After a while, Layton, Emmy, Luke, Sniper and Claptrap reached the Triton residence, and founc Clark in his office. « How is the investigation, Hershel? I trust that Luke hasn't been too bothersome after sneaking out. »
« Nah. The boy has been useful so far. » Sniper replied.
« And you are? » Clark asked.
« My apologies. I haven't introduced Sniper and Claptrap yet. They've been helpful in this investigation. » Layton explained.
« We got a few questions. » Sniper said.
« Of course. What is it, Mr. Sniper? » Clark asked.
« I need you to tell us what you know about Even Barde's death. » Layton requested.
« I'll tell you the same thing I told the police. I saw someone fall off a cliff. That's it. I didn't see anyone else around. I didn't even know it was Barde when it happened. » Clark explained.
« So, a suicide, right? » Claptrap asked.
« Yes, well, that would make sense. » Clark replied.
« What about the will? Why would Barde leave you his land deeds? » Layton asked.
« Evan was my only friend in town with whom I could discuss intellectual matters, Hershel. You would had liked him very much. Of course, I was still surprised by the will. Chief Jakes confirmed the will and acted as the executor. He took care of everything for me. I became an extensive landowner overnight, and I've been dealing with the red tape ever since. » Clark explained.
« What about the ankle biters? » Sniper asked.
« They are still the expected heirs, as far as I'm concerned. I planned to oversee the land until they were of age. Unfortunately…It is unlikely that Arianna will live long enough to see that happen. » Clark replied.
« So you know about her illness? » Claptrap asked.
« Of course. Tragic. I don't know what I would do if such a fate were to befall Luke. Evan was so attentive to his children. I was surprised he didn't make provisions for them. » Clark replied.
« And you buy Jakes theory? » Sniper asked.
« Well, he is much more qualified to make that judgment that I. they call him Third Eye, after all! » Clark replied.
« Yes… I've heard that. » Layton replied.
« Hershel, the man has practically eliminated crime in Misthallery! » Clark exclaimed.
« Aside from the activities of witches and spectres, of course. » Layton noted.
« What are you implying? » Sniper asked intrigued.
« Some cases are deceptive. If the criminal confesses, the complaint is withdrawn. Case solved. » Layton explained.
« Yes, go on. » Clark replied.
« It is a common pattern among solved cases. » Layton explained.
« Is it now? » Sniper chuckled.
Suddenly, however, the door of the office was opened, and Doland appeared. « Would Master like to have his dinner now? »
« Doland! You gave me quite a start! How long have you been there? » Clark widened his eyes in shock.
« Only moments, sir. I apologize if you did not hear me knock. Also, I am here to inform you that someone else has decided to visit you to this day. » Doland explained.
« Clark! You rascal! You haven't answered any of my letters! » Papierwaite and Yog-Soggoth entered the office.
A short silence followed.
« Not to worry, Clark. These people have already managed to withstand my form and maintain their sanity. » Yog-Soggoth explained.
« Papierwaite! Yog-Soggoth! How long has it been? » Clark greeted the two.
« Yes, they did say that you were old colleagues, yes? » Layton noted.
« Yes, indeed we were. I apologise for not contacting you sooner. I've been rather preoccupied with matters as Mayor. » Clark explained.
« Mayor, you say? That is quite surprising! Never knew you had what it takes in politics! » Papierwaite exclaimed.
« As for dinner… yes, dinner would be splendid! Gentlemen, you will join us, and I will not take no for an answer! We have several aged wines in the cellar, Hershel. Perhaps you could go down and select a bottle for us! »
« You want me…to pick a wine? » Layton asked shocked.
« Perhaps the master prefer I select a wine to go with dinner. » Doland proposed.
« Nah. You heard the mayor. The Prof here is more of a professional at that, ain't ya, mate? » Sniper winked at Layton.
« Well, I… It would be my pleasure. Where is the wine cellar? » Layton accepted the request.
« Anyway, I apologise if I don't join you, but I have some catching up to do with Clark! » Papierwaite exclaimed.
« No need to worry. We'll manage. » Layton replied.
Xxxxxxx
And so, the group exited Clark's office.
« I didn't know you were into wine, Professor! Is there anything you don't know about? » Emmy asked.
« And here I thought you were a smart lass. Don't you get it? He wants us to go downstairs! » Sniper explained.
« I think we should do as he wishes. » Layton proposed.
« The cellar is through the blue door past the first-floor entry. » Luke explained.
« What are we waiting for!? » Claptrap exclaimed.
Xxxxxxx
And so, the group entered the cellar.
« Looks like a normal cellar to me. What are we supposed to notice? » Emmy noted.
« Anything looks out of the ordinary, kiddo? » Claptrap asked.
« No, not really. Actually, the cellar has been off limits lately, so I can't say for sure. » Luke explained.
