But what had Bob said to her? Were the police even now at the cabin, breaking down the door? Jumping to his feet, Derrick dumped his half-eaten meal in the trash. He would ditch school. Something he had never done before, but then again, he had never kidnapped anyone before either.

Five minutes later, he was in his car and on his way to the cabin. The entire hour he lectured himself and rehearsed what he would say to Bob, his mom, and any law enforcement.

Finally he was turning on Hoot Owl Road. Even though there were no police cruisers in front of the cabin, he was still filled with anxiety. He unlocked the door, and in a dozen quick steps, he was down the hall. He burst into Bob’s room. The old man was clacking away at the typewriter, so engrossed he didn’t register Derrick’s entrance until he slammed the door.

Reaching past him, Derrick pounded his fist on the OFF button on the treadmill.

Coasting to a stop, Bob heaved a sigh. “What do you need me to do this time? Shake my booty? Read someone’s awful poem?”

Derrick’s hands were clenched around the phone so tightly his fingers hurt. “You lied to me!”

“What?” Bob widened his rheumy eyes, trying to look innocent.

Derrick shook the phone at him. “Bridget emailed you back this morning, but I only just now saw it. You said you needed her help researching. But you must have really wanted her help escaping!”

“That’s not true.” The old man shook his head.

“Then why did she ask if you were okay and say she didn’t understand what you were talking about? What message did you hide in that email you had me send?” And what would his mom say when she found out?

Bob raised his hands. “Bridget’s just rusty because it’s been a long time since I gave her anything to work with. She’s forgotten things.”

Derrick ground his teeth at the lies. “I trusted you, and you betrayed me!”

Bob raised his open hands. “I swear to you that nothing nefarious is going on! Bridget just doesn’t remember some of the details. It’s been months since I worked on the book.”

“If she doesn’t remember it, why not just say so? Instead, she’s worried about you. She thinks you’re not making sense. Even if she doesn’t figure out whatever secret message you hid in there, she’s still concerned. You have to help me think of something to say that will make her stop asking questions.”

Bob’s white eyebrows, thick as caterpillars, drew together. “Maybe tell her I was drinking? Or sleep deprived?”

Both ideas were so lame Derrick didn’t even bother responding to them.

The phone vibrated in his hand, startling him so much he jerked. The display read Mom.

Oh crap. Even Bob appeared dismayed at the sight.