At that moment, dawn had broken over the hills of Gelebham - and what a day to witness it. Windows had been opened, smoke had created a shelter over the rooftops, and our duo had stepped out to start their investigation.

Alfendi breathed in the bitter air that still surrounded him from the time of that dawning. He tried to convince himself the townsfolk had been a great help, but the lack of information he possessed seemed to tell him otherwise. It was as he knew - somebody saw his father. That person was hiding, big-time, for reasons unbeknowst. If they weren't to come out, then where would Alfendi find his answers?

The inspector sighed heavily. As Dad said, failure only makes us wiser... If this is even failure... In fact, I'd say tha-

"Alfendi..."

"WHAT? This better be important!"

"...I feel as if we're being followed."

Another sigh came from Al's lips . "Is that all?" he answered. "Look, call me a broken record here, but you're just imagining things. Forget it and keep walking."

"No! I know a follower when I sense one - it's in my assistant instincts!" Emmy clenched her fists. "I'm going to find this fiend no matter what the difficulty."

The fists were accompanied by a flame of determination burning in her eyes. Before Al could say another word, Emmy exited the narrow passage way they had been standing in, first walking, then running, and then...gliding across the rooftops? Wow, Dad, Al thought. If she's really performing these stunts at her age, then she must be on to something. A lead hopefully. Guess I'll have to catch up!

"Aha - got you!"

The panting inspector had trailed every alleyway in town to find Emmy again, and here she was, on the first path they had even crossed. Just great. But what was that in her grasp? A...wolf? Alfendi drew in closer. "Who's your friend there, Emmy?" he asked.

"This is Bingo!" she exclaimed. "It's crazy how much he looks like a dog, isn't it? I can't get anything but woofs out of him."

B-Bingo?

"Let's, er, have a closer look,"Alfendi said. He knelt beside the whimpering male, who beared a red chain Alfendi recognised from days in the Mystery Room. "Remember me, boy?"

Bingo replied with a woof. Indeed, it was crazy; Emmy wondered where Al remembered him from. But she didn't have long to wonder. There was a flash of white labcoat, a glimpse of brown hair, before the scenario became clear. Well...perhaps not so clear.

Emmy felt frozen to the spot, as if the breeze had turned her to stone. A petite figure stood there, pressing Al against the wall and trying to tower him, but not quite succeeding. Their nails were almost ripping through Al's coat, and they made sure he was trapped with their breaths travelling down his neck, before whispering, "This is it, Layton. Hand over Bing or I'll cut out your tongue...as you tried to do all those years ago."

It...couldn't be her! She wouldn't... Not after she...

"Argh!" Alfendi screamed. "Get off of me!"

His hair was getting redder, like one would expect his face to. The attacker mockingly stroked his chin. "A please would be nice, brother dearest," they replied through smirking pink lips. With a final waft of a hand, Bingo got to his feet and followed the figure's calls.

"Oh, and Layton. Do yourself a favour and get out of Gelebham. I'm not sure if you have noticed, but neither you or that wench are welcome here, and that is a fact."