah. My apologies," the professor said. "Can you tell me where he is now?"

"Is dead. Thank God. He vas evil, as vas Chovanek." the doctor looked suspiciously at the professor and Flora now. "vat do you need to know?"

"I believe one of the girls he attacked is after my wife, Emmeline. She is Chovanek's daughter."

The man's eyes widened. "She is ze vun zey vere after! You mean it vorked?" Darnel nodded. "I had no idea zat she vas avare..."

"She isn't. But I need to know this person's name."

"You don't know vich she is?"

"I'm afraid not. She is using a different name."

"I am not sure vich vun she vas, now, but I'm sure she is in ze child's file. Go to Bulovka University Hospital to ze maternity vard and ask for eizer Xenya or Agnieska. Zey vill be able to help you."

"Thank you very much." the professor shook his hand, and before Flora knew it, they were leaving.

"Professor?" Flora ran after him as he swiftly strolled back in the direction of Charles' Bridge. "Professor, what was that all about? A child, a different name, a maternity ward... Is that where we're going now? Tell me what's going on!"

"I'd rather not say until my suspicions are confirmed, but I have a strong hunch," the professor smiled as they strolled down the street. "But I promised you that I will get you up to speed when we visit the hospital..."

"Are you ready Emmy? Have you got everything?" Alex asked.

Emmy nodded determinedly. "Ready."

"Where did you find her?" Luke asked.

"I traced her last in a village called Falkirk, between Edinburgh and Glasgow. I lost her at a crossroads, but if we split up when we get there, we'll be able to cover more ground and find her faster."

"Agreed."

Celeste and Emmy joined Bronev in his car, Randall, Angela and Henry piled into the one car and the Tritons got into their car, as the Black Ravens with Carla, Antonio, Xavier and Aldaz, prepared to travel in their hired mini-bus.

"Are you alright, my dear?" Bronev squeezed Emmy's hand as he started the car.

Emmy nodded. "I just want this to be over..."

"I understand," he soothed, stroking her fingers. "And it will. Layton will be back soon, I know it..."

"We'll have him back, in a few hours time," Emmy said firmly. "I know it..."

"That's the way, my dear," Bronev smiled, squeezing her hand again. "We'll get him back, and we'll make her pay..."

They all set off on their journey to find Alfendi Layton...

...and to finding out the truth about Andrea McIntyre...