It was the last day Elaine would be here. That was the first thing she thought of when she woke up that day. It was a pleasant image, no denying that. The wig and contacts were getting annoying after all. Besides, blonde hair suited Madeline better if Elaine was honest.

Elaine just had to get through one more day. That was all.

But regardless of what she had to prepare for, Elaine had not expected to find Henry Ledore pouring over papers at the kitchen table. Eyes scanning quickly but observantly.

"'E-'Enry? What exactly are you…?"

"Scanning over complaints made within the last five years. Mostly towards casinos." Henry replied, not looking up. "Whoever the Masked Gentleman is, they truly believed I wronged them somehow. I figured I could look through these complaint reports and see if any stood out." Elaine couldn't deny that it was a fairly good idea. She probably would have suggested it herself if she already didn't know who the perpetrator was.

"So, 'ave any stood out?"

"So far, it's just the usual type of complaints. It's mostly people who felt they were cheated at the casinos. If not that, then some complaints due to inconvenience of a hotel that was easy rectified as soon as it could be. So far, nothing truly seems to stand out as enough to warrant a desire for revenge."

"'Ave you even eaten?"

"Some sandwiches. I was in a rush to get started on this. There's enough for yourself and Angela." Still looking through the papers, Henry waved his hand to the counter where the plate was, holding neatly cut sandwiches.

"Merci." After helping herself to one, Elaine sat down in a spare chair and looked at the papers. "I'm assuming you will need my assistance? Or is there something else I could do?" Henry paused from his work to think something over.

"… Help here first," Henry said. "After that, we might look into anyone who may have been fired in the last year or so."

"No problem." Elaine murmured as she began looking through her share. It was mind numbing and boring. But it was the least she could do for a man clearly concerned for the wellbeing of his city. She might have skimmed a complaint or two, but she did mostly read them all. Honest.

Naturally, nothing could be found. There were complaints, sure. But the complainers never seemed the sort who would go to such lengths and extremes for vengeance. Still, looking through the papers was better than the slightly awkward feeling Elaine had during lunch, eating with Henry, Mrs. Ascot and the still disguised Descole.

Henry did make good food though.

"Thank you for helping with the plates, Madeline. You really didn't have to." Henry said as Elaine assisted him with the washing and drying of the plates.

"No, I don't mind." Elaine said giving a small shrug. Henry gave a small smile but frowned as he took a brief look as his pocket watch.

"Time's still running out. No doubt Layton is possibly working on a theory." Henry paused before looking to Elaine. "Madeline, would you mind going to my office in the Reunion Inn for me? I'll look through some more stuff here and you could try and look through the list employees still working or fired." Elaine was surprised by this. It was a big coincidence that Henry would ask her to go to the same place that Descole had told her to be at before evening.

"Oh? Well, I suppose that could work. I'll 'ead there once these plates are cleaned."

"Good. Angela actually suggested it while you were taking Mrs. Ascot to her room." Henry said. Ah. Well, that explains that coincidence.

"Oui. Good idea." Elaine said to herself. Typical. Descole probably didn't trust her to actually go to the hotel, and came up with something that would require her to go.

Clever git.

"Be sure to keep safe on the way there." Descole told her when he saw Elaine to the door. He seemed to be doing a good Angela impression. When he wasn't getting pushy about the Mask of Order that is.

"I'll be alright."

"Just remember," Descole narrowed his eyes a little. It was a little amazing how he could make Angela sound so… intimidating. "Don't do anything stupid."

"Don't you get pushy about the mask." Elaine countered bluntly. Descole scowled a little.

"Just go. When you're done, go find Raymond. You remember the room?"

"Oui." Elaine rolled her eyes.

"Good. … I'll… I'll see you later then." Descole gave a curt nod before Elaine turned and left through the front door. Leaving the estate, Elaine only stopped momentarily to look back at the Ledore mansion before continuing on again. Frowning. She had grown fond of this place, and of Angela and Henry. She felt heavy hearted as this may very well be the last time she'd ever step foot here.

