The old man from World Zone was eating when the news reached him.
His hotel suite had a wide dining table, thick carpet, and a television mounted on the wall opposite the window. Two men stood near the door with weapons hidden under their jackets. Another servant placed food quietly and stepped back without raising his eyes.
The old man had chosen the hotel because it was clean, expensive, and easy to control. A man could rent privacy there without making it look like a hideout.
Then Maren Voss's face appeared on the screen.
The fork slipped from the old man's hand.
The spoon followed it onto the plate with a sharp sound.
No one moved.
The anchor spoke quickly about the forest road, heavy firing, Rust Gate Crew, Maren Voss's death, and the police claim of gang rivalry.
The old man stared at the screen for several seconds before turning his head.
"Did any message come from our side?" he asked.
