His mother’s frantic tone and the look of utter despair slammed him. She was expecting him to tell her Tatum was dead. “No.” Relief drained away her apprehension, although she still gripped the arm of the kitchen chair too tightly. His father sat beside her, composed as always. Arizona was to Braden’s left. He was grateful she hadn’t bombarded him with questions she must have. He explained what happened at work and his near termination. “Arizona and I just came from Tatum’s apartment, and I found the files on her computer.” His mother drew a startled breath. Seeing her so upset was wrenching. It was the reason he wanted to talk to his parents in person. They needed it that way. “There has to be some mistake,” his dad said. “I wish there was.” In his peripheral vision, he saw Arizona turn to look at him and felt her sympathy.
