[Premier Inn, Wigan Town Centre Hotel]
Noah sat on the edge of the hotel bed, phone pressed against his ear.
The lamp threw a weak yellow circle over the table, half-lit papers and a half-finished cup of tea scattered there.
"Yeah," he said quietly, "I already spoke to him. Gave him my card."
Devon's voice hummed back, light with curiosity.
"And? How'd he take it?"
Noah leaned back, staring at the cracked ceiling.
"Didn't show much. Kid's cautious. Which is good, I suppose. And I didn't push. Couldn't. If I looked desperate, I'd spook him, so gotta keep it steady."
On the other end, there was a long pause, then a slow chuckle.
"That's you all over, mate. Cool face, furnace inside."
Noah smirked despite himself.
"Don't make it sound noble. Truth is, I need him to trust me. And that takes time."
Devon hummed again, the kind of sound that carried both agreement and thought.
"Well, you just keep at it. And if you ever need more of the funds, you tell me."
