Thea studied the physicians gathered around the conference room table for their pre-travel briefing. If she could prevent just one kidnapping through these educational sessions, then the effort was worthwhile. Every group was different, but she always tried to predict which individuals would fare best if they were kidnapped and tailor the talk to those who probably wouldn’t cope as well. She’d been a response consultant—the industry term for kidnap negotiator—for seven years, long enough to understand how different personalities dealt with captivity.
She smiled at the doctors, who were headed to Culiacán, the narco-crime capital in Sinaloa, Mexico, for relief work. “Let’s talk a little physiology, which should be right up your alley. Ordinarily, if you’re confronted with a traumatic or threatening situation, your hypothalamus triggers a fight-or-flight reflex, which propels your body into a state of hyperalertness, right? Blood surges to your extremities to prime the muscles for action. This makes you want to battle or bolt. But in a kidnapping, either of those actions could be counterproductive—and potentially deadly. And updated research includes a third reaction, which is freezing. Also not good.”
The doc in the Zegna suit admiring his manicured nails emanated superiority and boredom. But was that mere bravado, masking fear? Likely. He’d certainly make a perfect target. And Mexican kidnappers would instantly deflate his overpuffed ego with the customary “welcome” battering they deployed to dominate hostages. Strip this guy of his Rolex and other trappings of wealth, and he’d be huddled in a fetal position, begging to go home. People with a titanium core, not a cream-puff center like his, were the ones who survived without permanent damage.
“When you’re a captive, you’re stuck in an anxiety-ridden purgatory that might last hours, days, months—or even years—with no control over your fate. To survive unbroken, you need to override the fight-or-flight reflex and avoid freezing. Instead, you must summon up survival qualities like patience, optimism, and discipline.” Thea indicated a fit, middle-aged woman who sat near the front, her name written on her binder. “For example, Annie here would probably weather captivity well. She chooses sensible shoes over stilettos, which demonstrates practicality, and, judging by the crossword-puzzle book tucked into her briefcase, she has the required mindfulness and patience needed to endure both boredom and apprehension.”
Annie gave her a small smile.
“But I hope none of you will have to find out how you’d cope. We’re here today to minimize your risk of being kidnapped.”
She paced the boardroom. “Most abductions take place on weekday mornings, and seventy-eight percent of them occur within two hundred meters of the hostage’s home or workplace. How can you protect yourself? Become a hard target. But what does that mean in practical terms? Don’t take the same route to work every day, maintain an unpredictable schedule, and always be aware of your surroundings. Remain alert and attentive. No texting or talking on the phone while in public. Instead, make careful note of any suspicious vehicles or individuals lingering around.”
A man with a large handlebar mustache raised his hand. “If someone tries to abduct me, how hard do I fight back?”
“Good question. And there’s no perfect answer. The actual grab is a risky time for hostage takers, so they hit hard, immediately asserting their dominance. Expect to be blindfolded, beaten, drugged, or forced into a vehicle’s trunk. Under those circumstances, remain calm, and do what they say. Focus on survival. Remember that, to them, you’re a commodity, and they’ll want to keep you healthy and alive so they’ll receive your ransom payment. If you’re in a public place and you feel you can escape, it might be worth the risk. But if you are staring down the barrel of an Uzi on a deserted street, it’s probably better to acquiesce. Don’t be uncooperative or hostile toward your captors. Act like a brat, and you can expect to be punished. These people do not mess around.”
“Should we curl up like frightened schoolgirls?” Zegna asked, eyebrows raised.
“The point is not to be difficult.” Asshole. “If you become a hostage, your job changes. You need to be observant, taking careful note of your surroundings and the schedules of your captors. Also, since you might be held in captivity indefinitely, it will be vital to establish a routine of mental and physical exercise to keep yourself focused and fit.”