Gonda stared at the unknown number until the phone rang for the fourth time.
Kundra stood near the window, but he did not ask anything. He had been with Gonda long enough to know when a ringing phone was not just a ringing phone. Since Maren Voss died, every unknown call had started feeling like a hand reaching into the room.
Gonda did not move at first.
If the call came from World Zone, then at least he knew the shape of the danger. That side had a name, men, and orders that sounded like they came from a proper hierarchy.
If the call came from the other side, then he was not ready.
The nameless side had no clear face. They had money, goods, Bruno, Tobin, and a habit of knowing things too quickly. They had already moved Maren off the board and pushed Rust Gate into a new shape before anyone could breathe properly.
Gonda picked up the phone.
He did not speak first.
For one second, there was only a faint line noise. Then the old voice came through.
