Page 171 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘I’m hanging up now, sir.’

‘No, please, don’t! They’re in danger, please!’

Another voice cuts in, male.

‘I’ll take it from here, Kim, thanks,’ he says and the female voice is gone. ‘This is Daniel Reeves, senior communications manager. I understand you’re trying to reach Mr Penhalyx?’

‘Yes, I need to talk to him.’

‘Where are you calling from, sir? There’s no number showing for your line.’

‘I… it doesn’t matter. Please let me talk to him. It’s about his kids.’

‘Can you explain the nature of your—?’

‘Just let me fucking talk to him!’ Riley snaps as quietly as he can. ‘I know who has them.’

There’s a beat of silence before the man says, ‘I’m putting you through to Lionel Maddox, Mr Penhalyx’s main assistant. Hold, please.’

Riley looks down the hallway.

Nothing yet.

‘Lionel Maddox. With whom am I speaking?’

‘Put me onto Penhalyx.’

‘Tell me your name and I’ll let him know you—’

‘I know who kidnapped his fucking kids, so stop messing me around!’

‘Stay on the line,’ Maddox says quietly, everything going silent. When he comes back, it’s brief. ‘I’m passing you over to Mr Penhalyx.’

‘Fucking finally,’ Riley hisses to himself.

An older voice speaks, fraught and low. ‘Who is this?’

‘Are you him? Alistair? The kids’ dad?’

‘Yes, I am. Do you know where they are?’

‘I do. My—Troy Harker took them. Iron Star. He’s got them here.’

‘Harker has them? Where?’

‘Home. In the tower.’

‘You are in Varrow City?’

‘Yes, but we’re not in the middle. We’re on the outside.’

‘What’s your name?’

‘Riley.’

‘Why are you telling me this, Riley?’

‘Because you need to come get them back! He’ll lock them up forever, won’t ever let them go. Your daughter said you were a good man. That they love you and you love them?’