Elaine wasn't sure why she had even bothered looking through all the lists of employees and such. All she received was tiredness afterwards and that was hardly an award. Perhaps it kept her mind off things, or just simply helped her in some way or form. Either way, she left Madeline's house keys on top of Henry's desk before she left the office. She would need them after all.

It was dark when Elaine glanced to the doors. There were still people going about, and most members of staff were busy with tourists.

The idea of hiding and not looking back occurred to Elaine for a moment. She did her job. Madeline (and presumably Angela as well) would be freed. She could just run now, forget about everything here, and get a bus or some type of ride back to London, or better yet elsewhere and just start a new life. Yes, it was a bit of a plan. Would need to be tweaked but other than that it would be fine. Come to think of it, going straight to the police here would be better.

But she couldn't bring herself to do so. It puzzled Elaine. Why would she be reluctant to leave? She should take the chance now that she had it, shouldn't she? But whenever she tried to think, 'I'll do it now. I'll run. I'll run far away', she just couldn't. Her feet were heavy on the ground.

Descole came to mind, and Elaine frowned.

He was an arrogant, horrible, selfish man who had no problem messing with the lives of others to get what he wanted. He had his moments of violence and had little to no moral.

But yet, he had his moments. Nice, almost caring moments. During them… Elaine did feel, appreciated. Adored even in a way.

It was selfish of her. That's what she told herself. But while Elaine doubted she could ever agree with methods of attaining items and such through a scheme like the current one or the one during Ambrosia, she felt she could somehow… Somehow, willingly stay with Descole. He attracted her. He was intelligent, capable of being charming and was multitalented. Plus, mask or no mask, he was physically attractive as well. The mask probably had a 'mysterious man' effect on, and after so long of being in his company, she had to confess that it worked on her definitely.

Coming out of her thoughts, Elaine looked at the hotel room keys still hung up. She was just glancing at them with an absent mind when one key stuck out to her. She recognised the room number as the one Angela and Madeline were in! Likely a spare key the hotel kept in case the first went missing.

Elaine stared at it, unsure how to react. She looked around and since it seemed she was free to do so, she went behind the reception desk carefully and took the key off its hinge and walked back in front of the desk and stared down at the key before clenching it tightly.

She… She had already developed a degree of loyalty to Descole at this stage. She could not leave him now. She felt too deep in. It was wrong, but true. But, she could still give the key to someone. Someone whom she knew could be trusted without doubt to keep Madeline and Angela safe. But who…

"Madeline?" Elaine looked up and felt that for once in the last little more than a year and a half, life was on her side.

"Professuer, nice to see you." Elaine put on a smile, not that she could stop it as she walked up to Professor Layton, Emmy and Luke. "'Ow may I be of assistance?"

"We think whatever the Masked Gentleman is planning, it's going to be here!" Emmy announced. Elaine grimaced a little. Figures. The place were trouble is right where she is, along with Descole's unfortunate captives.

"Yes. Henry mentioned you would be here and that you were to give us permission to enter his office here." the Professor explained, a little quicker than usual.

"Of course, follow me." Elaine gestured them to follow her to said office. After unlocking the door she said, "Professuer, if you don't mind. Could I talk to you in private? There's something I 'ave to show you."

"Of course. Emmy and Luke can look here for a bit before we return." Elaine wasn't so sure why the Professor agreeing to their little talk surprised her. Did she really not think he would agree?

"Good. Bonne." Elaine murmured before she began walking towards the stairs leading up, the Professor just behind.

The walk was nearly silent except for the few people they passed. Elaine had hoped to talk on the way to the room but it wasn't likely to happen. But she was proven wrong as on the floor of their destination, there was no one. She stopped, her back to the archaeologist. She went to speak, but the Professor beat her to it.

"What do you have to show me, Elaine?" Elaine looked back. She only looked surprise for a moment before giving a weak smile.

"Was I that obvious?"

