Reluctant Hero. Debra Regan

to her feet and reached for the door handle. It locked under her hand. She was trapped in the dark, half expecting some monster to lunge out of the shower stall, when the deep, altered voice carried through the closed door.

      “Time to talk, Ms. Wallace.” He was in the safe room, having made his move when he knew she couldn’t attack.

      She pounded on the door. “Lawton, is that you?”

      “No.”

      It had to be. “Prove it.” She hammered another fist on the door. “Let me out.”

      “In good time. I need some information.”

      She clapped a hand over her mouth to smother the weak plea that nearly promised him anything in exchange for her freedom. Becca Wallace did not beg.

      “If you cooperate—”

      “Oh, stop with the threats and get to the point,” she snapped, somehow keeping her voice steady.

      “Your show has a good reputation.”

      What? She bit back a sharp retort. Maybe it was her awful date. Surely Lawton was smart enough to know he couldn’t win her over with ridiculous, mild compliments. “Good? We win awards, thank you very much.”

      “How do you decide on ideas for the show?”

      The question threw her off. Lawton or the dumb date? “I can assure you we don’t let kidnappers dictate our topics.”

      “Walk me through it,” he insisted.