“What do you mean she’s not there? Have you two been alone?”
“Yes. I don’t know what to do.”
Ryan went completely still for one second. Then he shot to his feet so fast his chair crashed backward. He grabbed his keys off the desk and ran out without telling anyone a thing.
On the elevator ride down, he called Nicole. Her phone was off.
He called again.
And again.
Nothing.
He got in his car, started it, and tried one more time.
Voicemail.
“Damn it.”
He drove straight to Nicole’s place, making it in under thirty minutes. He parked badly, ran to the door, and pounded as hard as he could.
“Ethan! It’s Dad! Open up!”
No answer.
He shoved the door. It wasn’t locked.
The house was dead silent.
In the living room, Ethan sat on the floor clutching a pillow. His face was dirty, his eyes were swollen, and he looked exhausted and hungry.
“Dad… I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Where’s Lily?”
Ethan pointed at the couch.
Lily was lying there without moving, pale and dry-lipped. Ryan touched her forehead.
She was burning up and barely responding.
He scooped her up immediately.
“Come on. Right now. Just follow me.”
“Is she sleeping, Dad?”
“No. But she’s going to be okay. Let’s go.”