« What, snacking on Yogo in secret, ain't ya? » Sniper chuckled.
« What? No! They were éclairs. And that is hardly the point! » Luke protested.
« Shh! Quiet! » Emmy hushed the two.
« I though…I thought I heard something. Maybe I imagined it. » Emmy replied.
« Perhaps it was a mouse? » Layton hypothesed.
« I beg you pardon?! » Luke exclaimed.
« My apologies, Luke. I wonder if there is something we're missing. » Layton replied.
« Professor Layton? Is there anything I can do to help? » Doland entered the room.
« No, we're fine, Doland. Thank you. Doland, did you happen to know Mr. Barde as well? » Layton asked.
« Yes. I know it isn't kind to speak ill of the departed…but Mr. Barde was a man who charged exorbitant rents to those who lived on his land. Some believe it was not suicide, but rather that he was thrown from the cliff by an angry tenant. Surely a cultured man like yourself is aware how the locals will gossip. » Doland replied.
« Sounds like a beloved lad…» Sniper commented.
« Most everyone knew him, and most everyone despised him. Oh, but I prattle on. If you have selected a wine, I can carry on with preparing dinner. » Doland replied.
« Doland? Has my dad seemed…normal to you lately? » Luke asked.
« He has been rather preoccupied, I would say. He has been spending much of his time in the study. » Doland replied.
« Yes, clearly Clark has other matters at hand. Let's get going. » Layton replied.
« You're not staying for dinner? » Doland asked.
« We'll have to do it another time. Please give my regrets to Clark. » Layton replied.
« Thanks for the help, meatbag! » Claptrap exclaimed.
« …Sure….Do be careful. » Doland replied.
Xxxxxxx
And so, the group exited the house.
« So as far as we know, no one knows jack-s*it about the spectre outside of this fog generator, and people know even less about Barde's death. So safe to say, s*it is not holding up. » Claptrap commented.
« It would appear that someone is carefully manipulating information about these two events. » Layton replied.
« But who is capable of doing this? » Emmy asked.
« Only bastards that can pull this off are either the Mayor of Jakes. And something tells me that Clark's hands are clean on this one. » Sniper replied.
« Sniper is right. Jakes is the only one in this town capable of both.»
« He's a public servant! That's unforgivable! » Emmy exclaimed angrily.
« Know plenty of flat foots easier to buy. He's hiding something. » Sniper replied.
« We need to find out more about him. » Layton concluded.
Xxxxxxx
As the group wandered on the streets of Misthallery, a group of thugs walked towards them, encircling them.
« Can we help you? » a very impatient Sniper pulled out his knife, and prepared for a fight.
In response to that, the men widened their eyes.
« Hehehe, glad we had an understanding. » Sniper chuckled.
However, just as he said that, the men all collapsed on the ground.
« Wait…what happened!? Are they…» Luke exclaimed.
« Uh…I'm sure they're fine…» Emmy reassured the boy.
« Yeah. Sure. "Fine." » Claptrap commented sarcastically, before reaching one of the men, and pulling out a small green dart. « Hey! What do you know! They're actually fine! »
« And what may that be? » Layton asked.
« Warpstone darts. Just enough warpstone to cause someone to reach that limbo between life and death for approximately 24 hours. They'll be fine. » Claptrap replied.
« Who on earth could use one of these…» Layton pondered.
« Whoever they were, they seem to be on our side… » Sniper commented.
« What about these men? Do you think Jakes sent them after us? » Luke asked.
« Looks like it. » Sniper shrugged.
« Was Mr. Barde…killed by these thugs? » Luke pondered in horror.
« Unfortunately, we can't say for certain. » Layton replied.
Suddenly, a voice called to the group. « Guys! We have a situation here! »
It was Flint, who rushed towards the group.
« What is going on? » Layton asked worried.
« It's Sam and Max! The fat bastard in charge of the police here accused them of being behind the spectre! » Flint explained.
« Urgh, for all we know, those bloody idiots made it easy for that man. » Emmy groaned annoyed.
« Grosky is trying to reason with Chief Jakes, but they won't listen to him! » Flint exclaimed.
« We need to go to the Police Station. Perhaps they'll listen to what I have to say. » Layton replied.
Xxxxxxx
If you want to give me any suggestions for quotes and scenarios, just tell me in the reviews. I will also include characters both from the Sam and Max universe (Hit the Road, animated Series Telltale Episodes), alongside the universes of the chumps who participated in the Poker Night at the Inventory 1 and 2. Just tell me when you want them introduced!
In the meantime, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please review so I can learn your opinion. I'm willing to accept suggestions, so stay tuned. Also remember to like and follow. I would also appreciate if you also supported my other Fanfictions!
See you on the next chapter!