He caught a stiffening in the postures of both Aisha and Rana as they looked towards the house. He turned and saw Carolyn marching back. He could almost see the looming storm clouds rolling towards them. He wisely stayed quiet as the storm's first strike must not be against him. He put a sympathetic expression on his face.

Meara leaned forward in surprise. "What happened? Where's Ed?"

Carolyn was momentarily derailed by the concerned tone in Meara's voice. Her own throat suddenly threatened to close with a burst of emotion. She throttled it down and looked over to Meara. "He's gone..." her throat closed again.

"GONE?!?" erupted simultaneously from multiple...