In a recording of a brief phone call with his surviving son, convicted double murderer Alex Murdaugh speaks cryptically while Buster Murdaugh seems in a hurry to get off the phone.

The recording was obtained in a Freedom of Information Act release by FITSNews. Alex Murdaugh is serving two consecutive life sentences for the murders of his wife Maggie and younger son Paul in 2021. He is awaiting trial on dozens of financial crimes charges that led to the loss of his job and his law license.

“Hey buddy,” the family patriarch says when the call from his maximum security jail is put through. The call took place late in the afternoon on May 16.

“Hey I don’t have a whole of time I just boarded a ferry to go back to Hilton Head Island from Daufuskie (Island),” Buster replies..

“Yeah I know, I – I been trying to call – I was supposed to call you while you were with Jim (presumably Murdaugh attorney Jim Griffin), um, about this meeting,” Murdaugh says. “But anyway. How about text him and let him know I’m trying to call him?”

Buster replies with a mumbled affirmative.

“Did he talk to you about that – about the thing that I told him?” Murdaugh asks.

This time the answer is a negative, and Buster says he can’t understand what his father is saying, likely because of the poor telephone connection.

Murdaugh says he’ll “leave word with Jim and he’ll be in touch with you,” even though he just asked Buster to tell “Jim” he’s trying to reach him.

“Love you,” Murdaugh tells his son, who responds after a pause that he “love(s) you too.”

The call ends with Murdaugh adding that he’s “proud of you,” to which Buster replies, “Thanks.”

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[Featured image: FILE- Buster Murdaugh in court as his father’s verdict is read on March 2/Joshua Boucher/The State via AP, Pool, File and Alex Murdaugh/South Carolina Department of Corrections]