“Mom.”
“I need to make one call.”
“No police.”
“I'm not calling the police.”
That frightened her even more.
She knew who I meant.
“Dad?”
I found my phone on the kitchen counter.
“Mom, you haven't spoken to him in ten years.”
“Exactly.”
She grabbed my sleeve.
“What if he doesn't come?”
I looked at her.
No matter what had happened between Alex and me, there was one thing I had never doubted.
“He'll come.”
I dialed a number I had never deleted.
He answered on the second ring.
No greeting.
Just a low, alert voice.
“Evelyn?”
Hearing him say my name after ten years sent a strange chill through me.
I didn't waste time.
“Alex. Our daughter was attacked tonight.”
Silence.
Not stunned silence.
Something colder.
“Where is she?”
“With me.”
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
“Conscious?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
I closed my eyes.
“Her husband. His mother. Six women.”
“Names.”
I gave him every one I knew.
