Caught in the Act

When he reached the phone booth at the entrance to town, Coleman dialed a number.

"Young Master, what can I do for you?"

A refined voice came through the phone, respectful in tone.

"In Klein Town, there's a guy named Manster. Sorry for the trouble, but go grab him for me."

"Oh? Did he offend you, Young Master?"

The person on the other end still sounded unruffled.

But Coleman liked this guy a lot. He thought he was one of the few among his servants who could understand what he said and handle things just right.

If his father hadn't refused to let him go, he would have poached this servant for his own team and planted him as a spy in the Layton Family.

"Of course not. What are you thinking, Posena? I'm an incredibly good-tempered person!"

The man wiping a picture frame in Coleman's room merely smiled.

Looking at the "human sculpture" in the frame, he replied without changing his expression, "Of course. Your temper is exceptionally mild. But there are always people who don't know what's good for them, aren't there?"

"Oh, you're right, Posena. Some people really are like brainless vertebrates. But what I mean is, don't kill him. Just scare him a little, you understand."

Posena stopped moving and thought for a moment. Then he seemed to understand, and said with a smile, "You mean..."

"Shh. That's right, exactly what you're thinking. He's an interesting little fellow."

Though Coleman was a little fellow himself, there was nothing odd about him calling someone else that.

Posena thought it over and more or less understood what the young master meant.

He wanted this interesting person to learn how dangerous the outside world was and realize the safety he could offer.

But he didn't want the man to actually die, so he'd arrange for some reliable people to give him a scare.

"Don't blow your cover. I know you can handle it, dear Posena. You're the person I have the most faith in, aren't you?"

After hanging the frame, Posena looked with satisfaction at the wall full of them and answered his master in a gentle voice. "I certainly won't disappoint you."

Making up a story wouldn't be hard.

However...

For the sake of realism, the interesting little fellow who'd caught the young master's eye would inevitably have to take a few hits.

But...

"Young Master, could I get back to you in three or four months?"

As Posena sketched out a rough plot in his mind, a good idea came to him.

Coleman blinked and drawled, "Of course. This is your responsibility. Just get it done within a year—no, within three years."

There was plenty of time. Coleman didn't mind letting his servant put on a grand show for him.

After all, lending a hand when someone was down was always more effective than offering help when they were already doing fine.

Besides, if Manster got hunted down right after meeting Coleman, anyone would suspect that Coleman had sent those people to force Manster to submit.

That wouldn't be any fun.

His eyes curved with satisfaction. He really had picked a good subordinate.

Posena had even thought of that.

"All right, you have free rein with this game. Do whatever you like. Oh, if it's inconvenient, you can disguise yourself under another name. I recommend the Sko Family!"

Petty as ever, Coleman decided to have his subordinate "get back at" the mafia that had been hunting him.

Hmph, who told them to keep coming after him?

If it weren't for those idiots, he'd be cozily watching TV in bed with his brother right now, wouldn't he?

And now he'd been out having too much fun, too late into the night.

His brother was going to scold him when he got back.

He looked up at the moon, already halfway across the sky, and started to worry.

This was the first time he'd stayed out this long.

Would his brother come looking for him?

Posena froze. The family's name was certainly familiar.

They'd had plenty of open and covert clashes with his master's family.

If the balance of power among the families weren't holding them back, the Zoldycks would have fallen out with that profit-driven, smiling tiger long ago.

So the young master had taken offense, after all.

He smiled as he accepted the task. "Of course. I'll make sure it's done properly."

"Then that's settled. I'm going back to bed."

"Certainly. Good night, Young Master Coleman."

"Good night, Posena."

After hanging up, Coleman couldn't help sighing.

He just hoped he wouldn't run into Illumi on his way back.

He thought about the date.

Thank goodness, it was Wednesday, a workday.

His brother should be working tonight.

As long as he got back before him...

"Coleman, what are you doing?"

A familiar voice came from behind him.

Coleman's hair stood on end in an instant, then he relaxed again.

Oh, crap. I'm done for.