Chapter 3 - The Call to Nobody
Clara took the pad from Leo with deliberate slowness, keeping her breathing shallow and measured so the boys wouldn't sense the avalanche crashing down inside her chest. She ushered them into the den, turning on their favorite animated movie to buy herself five minutes of silence behind the closed door of the pantry.
In the dark space smelling of cinnamon and dry cereal, Clara dialed Marcus's number. It went straight to a dead tone: The number you have dialed has been disconnected. She pressed her forehead against the pantry shelf, the wood biting into her skin, and dialed his office at the regional logistics firm.
""Vanguard Logistics, how may I direct your call?"" a brisk voice answered.
""Richard, please. It’s Clara. Connect me to Marcus’s desk immediately.""
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There was a long, awkward pause on the line. When the receptionist spoke again, the professional cheer had evaporated into uncomfortable caution. ""Mrs. Hayes... Marcus resigned three weeks ago. His position was liquidated. Didn't he tell you? His severance package was wired directly overseas last Friday.""
Clara’s hand slipped down the wall. He had been pretending to put on a tie and leave for work every single morning for twenty-one days. Before she could answer, the home landline phone in the living room rang shrilly, cutting through the low audio of the cartoon. She hurried out and snatched the receiver, praying it was Marcus realizing his mistake. But the voice on the other end was rough, unfamiliar, and menacingly calm: ""Mrs. Hayes? Marcus took something that belonged to our associates. You have until midnight to produce the ledger, or we visit the boys.""
