Chapter 11

Two days later, I was back at work after taking two days off to handle the aftermath of our mission.

"Faye, how's your grandma doing?" Mitsuru asked.

He looked concerned the moment I walked through the door.

"She's fine, thank you." I said and smiled at him.

To get time off so suddenly, I lied and said that my grandma was in hospital.

"That's great." He said and smiled back at me.

As we stood there, I looked around. I couldn't see Hysouke anywhere, where was he?

"Hey, is Hyosuke here?" I asked.

"He won't be coming in today. He has a meeting with a systems vendor."

"Oh, ok." I said and nodded.

"But hey, the displays and the security for this exhibit are awesome." He continued.

"I know, it's really cool isn't it?" I said.

"You and Hyosuke designed the whole thing."

"No, Hyosuke did most of it." I said.

We continued to talk as we headed to the big gallery. Whilst I was away, the exhibit was near completion.

"Wow!"

"You know, that thing in the mountains happened. Another art thief showed up recently. Goes by the name Silver Cat. Then again, the Silver Cat is apparently an idiot and hasn't stolen anything yet."

The silver cat? Was he like the White Raccoon? If that was the case, we didn't have anything to worry about.

"The director was thinking about cancelling this exhibit."

"What? Why?" I asked.

"He was afraid that we'd be robbed again. But Hyosuke convinced him that the two of you are really confident in the system that you worked out together, and that it would be ok. Thanks to him, it's all going as planned."

"Oh really?" I said dubious.

What was he up this time?

"Anyway… I'm sorry. What happened was all my fault. I was thinking about shaving my head as an expression of my remorse. What do you think?"

"You? Shave your head?" I burst out laughing.

"Don't laugh, I'm serious."

I stopped and took a moment to catch my breath.

"Ok, as a friend, and I mean this in the best possible way, if you shaved your head, you'd look like an idiot."

He gasped and looked sad.

"You didn't have to put it like that." He said.

After work, I headed to the LRN at Riki's request. The news was on, proclaiming 'A new thief appears.'

"What's going on?" I asked as I sat down.

"Hey." Boss said.

"What's going on with the news?" I asked.

"The news isn't about us." Kenny said.

"Oh, ok so why have you asked me here?" I asked.

"That postmaster. He's apparently connected with an organisation that was blackmailing the prime minister. The guy who stole your bag are part of that organisation. I asked you here to tell you that but.." Riki said but then looked up at the tv.

"Then out of nowhere, this comes on the evening news. We don't know what to make of it." Hiro said.

I looked up at the tv, a new thief? Are they going on about the Silver Cat or maybe the Raccoon?

"Does the name Silver Cat ring any bells?" Riki asked.

"We haven't met this thief yet, but I heard from the director of the Thieves Guild, that there's some weirdo thief in Tokyo who's been breaking into all kinds of places without taking anything." Boss said.

"He's been sneaking into museums. You don't know anything about it?" Hiro asked.

"Well, Mitsuru at work did mention something about it at work earlier but that's it." I said.

But apparently, that's not what they wanted me to say.

"You don't have any friends who are cat lovers?" Riki asked.

The way Riki was talking, it was like he was looking for a specific answer.

I looked at him quizzingly.

"What are you trying to say?" I asked.

"We think the Silver Cat is Hyosuke." He said.

"Really? I doubt that." I said.

"I suspect the doctor brother, too. It looked like the sheets of rubber insulation were cut with a surgical knife." He said.

"But why would they break into places and not steal anything?" I asked.

Just then, the reporter on the tv said that the Silver Cat sent a letter warning the very postmaster we identified.

If it was Hyosuke, why would he send a letter to the postmasters? We had already finished with him and we got my gramp's letters back.

I thought back. The cat at Hyosuke's house, she looked silver and he loved her.

"If he is the thief, why would he go after the postmaster? We don't have a business with him." I said.

"He might know something we don't. He knows something about the postmaster and the prime minster and that illegal organisation. He's trying to expose something about them." Riki said.

"Maybe." Boss said.

"But why? What could he possibly get out of this?" I asked.

"Maybe he's getting revenge." Kenny said.

"If he can prove the postmaster and the prime minister's relationship to the organisation, he should be able to get them arrested." Riki said.

