Chapter 12

"We should look around in here more," Leo whispered, ushering her down another hallway.

"Do you think they have an office?"

"Well, Malvolia has that…workroom?" Leo offered with a grimace. "I don't know about him though. I would assume so, if we can find it."

"It looks like we're not the only ones snooping," Layla chuckled. Three other guests were investigating the hallway, trying to discretely open doors. The only room that didn't have a guest was the workroom.

Leo and Layla shrugged at each other, before walking in, keeping their eyes away from the paintings.

"God these are horrible. So tacky," Layla said.

"Agreed. I can't believe she thinks she looks good like that – it's grotesque. Hey look, there's a desk over there."

They sifted through the desk, which consisted mostly of drawings and letters. One stood out to the pair.

Layla lifted the letter, and read it aloud.

"Malvolia,

How dare you refuse me! How could you do this to me? All your promises were lies. You know what happens if I can't pay, and he's here. He will take me to that wretched place, and it will all be your fault.

Know this, you selfish cunt. I never once loved you. Do you really think I started sleeping with you because I loved you? Ha! You were easy to manipulate darling, and if I make it out of this, we will never be together again. I am leaving.

Faron"

"Christ," Leo whispered. "These people certainly live colorful lives. She must've been helping him pay off his debts, until now."

"I wonder why she stopped."

The pair looked up to see the three other guests listening at the doorway, eyes wide. Layla slid the letter back into the envelope and placed it where she had found it. They silently made their way out of the room.

As they made their way back to the main reception room, they heard Malvolia and Cecelio arguing fiercely.

"How can they speak to each other that way? I know all couples argue, but they just are so…" Layla whispered, shaking her head at the sight.

"Vicious?" Leo supplied.

"Exactly."

They grabbed some of the food laid out on the table, slowly, eavesdropping.

"I don't know why you're even asking for your allowance back. We're getting a divorce," Cecelio sneered.

"Just because it didn't work out doesn't mean you still don't owe me. If you keep paying me, I'll ask for less at the settlement," the woman hissed, her face frozen in plastic as she tried to emote.

"Absolutely not, you fucking whore. You cheated on me, Malvolia. You're not getting a cent more."

"We'll just see about that," she huffed, before turning on her heels and jiggling her way out of the room. Cecelio stormed off.

Leo and Layla sat down at a table in the garden. The sun was peeking out from the clouds, offering some warmth.

"Well, I definitely feel more comfortable solving a murder from the comfort of my couch," Layla said.

Leo laughed, "Me too. Thank goodness this isn't as disturbing as some of those serial killer ones you like to watch." He thought fondly back to the time she and Talia were watching a documentary on the night stalker, and messaged him and Donnie, scared, but unwilling to admit it.

After a pause, he smirked at her. "So, little investigator, let's look at the facts."

Her eyes danced. "Well, we have the letter from Faron to Malvolia. She was helping him pay off his gambling debts, which we know about from the ledger in his secret little cave."

"And," Leo added, lowering his voice. Layla got goosebumps at how deep it was. He should talk like that more often. "He was sleeping with her, even though he didn't like her, to manipulate her into helping him."

"She refused to help him this time because she was cut off financially due to the divorce. So…Inax was the one who was here to collect the debt?" Layla said, unsure.

"It would seem so," Leo said. "But how does he know Cecelio?"

They pondered different theories over lunch, and Layla kept finding her mind straying to the night before. She could almost still feel the spot where he kissed her so softly. If she thought hard enough, she could feel how gently his hands caressed her skin, drawing comforting patterns. She wished she could get up and sit in his lap again, and have him wrap his warm strong arms around her. When they were walking on the beach, she wanted nothing more than to be able to grab his hand. He was only doing that last night to comfort me though, right? I know he likes me, he did flirt with me, but he was also drinking…ugh I'm not sure. He's being so incredibly sweet, but I think we still might just be friends. I just want him, though. I want him to touch me – he held my hand once, so that means something, right? Plus, he didn't have to kiss my forehead like that. Fuck that was nice. And he didn't have to let me spend the night…he cuddled me the whole time…

"You alright?" Leo asked, seeing that she had drifted off into her own little world. The sun was hidden behind some clouds now, the seemingly perpetual fog returning once more.

