When Professor Layton returned to the Bostonius along with Emmy, Luke and Aurora, it hadn't felt too much of a surprise to know that Inspector Grosky had indeed been Targent related. Looking into the matter since Scotland Yard seemed to be getting involved now (at least by investigating Targent), though in Desmond's mind that apparently just complicated things. But plans were made to go to Scotland Yard, and Elaine had been a bit eager deep down to go as well. Desmond however wanted Johanna to stay on the ship, which made sense since he only got her back a little less than a week ago.

Elaine however wanted to try her luck again to see if she could get back into the museum. Maybe look into her office if she could. It couldn't hurt to. Targent might have known she worked here. And given her connection to Descole and reading Azran glyphs, would it have been far off to consider them snooping through her office? Plus, since she was the only one of the group who actually worked there, she figured she had a better chance of getting in. The only thing that prevented her from doing this previously was that this museum theft had not been on the agenda list today.

"Can you just let me in, s'il vous plait?" Elaine tried to not groan. While the policeman had lacked tact while commenting on Aurora's original clothes, he was adamant about doing his duty. Any other time, it would have been a little admirable. Now? Just bothersome.

"I'm sorry, but the museum is closed until further notice."

"I just want to check my office on the upper floor."

"I'm sorry, but no." Elaine inhaled deeply and contemplated what to do. What were her options? Trying to explain? A bit difficult. Twisting the truth? Last thing she wanted was the police to start accusing her of something or other. Flirting?

Elaine wrinkled her nose at that idea. Not worth it for this guy. Definitely.

"Ms. Hawthorne?" Elaine looked behind and was pleasantly surprised to see a slightly stunned Clark Triton. He didn't appear to have changed much since she last saw him in Misthallery, and while unexpected she didn't find any fault in meeting him again.

"Oh, Monsieur Triton. Good to see you."

"And you as well," he replied back as they shuck hands. "I thought you were…"

"Long story," Elaine said with a sheepish tone and shaky smile. "I don't really want to talk about it." Quick to change the subject she asked, "So may I ask what you're doing 'ere?"

"Ah, well the head curator noticed something odd about some items that were recovered after being stolen. He asked me to examine them," Clark explained. "And yourself?"

"I'm going on a little archaeology trip of sorts shortly with Professeur Layton and 'is friends, and I 'eard about the museum theft and after my… experiences over the last couple years, I wanted to check my office. The police 'owever won't let me in."

"I see. Well… I could probably get you inside if you wish. And if Hershel is coming, I could ask the police to let him in as well when he comes." Clark's suggestion had been a welcome one. Much better than any of the previous option Elaine had, and as such she was eager to agree.

"Of course. The Professeur is just at Scotland Yard with the others. They'll probably be 'ere in a little while. I'm sure 'e'll appreciate your offer."

"As am I," Clark agreed before he turned to talk to the officer.

Assuming it was Joseph who was keeping her office organised and reducing some of the workload here, Elaine would have to keep in mind to give him a small raise when she got the chance. The boy really did deserve it after all. Sure, there was a little more dust on some of the books here than usual from lack of use and the cleaners having overlooked them, but Elaine didn't mind. It's not like a little dust did any harm.

Checking through every drawer of her filing cabinet and then through every folder and paper within, with careful eyes and thinking hard through her memories, she so far had nothing to suggest her office had been broken into which meant that so far, she only really had to be concerned for the known theft of artefacts. Possibly more so if Clark Triton was asked to examine some of the artefacts that were recovered. Did that mean something was wrong with them?

Elaine considered the possibility. It wasn't exactly impossible for something to be wrong. Artefacts were usually delicate, so if something were to have been broken…

No. No, that couldn't be it. Someone would have said if something was broken. So nothing could be broken. Unless… It was something that fell and should have broken but didn't. Would that have been possible? But then that would mean it would have to be a fake, but they wouldn't have gotten into the museum this far if they were.

Would they?

If Targent really was involved and it wasn't just speculation, would it be possible for them to make fakes?

Well… Thinking back to the small army back at the Vault, they seem to have more money to throw around then Desmond (and that was saying something). So if there was some way to replicate an artefact and make it appear just as old to pass off museum experts, they probably wouldn't have trouble money-wise.

Knock, knock…

"Elaine?" Elaine looked up from her desk to see Professor Layton at her door.

"Oh, Professeur. 'Ave you just arrived?"

"No, we've been here for several minutes. Clark said you were heading to your office so I thought I'd check up on when we were finished talking to him and discussing the case?"

"And 'ow does it look."

"Looking at some tablet pieces, it would appear that a majority of them are fake," Professor Layton explained. "From there, we've deduced that the only type of person who could have done it was a Targent mole within Scotland Yard."

"I was starting to 'ave similar thoughts myself when I was thinking over the case a little," Elaine admitted as she moved to put the papers back in their draw of the filing cabinet. "Any suspects in mind?"

"I can't say for certain yet, though we'll need to go to Scotland Yard. So if you're ready…?"

Scotland Yard looked about the same as it had last time she had been here after Ambrosia. With Grosky with them they had gone to Bloom's office, with Professor Layton telling him that the inspector just helped in solving the case. Which he had by confirming the Bloom was the one who 'returned' the artefacts.

Bloom's office was simple enough, and while there was some furniture and décor such as the bookshelf and a display of a glove collection by the looks of it, it somehow still had a bare feeling to it all. Bloom himself (much to Elaine's disappointment) didn't have any sign of the bruises she gave him months ago at Monte d'Or with her kickboxing. It was a real shame, but assuming this was going in the direction Elaine thought it was, it wouldn't really matter by the end of the day.