"He sets himself up, then shows the world what they've done. The police would move on it." Boss said.

Riki nodded. "And the thing with his parents should reach a conclusion… whatever the result."

"So, what are we going to do? Stop him?" I asked.

"This is the Silver Cat's problem. It has nothing to do with us." Riki said.

"We put ourselves out there and we'll get arrested. It'll be all over." Takuto said.

"Besides, he doesn't want our help." Riki said.

"And anyway Faye, aren't you forgetting something? He lied to you and stole our information. Consider it punishment for what he's done and leave it." Hiro said.

I sighed.

Why was this bothering me so much? He deserved to suffer for lying to me but I couldn't help but feel bad. He still hadn't found his parents and if he kept going like this, he would get arrested and never know. I had to help him, even if the guys didn't want to get involved. That didn't mean that I couldn't.

"I'm gonna say it again, the Silver Cat has nothing to do with the Black Foxes." Riki said.

"Yeah I know, you just said that." I said.

"I know you Faye. You feel sorry for him, you're gonna go help him." Riki said.

I looked at him and tried to keep my face looking normal.

"No I wasn't." I lied.

"Don't lie, you're bad at lying." He said.

"But Faye's bag that was stolen on the mountain might be at the postmaster's place." Boss said.

"I don't care what happens to that jerk." Takuto said.

"I don't want to give those guys the clam sculpture. What a waste." Hiro said.

"So, does that mean…"

"Faye, we're going." Kenny said.

"Really? Why?" I asked.

"It's what we do. It has nothing to do with the Silver Cat." Riki said.

"Isn't that our policy as thieves? We help people who have a problem because of a work of art." Boss said.

"Well, I'd say it's like a bonus. It's our mission, and as a bonus, it just so happens that we're helping the guy out." Hiro said.

"We're not doing it for him." Takuto said firmly.

"Ok, time for a meeting." Riki said.

The next day, we find a little street with a good view of the postmaster's house.

"That's a lot of guards." Riki said.

"Dammit. Now how are we gonna get over there?" Kenny asked.

On top of the impressive security, there's press and onlookers all over the place. Some how they heard that todays the day.

"It doesn't make sense. The time and place were never made public." Riki said.

"Yeah. It's weird. From what Fujioka said, the investigation was supposed to be done in secret. There shouldn't be so many cops here." Boss said.

"Oh well, we'll have to get in there with all these people around." Hiro said.

We puzzled over the scene, which isn't what we expected.

"Look, over there. Someone in the shadow. I'm pretty sure it's not a guard." Hiro said.

"Let me see." I said and took the binoculars.

There were several well built men stood in the shadows, I instantly recognised the clothes.

"Those are the same clothes of the guys that robbed me in the mountains." I said.

"So mixed in with the normal guards are guys from the criminal organisation." Riki said.

"Uh, with all this going on… do you really think our guy will come?" Hiro asked.

"When he sees this, he might lose his nerve and call it a day." Takuto said.

"Well, I'm a fan of that decision. We can come back for Faye's bag later, after the hoopla over the thief has died down." Boss said.

We were all looking around us very cautiously.

"Do you think the Silver Cat- I mean Hyosuke is even coming?" Kenny asked. "Faye, what do you think?"

I just shrugged "I don't know."

I hadn't even seen Hyosuke since the river, I hoped he wasn't coming.

"In any case, it's shows time the second he breaks in. Keep your guard up." Riki said.

I nodded.

Hiro then spoke.

"He's here. Look, over there." he said and pointed. "He got over the back wall quick. He's inside."

"Ok, let's go." Boss said.

"It's show time!" Riki announced.

"Ok." Everyone said.

We jumped out of the van and followed Hyosuke into the house. Kenny and Boss jump the fence and went inside. Next was Riki. Luckily the guard on the other side of the fence was a normal one, and the three of them took him out easily.

"Sorry, nothing against you." Kenny said and the guard fell to the floor.

"He's sleeping. He'll wake up in an hour." Riki said.

"We'll go ahead." I heard Kenny say from the other side of the wall.

"Now, hurry." Boss said.

"Jump Faye." Hiro ordered.

I took a step back and jumped against the wall, I grabbed the top and pulled myself up and over. I landed next to Hiro on the other side of the wall.

