All three of us jumped.
I almost ignored it.
Then I saw the number.
My home phone.
The landline.
I stared at the screen.
Lucas noticed.
“What is it?”
“That’s impossible.”
“What?”
I showed him.
“My landline is calling me.”
Douglas’s expression changed.
“Answer it.”
I pressed the button.
“Hello?”
For several seconds, there was only silence.
Then breathing.
Soft.
Uneven.
“Hello?”
A man’s voice spoke.
Older.
Careful.
“Is this Hannah Carter?”
Every hair on my arms rose.
“Yes.”
“My name is Benjamin Hale.”
I looked at Lucas.
His mouth fell open.
Benjamin continued.
“Lucas gave me your number this morning.”
Lucas immediately shook his head.
“No,” he whispered. “I didn’t.”
I gripped the phone tighter.
“Benjamin, where are you calling from?”
There was a pause.
“I’m at your house.”
I stopped breathing.
“What?”
“I know this sounds strange.”
“How did you get there?”
“Your mother’s attorney gave me the address.”