"Professor Layton, hello again. How may I help?" he asked, looking over the small group and just barely lingering on Elaine a little longer though it went unnoticed.

If Elaine had one good thing to say about Bloom, it was that he was a very good actor and good at keeping cool and collected. He was able to act unaware about Targent's role in the case when the Professor brought them up, and not once showed any reason to be doubted. Even the Professor outright said that Bloom was the Targent spy, he kept his cool. It was a little impressive.

But of course the carefully crafted image of a loyal officer that Bloom had slowly became undone. It was a little ironic that keeping calm was actually what did it. You would normally think over reacting or some level of raised voice would have done it. But because Bloom didn't, having not even thought of looking surprised by the looks of it. It didn't help either when he unintentionally put himself in a position where only he could have access to the stolen artefacts.

He did look uncomfortable though. But in the end, there was nothing he could do to deny or defend himself except keep silent, keeping a stoic face as Grosky led him out. Either to be thrown into a cell or questioned further, whichever came first.

But, since the case was solved, it was finally time to go. To begin the trip around the world and look for the Azran eggs, and to discover the legacy of the Azran race.

"I still can't believe we're going round the world!" Luke gushed. His excitement showed the most when they came back to the Bostonius, ready to board and truly begin a big adventure. "It's so exciting!" Professor Layton frowned however, looking unsurely towards Luke.

"It will be a very lengthy and tiring journey. Not to mention dangerous. I do wonder if it's advisable to take you with us…"

"Don't even think about it, Professor! I'm going with you whether you like it or not!"

"It's only fair anyway," Elaine pointed out as she gestured towards the ship. "Desmond's bringing Johanna. The reasons may be slightly different but still…"

"I suppose that is true. Very well then. Let's-."

"Wait, Hershel!" Professor Layton looked surprised to hear that elderly voice, and looking back it he actually looked a mixture of confused and happy when he saw and elderly couple (both in their sixties at least and shorter than the Professor, then man's entire face nearly covered in a thick, snowy beard while the woman still had some blonde colour in her's though it was faded) come up to them. Elaine figured they were his parents. Or relatives of some sort.

"Ma? Pa? What are you doing here?" Deciding to let the Professor have his moment with his parents, everyone else went to wait for him in the Bostonius.

"Shall we leave now?" Raymond asked from the pilot's seat.

"Not just yet. We just have to wait for Professor Layton," Desmond told him as he took his seat on the couch by Johanna who had been napping there. Lightly startled waking up, Johanna clung onto the edge of his jacket though it didn't appear to be tight as it had been the first few times. All but loose really. That had to be considered an improvement somehow.

The wait hadn't been too long. After about ten minutes the Professor soon joined them again.

"Ah, Professor. Have you said your goodbyes?"

"Yes…" He gave a nod. "But I'm somewhat puzzled. How on earth did they find out about this journey?"

"Ah, well there is no great mystery there. It was me who contacted your parents."

Elaine inwardly frowned. Something felt… weird here. To imagine Desmond as Descole again, the man who appeared to have some sort of grudge against the archaeology professor (the reason for she had yet to discover), this didn't make sense. Why would Descole do that? Was he… He wasn't expecting anything to happen, was he?

No. No, that was just a hasty thought. He said so himself that he didn't do murder. And apparently Professor Layton did what he wanted he wanted him to do in finding the Mask of Order in Monte d'Or and (unintentionally) rising the Vault of Akbadain. So there was no real reason to add more into that grudge. Well, not too much at least.

… Unless he planned an accident.

No, no, no, Elaine was just making stuff up now. Desmond said he wanted the Professor to help in the beginning, and she doubted that could just change all of a sudden.

Maybe she was over thinking everything though. Maybe… Maybe Desmond was just being nice for once.

"… I owe a great debt to them, from a time long before I became an archaeologist."

Well… He always was a secretive man, in the years Elaine had known him. He wasn't really the type of person to just spill out every detail of his life. Even when drink caused him to lower his guard and loosen his tongue, that had mostly been because he was rambling to himself. He probably wouldn't have said anything if Elaine asked him. Sure, Elaine might know some things, but there was always more he kept to himself.

But what debt could Desmond owe the parents of Professor Layton anyway?

Thinking back to them, they didn't seem like they were rich, so some kind of loan was out. Maybe he had some kind of accident near their home when Professor Layton wasn't there and they helped him? Improbable, but not impossible.

Another thought then came to mind. The Professor was actually taller than his parents. She wasn't sure why the lack of height for either parent stood out to her. Some elderly people do get shorter sometimes.

Although, he didn't seem to have any notable features from them either. Hair colour and eyes were…

Elaine was beginning to think Desmond might have a point about her being snoopy. Besides, people sometimes got features from distant relatives anyway, and his father's hair could have been the same shade of brown as his son's before it faded. It was all easily explainable. Plus they were old. Features they share with Professor Layton could have faded long ago anyway.

That didn't stop her wondering though, what exactly Desmond had planned. She never did ask about his intentions for the Azran Legacy.

Perhaps she could try tonight when everyone is asleep.

I want to apologise for being later than normal posting this entry. First of all, it felt difficult to write. I'm not sure why. Secondly, I had a couple essays to finish. And I just had an in-class test for my Religious Studies minor today, which I think went well enough. But I hope to post again tomorrow at least.