“I think so.” Gabe was breathing hard. “Chris, I know she wouldn’t let them go without a fight, and I think she got a bad one. She sounded in real trouble. She wants me to come and get her, but I’m in New York. Furthermore, she called me on a blocked number, so I can’t call her back. I think her phone is off.” Gabe paused, but his father didn’t talk. “I’m hoping she’ll call me back. As soon as she does, I’ll get more details. But in the meantime, you’re a lot closer to L.A. than I am. And you’re good at finding people.”

Another pause. His dad was waiting …

Gabe said, “Look, I know you parted on bad terms—”

“She had an affair, got knocked up by the motherfucker, had a bastard child while still married to me, and then dumped me unceremoniously. Yeah, I’d call that bad terms.”

“I’ve had issues with her as well. I’ve forgiven her.”

“That is certainly your prerogative.”

“She’s my mother, Chris!” Silence. “You know what it’s like to lose a mother.”

“I’m not moved. Try a different tactic.”

“You loved her once.”

There was a long pause. Gabe thought he might have hung up. But then Donatti said, “Who says I don’t love her still?”

Gabe took in a deep breath and then let it out. This was a battle that he knew he was going to win. “Will you help her out? Yes or no?”

“Yes, I’ll go.” No hesitation. “I’m entertaining about a dozen people in my outer office right now. Give me a half hour to get rid of them, gas up the jet, and get a flight plan. If she calls you, get a phone number. And give her my number.”

“As soon as I know something, I’ll call you.”

“And I’ll tell you this, Gabe. She’d better want my help. I don’t have a good track record with your mother. If I don’t hear from her by the time I get to Los Angeles, I’m turning around, and she’ll be your problem forever.”

“Agreed. Let me give you Mom’s number.”

“I have it.”

“It’s going to voice mail.”

“If she took the kids out without permission from the courts, she probably doesn’t want to be tracked. I’ll figure something out.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you—”

“Yeah, fine. Let me get going on this.” Donatti cut the line and pocketed his cell, running his fingers through his shoulder-length white hair, letting his conflicting emotions battle it out, not knowing what to feel now that the moment was actually here.