Tobin Rell made the call from behind a shuttered repair shop.
The lane outside was narrow and wet from a leaking pipe. A few boys were playing cards near the corner, and one drunk was sleeping against a wall with his mouth open. None of them looked important, but Tobin still kept his back turned and his voice low.
"I do not think this is right," he said. "If what you said does not happen, I die for nothing."
On the other end, Bruno clicked his tongue.
"Do not act like a child."
"Easy for you to say. You are not the one standing beside Maren every day."
"And you think I reached this high in Gonda's gang by doing safe work?" Bruno snapped. "Use your head. If I wanted you dead, I would have sent your name to Maren already."
Tobin went quiet.
That line landed because it was true.
Bruno softened his voice a little. "Listen carefully. You do not have to touch him or stand near him when it happens. You only tell me where he goes, when he stops, and who stays with him. That is all."
