"Uncle Colin is coming back?"
Andrew sat up so fast the blanket slid off his legs. He had not expected that. Nicole had called on the line only to say goodnight, the way she did most nights now, and to complain that Claude was snoring. She had not said anything about Colin.
"Yes," Nicole said, sounding half-asleep. "Daddy said he needs to be there. With you and Andy."
Andrew looked across the room. Andy was already awake, his eyes wide in the dark, one hand clutching the blanket beneath his chin.
"Why?" Andy asked. He had not spoken aloud, but Andrew heard it anyway, the way they heard each other's thoughts when they were close.
"Because he was supposed to be with you and Claude," Andrew said slowly, "and then he was in the Philippines, and now he isn't, and..."
"He was in the Philippines to protect Claude and Nicole," Andy finished. "That's what Mama said."
"Yes," Nicole said. "Brother is also worried about you and Andy. He told Daddy so. Brother worries a lot."
