Three and a Half Weeks(155)
The room went horribly silent when Joseph stopped talking. It was almost as if the air itself was weighted down by the grim prospects confronting Ian.
Joseph’s impatient voice cut through the quiet. “Call me back when you make your decision. I’ve got somewhere to be.”
The call disconnected and Daniel leaned his weight on his knees, hanging his head down. He didn’t want to look in Ian’s eyes right now. Velvet-soft, he whispered, “How much time do you need to make your decision?”
Ian’s sigh reverberated through the room. “First, I need to speak with Lucien again. Then I’ll call it.” He pulled out his cell phone.
The small office was so quiet that Daniel could hear the phone ringing on the other end of the line, and then the terse greeting. “Yes?”
“Phillips, Blackmon.”
“What do you need? I have no additional information for you as yet.”
“Phillips, I’m going to be very candid with you and I’d appreciate your returning the courtesy. Right now I need you to answer a few questions, the first one concerns your Lithuanian friends. Are they killers?”
There is no immediate response and then Lucien begins to speak, his voice tired. “To my knowledge, no; however, I cannot state unequivocally that that’s the case.”
“Fair enough. Second, a threat has been made against Ella. How likely is it they will carry it out even if I make it difficult?”
“Very likely.”
“You do realize the three of them have squeezed me into a tight corner?”
“Yes.”
“Alright then. They’ve been warned through you.”
“Yes. Blackmon?”
Ian waits, saying nothing.
Lucien continues. “Don’t assume they are the ones needing the warning. These men have been associated with some very tough characters and survived. Bear that in mind.”
“Duly noted. Stay safe, Lucien.”
It was not lost on the French man that Ian had addressed him by his given name for the first time since they met. Lucien realized the implication: Ian didn’t want him to get hurt in whatever was coming down. He’d return the goodwill. “Good luck, Ian.”
Ian disconnected and looked Daniel in the eye. “Call Joseph. Tell him we’re on at fifty per with a twenty percent bonus if it can be concluded within 48 hours. I’m sick to death of this shit and I’m not imperiling Ella a moment longer than absolutely necessary. So be it.”
Now he lay in bed, wanting Ella in his arms desperately, needing her in his arms desperately… and knowing he’d just condemned three people to death. Condemned? Hell, he took out a hit on them. True, they left him with little choice but he still would have to live with the burden of guilt for the rest of his days. He fervently wished for another way out… but there was none he could see, none at all.
Sitting up in bed, he checked the small alarm clock next to the bed: one a.m. That meant it was only ten in Portland. He could call, hear Ella’s voice; he was supposed to have called her back anyway. Pulling out his phone he hit the speed dial: she answered on the first ring.
“Ian! I’ve been waiting all day to hear from you. Is everything okay?”
“No. I miss you something terrible, Ella.”
There was a protracted moment of delay between his remark and her reply: his words had taken her by surprise. “Oh, God, I miss you too, Ian. When are you coming home?”
“I’m hoping I can leave tomorrow but I’m not one hundred percent certain. Listen, Ella, I texted Mason earlier and asked him to ensure you understood what we are up against right now. Please, I’m begging you, stay inside and next to Mason until I get back. I am taking care of the problem but until it’s resolved, I need to know you’re safe. Are we clear on this point?”
“Yes, Ian, very clear. I promise I’ll do as you ask… but please come home as soon as you can, please.”
“I will, baby, promise. Right now I’d give up my whole bank account to be in the same bed as you, Ella: I miss you and I love you and I can’t wait to marry you. When I get home, we’ll start planning our wedding. Okay, baby?”
“Yes.”
“Next month is Daniel and Olivia’s wedding and we’ll be coming to New York to attend. That should be fun. So you have a lot of shopping to do for weddings plus our honeymoon. Think you’re up to the task?”
“Hmmm, I don’t know but I’ll give it the old college try.”
He laughs. “Okay, my girl, I’m going to try to get some sleep. I’ll call you in the morning. Ella?”
“Yes?”
“Remember how you were teasing me the other day about Mason sleeping in your bed for protection?”