“Let me talk to the person you’re working for.” My voice sounded more confident and arrogant than I felt. I felt miserable. Olyvar smiled.

“Right this way, Sir.” He made a gesture, pointing towards a fancy black car at the parking lot, looking so out of place it was a wonder I hadn’t noticed it before now.

“No, here. Let me talk to him on the phone. I won’t get into a car with people I don’t know, being taken who-knows-where, and offered a crazy amount of money, simply for listening to a deal that I have no clue about what could be. Let me talk to him on the phone. I don’t need a name, and I can respect his oh-so-important privacy, but I need to hear his voice.” And I needed to know I’m not heading directly to ‘him’, I added in my mind.

Olyvar looked at me, judging. A smirk took the place of his smile.

“Hmmm, you have more going on in your head than I thought you would, it seems. Fine, I will let you talk to him. It is in our interest to make you feel safe, as well.” Olyvar talked while taking out his phone and punching in some keys. Then he handed it to me. I glanced at the phone, but to my annoyance, the caller ID wasn’t shown. They knew what they were doing a bit too well… I took the phone up to my ear, hearing the familiar calling tone.

“Yes?” A deep male voice answered the phone. My heart stopped. It wasn’t ‘his’ voice, but it was familiar. So familiar I could almost taste the name of the owner on my tongue, but fell just short of the first syllable. I knew I knew this voice. But from where? When? Who? I needed to keep him talking.

“Thank you for the money.” I said in a light tone, completely unlike what I had used to Olyvar. Olyvar seemed to notice this, and sent me an amused glare.

“Ah, River. I take it you liked my present then. I would be happy if you would come meet me so I could give you another one.” I knew this voice, I knew this voice, but who? The way he said my name made things almost clear.

“I was always taught not to take free money from strangers.” I said, friendliness covering my throat like honey. Sticky and sweet. Olyvar seemed to cover up a snort.

“Oh, as far as I remember, you had no problem taking free money from Sean?”

My blood froze to ice. I hadn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t, think ‘his’ name ever since I last saw him. I had tried to forget, which had gone about as well as getting rid of the damn piece of paper.

But with this, I knew.

“Barrie.” I breathed, shakingly. Olyvar seemed to frown now, but kept quiet.

“Yes, River?” Barrie said in a tone that suggested he was having fun.

“I’ll see you soon.” I said, and without waiting for an answer, I hung up and handed the phone back to Olyvar.

“I’ll be out in a few minutes. Just wait here. Or come in. Or whatever.” I had lost. I had lost everything.