"Nice going Faye!" Hiro as I stood up.

The other three were already inside the building.

I wondered if it was normal for a postmaster to live in such a big house?

"This place is crazy." Hiro said as we got inside.

"Yeah, it's huge." I said.

"Built with dirty money." Takuto said.

It was obvious that postmaster's hands were dirty from lots of corrupt activity. No wonder Hyosuke thought that he was part of his parents going missing.

"Takuto, where is he?" Riki asked through the transceiver.

"He's going up the stairs to the third floor." Takuto answered.

"He's fast. Whoops. I see another guard, they're inside too. So watch yourself." Boss said over the transceiver.

Since Boss and the others took care of the guards, we were able to follow behind cautiously and pretty easily.

"Riki, he stopped. He's in the far room." Takuto said.

"We'll be right there, wait for us." Hiro said.

We ran as fast as we could until we were with the others in front of the room.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"Inside, I presume." Riki said.

"Ready? I'm opening the door." Boss said.

Boss kicked the door in and the door flew open.

"Hahah! I'm light-years ahead of you, you pathetic thief." The postmaster gloated.

Two men were holding Hyosuke back by both arms, whilst the postmaster was stood by his desk. Hyosuke couldn't move, he was helpless.

He dropped to his knees and let out a sigh, his head was hanging. The postmaster then started kicking Hyosuke in the stomach, right in front of us.

"Hey!" I shouted and went to run towards them when Riki held me back.

"Faye wait."

"We have to help him." I said but Riki didn't loosen his grip on my wrist.

In a pained voice, Hyosuke said.

"Faye… why did you come?"

Postmaster the noticed us and seemed perplexed.

"Who're you? This cat's friends?" he asked.

"No… they have… nothing to do with…" Hyosuke struggled to speak.

"You're still talking? Take that!"

The postmaster then kicked him again. It looked like he was enjoying himself as he kicked and punched Hysouke. There was a dull thud and Hyosuke's lips split and blood poured out.

"Hey, stop!" I ordered.

"Oh, a girl with spirit. Move, and I think you know what'll happen to him." the postmaster said.

He gave a signal to his guards and they pointed a gun at Hyosuke.

"Uh, ok. I don't think these are ordinary guards." Kenny said.

"You bastard. Do you really think you'll really get away with this? The police-" I shouted.

"Police?" the postmaster said before he burst out laughing. "Listen to you, I am the one who showed the letter to the police. They'll forgive me for defending myself against a thief."

The postmaster seemed completely at ease, as though he never for a second thought that we might know the background info of what's happening.

I then heard the sound of running footsteps from the second floor. It must be the guards.

"Uh oh. I think I'll sweep the hall." Boss said.

He quickly slipped out of the room and went into the hallway.

"Hiro, distract this bastard. Kenshi and I will take care of the guards." Riki ordered.

"What about me?" I asked.

"Get Kujo and get out of here." Kenny ordered.

"Takuto will look for your bag and evidence. Let's go." Riki ordered.

At Riki's signal, we all got moving.

"Oh mister. Sorry, I can't dress as a girl. I don't have my disguises with me." Hiro said.

He suddenly started talking in a flirty feminine voice, the postmaster was completely baffled.

The guards watched Hiro too, waiting to see what he had up his sleeve.

"Please don't hurt me, I'm weak." Hiro said. "Just kidding…. Attack!"

Hiro pointed to a powerful stun gun that Takuto put together, at the postmaster.

"Ahh!" Postmaster cried out.

His eyes bulged out as he let out a pained groaned.

"Kenshi, now!" Riki ordered.

"On it." Kenny said.

Riki and Kenny attacked the guards together. As they jumped at the guards, they let go of Hyosuke and tried to defend themselves.

I had to move now. I ran over to Hysouke and held out my hand.

"Hyosuke, come with me." I said.

He didn't even look at me, instead he was glaring at the postmaster, who was writhing from the pain from the stun gun. I then noticed that Hyosuke had something in his hand, it looked like a small thin needle.

Was he going to kill the postmaster? I then thought back to what Kenny had said about getting revenge. Takuto's stun gun couldn't kill, but if Hyosuke crossed the line then it would mean life in prison.

"Hysouke, don't. Please." I said.

