Vance Black Phone Novels & Stories

Vance wouldn't call more than once unless there was a building burning down "Go to the car," he said to Nora. "I have to take this." She looked at him a bit confused, but she nodded and slipped out into the night, her blue dress trailing behind her. He watched the door click shut before he raised the phone to his ear. "Talk to me, Vance. And make it quick." "You're not going to like this, Cain,” Vance said. "I already don't like it," he said, walking back into the house. "Did you find anything about Nora?”

"You brought the metrics?" Vance smiled, a cold, bloodless movement of his lips that didn't reach his dead eyes. He reached into his overcoat and pulled out an ultra-thin, military-grade slate tablet. He didn't hand it to Francis; he set it flat on the rusted oil drum, directly over the leather ledger.

"I know. And I'm going to spend the rest of my life making up for it." Sarah knocked on the door and came in, her face apologetic. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but James is on the phone. He says it's urgent." I pulled away from Merald and took the phone, my voice steady. "What is it?" "Vance is making a move," James said. "He's gathering his people at the estate, and it looks like he's planning something big." "Any idea what?" "Not yet, but I'm working on it."

The gun was at the man’s forehead before he could finish. “Say one more lie,” Vance said, “and you’ll die honest.” The receptionist’s lips trembled. “No! No, please...” And then... A phone rang. The sharp, vibrating tone sliced through the tension. Everyone froze. Vance frowned, following the sound to the floor beside the curtain. He bent down, picked up the phone..Lila’s phone. His eyes glimmered. “Well, well…” He swiped the screen, seeing an incoming call labeled JoJo.

“You stole something from me. You tried to deliver it. Tell me who gave you the fucky order.” The man’s lips trembled. He coughed, blood flecking his teeth. “You don’t understand. He’s worse than you.” “I’ll take that as a compliment. Speak.” He broke. Just like that. Whispers cracked out of him like leaking steam. “Vance. Vance Halifax. He—he worked for Blackwell. Fired for laundering. He’s been building an alliance. Clara. That woman claiming she’s pregnant. Some on the board. He said you’d be too in love with your fake wife to see the knife coming.”

I would ruin her so thoroughly that even a man like Blackwood wouldn't want the wreckage. I reached for my personal phone. I bypassed Naomi’s office. She would tell me to be patient. She would tell me to think of the brand. I didn't want to think. I wanted to strike. I scrolled through the list until I found the name: Vance. The phone rang twice. "Adrian? I didn't expect a call until the Blackwood acquisition was finalized." "The acquisition is secondary," I said. My voice was steady now, focused by a singular purpose. "I have something better for you. A headline that will sell more papers than a corporate takeover."

I said, my voice barely working. "He also asked me to give you these," she added, reaching into her apron pocket. She pulled out a small, brand-new smartphone in a clear plastic case, along with a small black velvet box. She set both items on the table right beside the steaming plate of food. I stared at the phone, my stomach tightening into a hard knot. "What is that?" "Mr. Blackwood had his assistant drop them off an hour ago," Mrs. Gable explained. "The phone is set up on an unlisted line. None of your family's contacts are on it, but Mr. Blackwood's number is saved as the direct speed dial."

A hollow feeling settled inside him, one he couldn't explain. Ethan reached into his inner suit jacket and pulled out his phone. He didn't call his assistant. Instead, he dialed a private, encrypted number. The line rang twice before a low, grave voice answered. "Mr. Blackwood." "Vance," Ethan said, his voice suddenly razor-sharp. "I need you to run a secondary background check on Aurora Vance." There was a brief pause. "Sir? We already verified the pendant and her family records." "Run it again."

My thought was interrupted by Mr Black "Hello Mr Vance! Pleasure to finally meet you." Mr Black said reaching out for my hands. His an old and good business partner of mine. His 3 years older than myself. And just like me he is difficult to impress. My business with Mr Black is simple- He finds companies that are worth saving for me, and if it goes south, he ensures I get double my investment. And so far, we've had no such stories. "Mr Black it's nice to see you again." I noticed that he came with that secretary of his, I think Brenda. She is a beauty but not one I have ever considered mugging. One cause it's obvious that Black has a thing for her and she is a good girl.

When he saw only cold indifference, he let out a low, satisfied laugh, reaching down to slide a sleek black business card and a small black USB drive across the smooth wood toward me. "Take these," Vance said, gesturing with his hand. "The card has my private encrypted line. The drive contains his daily schedules, guard rotations, and his frequent locations outside his primary estate. Do not keep me waiting long. A talent like yours should not be wasted in the dirt down below."