Forty-Two

ZORA'S POV

"Zora? Zora!" Derek called over the phone. I took deep breaths- or at least I tried to, as I fought to get myself under some semblance of control. "Are you there, Zora?"

"Yes," I managed to reply in a shaky voice. "I can hear you."

"I want you to be calm," he continued. "Please, do it for me."

I shut my eyes tightly, wondering why everyone kept telling me to be calm. How could anyone be calm in this kind of situation?

"I know it's hard-," he went on as if reading my thoughts. "-but you have to try to pull yourself together. No news yet, huh?"

I shook my head, realized he could not see me, and then muttered a 'yes.'

"They will be found. Trust me." I heard the sound of a closing door and it sounded like he was moving around. "This is er- ten- fifteen. Good. I will be on time to catch the next flight to New York. Hang in there, love. I will be with you even before you know it."

I sniffed, put the phone away a bit, and blew my nose.

"It's fine, Derek. I know that you