Dead if You Don’t

79

Sunday 13 August

12.00–13.00

Valbone looked at the display on his phone. It showed the caller’s number was withheld. After hesitating, he answered. ‘Yes?’

A hushed, frightened voice, barely above a whisper, said, ‘Valbone?’

‘Yes, Aleksander?’ he said, recognizing the voice instantly.

‘My father knows about you — your involvement — and he’s very angry. You are now in danger, I just wanted to warn you.’

‘What does he know?’

‘About our plan. He made me tell him.’

‘We’re cool, Aleksander. But good of you to call.’

‘You know my dad’s a very dangerous man. I think you should abort, Valbone.’

‘Don’t worry, Aleksander,’ he replied. ‘I can be very dangerous, too.’