Hotline Miami Novels & Stories

Miles threatened. Shit! I gritted my teeth and turned toward the car as Miles carried Andrea himself to his car. Then he stopped to turn to me. "Where is your phone?" Miles suddenly asked. I brought it out and handed it over to him. He examined it for a second before launching it into the fire. "What the fuck?" I screamed. "There are important client numbers there!" "You can always get new clients but you cannot buy a new life. They have bugged you that's why they can tell your exact location and when to strike you," Miles revealed.

I saw they were still eating, so I called Alex, who had just run away from our wedding yesterday. I tried calling five times as I felt my heart racing. However, I was unable to reach Alex. "Sorry, the number you dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later..." A cold female voice from the mailbox responded. I double-checked if I had dialled the right number. I tried to call the police, but then, I remembered him telling me, "Mia, 13560 is our emergency number. It is available 24/7. I will answer as long as you dial it. It's only between us."

9% service range to enable us to connect anywhere we find ourselves in time of crisis. "Let me try it on my mobile phone." I said, my voice soft but audible, I dropped the bags in my hand and stopped walking towards the receptionist desk. She began to pronounce the digit one after the other. "Is that all?" I inquired, making sure that's the last digit of the phone number, but when I sent the call with the green ball on my smartphone, the name that appeared on the phone screen sent a shiver down my spine. "MIA."

My phone glowed, and I held my breath, waiting for the voice to fill the room. “This is the New York City Police Department. How can I help you?” I took a deep breath. There was no turning back now. “This is Tabitha Hyest, and I would like to make a report…”

I hated that I wanted to bleed. I stood still for a second, resting my hand on the bar where she had been. But soon, her accusation hit me. Cathy. I didn't turn around to look for the blonde. I pulled my phone from my cut. My thumb hovered over the keypad. I typed in the number Mila had recited. It was burned into my memory instantly. 763718388. I hit the call button and pressed the phone to my ear. It rang once. Twice. “You have reached Caleb Sterling’s office. I am currently unavailable…”

I just pulled out my phone. "Yeah, hi. This is Mia. I’m with Hannah Carter," I said into the phone once the insurance rep picked up. I gave them the location, my voice professional and clipped. "No, no one is hurt. The car stalled. We need a tow to the nearest authorized dealer and a ride for two. Now."

I kinda liked that one. I pick up the phone and see a notification. I chuckle when I notice Liam has saved his number as ‘Hot Jerk’ in this phone. Hot Jerk: ‘I have a job to attend to, so sorry I couldn’t stay. I hope this phone is not below your standards.’ Hot Jerk: ‘I told your father that I am your good friend from New York. Just in case he asks.’ Hot Jerk: ‘An officer was there to take your statement when you were asleep. I told him he can contact you at home. Get well soon. Hope to see you around.’

Before he could answer, his phone rang. Both of them froze. He looked down at the screen. Unknown Number. Slowly, he answered. “Hello?” A voice crackled through the speaker official, clipped, apologetic. “Mr. Wolfe? This is Officer Daniels with the city police department. I’m calling in regard to Jared Coleman.” Mia grabbed Liam’s arm instinctively. “Yes?” Liam said hoarsely. “There’s been an accident.” The words hit like a gunshot. The hospital smelled like antiseptic and fear.

The call came on a Tuesday morning while Mia was on her break at Target. She was in the break room with a machine coffee and a protein bar, reviewing the deposition prep notes Patricia had sent the night before, when her phone rang with a number she didn't recognize — a 512 area code, Austin, not a law firm exchange. She answered.

"Not like the first time. But enough that we still notice when he sleeps around." Mom's expression softened immediately. "You girls are going to be gone soon." The sadness in her voice made my chest ache. "I'm really going to miss you." Nova reached over and grabbed Mom's hand. Mom smiled weakly. "You'll use the phones I gave you." We both nodded. "The burner phones go directly to me," she reminded us. "If it's an emergency, text 911. If you just need information or want to talk, text 411. I'll call you back."