EIGHT
The mobile phone trilled into life. Esteban pressed it to his ear and waited.
“I’m pleased you have your phone switched on,” said Harper. “There’s been a slight complication.”
“What sort of complication?”
“Nothing to be unduly concerned about. Another interested party has become involved, that is all. So, plans may have to be adjusted accordingly.”
“I see.”
“Until you hear otherwise, you continue as originally discussed. Find him, stay close to Chaise, watch his every move and—”
“I have located him.”
A silence. Harper’s voice, when it returned, had lost something of its previous edge. “Ah. Good work. Does he know?”
Esteban inhaled loudly. “No one ever knows.”
“Yes. Sorry. Stupid question. Don’t underestimate him, however.”
“He is rusty. Easy to follow.”
“Perhaps too easy?
