Part 2 The Faceless Man Chapter 197 – Franmie Cage

　　Sage Street, St. George’s Quarter.

　　Klein and Jürgen had just stepped out of the carriage when they saw a huge object parked in front of the inventor Repard.

　　It was iron black in color, had three sets of twelve wheels, and was topped with a chimney as high as a ship’s, from which lingering smoke was billowing.

　　It was a steam-powered vehicle that Klein had seen in magazines and on the streets, described by the populace as an ironclad that walked the land and possessed a rather exaggerated stature.

　　If the street hadn’t been built or remodeled in the last twenty or thirty years, it would have taken up the full length of the roadway, leaving little room for a horse-drawn carriage, so the vehicle could only be seen in certain areas in certain places.

　　At that moment, the heavy doors with glass windows were opened and two figures stepped out.

　　One of them was none other than the steam-powered car tycoon, Flammy Cage, whom Klein had met before, he had a quarter of the Forsak Empire’s blood, his eyes had a light blue color, he was tall but had put on weight, and he had a pipe in his mouth.

　　The one next to him wore a heavy black tweed overcoat wrapped around a gray scarf, and had nothing distinctive about his looks, being of the most common type of brunette with brown eyes, but giving off an inexplicable sense of intimacy.

　　”Hi Detective Moriarty, you’re right on time, this is my lawyer and partner Pacheco Dawn.”

　　As he spoke, two more big, burly men came down from the steam-powered vehicle, looking to be Flammy’s bodyguards.

　　How unprofessional, shouldn’t they get down themselves first and then open the door for their boss? Klein grunted, smiled and said hello, and then introduced his lawyer Jürgen.

　　While waiting for Repard to open the door, he casually made small talk:

　　”Mr. Cage, is this steam-powered car popular? Will there be many favorites?”

　　Flammy Cage laughed:

　　”Those who consider themselves decent say it’s too barbaric and crude, and the common man can’t afford it; it’s only the avid lovers of machinery and steam like myself who are willing to buy it.”

　　”It’s also mainly because many of the streets are too narrow.” Klein relieved.

　　Flammy Cage was the investor he’d brought in, not a credit to Lepard.

　　He had intentionally brought it up while playing cards at the Kraig Club, and Talim, the Equestrian Teacher, had immediately said that Franmee liked similar inventions, and that he could introduce people to meet and get to know each other.

　　This made Klein very emotional: the club was really a good place to develop connections, and the members who really joined in would never value free food, drinks, and event venues the most.

　　”Haha, this is indeed a reason, as the population grows bigger and bigger and the cities get bigger and bigger, the horse-drawn carriages will surely be eliminated because they are too slow, nowadays this world seeks for efficiency!” Flammy said confidently.

　　He whirled around and revealed a smile:

　　”And I’ve already picked up an order from the military, they want me to make certain improvements, just like what was mentioned on Rossel’s manuscript, adding iron armor for bulletproofing, covering the tracks in order to be able to travel on easy roads as well, and in addition, adding a thick gun barrel, this will be a brand new war weapon.”

　　Rossel Manuscript …… Klein sighed silently, briefly unsure of what to say until Repard finally opened the door.

　　The protagonists in the ensuing discussion were Jürgen and Pacheco, the two lawyers arguing at times and negotiating terms with their own employers, while the unprepared inventor Repard fumed on the sidelines, only elaborating on his opinion when asked.

　　In the end, an agreement was reached whereby Frami would invest 1,000 pounds for 20% of the shares, and Klein and Repard’s shares would then fall in equal proportions, one at 28% and the other at 52%.

　　At the same time, Flammy would acquire a further 18% from Clyne at a premium, for which he would spend £1,000, and that after tax.

　　Similarly, he will buy 9% from Repard for £500 after tax.

　　As a result of this transaction, Flammy became the largest shareholder in the newly established Birkeland Pedal Car Company, with 47% of the shares, and he would be responsible for the subsequent factoryization and promotion of the sales, while the company would have on its books the £1,000 he had invested, which was the initial start-up capital.

　　Repard was the second largest shareholder with 43% of the shares and the job was to assist in the completion of the mass production line.

　　Klein was left with only 10% of the shares, a purely financial investment.

　　The £1,000 he got from selling his shares also increased his personal wealth to £2,235, almost enough to buy a “Faceless Man” main material – as a private detective, he continued to accept commissions for more than a month, and his daily expenses did not need to use his savings at all. No need to use the savings.

　　Still have to pay Ürgen lawyer 50 pounds, leaving only 2185 pounds …… turn back also have to thank the next Talim …… Klein thought a flash, fell pen to sign, stamped the seal, and then got up and Flammy, Repard shook hands and said:

　　”Happy cooperation.”

　　Flammy pulled out a gold pocket watch and glanced at it, laughing:

　　”Normally, we should go have a lunch together to celebrate the agreement, but a big shot is waiting for me, I’m really sorry, there will be many more opportunities in the future.”