"Mmhmm," she nodded. "I was just thinking about that creepy statue. I've seen it before. It's like an idol, some beings think it'll offer them luck when placing bets. It's made in the likeness of this champion beast who won every fight to the death, until it retired. The one I saw – I was 16 I think, it was huge and overlooked this big arena."

"Arena? Like the battle nexus?"

"Yes, but there's all these modified creatures, and they fight to the death. People place bets. I had been there a few times because a lot of the buyers for that place I was mutated go there. A lot of us who are from that facility would go there to work sometimes, like serving drinks, if we weren't fully paid for by the client yet."

"That's awful."

"It's ok. It's not the worst memory," she laughed sardonically. "I have a few fond memories, and I had some friends I made there. I don't know what happened to them though. I haven't been back to Akeldama since we escaped."

"That's what it's called?"

"Mmm," she nodded. "Maybe Faron was making little offerings to that statue in a last ditch effort to clear his debt. Some people used to say that you would have really bad luck, even lose your life, if you provided an incorrect offering."

"Could be. Seems awfully superstitious. I wonder where he got it from."

Leo wanted to say more, he had so many questions, but he didn't want to overwhelm her. He could see that she was still tired from the night before. Instead, he offered her a smile, and suggested they see if they could find Cecelio's office.

Behind a small library was a door carved between two bookshelves. Leo opened it, and inside revealed a small office overlooking the water.

"This is the second hidden little office we've found. These people really like to hide away, huh?" Leo said.

"Maybe because they have so much juicy info to keep hidden," Layla chuckled.

"Woah," he held up a large dagger lying on a side table. "This is a really well-made blade," he held it up to the light to admire it, swooshing it around a few times.

"What's it made out of?"

"Looks like a sort of Damascus-like pattern, probably made of out steel." He studied it closely. "It's balanced perfectly. Here," he handed it to her, showing her how to hold it, keeping his hand around hers.

"It's heavy. How to you twirl it around like that? You make it look so easy!"

He grinned, thinking to himself how fucking adorable it is that she thinks it's heavy. Look at her little hands, they both fit around the handle.

"Practice, and muscles," Leo winked at her. He glanced around the room again, noticing all the weapons Cecelio had on display. He beamed, and like a kid in a candy store, began playing with all of them.

Layla leaned against the desk, beaming at him. He was clearly having a blast, and she thought that she could watch him all day. He looked genuinely happy; she could see in his eyes how excited he was to play with each one. She would ask him to show her how to hold one, or ask about one, just to hear him talk so animatedly about the subject. She had little curiosity in weapons, but was keen to learn about his interests and indulge in them with him. She also didn't mind when he stood directly behind her, hands wrapped around hers, showing her how to hold them.

"I'll teach you how to use a weapon someday. Like a knife," he held up a small blade. "I think that'll be good for you."

"I've been practicing what you showed me, you know," she looked at him coyly, head tilted.

"Have you?" he murmured, voice husky. He was standing closer to her now. "You'll have to show me when you visit. If you've been a really good student," he was leaning almost over her now as she was sitting on the desk, her knees hitting his thighs. His eyes were dark as he gave her a cocky half-smile. "Then I just might show you how to use a weapon."

"Whatever you think is best, of course," she murmured, meeting his gaze. She was almost overwhelmed with arousal, and the urge to be with him right then and there was unbearable. He licked his lips, which shifted her focus from his eyes to his mouth. His hand was clenched around the weapon, his knuckles turning pale green from his tight grip. They both took a deep breath and looked away simultaneously.

