"Fuck."
I sit back, jaw tight as I try to work this out on my own.
I could message Aaron again through the line. Ask him directly, but that'll take too long. And if there are hidden tripwires in this system, I don't want to light them up by poking around where I shouldn't be.
I grab a brand-new burner phone, tear it open, and dial Aaron's secure line.
It's a nuclear option, but I'm out of conventional ones.
The phone rings twice before he picks up. "This better be good. It's late."
"It's me."
"Tristan?" The edge in his voice vanishes instantly.
"Yeah."
"We were just talking. Is everything?—"
"Something came in right after. I need you to tell me the truth."
I hear him moving, then the soft click of a door shutting.
"Go ahead."
"Viavilda. Ring a bell?"
A frustrated groan. "You know it does. Get to the point."
"Why is it buried in a file tied to Ewan Calder's security contractor?"
"How do you know that name?"
"Doesn't matter. Just tell me if you've worked with him before."
"No. Never directly."
"But indirectly?"
The pause stretches too long. "It's complicated."
"Uncomplicate it."
He lets out a slow breath. "The contractor you're looking at? They don't just work for Calder. They work for everyone. Cartels. Criminals. Corporations. If you have enough money and the right clearance, they'll do whatever you want. Move anything. Anyone."
My jaw tightens. "Including people who don't want to be moved."
"Yeah. Including them."
"So you've used them."
"Yes, to help us track and rescue trafficked kids and women. They offer a wide variety of services, and they don't give a shit you need. As long as you can pay the price, they'll do it. And they're very good at their job."
"Fuck." I rake a hand through my hair. "I wish you'd mentioned this when I told you I was going after Keira."
He scoffs. "Calder's above us all, Tristan. He has no involvement with her. You're being paranoid."
My jaw clicks. "He has her, Aaron."
