Derrick had forced her inside, where Joanne conducted a thorough and impersonal search, confiscating Bridget’s car keys and the Leatherman tool. Her phone and the baseball bat were still in the car. Then they’d brought her into this room and undone one of Bob’s shackles. Before leaving them, Derrick had shackled Bridget’s left leg to Bob’s right, which was also attached by a cable to the treadmill desk. He’d even taken her boots.

At first Bridget had wondered if their prisoner even was Bob. Not just because of the longish hair and scruffy beard, but because this man was maybe three-fourths the size of the Bob she remembered. But as Derrick closed the cuff around her ankle, Bob had given her a small, sad smile that pierced her heart. It was the same look he’d given her when he learned about her mother’s death.

For the last half hour, they had been whispering, catching each other up on what had happened. Bob had covered his face with his hands when he admitted the kidnapping had originally been his idea, and then explained, with an out-of-place joy, that he had finally broken through his writer’s block. Bridget had told him about the cops’ jaded reaction. The whole time they had been talking, Joanne and Derrick had been too, out in the living room. Arguing, by the sound of it, although Bridget couldn’t make out the words.

Bob pointed out the camera to her. “I’m pretty sure whoever is watching can’t hear us. Derrick usually turns the sound off unless they’ve gotten a request for me to say something.”

“He was asking these weird questions about you back on Halloween. I think he must have figured out I was your researcher. Everyone at school knows he’s a total fanboy of yours. And of course he would cast himself as the Rowan character.”

“Nobody wants to be third spear carrier from the left,” Bob said mildly.

“You’re acting pretty calm for someone who’s being held hostage.”

“I’ve had a lot of time to get used to it. And Derrick’s not a bad kid. His mom is the one who scares me. She’s a little trigger happy with that stun gun. But now that you’re here, I’m worried they’ll decide to use you as a bargaining chip. One they don’t care about but know I do.” He flushed and looked away. “Speaking of which, I’m sorry I had to mention your mom in that note. I was just trying to figure out how to get your attention.”