„Fusco?", Lionel answered his phone behind his desk.
„Detective, heres a woman in line who wants to talk to you", he heard an officer say.
„Does this woman also have a name?"
„She didnt tell. Can I put her through anyway?"
„Alright."
A clicking sound made him understand the change of connection.
„Detective Fusco here. Who do I talk to?"
For a moment there was an ongoing silence until he heard a female voice.
„Im the person you were waiting for in your car yesterday night. The one in the red dress. You may remember."
Lionel changed his position. Suddenly his synapses fired at high volume.
„And now youre calling me to let me know where I can pick you up along with your prey?"
„Not yet, but I need your help, Detective."
„Actually we dont help crooks, we arrest them", Lionel stated.
„Please tell John that he needs to call me urgently", the woman on the other end went on as if she hadnt heard what he said.
„Im sorry. You seem to mistake a Detective with a secretary, Miss."
„Please. I wouldnt take the risk to call you if it wasnt necessary. Do you have pen and paper?"
Cursing himself that he indeed grabbed for his pen, Lionel rolled his eyes.
„You know that I will trace your number and get a team right there immediately", he said, laying his cards open.
„I dont expect anything else."
Writing down the number she let gave him, she once again urged him to tell wonderboy about her call. Fusco didnt know why he was sure to have heard a desperation in her voice. Maybe it was the serious plea that made him press the short key for Reeses number before he informed his colleagues to find out from which location the call was done.
„By now this is going way too far, wonderboy. Its not like Im playing your dumbass running through the city often enough. Now criminals also start to use me as your personal assistant", John heard Fusco's exasperated voice on the other end of the line.
„Just give me the number, Lionel", he avoided stepping up to his game. In fact, the information he received by now unsettled him too much for their typical banter.
Shortly after he had dialed the digits that Finch traced back to a cellphone near Madison Square Garden. It took two dial tones until the receiver got picked up on the other side.
„Hello?", he heard a questioning female voice.
„You wanted me to call you, so whats the reason for that?", John asked in a calm tone.
„I need to talk you to."
„Thats what we do by now."
„In person. Fuscos team will be here soon. Even though he forwarded the number, hes a Detective after all. I cant be caught talking to you on a phone."
„Where do you want me to come to?"
„Hudson River, Pier 25. Right across the Hudson River Park."
„I can be there in 20 minutes."
„Alright. 20 minutes then. See you there… and John… you will come alone, or this is the end of our little encounter - for good", he heard Chloe's voice when a click in the line made him realize that she ended the connection.
„Shall I tell Detective Fusco where to find you?", Harold asked.
„I think that wont be necessary", John grabbed for his Jackett.
„What if its a trap?"
„Then you know where to find me", he answered as he exited the headquarters.