Call Barring Service [upd]

"I... I can't, sir. The system is rejecting the reset command."

Vane hadn't needed to cut the physical phone lines. He hadn't needed to hack Elias's computer. He had used the system against him. By activating Call Barring, Vane had turned Elias’s own weapon into a cage. Elias was isolated. He couldn't call the client. He couldn't call the police. He couldn't call for help.

Elias looked around the empty office. The door was locked. The blinds were drawn. "I didn't touch the phone, Sarah. Take it off. Override it. I’m paying you people a fortune." call barring service

He dialed the operator, a rarity in the modern age, but his service provider still offered a live line for high-premium accounts.

"Sarah, my line is dead," Elias barked. "I have a critical transaction pending. Fix it." He hadn't needed to hack Elias's computer

"I don't have shortcuts. I have a rotary phone."

"Why?" Elias felt the first prickle of cold sweat. Elias was isolated

"Can you trace the PIN entry?" Elias asked, his voice low.

He poured a glass of scotch and drank it in the dark, waiting for the sound of footsteps in the hallway, knowing they would come. After all, he couldn't call anyone to stop them.