The call came at two in the afternoon.
Arianne was in her office at Rochefort Group, reviewing the quarterly assessments Gio had redistributed. Her phone buzzed on the desk. The school's number. She answered before the second ring.
"Ms. Summers? This is Principal Weiss. There's been an incident involving Lily and Leo. We need you to come in."
She didn't ask for details over the phone. She told Gio to clear her afternoon. She was in the car within five minutes, her hands steady on the wheel, her mind already running through possibilities. The twins were fine. She'd spoken to them that morning. Lily had been excited about a science project. Leo had typed GOODBYE on his tablet and waved. They were fine.
But the school didn't call for nothing.
She heard the voices before she reached the principal's office.