Regaining his composure, he stepped away to put the weapon back in its display. Christ, she's going to drive me insane. I want her so badly – control yourself, Leo.

She walked towards the windows, trying to hide her color that had risen to her cheeks. She felt hot.

"There's one missing from the display," Leo pointed to an empty spot, trying to focus on anything but her.

"Maybe it's laying around here somewhere," Layla glanced around, noticing how messy the place was.

"Ready to rifle through more papers?" he said as he pointed to the desk piled high with letters and books.

"That's quite a lot," she sighed. "After you." He walked towards the desk while she peered out the windows.

"I would love to have a view like this. With the cliffs over the water, a tiny little beach all to myself." She sighed dreamily. "It's perfectly foggy. I bet it's like that all the time."

"You like foggy weather? You're always cold," he chuckled at her.

"I love foggy, misty weather. It's my favorite. I also really love rainy weather. And I know I'm always cold, but fall is my favorite season."

"I like rainy weather too. I don't know when my actual birthday is, but I picked this time of year because I like it too. It's just when the weather starts getting a little chilly."

"Is New York nice in the fall?" She asked as she turned towards to desk to help him look through the stacks.

"It is. I think you'll like it."

"What's this?" she lifted a piece of paper that had been ripped in half.

"How are you so good at finding things?" he teased her. "I've been looking for minutes, and you walk over here and find something interesting immediately." Leo rolled his eyes playfully. She bit her lip, but smiled widely.

"Woman's intuition, I guess. I just know where to look," she laughed.

She held the two halves together, her face falling as she read the contents. "It's addressed to Cecelio, from Inax. It looks like he's responding to something Cecelio sent. You know what's weird…" she asked him.

"What's that?" he replied, standing closely over her shoulder. His hot breath tickled her neck.

"Why do they write letters to each other? They clearly have some kind of advanced technology, yet even sofu's invitation was written out."

"I don't know. I didn't even think about that to be honest. Some things are really odd. They have crazy tall skyscrapers made from metal I haven't seen before, yet most of this house, while huge, is lit by candles. I can't make it make sense."

"Another mystery for another time, perhaps," she giggled at him. "Look, Cecelio must've known about Faron's gambling debt, because Inax is thanking him for the invitation as well as divulging Faron's whereabouts. He must've taken this job to hide away."

"Here's another letter from Inax," Leo held up a second paper, this one torn into fourths, and laid it out on the table to fit it together. "Well, his tone here is certainly different. He is refusing to accept divulging Faron's whereabouts to clear Cecelio's debt."

"Wait – Cecelio had gambling debts too? Maybe he was afraid Inax was going to cash in on both of them."

"Here, Inax tells Cecelio they will discuss his debts at the dinner, and…threatens him too if he can't pay. What happens to them? Do you know?"

"I was thinking about this. I'm not one hundred percent sure, but I think sometimes people that can't pay their debts get modified and are forced to fight. I know for sure it happened to one guy. But I don't know who they are indebted to, I'm just guessing because of the statue."

"Is it high stakes gambling?"

"Yes, and people bet crazy amounts of money."

"There's a half-finished letter from Cecelio, replying to Inax. It looks like he crossed a bunch of it out," Leo found another piece of paper, and held it out for Layla to see. "He's…well in the letter he's threatened to kill Inax if he attempts to hold him to his debts."

"I can see why he maybe second guessed himself when sending this one."

Leo sighed, "We should get going, I think we've found out everything we need to know. I don't want to linger here too long."

"I know it's foggy, but do you want to walk on the beach again?" Leo offered, wanting to talk about what they had discovered away from prying ears. He also was eager to feel the cool breeze to help him settle just a bit.

"I would love that. Might as well enjoy something while we're stuck here, huh?"

They made their way down the stony staircase. They could just barely make out the water as the fog set in. Layla again slipped off her shoes, and Leo for the first time noticed her two toenails were painted a blush pink. How did I not see that before?

