“It’s good to hear from you,” she said softly.

He couldn’t help bristling. It would’ve been good to hear from her while he’d been growing up without a mother, but he didn’t say that. “I have a few questions I was hoping you could answer.”

There was a slight pause, during which he could feel her tense. “Is this about the past? Because I’ve been hoping we could talk about that, that I could finally say I’m sorry for what I did. I know you’re having a hard time believing it, but I loved you then, and I love you now.”

She had a hell of a way of showing it, but saying so would only elicit the excuses she’d tried to give him before and make him angry. A mother didn’t abandon her child if she had a choice. Period. “This isn’t about the past,” he said, ignoring everything else, including the entreaty in her voice.

“What else could it be?” She sounded slightly bewildered. “Are you thinking of coming over this way? Because if you are, I’d love to see you.”

“No. I don’t have any travel plans.”

“What about Boston? Jason said you’re getting married next month.”

“Evelyn and I were getting married here and having a second reception in Boston in the fall, after the baby arrives. But…” His throat tightened, threatening to squeeze off any sound.

He swallowed, trying to force down the lump that was nearly choking him. “But something’s come up.”

“What is it? Don’t tell me you and Evelyn have broken the engagement. From what I hear, you’re deeply in love and perfect for each other. And with a baby on the way…”

Apparently, Jason was telling their mother more than Amarok had realized, but Amarok should’ve guessed he would. Jason remained loyal to her, just as Amarok remained loyal to their father. “Evelyn’s been kidnapped.”

This was met with shocked silence. Then she said, “That’s terrifying. Do you know who has her, where they’ve taken her or even why this happened?”

“She studies psychopaths for a living, that’s why. And I think I know who, as well.”

“Don’t tell me Jasper Moore has escaped.…”

“No. Lyman Bishop.”

“The Zombie Maker?”

He hadn’t realized she’d be familiar with the media nickname. “Yes. You’re aware of him?”

“I follow anything that has to do with Hilltop because … well, I know you’d probably be involved in some way.”

He said nothing.

“I haven’t seen anything on the news lately about him escaping,” she added.

“The hospital didn’t contact the police, didn’t tell anyone.”

“Why not? Don’t they have a duty to do that?”

“No doubt they were hoping to avoid the bad publicity.”

“But he’s so dangerous!”

“They chose to believe he was too diminished to be harmful, I guess. One of their employees has been murdered, though, so I doubt he’s that diminished.”

“You think it was him?”

“It makes sense.”

“Then they’re going to come under fire.”

“Yes. If the scandal hasn’t hit the news yet, it will soon. You haven’t heard from anyone you don’t know, have you? Maybe someone who mentioned Evelyn or asked where I live?”