The kindergarten teacher's voice was calm. Too calm.
“Ms. Quinn… Nick's not here. He was picked up already. By his… father."
Crystal's blood went cold. “By *who*?"
The teacher blinked. “Mr. Jack Mitchell. He had the pickup code. Said it was a surprise visit."
Crystal's heart stopped.
She turned to Kevin, who had just stepped out of the car behind her.
“He has him," she whispered. “Jack took Nick."
Kevin didn't hesitate. “Get in the car."
---
Inside a black SUV racing down the freeway, Crystal held her phone with trembling fingers.
Voicemail. Again.
“Jack," she said through clenched teeth, “bring him back. I swear if you touch a single hair on my son's head—"
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Kevin grabbed it and put it on speaker.
Jack's voice broke through. “I didn't mean t
