My wife purchased a soft drink; to get some change, she explained. There was another phone outside a gas station but it only took credit cards. Anonymity would surely fly out the window with the use of plastic.
Finally we spotted a large chain store and upon entering, detected a bank of telephones near the rest rooms. They were nearly invisible from the main store. Blessedly the machines took coins.
"God," she said. "I've never been so frightened in my life. I'll sound like a blubbering fool."
I too took a deep breath. "Maybe blubbering will make you sound more credible." She looked at our meager supply of coins and hurried back to the checkout counter. She increased our supply by five dollars' worth, just in case. She returned and turned to me.
"Can you do it, Ben? I just know I'll burst into tears or not know how to answer if they ask questions."
I took the receiver as Betsy dialed the number she'd copied from the television announcement. A friendly female voice answered. I took yet another gulp of oxygen and began.
"I'm an eye witness to the abduction in Warwick," I began. "Please record this or listen carefully." I proceeded to slowly relate the full detail of what Howie had recorded, repeating the description of the man, car and license plate number. When I'd stopped for a breath, the woman asked where I was when I witnessed it and why I'd waited so long to call." The phone slipped out of my trembling hands. When I retrieved it, she was asking if I'd tried to intervene. I ignored her questions. "Please just find him quickly. The little boy was unconscious."
"Sir, is there some way we can get in touch with you?" I hung up, my hand still shaking like a leaf in a windstorm.
Rhode Island. The smallest state has lots of small people; delightful children everywhere, but alas, now there is one less. I've finished my business in New England and must be moving on. First I must lay my little darling to rest. Where shall it be?