The golden tranquility of the morning had vanished, replaced by a jagged, electric tension that seemed to vibrate through the very walls of the estate. Zen paced the length of the study, the burner phone in his hand a dead weight. For the twentieth time, he pressed the speed dial, and for the twentieth time, he was met with the cold, hollow click of a disconnected line.
"He should have been back an hour ago, Mother," Zen rasped, his voice tight with a brewing storm of fury and fear. "Mild knows the stakes. He knows Silas is out there like a shark in the water."
Evelyn stood by the window, her hands clasped tightly. She tried to maintain her usual poise, but even her voice wavered. ". Or perhaps he simply lost track of time. He was so overwhelmed by the news of the accident..."
