"Hello?" The voice on the other end of the line was hoarse and slurred. Who would be calling at 5 o'clock in the morning?
"Doctor Jacobs?"
"Yes, this is Doctor Jacobs. Who is this?"
"This is Lewis Wright. You might remember me from a few years ago—"
"Yes of course, Lewis. How may I help you? Is everything all right?"
"I'm not sure."
"Can you come into my office later today? It's very early, you know. I believe I can squeeze you in later this—"
"Um, no, I'm afraid not."
"Now, Lewis, I know you weren't always fond of our work together, but we really did make a lot of progress."
"No, Doc, you don't understand. I'm out of town. I can't get to your office. I'm in Ohio."
"All right. Well, perhaps you should begin by telling me what issues you're facing, and we'll talk through the problem."
"Please, Doc, just listen!"
Silence.
"I need to get in contact with Celia—my wife. My ex-wife, I mean."
"And you're calling me?"
"Yes," Lewis replied." I'm sorry, Doc, but I'm running out of options."
"Lewis, if she's broken off contact with you, I'm sure—"
"Listen to me, Doctor Jacobs. Please! I think she and Izzy might be in some kind of trouble and I really need to speak with her, OK? Do you think I wouldn't have tried another method—any other method—before calling you, if this wasn't vitally important?"