She glanced at the clock and saw that it was after two. It took her a few seconds to orient herself … home alone, Jeffrey not back, phone ringing … where’s the phone? She found it in her jacket and saw on the caller ID that it was Jeffrey. “Where are you?” she answered. “Hello, Lydia.” She let silence be her answer as dread swelled within her. His voice had a nasal quality, a kind of raspy edge to it that she recognized even though she’d heard him speak only a few times. The room seemed to spin around her. “You don’t have to answer. I know you know who this is, old friend.” She didn’t say anything because she couldn’t. Fear had lodged itself in her throat like a chicken bone. “It’s been too long. We must get together, Lydia. It’ll be a party. Your beloved Jeffrey and your friend and guardian Dax have already joined me. It wouldn’t be the same without you. But, darling, it’s a private party. Do not contact your friend Ford or Agent Goban. Come alone, come as you are, and come quickly.”
