I limp down the road, every step like a knife stabbing me in the ankle. I don’t know how I’m going to do this, but I’m going to do it. I’m not going to stop moving until I get to the main road, and then I’m going to flag down a car.

But to my shock and relief, I see a car coming down the road, right toward me. It’s a green SUV, like the one Margie drives. Oh, thank God. I don’t have to keep walking on my possibly broken ankle. I wave my hands in the air like I did that night eleven years ago. The SUV skids to a halt.

“Help me!” I scream. “My son has been kidnapped! Please help! Please!”

The driver’s side door opens up. To my utter shock, Margie gets out of the car, her gray eyebrows knitted together. “Brooke!” she cries. “Are you okay?”

What a strange coincidence that Margie would happen to be coming down this road right now. But I can’t dwell on that. There’s no time.

“Josh has been kidnapped!” I manage as I limp toward her. “He’s in the woods somewhere. We need to call the police. He’s in terrible danger.”

Margie’s eyes drop to my feet. “What happened? You’re limping.”

“I slipped on the snow.” I am mildly irritated that I need to explain this to her when there is something so urgent happening. “I’m not getting any service. Can you see if your phone works so we can call the police?”

“Of course!” Margie reaches into the car and pulls out her giant purse. She rifles around until she finds her phone. “Oh fudge, there’s no service.”

I expected that. “Fine, then we’ll have to drive to the police station. Let’s go—now.”

Margie swivels her head to look out at the woods. “Are you sure he’s in danger? I mean, he’s with his father. I’m sure he’s fine.”

“Margie—” I start to say, but then I stop myself.

I never told Margie that Shane was Josh’s father. I never even told her I was with Shane. And I certainly never told her where I was today. Even though she doesn’t look the slightest bit surprised to see me here.

“Margie?” I say.

Her lips curl slightly. “That’s not actually my name. We have met before, and you do know me by my real name, but I doubt you would remember it. Of course you wouldn’t.” She titters. “In fact, I’ll tell you what, Brooke. If you can tell me my real first name, I’ll take you right to Shane and Josh.”