Gonda did not like the number on his phone.
He was sitting in his private room with Kundra near the wall when the call came. The screen did not show a name, but Gonda knew who it was. Only one side called through that line now, and that side had started feeling heavier than it had during the first meeting.
He let it ring twice before answering.
"Yes," Gonda said.
The old man's voice came through calmly. "You sound careful today."
Gonda forced a small laugh. "These days, careful men live longer."
"That is true."
The old man did not speak for a moment. Gonda hated that pause. Men like him did not pause because they had nothing to say. They paused to make the other person feel the weight of the silence.
"War has started," the old man said. "I thought we would have more time, but your nameless friends moved faster than expected."
Gonda's fingers tightened around the phone.
"They are not my friends."
