Chapter 18
Tom Marsden had always put his daughters first in his life. As a professor at the University of Boston, he had worked diligently to make the English Department one of the best in the state, at the same time that he bragged he had changed diapers and assisted in nightly feedings when the girls were young. He was passionate and obstinate, committed and inflexible.
Kate gripped Maddy’s hand when Tom’s voice came over the line. “Dad, I’m here with Madeline. Yes, she’s fine. But we’ve decided she needs to know more about Peter—”
Maddy heard his voice come loudly through the phone.
“I know that, Dad, but if it’s hurting my sister it does involve me. It’s not fair to keep it from her. You have his parents’ number, and Madeline needs to find him.” Kate paused. “Daddy, if you refuse to cooperate you know I can make a few calls to old friends. I can get the number on my own, and you can’t stop me. She has a right to—Dad? Dad!” Kate shouted. “Oh, this is ridiculous.” She slammed the phone down. “I can’t believe he hung up on me! Don’t worry, I know whom to call. I’ll get it, you’ll see.”
“What are you going to do?” Maddy put a hand to her chest.
“What we should have done in the first place.” Kate dialed the phone again. “I’d like a listing in Boston for a Mr. Peter Michaels, please.”
Maddy’s heart pounded as she heard his name.
Kate was scribbling something down. “Thank you.” She hung up and turned to Maddy.
Maddy sat very still in her seat and rested her fingers on the table. After a moment she cleared her throat. “So, are you going to tell me what you just wrote down? Because I can’t see it, remember?”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Kate laughed. “I got four numbers: Peter A. Michaels, Peter J. Michaels, P. Michaels, and Peter Michaels. Which one should we try first?”
“I can’t believe how fast—” Maddy paused, her breathing shallow. “Peter was not a J or an A. He didn’t have a middle name. The last two, maybe.”
“Mr. P. Michaels, tighten your seatbelt.” Kate dialed the number for P. Michaels, and an answering machine played an older man’s voice.
“That’s definitely not his voice,” Maddy said after a moment. “I’ve just been listening to it for the past two days.”
“Perfect. Only one left. Shall we?” Kate squeezed Maddy’s hand as she dialed.
The phone rang three times before the answering machine picked up, and Kate put the phone against Maddy’s ear. Her face brightened, and she nodded. “That’s him. That’s his voice. I’d know it anywhere.” She took the phone from Kate and quickly hung up.
“So we know his number.” Kate’s voice quivered with excitement. “You have to leave a message.”
“What should I say, Kate? No, I don’t know what to say.”
“Just tell him that you want to talk to him. You have to give him your telephone number. Make sure you do that. All right? You ready? We have to do this.” Kate dialed the phone. “It’s ringing.”
“Wait. You take it!” Maddy shoved the phone away.
“No, Madeline. You do it.” Kate pushed the phone against Maddy’s ear until she held it herself.
Maddy heard the phone ringing and ringing, and then a voice answered.
A woman said hello.