Sure didn't sound like Ally. But he was playing this straight. As a reporter he always started a conversation by identifying himself, so naturally he answered, "Stone Aimes, New York Sentinel."
"The fuck you want?" came the voice. It was female but it definitely was not ladylike. "I don't need any newspapers."
Whoa, that definitely didn't sound like Ally. She was direct but she didn't talk like a sailor.
"Sorry, ma'am. I have a few questions about your participation in some clinical trials. Sorry to bother you, but I have a deadline. Shouldn't take a minute."
"You a fucking reporter?"
"I'm doing a story on the Gerex Corporation. Are you—?"
"The what corporation? The fuck you talking about?"
"Seems like I'm calling the wrong number. I'm very sorry and I apologize."
"Listen, if you're some kind of weirdo, I'm going to call the cops and have this call traced."
"I said I apologize." He hung up and thought about another beer. This was beginning to feel like the moment.