Page 172 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘Yes. Yes, that’s true, of course. Are they harmed? Is Julian injured?’

‘I didn’t see him, but he sounded OK.’

‘Riley,’ Alistair says, tone beseeching. ‘I need you to tell me exactly what my son said. Anything you heard.’

‘I heard, um…’ He closes his eyes, thinking. ‘He said, uh. OK. Troy said, A week to get clear, another for word to reach your father, and then Julian said, My father won’t be fooled for long. Then Troy said, He’s not getting you back. I promise you that. That’s all I heard.’

‘I am so grateful that you chose to call me. It must have been a hard decision to do the right thing. If I get my children back safely, whatever you want in this world, I’ll see to it that it’s yours.’

‘Just don’t let him lock them away,’ Riley says, voice breaking, thinking of the little girl, Mimi. The brother he’s not yet clapped eyes on. ‘You have to come and get them now. Troy is smart.’

‘Yes, I know, and that’s why we need to be smart too.’

‘Are you gonna come get them?’

‘If I come now, Troy might do something risky. He might hurt them. I think we have to be patient, you and I. You seem like a strong, clever boy. Can you do that, Riley? Can you work with me to save my children?’

‘Anything.’

‘What do you want me to do?’

‘If I come now, Troy will do something brash. It’s important that he believes his plan has proceeded accordingly.’

Riley frowns. ‘His plan to kidnap them?’

‘Yes. I need you to be very brave and clever for me, Riley. I need you to keep listening to whatever you can, memorise it for me even if it doesn’t make sense to you. Can you do that for me?’

‘Yes, I’ll try.’

‘We can’t seem to locate where you are or trace this number. If I give you a direct line, can you write it down or memorise it?’

There’s a pen and paper. Riley reaches for them.

‘I can write it.’ Penhalyx reels off the number and Riley copies it carefully. ‘OK, I got it. When should I call?’

‘Let’s say twelve hours, but if anything changes, call me right away, if you can do so safely. I appreciate the risk you’re putting yourself in to do this. I fear my son has been manipulated by someone I trusted. He may be experiencing Stockholm syndrome.’

‘I don’t know what that is.’

‘It means he might suddenly not want to come back here. He might want to stay.’

Riley chews the inside of his cheek.

Is that what happened to him when he gave up wanting to run?

He won’t let it happen to them. Not a chance.

‘I’ll do my best,’ he promises.

‘Good boy. Now, what can you tell me about the building you’re in? Iron Star’s location isn’t on the—’

There’s a loud interruption from the other end.

Another man is yelling, almost screaming.

Riley winces despite himself.

‘Give me the phone, Penhalyx!’ the new voice demands. ‘GIVE IT TO ME!’