　　Big shot, another big shot …… Is that the one behind Talim? The one who was reimbursed a lot of expenses by me with some fake news pointing to the Aurora Council? Klein suddenly had a bit of a heart attack and quickly smiled and said it was nothing, don’t worry about it.

　　After leaving Repard’s house and getting into a carriage, Jürgen suddenly frowned slightly and said:

　　”Sherlock, you agreed too quickly.”

　　”Why do you say that?” Klein asked back suspiciously.

　　He didn’t even know which matter Lawyer Jürgen was referring to.

　　Jürgen said rather seriously:

　　”Talking about the transfer of shares.

　　”According to your description, and the performance of Flammy, I can imagine the bright market prospect of the pedal car, although it is only an invention now, the overall valuation won’t be too high, 5,000 pounds is a good price, but you should keep more shares, so that you can have a better income in the future.

　　”I originally thought you would only sell 8% and was confident that you would talk about £500, but it turned out that you agreed to 18%. Even at only £500 you have recouped your initial investment several times over and shouldn’t have been in such a hurry.”

　　Because I am in a hurry to use the money …… But just now I did agree too quickly, there is no hesitation at all, this is a large amount of money transaction ah, this is not like the normal me …… Klein recalled the previous scene, the heart gradually also has some doubts.

　　Could it be that I was unconsciously influenced by Flammy or that Pacheco lawyer? Is one of them an extraordinary person? Fortunately, the price is still relatively normal …… Klein pondered while saying to Jürgen who was waiting for an answer:

　　”It’s almost New Year’s ……”

　　He hadn’t even thought about how to explain it, so he casually found a beginning first.

　　The other party, if he was a smart person, would go along with this beginning to associate and refine the reasoning on his own, without the need for Klein to describe it too much.

　　Of course, this is the trick for smart people, ordinary people will follow up with “so what”, “what exactly”, “what happened”.

　　Attorney Jürgen was clearly a smart man, and seeing Klein’s brief silence, he nodded and said:

　　”I understand.”

　　You understand what? I haven’t even figured it out myself …… Klein pointed to the steam subway stop ahead:

　　”I’m getting off here and am going to go find a bit of an informant.”

　　……

　　Inside the roaring forward, extremely powerful steam-powered car, Frami, sitting in the front row, rolled down the window, exhaled a smoke ring, and said to the less-than-impressive Pacheco attorney beside him:

　　”Did you just use your powers?”

　　”Just a passive bit of arousal.” Pacheco smiled, “It’s not a scenario like this that my ability is best suited for, I prefer to face government employees, corporate employees.”

　　Flammy nodded gently:

　　”I’m just reminding.

　　”There’s no need to use your ability in this situation, don’t delay the big event.”

　　”I understand.” Pacheco responded in a low voice.

　　……

　　Eastern District, a cheap café.

　　The old Kohler was already waiting when Klein arrived.

　　He removed his scarf, took off his hat, sat down across the table, pulled out a wad of 1-sur bill and handed it to the other man:

　　”The total for next week’s campaign plus the reward for the sub-message is 1 pound.”

　　He had been giving rewards rather cheerfully of late, having found someone to reimburse.

　　Old Kohler’s face was noticeably rosier than before, and he took the cash with some embarrassment, saying:

　　”The news I gave last time didn’t seem too important ……”

　　”No, whether it’s important or not only distinguishes in whose eyes, many things that you think are insignificant may be the source of someone else’s money.” Klein explained with a smile, “What’s going on this week?”

　　The elder Kohler took hold of the wad of bills and tucked them into his coat pocket as he pondered:

　　”Same as before, a lot of people are still looking for believers in ‘The Fool’, haha, how can anyone believe in ‘The Fool’? It’s not exactly a good name to call them.”

　　The corner of …… Klein’s mouth moved slightly and said:

　　”Have they made any progress?”

　　The Aurora Council is still really persistent ah …… Klein thought helplessly.

　　”No, there’s no one like that at all.” Old Kohler shook his head and turned to say, “Recently, some people have been organizing strikes and have approached me several times, saying that they want to fight for more reasonable working hours and salary compensation.”

　　A normal thing in this day and age, but one that could lead to quite serious consequences …… Klein said thoughtfully:

　　”Keep an eye on who’s organizing this, but don’t be too eager, safety first.”

　　”Okay.” Old Kohler cleared his throat and said, “These days many mob hitmen and bounty hunters are looking for someone, I don’t know why, but there should be a bounty given by someone.”

　　”Looking for someone?” Feeling the cold weather, Klein picked up his coffee and took a sip.

　　The warm liquid slid through his esophagus and warmed his stomach.

　　Old Kohler thought for a moment:

　　”A man named Azik Eggers.”

　　Azik Eggers …… Azik Eggers? Klein lifted his eyes from his coffee cup to look across the table at Kohler Sr.

　　Wasn’t that Mr. Azik’s full name? Why was he suddenly being offered a bounty? Ince Zangwill? Klein asked, relying on the Joker’s ability to act as if he wasn’t paying attention:

　　”Did it say what kind of man?”

　　Old Kohler recalled:

　　”Seems to have Byronic blood, and was, at one time, a university lecturer.”