Run, Hide, Fight Back is about something people fear a lot: a shooter in a public space and/or a terrorist attack (in this case, it’s both). Who hasn’t imagined what they would do if they were confronted by such a situation? There actually are things that we could do if we ever found ourselves in such a situation. In fact, the title was inspired by a Texas Homeland Security video called Run, Hide, Fight that gives practical tips on how to react.
Thirty-five years ago, my father, who was a county commissioner in Oregon, received death threats from a far-right group called Posse Comitatus. That sparked my interest in anti-government domestic terrorists like The Order, Timothy McVeigh, and the fictional villains in this book. Some federal and local law enforcement groups view the threat from these homegrown groups as at least equal to the threat from ISIS and other foreign Islamic terror groups.
Bill Krieg, a patrol lieutenant at the Appleton Police Department in Wisconsin and a defensive tactics instructor at Fox Valley Technical College, helped me when I was brainstorming the initial idea for this book—and even showed me how to use a Halligan tool. We met at the Writers Police Academy, run by veteran police investigator Lee Lofland. Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteer Jake Keller was, as always, a great source of information. Robin Burcell, a former cop and an author in her own right, answered many “what if” questions. And Joe Collins, a paramedic and firefighter who has trained for various scenarios, including an attack on a shopping mall, gave me several devious ideas. Joe also answered my questions about guns and gave me ideas on how to treat a gunshot wound without a first aid kit. And I took a fascinating class on dealing with an active shooter from Mike Morton, a security specialist and former SWAT team member.
Elizabeth Bunga, a plans examiner for the City of Lake Oswego, helped me understand the rules for the required number of exits for stores in a shopping mall. Mark Berger, the president and chief product officer of Securitech Group, Inc., helped me figure out how to unlock doors that should be locked and lock doors that shouldn’t be. Krys Jeffrey, executive team leader for assets protection at Portland’s Galleria Target, explained the secret world of shoplifters. Coach Chris Bauer, a brown belt in Brazilian jiujitsu who has made my own game so much better, helped me come up with the wrestling moves used in the climactic scene.
Even I find it hard to believe, but this is my twenty-second book with my agent, Wendy Schmalz.
My editor, Christy Ottaviano, pushed to make this book the best it could be. Jessica Anderson knows where all the bodies are buried. April Ward designs my amazing covers. Amanda Mustafic not only has the coolest bangs but can coordinate events across a half-dozen states. Other wonderful folks at Henry Holt include Lucy Del Priore, Melissa Croce, Katie Halata, Lara Stelmaszyk, Jennifer Healey, Molly Ellis, Lauren Festa, Morgan Rath, Allison Verost, and Mark Von Bargen.