Page 57 of Sycamore Circle

Grafton looked shamefaced. “A couple of times a day.”

“How many is a couple?”

“I don’t know. Twelve, maybe?”

Lincoln held out his hand. “Give me your phone.”

“What? No.”

“That ain’t a good answer. You might not recall this, given that you had Molly on your mind and all—but when I met with you in the pen, I told you that there were rules to follow if you wanted to be in this program.”

“I’m following them.”

“Boy, you ain’t working like you’re expected to if you’re calling some woman twelve or more times a day. I’m taking this until Friday at five.”

“You can’t do that.”

“I reckon I can. Listen, it’s Wednesday afternoon. You’re only going without for forty-eight hours.”

“But what if she calls back and I don’t answer?”

“She ain’t going to call you back, Grafton,” Bo said. “She’s not.”

“But—”

Lincoln stopped him with a look. “This ain’t up for discussion. I know it’s hard, but I promise, you’re gonna thank me for this.”

Just as the kid looked like he was about to freak out, Bo’s phone rang. Sure he was going to ignore it, he barely spared the screen a glance—until he saw Joy’s name pop up.

When it rang again, he picked it up. “Sorry, I’ve got to take this.” Walking a few steps away, he clicked on. “Hey, Joy. What’s going on?”

“Are you busy?”

“A little bit. Why? What’s going on?”

“Well, it might be nothing... but I got a letter today.”

Every muscle in his body tensed up. Hating how scared she sounded, he softened his voice. “What kind of letter?”

Bo could practically feel both Lincoln’s and Grafton’s attention shifting directly on him. He ignored it.

She started talking in a rush. “I don’t know if it’s anything, but it seems like it is. And it’s unsigned. I think maybe I should contact the police? I don’t know... what do you think?”

“Joy, honey, what did it say? Do you have it in front of you?”

“Yeah.” Her voice quavered. “You are still mine. I will never let you go.”

Anger, followed by a dozen questions, filled his mind. He shoved them back, forcing himself to keep his voice calm and steady. “Where are you? Are you home?”

“Yes.”

“Where’s your daughter? Is Chloe there too?”

“No, she... she’s with Tony.”

“She coming back tonight or staying with him?”

“She’s with him tonight.”

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