Chapter 4

Nate grasped the mouse and clicked the small diskette icon, saving the document though he hadn’t practically done anything with it. He couldn’t. His mind just wasn’t in it. He picked up his cellphone. He didn’t have Lucian’s number yet so he dialed Helen’s landline. She was still at the station. Nate had no idea if Lucian would be home or not. He just hoped he was.

The first ring went unanswered. The second, the third, and finally someone spoke, breathless.

“Hello?”

“Lucian?” asked Nate, hesitating.

“Yes. Who’s this?”

“Uh, it’s me, Nate. Nate Lockwood. Did I wake you up?”

There was nothing for several moments. Nate thought Lucian might hang up at any time.

“Y…yeah. But that’s okay. What do you want, Mr. Lockwood?”

“It’s Nate, please.” Lucian had sounded normalat first but his coldness had soon returned. “I wonder if I can stop by. To apologize. Anything.”

No answer.

“Lucian?”

“There’s nothing to apologize for.”