BRIDGET

Safety Depends on You

Bridget tried to slow down her breathing. Bob was being held in a cabin on Mount Hood. There must be dozens, if not hundreds, of such cabins. On her own, there was no way she could figure out where he was. Even if she could, what could she do?

She had to go to the police. Now that she had proof of Bob’s secret message, they would have to listen to her. They would arrest Joanne and force her to reveal where she was keeping Bob.

As she got dressed, Bridget debated whether to tell Ajay, who by now would be on his way to Seattle. She was still hurt he hadn’t believed her, but he also deserved to know the truth. It was too complicated to explain in a text, so she put it in an email. Writing it all out helped organize her thoughts.

After she hit the SEND key, she set out for the small-town police station closest to Bob’s house. Driving in silence except for the occasional direction from Google Maps, she rehearsed what she would say.

The police department was housed in a one-story redbrick building. Bridget’s breathing went shallow as she walked in. The lobby held a few chairs, a fake plant, and a large rack of brochures. The room was cut in half by a counter topped with thick glass. Behind it two people in street clothes were working at metal desks. The younger African American guy was on the phone. The older white woman looked up from her computer. When she saw Bridget, she stood and walked up to the counter. She pressed a button, and her tinny voice issued from an intercom overhead.

“Can I help you?”

“I need to speak to an officer.” Bridget wiped her sweaty palms on her pants.

“What about?”

“I want to report a kidnapping.”

The woman’s gaze sharpened. “Who’s been kidnapped?”

“B—I mean, R. M. Haldon.”

Her brows drew together. “The author?”

Bridget nodded.

After a pause, the clerk said, “All our officers are on patrol, but I’ll have dispatch send one back here. What’s your name?”

“Bridget. Bridget Shepherd.”

“Okay, Bridget. Have a seat. We’ll have an officer here in about ten minutes to talk to you.”

But Bridget couldn’t sit. She went over to the wall of brochures. Just running her gaze over the titles heightened her anxiety.

HOME ALONE: A PARENT’S GUIDE

BEING FORCED INTO HAVING SEX IS RAPE AND IT’S A CRIME

FIREARMS SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU

ONLINE ALONE: INTERNET SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS

DON’T BE THE VICTIM OF A SCAMMER

DATING VIOLENCE: IS IT ABUSE?

WOULD YOUR CHILD KNOW WHAT TO DO?

IF A POLICE OFFICER STOPS YOUR VEHICLE