"I'm surprised at Cecelio. My first guest was Faron. I just can't figure out why they burned the body."

"Maybe to hide the wounds from the murder weapon?" Layla offered up her best guess.

"Maybe you did learn something from all that true crime," he teased. "You're probably right. Cecelio had a lot of unique weapons in there, and it would be easy to tell if he used one on Inax."

"We still don't know it wasn't Faron, although he seemed like he was occupied last night," she said. Leo just hummed in agreement.

They meandered a ways on the beach, getting lost in the fog. They maintained a comfortable silence for most of the walk.

"The ocean is always so calming," Layla said, breaking their silence as they headed back to the house.

"There's this spot on the docks that I go to sometimes where I can look out over the water. It's not like this though. There's no beach to walk on."

"It still sounds nice."

"I'll show you when you visit." It was yet another spot Leo liked to go to be alone, yet he was so eager to share it with her.

When they arrived back at the house, the sun was starting to set. Several large humanoid aliens with dark blue skin and dressed in all black suits were ushering the guests and inhabitants of the mansion into the reception room. One dressed more formally than the others addressed the crowd.

"Folks, hello. I am Captain Reaves, and I am here to conduct the investigation. I apologize in the delay, but we are a little short staffed…" he trailed off, before clearing his throat, "Anyways, while the detectives are gathering evidence, we'll be conducting interviews of each and every one of you at random. We ask that you wait in your rooms while we conduct our investigation. Your patience is very much appreciated."

Several of the guests groaned, but Leo and Layla were glad for the respite.

They waited for what seemed like hours before they heard a knock at the door. They had been scrolling through the planet's equivalent of a tv, trying to figure out the plotline of a show they landed on.

"I guess it's our turn," Leo said as he stood up to answer the door. "Make sure you tell them everything we found, ok?"

"I will," she stretched as she stood up, following him to the door.

"Leonardo Hamato? We will conduct your interview now," the detective said. "Ma'am," he turned to Layla, "We will come back for you after his is finished."

Leo felt apprehensive about being leaving her alone here, but had no choice but to follow directions. Layla felt uneasy being left alone in the large suite, so she paced around, wondering how Leo's interview was going.

"I saw you snooping in my office," a low voice said behind her. Layla yelped as she turned around.

"I know you know it was me. I saw you reading the letters," he snarled. Layla didn't say anything, silently praying that Leo would be done soon.

He grabbed her roughly by the arm. Layla whimpered, but kept her gaze trained on him. It was something Leo had taught her, although her first instinct was to look way.

"If you say anything to those fucking detectives," he brandished the dagger Leo was admiring earlier, "I'll kill you so slowly you'll be begging me to end your life quicker. But if you promise not to say anything, pretty girl –" A small tear fell from her eye.

He was cut off by Leo grabbing his wrist. Layla could see Leo's muscles quivering as he forced Cecelio's hand back, the dagger falling to the floor.

"Don't fucking touch her," Leo growled. Once Cecelio had let go of Layla, Leo made quick work of snapping his wrist. Cecelio screamed in agony. Pain quickly turned to anger as he shot up to punch Leo.

Leo ducked expertly and retaliated by landing a punch right into Cecelio's jaw, knocking him to the floor. As he struggled to get up, several detectives jumped on him, applying cuffs.

The whole thing happened so quickly that Layla didn't have time to process it all, so she just stood there, lips parted, watching them take him away. Once the room cleared out, Leo turned towards her, gently taking her hand in his and bringing it up to inspect it. He grimaced at the small bruise left on her arm. He affectionately rubbed his thumbs across her knuckles as he stood tall next to her, still ready in case another danger presented itself. He gave her shaky hands a small squeeze, which she returned. Layla could see how pissed he was, his eyes were dark, his posture rigid. He was tense.