"Not exactly," he replied. "When I first met you here, I did genuinely believe you for your cousin. However, shortly after that meeting there were certain slipups."

"The contact lenses?" Elaine guessed, and Professor Layton nodded. She knew that had been a slip.

"It did stand out to me, though not immediately. It is odd though that a person would just happen to have contact lenses in the same colour as their missing cousin however. There was also your tea. Henry made a comment that Madeline could do nearly any job for him, but could never make good tea. Your tea however tasted quite nice." He gave a slightly rueful smile. Elaine sighed.

"I only did it all because…"

"Descole made you do it and is holding your cousin captive?" he filled in when Elaine trailed off. "I'm assuming I'm correct that since you're here, Descole is not too far behind?"

"Correct."

"And would I be correct in guessing he's currently possed as Angela?"

"'Ow did…?"

"I noticed 'Angela' acting in an odd way. It quickly fell together more or less." There was a moment of silence before Professor Layton asked, "Elaine, do you know who the Masked Gentleman is?"

"… Oui."

"Is… Is it, Randall?" He looked braced for the worse and with a heavy heart, Elaine nodded.

"I'm afraid so." The Professor closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He seemed prepared for this outcome.

"I had my suspicions lately. But I wasn't certain on which I wanted to believe. That Randall was doing this under Descole's manipulations I'm guessing, or that he was still dead."

"I want to say desole-."

"There's no need to apologise," the Professor brushed off Elaine's apology. "You were put in a difficult position and just wanted your cousin safe. It's completely understandable." Elaine gave a weak smile and took Layton's hand and put the key in it.

"I can't go with you. Just, please. Take care of Angela and Madelne. Keep them safe, oui?" Professor Layton frowned, but took the key.

"Elaine, I can't just let you-."

"I'll be fine," Elaine insisted. "Just, get them out of 'ere. There's no use trying anything for me right now. I'll just be kidnapped again. That's sort of my thing at the moment I think."

"… If you insist." He looked reluctant but nodded. "I'll try to explain your role to them. The least I can do is show none of this was a willing part for you." Elaine gave a small nod.

"Merci." Elaine gave him a brief hug, not noticing how awkward he looked, before she let go and walked down the hall quickly. The hotel room she needed to be in now was much further up.

Two floors up with another to go, Elaine was surprised to see Inspector Detective Bloom coming down the next set of stairs, though she at first paid no attention.

"Ms. Béze?" Elaine inwardly groaned and turned to look down at him from the steps she was standing on.

"'Ow may I 'elp you Monsieur? I'm needed elsewhere so it must be quick."

"Actually, it's very important," he spoke solemnly. "I have reason to believe you may know where a Jean Descole is. He's somewhere in this hotel, if not, City." Elaine frowned. This felt a bit odd. How would he conclude Madeline knew where Descole was… Without knowing the obvious.

"This… This is some king of joke, oui?" Elaine put on her best annoyed look. "Well it isn't funny Inspector! My aunt and uncle are still upset of Elaine's kidnapping."

"It doesn't have to do much with you," Elaine began to pale. The Professor, understandable. But Bloom… "But if Descole is after the Masks of Chaos and Order, then he has to be 'eliminated'." Elaine couldn't say anything as the man looked at her with no particular emotion. Like this was an average day for him. She was wearing heels, but she was close to Raymond. Could she risk it?

Elaine didn't know why she didn't just kick. Fear must have messed with her thinking. She ended up turning around sharply, intending to run up quickly before she could be grabbed.

Click!

A click heard and something pressed against the back of her head. Elaine's mouth dropped a little and her right hand trembled. She didn't care what expression Bloom had on that face of his. All she knew was that she wished she had come up with a clever lie to avoid him like Descole told her to.

Who would have thought listening to Descole's orders without question would have turned out useful?

"I'm afraid Ms. Hawthorne, you'll have to come with me."

The gun pressed a little harder against the back of her head.

New drawing up on my Deviantart account guys! Descole with his daughter, Johanna, or 'Father and Daughter: Happier Times' :D