“I’m so sorry.

You have to believe me, my mother forced my hand.”

He started sobbing openly, heavy choked sounds coming through a staticky connection.

“Where are you, Derek?”

“I can’t tell you that right now,” he sobbed, gasping for breath.

“She took over everything.

She told me if I didn’t come on this trip with her, she’d ruin us financially.

She made me leave Lily.”