Chapter 10

The cold automated voice message coming from the phone pierced Maverick's eardrums like a thin needle. He stood there gripping his phone, shock and disbelief written on his face. "Not in service? How is that possible?" he muttered under his breath, frowning deeply. He assumed it was a signal issue or carrier malfunction. Unwilling to accept it, he dialed again, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. "Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service. Please try again later." It was the same emotionless female voice. Maverick kept calling, listening to the same monotonous message again and again. The confusion on his face slowly turned into fury as a sense of dread crept into his heart. Nicole must be throwing a tantrum… Yes, that must be it. He used that explanation to console himself, trying to suppress the unease and panic gnawing at him. She had done this before, blocking him and turning off her phone, deliberately making him anxious. This time was no different. She wa