Could it be that Janiya had threatened her again?
âRosalynn, answer the phone.
Itâs from Sanford.
â
Brian walked over to her, handing her his phone.
Sanford had called her while she was on the phone with Hutton.
When she didnât answer, he called Brian next.
Rosalynn pressed the green button to answer.
âHello?â
âRosalynn, Iâve asked her family, but they donât know anything either.
â
There was a brief pause before he asked, âCould you ask your hacker friend to help find her?â
Rosalynnâs chest ached for Sanford.
She could feel his worry from all the way there.
For a while, she stayed silent, not knowing how to answer.
However, she knew that Sanford deserved the truth.
âThereâs no need to look for her,â she said.
âMaggie doesnât want us to know where she is.
â
âhat?â Sanford asked hurriedly, his voice filled with confusion.
âDo you know something? Did she contact you?â
Sanfordâs voice carried a note of distress, and Rosalynn found herself genuinely feeling sorry for him.
His mother had meddled in not one, but two of his relationships.
âSanford, Iâm at a loss about Maggieâs departure, but Iâm inclined to think she wouldnât just vanish without a solid reason.
Perhaps she felt coerced.
â
âCoerced? By who?â Sanford pressed, his voice laden with worry.
âWhat do you think?â
âHow should I know.
Sanfordâs response came almost reflexively.
Then, a pause, as a thought seemed to strike him.
âCould it have been my mother?â
Rosalynn remained silent, her suspicions mere conjecture.
From the other end of the line, Sanfordâs labored breathing was audible.
Eventually, he said, âI understand.
I gotta go.
â