Chapter 18 - The Voice Behind the Call
Late that evening, forensic specialists finally restored power to the intact disposable phone recovered from the warehouse.
Most data had been erased.
Only one voicemail remained.
Brooks connected the phone to a speaker inside the command room.
Everyone listened.
Static filled the room.
Then came a calm male voice.
"No unnecessary risks."
"Choose drivers who won't fight."
"Never stay longer than three minutes."
"If someone refuses to pay..."
The voice paused briefly.
"...report the name."
Walter's expression became unreadable.
The recording continued.
"If the name is Walter Hayes..."
Another pause.
"...leave immediately."
The room fell completely silent.
Emily slowly looked toward Walter.
"He knew about you."
Walter said nothing.
The voice resumed.
"Do not confront him."
"Do not threaten him."
"If Hayes appears..."
"...inform me personally."
The message ended.
Brooks replayed the final sentence twice.
No one spoke.
After nearly a minute, Emily broke the silence.
"Why would the leader warn his people to avoid you?"
Walter remained standing beside the speaker, his weathered notebook resting beneath one hand.
"When criminals survive long enough," he said quietly, "they learn which enemies nearly destroyed them."
Brooks folded his arms.
"So whoever this Director is..."
Walter finished the sentence.
"...has remembered me for more than a decade."
The detective stared at the silent phone.
"And now he knows you've returned."
Walter slowly closed his notebook.
"Which means he won't stay hidden much longer."
Outside, rain began falling again against the windows of the command center.
None of them noticed the dark sedan parked across the street.
May you like
Its engine remained running.
Inside, an unseen driver lowered a pair of binoculars, started the car without turning on the headlights, and disappeared into the night before anyone realized they had been under observation once again.
