Page 5 of Tarek

I kissed him back, smiling against his mouth. "Happy?"

"Very."

I yawned.

Philip smiled. "Tired?"

"Exhausted."

He pulled me against him, and I settled into the warmth of his arms.

It didn't take long before I fell asleep.

The next morning, the children slept until after eight.

I was thrilled. With two children six and under, sleeping past eight felt like winning the lottery. I was just beginning to think I might actually get a cup of coffee before anyone needed anything when my phone rang. I glanced at the screen.

Philip's secretary? He should be there in a minute. Hmm. Wonder what she wants.

I answered. "Hello?"

"Darren?" Gigi all but whispered.

"Yes?"

"Where's Philip?"

I frowned. "Um, on his way to work? It's not nine yet, and he wasn't due in until nine, right?"

"No, I know. That's why I'm calling. I need to tell him something. I think. I'm not sure. I could be mistaken." Something in her voice made the sleepy contentment drain out of me. "I got here a little early so I could grab some coffee in the break room before everyone comes in all pissed off about being back at work after Christmas. There were police here."

My stomach tightened. "Police?"

"Yes. I heard one of the partners talking to one of the detectives, and I heard him mention Phil's name. Then the detective asked when he was coming in."

I sat up straighter. "What?"

"I tried calling him, but he's not answering his phone."

For a moment, my brain refused to make the pieces fit.

Police.

Philip's name.

His secretary couldn't reach him.

Maybe something had happened on the way to work.

A car accident.

My heart lurched.

"Maybe he's driving," I said, although my voice sounded thin even to me. "You know he often doesn't answer when he's driving."

"Yeah. Maybe."

"He only left about twenty minutes ago. So he should be there any minute"