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Swearing, I shoved a hand through my hair.
I gave Joyner a stiff nod and put the phone down before I gave in to the urge to break it.
I returned to my post at the window and closed my eyes.
Stay safe, Tina.
* * *
The two hoursCecil had demanded crept by at a snail’s pace.
Fifteen minutes before the call would come, I unplugged my phone from the charger and resumed my post near the window.
I’d long since shed my coat and tie. The food Gianni had ordered sat mostly untouched.
Gianni found a bottle of Kentucky bourbon in her filing cabinet. She was modest with the pour, but that was probably for the best.
“Come on over here and sit down, Mr. Ryson,” Detective Joyner said as the five-minute mark neared.
Joyner took the phone from me, placed it on the table, and tapped a few keys on the laptop nearest to her.
Two minutes.
A nervous cough tickled the back of my throat, and I gulped some water.
One minute.
Clearing my throat, I reached for the water again.
The phone rang.
Joyner caught my wrist before I could grab it, giving me a spearing look before using her free hand to accept the call.
“Yeah.” The harsh sound of my voice wasn’t even recognizable.
“Maximus.”
“Where’s Tina?” I demanded.
“We’ll get to that.”
The voice sounded strange—echoing, like in a tunnel.
Joyner shoved a notepad in front of me.Voice distorter.
I nodded, irritated that I wouldn’t be able to recognize either voice, but not really surprised.
“Let me talk to Tina.”
The distorted laugh was unsettling. “Yeah, sure.”
I gave Joyner an uneasy look, and she nodded, tapping the notebook in front of me.
Proof of life, Mr. Ryson.
“Look, if you don’t put Tina on the phone so I know she’s alive, I’ll hang up now and I won’t be answering again tonight.”
“That’s not wise, Mr. Maximus. Remember what I said about pissing me off?”