Page 170 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘What city, sir?’

‘It’s. We’re in Varrow City.’

‘And what’s the name?’

‘Penhalyx. Alistair Penhalyx.’

‘There’s no personal listing under that name. Do you want the corporate listing for Helixx Biosciences?’

‘I… is that where he is?’

‘I highly doubt it.’

‘Is there anything else? His home? I need to talk to him.’

‘No, sir. That name is unlisted. Shall I connect you to Helixx Biosciences?’

‘Uh, OK, yes.’

‘Please hold, I’ll transfer.’

The line goes quiet. Riley waits.

Then a warm, welcoming female voice speaks down the line.

‘Welcome to Helixx Biosciences. Your hope is our horizon.’

‘I need to talk to—’

‘For clinical trial enrolment and candidate intake, press one. For patient services and active care programmes, press two. For genetic consultation, screening, and eligibility assessment, press three. For financial services, billing, and portfolio management, press four. For legal affairs and compliance, press five. For corporate offices and executive enquiries, press six. For media relations, press seven. For partnership opportunities and private client services, press eight. To repeat these options, press nine. For all other enquiries, please press zero.’

Riley shakes himself, looks down at the numbers and presses zero.

He waits, glancing often down the hallway, but so far so good.

The voice says, ‘Please state the nature of your enquiry.’

‘I need to talk to Alistair Penhalyx.’

‘Thank you. Please hold while we connect you to media relations.’

‘No, not…’ He trails off because music has started to play. Riley looks at the receiver with frustrated loathing, but after a minute, someone speaks and he can tell it’s a real person.

‘Media relations. How may I assist you today?’

‘I need to talk to Alistair Penhalyx.’

‘Mr Penhalyx’s staff are not directly contactable through this department, sir. Which outlet are you calling from?’

‘This is important. It’s about his kids.’

‘Sir, we don’t negotiate with tabloids. You’ll have to speak to your editor.’

‘No, listen to me! This is an emergency!’

‘If it’s an emergency, call the police.’

‘No, I can’t!’ he whispers loudly. ‘Please just put me in touch with someone who works for him, anyone who can contact him!’