Ensemble [Book 1: SEKTOR V Trilogy]

Chapter 7: Cleanup on Aisle ICP

Chapter 7: Cleanup on Aisle ICP

Madeleine Wilheim's encrypted video communicator flashed. She had a hunch who it was and why they were calling. Moments earlier, she had Steve Arroyo make contact with one of the heads of the Philly ICP to let them know they'd just lost two men. Maddy let out a deep sigh and finally answered. "Wilheim," she said.

"Who's this?" echoed a cold voice from the middle-aged man on the other end.

"I'm Director Madeleine Wilheim. And with whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"

"Cut the crap," responded the weathered-looking man who still hadn't identified himself. "We are not happy... What the fuck did you just do?"

"I understand your concern, but perhaps if we could discuss this calmly, I think we could—"

"No, I don't think you understand, Mz. Director. We are livid."

Really? she thought. "Look, sir, I do understand, but there's no need—"

He interrupted her again. "We've had calm waters with your Organization for a very long time, but today, inexplicably, you've decided to put that relationship in serious jeopardy. We can't imagine why you would do such a thing."

Maddy was beginning to lose her cool. "Look, I still don't know who you are, exactly, but I ask that you listen to me. We understand that you are angry. We deeply regret what happened today. Truly, we do. But I must tell you that your assumptions are off- base. We're as appalled by the Ministry's brazen actions as you are. We simply had no way to stop it. Please know that we are here to help you, not just to offer condolences or empty promises."

There was silence for a few seconds.

"I'm Jack Cranston," he finally said, his tone notably softened. "We lost two good men out there today. I hate to lose any of my men, let alone good ones." Cranston was still very much on edge.

"Believe me, I completely understand and agree with you, Jack, if I may call you Jack?" she asked politely.

Cranston didn't respond. Maddy took that as a yes and continued, "We certainly didn't anticipate that they'd come in guns-a-blazing as they did. It makes no sense."

"So what happened, exactly?" Cranston asked.

"Well, we were in place and had everything set up with your receivers—that is, your two men—in position. The $725,000 Dial owed your Organization was to be paid off. The unforeseen complication arose when the Ministry chose to proceed aggressively."

"Meaning what, exactly?"

"As the money exchanged hands, a single shot was fired through the door from the outside hallway," she continued. "Soon after that, Ministry agents charged the room and several rounds were exchanged. The encounter was over quickly with both of your men killed. This action took us by complete surprise. Dial, who somehow managed to stay alive, ended up leaving with the Ministry. As you know, we'd expected to recover him. We do, however, have the second-best thing. His family is in a secure location as we speak."

"As you surely know," Cranston's earlier conciliatory tone lost some of its steam, "our sole interest was to recover the money we were owed, which, for the record, has yet to be paid to us. The safety and whereabouts of Stanley Dial and his family are of little concern to us. Excuse me if I do not extend my condolences. We'll be busy burying our dead."

Damn. Bringing up "her loss" was a mistake. Maddy decided to move to Phase Two of the planned reconciliation. "I understand, Jack. Our setback pales in comparison to your loss. Please forgive my insensitivity and accept my apologies and deepest condolences." She paused a second. "While I'm sure your Organization is not happy about recent developments, I'm also willing to bet that you have every intention of addressing these grievances directly with the Ministry. As such, I would like to offer you a valuable resource that could assist in that regard."