Elaine had not bothered to keep count, so she couldn't exactly tell how long it was since she had last seen Descole. It actually worried her since it meant one of two things. Either something had happened, leaving Elaine to be stuck in quite a mess if anyone found out she had taken her cousin's place (plus the worry of whatever it was that DID happen to Descole), or he was still planning out one detail or two. There was also the third option which was a complete mystery though. But either way, there was nothing else Elaine could do.
Elaine was grumbling French to herself as she placed her grey contacts in her eyes. She really hated those things and not for the first time since this whole 'grand' endeavour' began, cursed the fact that she and Madeline had different eye colours. Elaine actually found it amazing she was able to place these damn things near her eyes, let alone on them, without some sort of injury as of yet.
Knock, knock.
Like know when the sudden knock nearly made her press against her eye too hard. Elaine gave a disgruntled sigh as she left the bathroom mirror alone to get the front door.
Opening it, she was surprised to see Professor Layton along with Emmy and Luke there.
"Oh. Forgive my, er... rudeness, but 'ow did you know I was 'ere? Assuming you were looking for me of course."
"We asked Angela." Ah. So the Ledores knew Madeline lived here. "I hope you don't mind, but could we ask you a few questions?"
"No, not at all. Come in." Elaine stood to the side to allow them inside. Walking in, Luke looked up at her with a mildly surprised look.
"Erm, Miss Madeline? Are you wearing contacts? I could have sworn both your eyes were grey yesterday but one of them is blue now." Elaine glanced to the hallway mirror and mentally grimaced. In her rush to answer the door, she forgot that only one of the grey contacts were in. She could still lie though.
"Er, oui. I found them somewhere among my belongings and I was thought I'd try them on quickly since I'm not expected by Monsieur Ledore for another hour." Elaine said sheepishly. "Make yourselves, comfortable. I'll be back shortly."
Elaine wanted to berate herself for such a slipup. She wouldn't have been surprised if the Professor was already suspicious or at least wary. But while putting in the second grey contact, she tried to reason with herself that she was over reacting over one little mistake that anyone could have made. She was still a bit bitter about making it, but that was beside the point.
"So, you can confirm that the chariots could only be taken out if Henry gave permission?" asked the Professor as Madeline served tea to them all.
"Oui. The last one that 'ad to be taken out was a chariot that needed repairing. That was about…" Elaine paused her speech to think as she placed the teapot on the coffee table and sat down in the nearest free armchair. "… I believe it was one or two days ago. Either way, the damage wasn't so bad and it may be back in its proper place by now. If not, sometime today or tomorrow."
"I see." The Professor seemed to be considering something over before he asked, "I believe Angela said you were present during the first 'miracle'?"
"I was."
"When we're finished tea, do you think you could show us where exactly the Masked Gentleman was at the time?" Elaine thought back to that night. While she couldn't remember the building he was standing on itself, she could faintly recall the building shape and appearance and gave a small nod.
"I think I remember where 'e was standing. I could show you."
"That would be very helpful, thank you."
When tea was finished Elaine had showed the group the building the Masked Gentleman had been standing on top of, but didn't stay long since she had to meet Henry in his home. Arriving there, she saw both Angela and Henry looking over a letter. Elaine already had an idea of who it was behind it, but she just softly cleared her throat and asked,
"Is something the matter?"
"A letter from the Masked Gentleman." Angela answered, looking up at Elaine while Henry still held the letter and paced towards the nearest window. Angela continued on. He's asking for Henry and I to be outside the Art Gallery tonight."
"More like demanding." Henry muttered, still not looking up from the letter.
"You don't… think 'e's plans to 'arm you in tonight's miracle, do you? If there's one tonight that is." Elaine asked, glancing to Henry briefly before looking back to Angela.
"I… couldn't really say." Angela admitted hesitantly.
"He probably intends to make me look pathetic and unable to do anything." Henry said in a tone that was a bit sharper then intended.
"So are you going to attend?"
"… Yes." Elaine was a bit surprised that Henry said yes, but he had a planning look on his face. "At least, Angela will go ahead of me. Madeline, this might be a bit much to ask given the circumstances, but could you go with Angela tonight?" Henry looked over his shoulder to look at Elaine. "I might be a bit held up with something I have to do. I would appreciate it greatly if you could."
"Well, if it's alright with Angela…?" Angela gave a sigh tinged with some frustration.
"I can't say I like the idea of appearing so helpless that I need company, but I suppose for safety sake it would be a wise thing to do." Angela threw a smile to Elaine. "And it's been a while since Madeline and I have been able to have conversations too. Honestly, you've been so wrapped up in your work here and home lately."
"R-really? I didn't realise." Elaine said with a slightly awkward smile. It wasn't really a bad thing. She just had to be sure to stick to topics that she knew and Madeline knew. It could go alright. The chime to the grandfather clock began to sound out the eleventh hour of the day, and Angela took a quick look to it.
"Oh, Mrs. Ascot said she would like to go outside around this time today. I'll go take her out."
"Yes, you do that." Henry gave a small nod and smile to Angela before she left for Mrs. Ascot's room. His smile dropped as he looked to Elaine. "Madeline, could you go and call the police station for me? Ask for Chief Inspector Sheffield and ask if it would be possible for us to meet before this evening at the latest."
"Er, oui M-'Enry." Elaine managed to catch herself from saying Monsieur. "Could I inquire as to why?"
"As far as I'm concerned, Dalston is still a person of interest in my eyes." Henry replied as he folded the letter up and placed it inside his coat pocket.
"So you're 'aving 'im arrested?" Elaine question with an annoyed frown. "No offense intended, but I believe that qualifies as an abuse of power."
"I'm not having him arrested, I'm just… I'm just making sure the police question him and see if they can prove if he as at least a minor involvement."
"That still doesn't change what you're doing."
"Madeline, trust me. Please." Henry said. "I can't say I'm totally happy about this either, but Dalston has motive and the funds to pull this off even if he's incapable of being the Masked Gentleman himself." He definitely didn't have the build, there was no denying that. Having seen Dalston, Elaine roughly imagined him with the same angel-like wings Randall had for his suit. She couldn't imagine him with the suit on though. However, the image of Dalston with smaller white wings came to mind somehow with him flying close to the top of the circus close by his home. And for some reason white geese were following him as he flew in circles.
"I… suppose you 'ave a point." Elaine replied, shaking her rather… strange image from her mind. "But what 'appens if it's proven Dalston is innocent?"
"I'll apologize in my own time. But frankly, I'd rather have people believe Dalston did it then Angela."
"Angela?" Elaine was certainly not expecting to hear that. "Pourquoi… Why, would people even think Angela had anything to do with this?"
"'I'm surprised you haven't heard the newest rumour." Henry said in a slightly dry tone. "Aparently, Angela is sick of being married to someone who was a servant and apparently profited from his friend and her boyfriend's demise, who is also possibly cheating on her with his attractive, French home-wrecker assistant." Elaine couldn't stop herself from wincing a bit at that description. Madeline had mentioned 'mumblings' about her and Henry, but Elaine hadn't really considered what people would actually say. And considering Henry believed himself to be speaking to Madeline, he could have been using a 'lighter' phrase of 'home-wrecker' in place of a more… vulgar word.
"It must 'ave slipped past my ears." Elaine mused.
"Either way, I would like it if you could go with Angela tonigh. Try to keep her safe."
"… I will, 'Enry."
I wanna say thanks to The Mocking J and nocturnalWordsmith for the reviews. I'm currently suffering from a bad cold and medicine is pretty much barely doing anything except get rid of my headache. So your reviews are a real pick me up. :)