He had texted her when he got out of church, saying he was going to stop at home and then come over. That was an hour ago. “What if they got him?” she whimpered, pressing redial. “They couldn’t have,” Nerina insisted. “Vaianu can’t be out of water long enough to make it to Peter’s. You know that.” “Then why isn’t he answering?” “Maybe he got distracted.” “No, he would have called me.” She frantically called him again. “Something happened, Nerina. Something bad.” The phone slipped from her fingers and she pulled at her hair. “I have to find—” she stopped speaking when she got a text message. “It’s from Peter!” she cried and read aloud. “Hey, baby. Can’t make it tonight.” “See!” Nerina said. “He’s fine.” “Peter didn’t write this,” Melia told her. “You said it’s from him.” “No. Peter knows not to call me ‘baby’.” Melia’s hands shook. “Someone has his phone.” Melia started to hyperventilate. Nerina grabbed her shoulders.
