“That would be one way of saying it. What? Did you think I was still seeking revenge over Vasily? Bah, Mr. Wolf, come now. We are men of politics, of espionage, of Machiavellian manipulations and machinations that most men could not even conceive. Vasily wanted to be a part of that world, and he knew the risks. I no longer hold any ill will toward you over his death. Instead, I hope to take advantage of your considerable skills. And forgive me, please, for resorting to such subterfuge, but I couldn’t imagine that you might have been available for hire. This particular situation requires the best, and you are, in my opinion, the best.”
Noah thought hard and quickly. “First things first,” he said. “I won’t even discuss your target or your mission until I know for certain that they’re still alive. I want to see them, alive and with my own eyes. I’ll come alone and unarmed. All I want is to see them and speak with them.”
“I expected no less from you. We will meet this evening at eight. Go to the octagon at Windmill Hill Park on South Lee Street at that time and someone will be waiting for you. You will be searched, loaded into a vehicle from which you cannot see out and brought to my location, where you will see your friends for yourself. Afterward, we will discuss the terms of their release.”
The line went dead and Noah began planning. He scrolled through the contacts for a second, but then considered that Nicolaich had his number and could possibly be tracing or even listening to every call he made.
A sign just ahead caught his eye and he turned the car into a parking lot. One of the stores advertised contract-free cell phone plans and Noah hurried inside. Fifteen minutes later he walked out with a cheap folding cell phone and got back into the car.
Nicolaich had obviously gotten his number from Sarah’s phone, which also had most of the important numbers from Neverland in it. Noah couldn’t risk calling in to Doc Parker, just on the chance that Nicolaich might have traces on all of those numbers, as well. Still, he needed to reach someone back at headquarters.
An idea struck him, and he dialed the number for the Sagebrush Saloon. It was past noon, so there was a possibility Elaine Jefferson might be working.
“Sagebrush,” a hostess answered.
“Hey, I was wondering if Elaine is on duty yet?”
“Um, yeah, just a minute.” The hostess dropped the receiver onto something and yelled across the room for Elaine. Noah waited for about a minute, and then she picked up the phone.
“Hello?”
“Elaine, this is Noah. I need...”
“Oh, God, has something happened to Moose?”
“I can’t go into that. I need to speak to Doc Parker, but I can’t call in on the regular number. I need you to get a message to him, but you can’t call on the regular line, either. Somehow, I need you to get word to him to call me as soon as possible on this number, but to call from a number that is not associated with Neverland. Tell him that I have reason to believe that all of our phones have been compromised.” He gave her the number of his new burner phone. “Can you do that for me?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll—just tell me, is Moose okay?”
“As far as I know, he’s fine right now. That’s the truth, I won’t lie to you. I just have reasons why I can’t call in on normal channels, so this is very important. I need Parker to call me as soon as possible.”
“Okay, I’ll call my dad at home right now. He’ll know an unofficial number he can call on.”
She hung up and Noah sat in the car, thinking of how he might turn the tables on Nicolaich once again. There was one slim chance that came to mind, and he leaned back against the headrest as he tried to predict where the plan might have weaknesses.
His new phone rang only a few minutes later and the caller ID displayed a number he didn’t recognize. He answered quickly.
“Camelot,” Doc Parker said, “I received your message and I understand that our phones may have been compromised. What is your situation?”
“Sir, I was contacted by the subject a few minutes ago on my mission phone. He stated that he will return my team unharmed on the condition that I carry out a task for him. I told him I wouldn’t consider it without seeing them alive, and I have a plan that I believe will allow me to rescue them and deal with the subject. I’m requesting permission to put that plan into action.”
Parker was quiet for almost a full minute. At last, he said, “Camelot, this is an unsecured line. Because it could be easily monitored, I cannot act in any official capacity at this moment. You had already received instructions prior to this contact. Failure to follow those instructions could, under company policy, result in termination. If you choose to implement your plan, it is highly likely that you will face a review. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Sir,” Noah said.
“Very good.” The line went dead.
Noah looked up Captain Hayes’s number in the mission phone and dialed it into the burner. It rang four times before it was answered.
“Roadkill Café,” came Hayes’s voice. “Who’s this?”
“It’s Camelot, but this line is not secure. I have a situation that could benefit from your assistance.”
Hayes hesitated for a couple of seconds. “Dude, I got a call from some old guy who wants you back home on the reservation pretty quick.”