“He says you have to come. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” I put a hand over my mouth. Griffin stopped pacing. “Next new message,” said my phone. This time there was only noise. Then there was a muffled voice. Stacey. “She’s not picking up. It keeps going to voicemail. I can’t make her pick up the phone.” A long pause, a distorted deep voice in the background. Stacey screaming. “Oh God! Please don’t—” “That was your last new message,” said the phone. “Check erased messages? Press four.” Griffin and I both stared at the phone, neither of us saying anything. “Check erased messages? Press four. If you are finished, you may hang up.” I jammed my finger on the end button. I suddenly knew why this had happened. “Benton.” “What?” said Griffon.
