"Tom Casey."

The sound of a woman's hysterical voice pierced his ear. When he recognized Laura's voice, he dropped his pencil and stood.

"Where are you?"

Snatching his hat off the nail next to his work area, he shoved it onto his head and raced out the door. "Do you feel safe enough to stay there?"

He yanked open the SUV door and jumped inside. "I'm on my way." When the engine turned over, he gunned out of the alley and made a sharp right turn. Knowing the area, he drove down the street parallel to Main, turned into an alley and came out in front of Laura's green Toyota Celica parked in front of the store she'd named. He leaped out and ran to the driver's side where Laura was slumped over the steering wheel. Not knowing if she was hurt, he tried the door, only to find it locked. He knocked on the window and called her name. She raised her head and looked at him with red rimmed eyes, then quickly vaulted from the car, falling into his arms.

"Oh, Mr. Casey, I'm so scared."

He led her to his vehicle and helped her into the passenger side. Once he climbed behind the steering wheel, he pulled away and parked in a neighboring store's parking lot. He glanced around to make sure no one had followed, then turned toward her. "What happened?"

Her voice shook as she spoke. "He called again. This time he told me he had to have me. If I didn't come to him, he'd get my mother." Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Hawkman frowned. "I don't like this, Laura. Where did he tell you to meet him?"

"He said he'd call later and give me the time and place."

"We're going to have to talk to your folks. They have to be aware of what's happening, so they can be on guard."

She took a used tissue and dabbed her eyes. "I can't tell them about these horrible messages. They'll think I'm a terrible girl and have done something to warrant them."

"I don't think they'll come to such a conclusion. Regardless, we're going to have to take the chance. I'll go with you. Maybe they'll see things a little differently if a private investigator is at your side."

She glanced at him. "I don't know, they're pretty stubborn."

"We've got to convince them that you've done nothing wrong."

Reluctantly, she nodded. "I can't bear the thought of this person mentioning my mother in such a horrible way. She's old and I couldn't bear something happening to her. I love my folks dearly."

"All the more reason we've got to talk to them."

She looked at him with fear in her eyes. "When?"

"As soon as possible."

"You mean today?"

"Yes."

Laura bit her lower lip, as she clenched her hands in her lap. "I'm not sure I'm ready. Besides, I told Mom I'd pick up her list of groceries after my class."

"I'll take you back to your car, follow you to the store, then you can lead me out to your house."

She sucked in a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "You sure don't leave me much choice."

"If we talk to your folks, it'll prove you're telling me the truth about these episodes."

"I had the feeling you didn't believe me. My story sounds absurd, but I'll swear to God it's true."

Hawkman turned on the ignition. "Okay, let's go back to your car. After you finish shopping we'll go to your house."

She nodded. "Okay."