Eva, sounding frantic, quickly uttered, “The kindergarten and primary school both said a woman picked up the children. Estelle, where are you right now?”

Estelle’s hands trembled, and she felt nervous as she replied, “I didn’t check my phone earlier, and I had it on silent while discussing business. What happened to the children?”

An anxious Eva explained, “Someone took the kids before I got there. Estelle, where are you?”

Estelle’s heart sank. “I’ve been at a restaurant ...