Maltese Steel

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

It was eleven o'clock in the morning when a cell phone rang in a secure office. A man waited before answering the burner phone. He was sat in the dark – he preferred it that way. It helped him to think – and he had a lot to think about.

'Yes, what is it, Beta?' His voice was deep and emotionless. His voice rang with a hint of a Boston accent.

'He called someone – just now. He's getting outside help,' said the muffled voice of a man on the other end.

'Do we know who?' asked the man called Alpha.

'No, not yet.' Beta paused for a moment before speaking again. 'Could be that old army buddy he keeps talking about?'

'What – the cop?' asked Alpha before pausing for a moment as if weighing up this new information. 'It's possible, I guess. Keep tabs on the airlines. If his name pops, put a detail on him.'

The man known as Beta did not immediately reply – a response wasn't necessary. There was a moment of silence, then Beta broke it. 'And what about the other thing?'

'You know what to do – so, take care of it,' Alpha said and placed the handset back onto the cradle.