The hallway outside the supply closet was completely empty.

I took my cell phone out of my pocket and found the Colorado number in my contacts.

I listened to the electronic hum of the long-distance connection.

The man answered on the fourth ring with a polite greeting.

He sounded cheerful and asked how the spring weather was treating us down in Nebraska.

I introduced myself and asked him why the Kearney Hub had a public auction notice for his property.

He went completely quiet for three seconds.