20
“Max lost them,” Szeto said.
Ernst grunted and squeezed the phone as he paced his office. “So we still don’t know where she lives. Why wasn’t I told before?”
Instead of answering, Szeto said, “They are back at hospital with third man. Josef followed them to restaurant and watches the place now.”
So . . . he’d delayed reporting Max’s failure until he could report that the quarry had been spotted again.
“And the woman?”
“Max watches and—wait.” Ernst heard some muffled conversation in Polish, then Szeto was back. “Max, he overhear nurse say woman is waking up.”
“Then get her out of there. Immediately.”
“I will call Josef. We have plan in place. We will move upon his return.”
Ernst ended the call and put down the phone. When he looked up, the One stood on the other side of his desk.
“Where will you be taking her?”
Ernst swallowed. “The Order owns space in the Meatpacking District. They will take her there. They will find out where she lives. She will be a problem no more.”
The One nodded. “And the Fhinntmanchca? You have a suitable candidate?”
“Yes. A perfect candidate. I am working on isolating him now. Soon he will have no one left to turn to but me.”
The One didn’t smile, merely stared at Ernst with those bottomless eyes.
“And then it begins.”