"Layla? Are you alright?" he whispered, gaze flitting to and fro, inspecting her for more injuries. He felt panicked again, and was upset with himself for losing his composure so hastily when it came to her. Fuck, this is the last thing she needs. He let out a deep breath, willing himself to calm down. It was hard, thinking back on how he heard her whimper, how frightened she looked as that single tear fell from her eye, how many more tears he knew she was holding back. He was angry.

"I'm ok. Thank you, Leo." But he heard the tremor in her voice.

"I am so sorry. I shouldn't have left you here alone. If I would have just –" He frowned, staring at their hands, jaw clenching at the sight of the bruise.

Layla cut him off, knowing him well enough to know that he was about to spiral down an unproductive path of self-loathing and guilt.

"Leonardo," she said, tone sterner than she had ever used with him before. At the mention of his full name, he quieted and raised an eyebrow at her. "It is not your fault. You were here for me when I needed you most." Her voice was gentle at the end, and barely above a whisper. She reached up to wrap her arms around his neck, whispering another thank you into his skin. She didn't mind that she needed to remind him that not everything was his fault. She recognized he was trying to comfort her; he just sometimes needed a gentle push to rethink his priorities. Layla knew it all came from a good place. He has a good heart.

"I just want you to be safe," he mumbled into her hair, realizing the mistake he made. Just be there for her, that's all you need to do. Don't overcomplicate it.

"I want that for you too. You kept your promise, you know. You didn't let him hurt me, and I didn't have to fight." She leaned back to give him a small smile

"I try my best," he allowed himself to smile back at her, wiping away a stray tear from her cheek.

They stood in the alley where they were to draw their portals home.

"Well, that certainly was an eventful weekend. I think I'll offer up one of my brothers to go next time," Leo chuckled, trying to draw out the last few minutes they had together.

"Mmhmm, I think I could skip next time as well. I think we both deserve a little time off after that."

Leo nodded. "Your house is so nice and relaxing, I'm a little jealous."

"Promise you'll try to relax just a little?" Layla smiled, knowing full well he would immediately throw himself into whatever task he had set for himself without so much as a quick break.

"Ok, I promise, but only for a little bit," he grinned cheekily at her before clearing his throat, his tone changing to something more serious. "I am, um, glad you'll be visiting soon. It would be nice if you could just come back with me now," he said, giving her a nervous laugh. Pull yourself together, quit acting so nervous.

"I'm glad too. And I wish I could, I really do. If you don't relax, I'll have to drag you to Tokyo to make you," they both laughed. She too took a more somber air, "Thank you, for everything this weekend."

He stepped towards her, enfolding her in his arms. He memorized the smell of her hair, the feeling of her wrapped up in his arms. "Thank you for the birthday present. It's perfect. And I meant what I said about it being the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me." He had worn it all weekend.

"I'm just glad you like it."

They pulled away reluctantly. He watched carefully as she opened her portal. "Text me so that I know you got home safely," he instructed her.

"I will. I'll see you soon," she turned to give him one last smile as she stepped through.

"Bro! You're back! How was it?" Mikey greeted him enthusiastically, beckoning him with pizza and a million questions. Donnie and Raph appeared around the corner, and Splinter sat down across from him. It felt good for Leo to be in familiar surroundings, although he already missed Layla terribly. As his family was sitting down, he discretely checked his phone.

Layla: I'm home! Thank you for everything! I hope you got home ok :) I'm going to catch up on some sleep (you should too!). Goodnight

Leo: I did, and I will. Goodnight :)

He regaled his brothers with stories from the weekend, intentionally leaving out Layla's nightmare, and other intimate details. They were too engrossed in the murder anyways to ask more embarrassing questions. Some details were only for him and Layla to share.

It was Layla who delighted her sisters by divulging a few of the cozier details that occurred over the weekend, so she should gather their opinions on how he really felt about her. Not that they weren't fascinated by her living out their true crime dreams, but the murder and the slow dancing were of equal importance. She never told them about the nightmare – some things Layla preferred to keep between her and Leo.