Jessie was quiet on the ride back to the precinct. Bud finally broke the silence. "What did you think?"
"I'm trying to put myself in their place and it's devastating." She shook her head. "Working in Missing Person is a gut-wrenching job. Tell me what to expect next."
"Well, more of the same thing as we did today," Bud said, "except when the official ransom call comes in, we will be required to keep a close watch on the parents. Warren Sloper is a stubborn man. He's unaccustomed to having anyone else call the shots. And, he sure as hell isn't going to like it when Special Agent Williams tells him to sit and be quiet." Bud snorted. "He's not going to like knowing the Feds won't let him get that money and drop it off. It's going to be pretty intense, and, Jessie, I've seen a few tears trickle from your eyes, you can't break down. You've got to be strong for them."