The phone rang twice before he picked it up.

“Yeah, who is it?”

“Good afternoon” said a male voice. “Is this Sergeant Ivan Bosconovitch I’m speaking to?”

“Just tell me who this is.”

“My name is Kenneth Houser. I work with the Public Department of Civil Affairs”, he said in a single breath. “Republican branch of containment.”

Ivan was silent for a second before saying:

“Where did you get this number?”

“You’re filed in an on-going investigation, sergeant. It would be in your best interest to comply in answering some questions.”

“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about, chief. Whatever I had to say I already did in court. If you need the transcripts, call the judge. Have a good rest of your day.”

“This isn’t about the trial, sir”, the man’s voice was quick to point out, as he realized Ivan was about to hang up. “This is an on-going investigation being conducted by the Containment Sector, sanctioned by the Committee itself. Your collaboration is of the utmost importance.”

“Look, what the hell is this? Why are you calling me? I don’t know nothing about any of that bullshit you people get paid to monitor, I barely leave the house. Go ask someone else in the army, call my commanding officer, I don’t know.”

“I already told you, sergeant, you’re a key witness in a major case, it’s you that we need.”

“And what case is that, even?”

“The Partridge report.”