He turned to me for a second, his face was badly beaten. He smiled at me before he slipped by Hiro and grabbed a bag from the desk.

Was that my bag that was stolen? Did he not break in for revenge but for my bag?

Just then, I heard some noise coming from the hall and Boss came in with a friendly face.

"Police, don't move." Fujioka said.

A few policemen file into the room after Fujioka, they immediately apprehend the postmaster and his guards.

"Sorry that took so long." Boss said.

"No kidding, what the heck boss?" Hiro said.

"Any later, we might've actually killed these guys." Kenny said.

Outside the window, I noticed a flock of patrol cars. Members of the criminal organisation are being arrested left and right.

"How did this happen?" I asked.

"Yeah well… I was asked to help out with an undercover investigation. So, sorry I cut it close." Boss said.

"That's so cool." I beamed and smiled at him.

He winked back before he walked over to Fujioka.

"Hey Faye, here's your bag." Kenny said.

Hyosuke had given the bag to Kenny, he brought it over to me.

"I'm opening it." Riki said.

I nodded.

Nothing had gone missing from the bag, even the clam sculptures were still there. The postmaster must have not realised that the sculptures were the work of a famous artist.

"This is art? They look like rocks to me." Riki said.

"Clams that you can't eat." Kenny said.

The two of them frown.

"What are you guys talking about? This is the real deal. Amazing." Hiro said.

"I know right? Here." I handed one to Hiro who happily examined it.

We both huddled over the bag and admire the clams.

"Aren't they just so beautiful?" I said.

"You said it." Hiro said and smiled at me.

"I'm glad we got them back, thanks guys." I said.

"You're welcome." Riki said.

They were seriously the best. I wrapped my arms around Hiro and Riki and pulled them close.

That's when I noticed that Hysouke wasn't with us. I looked around and saw him stood by the window.

I walked over to him.

"Are you ok? You took quite a beating." I said.

He didn't answer.

"What were you trying to do?" I asked.

"I didn't like seeing you sad, you've been really nice to me." He said.

Did he really do this for me or was he just lying again?

Takuto then walked over to us.

"Yo, cat. I think this is yours?"

Takuto was holding a stack of letters out of Hyosuke. I could see the address on the top letter.

"To Taiga and Hyosuke." I read out loud.

"They're from your parents, aren't they?" Takuto said.

In shock, Hyosuke took the letters and hurriedly checked the handwriting and text.

"It's my mother's handwriting. What was this doing here?"

His attention was fully absorbed as he read the letter.

"The date. This letter is from last month… they're alive."

"What's is say?" Takuto asked.

"That they couldn't home because they didn't want to put us in danger. Asking about… what we eat… stuff like that." Hyosuke answered.

His hands were shaking.

"So, they are alive." I said.

"You were right not to give up." Takuto said.

"You're saying I'm right? Ok, someone take note." I said, making the other's laugh.

I could see the relief in Hyosuke's face and I couldn't be happier.

"Maybe the postmaster thought they wrote about how to get into the basement, or about the other treasures they might have down there. And stole their letters. Those guys might've been keeping you brothers alive just to intercept these letters." Takuto said.

"Really? That's horrible." I said.

But that might be why their house was never attacked again, even with their parents gone.

"Thank you. I mean it… thank you." Hyosuke said.

I turned to say that he was welcome but he was already gone.

"I can't believe that guy. Tell him he can quit showing off, will you?" Riki said to me.

"I don't know, don't you think he's pretty cool?" Kenny asked.

"Uuh. I think he's stupid. Trying to pull this off by himself? It's weird." Hiro said.

"He thinks he's so good at this security stuff. Thinks he can outsmart me?" Takuto said angrily.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, god he was childish.

"Now, now. I like him, he's got spunk." Boss said.

"I'm just happy that he found what he was looking for." I said.

"You're hopeless Faye, you'd help an injured kitten if you came across one." Riki said.

"Of course I would." I said.

"Alright, what do you say we go back to the LRN and have some drinks?" Boss suggested.

"I say yes." Hiro said.

I looked out of the window, the postmaster was getting inside Fujioka's patrol car. It was all over, he was never going to hurt anyone again.

"Faye, let's go." Riki said.

"Coming." I said and followed them.