"In twenty years of working on the streets, I can't recall a real lifecrime as clever as depicted in Don Ball's TOLL ROAD."
-Ken Lewis, Chief of Police, Rogue River, OR.
Marie Gallagher is neither rich nor famous. So what possible motive would there be for anyone to force a divorced mother of two into making an instant life or death decision for one of her children?
When Jason Carmichael, a detective in a rural area of California's Central Valley, arrives at her home, he struggles with how to diplomatically tell Marie this twiston a kidnapping effectively renders law enforcement powerless.
As bouts of guilt and depression plague Marie, Jason eases some of the pain by offering an alternative to the decision she'd been wrestling with. Without realizing it, their lives begin to entwine.
Believing he has created a perfect TOLL ROAD to fame and fortune, the kidnapper takes great pride in tormenting Marie and the police by establishing phone contact with a local shock-jock wannabe. After one of these calls, Jason begins to suspect there may be a link to a major government agency. Investigations slam into reverse when Jason encounters resistance from the agency's director who considers the situation a local problem.
Throughout this juggling act, Jason's biggest concern is-what happens when the kidnapper's leverage runs out?
