“We’re not on video now,” Derrick said through gritted teeth. “I switched to the loop I use when you sleep. I can do whatever I want to you, and there won’t be any record. So you need to tell me what the message to Bridget really said. She hasn’t figured it out yet, but I’m guessing she will, because she’s smart. Like I know those names aren’t actually characters in the books, so they must be a code. What did it say?”

“You’re wrong, Derrick. They’re real people.” Bob pointed at the page, forgetting for a moment that Derrick was correct. “I’m writing about Ken and Jade right now. Look.” He pulled the sheet of paper free, then handed it over. “And it’s good. I’m really getting in the groove.”

With a smirk, Derrick looked down. But when he looked up a minute later, the anger was gone. “What happens next?”

“I don’t actually know. I have to write it. I can’t figure out the book by talking about it. I have to think through my fingers.”

After a moment, Derrick nodded, his earlier anger forgotten. “I’ll post this as a new sample. Once people see it, we’ll sell a bunch more.”

A woman’s voice interrupted them. “What are you doing?”

They both startled and turned to the doorway. Joanne was standing with her hands on her hips.

“Mom? Why are you here?”

“I started driving as soon as those kids left. I realized I can’t trust either one of you to do this right. In fact, before I came inside, I checked the Haldon Cam. So why did I just see a video of him walking on the treadmill, and even that’s not true? We’ve got more than two dozen requests.” Her grin was mercenary. “He might as well be making us some money.”

“But he’s writing, Mom. And it’s really good.”

“Like you’re any judge of what’s good or bad,” Joanne scoffed. “You’ve gotten too close to him, Derrick. You need to get out of this room and clear your head.” She bared her teeth at Bob in the nightmare version of a smile. “And I’ll put him to work.”

BRIDGET

Alphabet Soup

Bridget woke up late. For a second, she only knew something was wrong, but not what it was. Then she remembered. She pulled the pillow over her face and hid from the world.

The police and his assistant were convinced there was nothing wrong with Bob. They all thought she was just some obsessed fan.

Even Ajay.

She moved the pillow down, clutching it to her chest. She might be the only person in the world who knew Bob well enough to know something truly was wrong.