Page 14 of Shadows Relived
He glanced at her, a smirk twisting his lips. “You mean you asked about me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Why on earth would I ever ask about you?”
She sat down at the table and powered on the phone. It took a few moments for the phone to connect, but soon she was dialing. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out a small, leather notebook she kept with her students’ phone numbers, as well as those of teachers and other important people. It always paid to have a backup, just in case her phone died. Or got tossed out a window.
Lucas’s parents first.
The call rang, and rang… and rang.
A message. Disconnected.
She tried a second number she’d jotted down from a field trip release form. No answer. Then a third.
Voicemail.
She swallowed hard. “Hi, this is Meaghan Harrington. I’m sure you’ve seen the news by now and are probably really worried about little Lucas. I just wanted you to know he’s safe. I’ll explain everything when I talk to you. There’s too much to say over the phone, but I promise I’ll get him home as soon as it’s safe to do so. Please. Don’t worry.”
Her voice cracked on the last word as she ended the call.
With a deep breath, she looked through her small book for Sophie’s parents’ number.
The phone picked up on the second ring, a harried teenage voice answering with a distracted, “Yeah?”
Meaghan frowned, recognizing the voice of Sophie’ssister. Not the person she really wanted to talk to, if she were honest. “Is this Kara Anderson?”
“Uh… yeah.”
“It’s Miss Harrington. From school. Are your parents there?”
“Nah, they’re out of town. Some cruise or something, I think.”
Meaghan closed her eyes, wanting to scream. “Well, I’m assuming you noticed Sophie didn’t come home today.”
“Huh. I thought it was quiet. Usually she’s always whining about wanting to eat or go to a friend’s or watch TV?—”
“Kara!” Meaghan cut in, exasperated. “Sophie is with me. Tell your parents I’ll call them later and explain everything, but for now, just tell them she’s safe.”
“Yeah. Sure. Whatever.”
The call ended without a thank you.
Willie next.
A woman answered: tired, raspy, and unfamiliar.
“I’m looking for Mrs. Davies?” Meaghan asked.
“She’s not available,” came the clipped reply. “She fell earlier today. Broke her hip. We’ve been at the hospital all afternoon. She might have to have surgery. Who is this?”
“This is Meaghan Harrington, Willie’s teacher.”
A pause. “Is he okay? I saw the news, but no one would tell me anything. And then we couldn’t find him and I was stuck here and…”
“He’s fine. He’s with me. And I won’t let anything happen to him. I promise.”
“I’ll… I’ll tell her when I can. Thank you.”
Meaghan ended the call, her hand still clenched tightly around the phone as her heart thrummed in her ears.
