Investment

How generous. He doesn't know I'm a Beyonder. Hmm, two thousand pounds really is a fortune for an ordinary person. I remember it being equivalent to one or two million...

Neph paused, then gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Trapp."

She offered no further explanation. After all, nothing she said would be convincing without revealing the Beyonder world.

As they spoke, a light drizzle suddenly began to fall. Neph pulled up her hood, looking accustomed to it, while Trapp merely adjusted his top hat before walking over and ringing the doorbell.

Footsteps approached from inside, and the door opened with a startled exclamation. A tall, thin man in his thirties appeared, with black hair and blue eyes. He wore gray-blue work clothes but looked quite refined.

The gentleman rubbed his temple. "Who are you looking for? What can I do for you?"

"We're here to see Mr. Raypard," Trapp said, removing his top hat and bowing slightly. "My client saw his advertisement in the newspaper and would like to make an investment."

The gentleman's eyes lit up, and he said delightedly:

"That's me. Please come in.

"As it happens, my other investor is here too!"

He meant Klein. Neph already knew-this was a prearranged chance encounter.

Raypard stepped aside and led Trapp inside, with Neph following behind. Raypard gave her a puzzled look. Neph knew why: she was wearing a black hooded robe embroidered with mysterious patterns, making her look like someone with adolescent delusions cosplaying a warlock, or perhaps some sort of criminal.

Trapp glanced around, apparently looking for something. When Neph gave him a questioning look, he offered no explanation and simply leaned his cane against the wall.

Neph stared at that spot for a moment before realizing there ought to have been