“Of course I didn’t. You know I wouldn’t do that, which means you have a good reason for asking.”
“I went on a quick work trip. When I left, I thought everything was okay between us, but I haven’t been able to reach her since that morning.”
“Landry, you don’t think something’s happened to her, do you?”
“No, I mean, someone I know saw her yesterday, and she was fine.”
“Where did this person see her?”
“She was with Ben and Carolina.”
“I see. And you can’t very well ask them, can you?”
“I don’t think I have any choice.”
“I will do this once, Landry, but only once.”
“Do what?”
“I’ll pay them a visit and see if I can find anything out.”
“Mom, don’t—”
“I will not tell them a thing. I’ll just casually ask after her. I have to talk to Carolina about the plans for Knox’s engagement party anyway.”
“Are you going?”
“Of course we are. We wouldn’t miss it.”
“Who’s we?”
“Your father and me? Remember him?”
“I can’t believe Dad agreed to go.”
“It’s in New York City, Landry. We’re making a week of it.”
“Are Sloane’s parents too?”
“I don’t know, darling, but it’s the excuse I’m using to pay them a visit.”
Not knowing what else to do with myself, I drove to the Chestnut Hill house. Maybe I’d find some clue as to what was going on with Sloane.
I’d been sitting on the porch, staring off at nothing for at least a half hour when my phone rang.
“Hey, Mom.”
“They know you’re the father, Landry. Evidently, Sloane told them. They don’t seem upset about it, but they didn’t see the need to keep up any pretenses.”
“Is she okay?”
“They didn’t say otherwise.”
“Did you ask?”
“No, I completely forgot. Of course I asked, Landry.”
“Okay, sorry.”