“Put Nathan on.”
“Laura, let me explain.”
“After I speak to my son, Frank.”
Seconds passed before Nathan took the phone.
“Mom?”
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Is Cole all right?”
“Yes.”
“Then why haven’t you
answered your phone?”
He paused before admitting what had happened.
“We saw your messages. We were scared to answer. Grandpa didn’t know we’d turned our phones off after that.”
I shut my eyes, overwhelmed with relief and anger.
“You let us spend the entire night looking for you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Frank’s bringing you home. Now.”
I immediately contacted Denise so she could collect Cole, then informed the police that both teenagers had been found safely.
***
At 4:37 a.m., I heard a key turn in the front door. Nathan came in by himself.
