The Good Samaritan

Ryan Spencer makes his 82nd call to the End of the Line suicide helpline in his search for the volunteer known as the Freer of Lost Souls. Using the alias “Steven” and recording the call, he feigns suicidal thoughts. The volunteer who answers, Laura, soon deviates from the standard protocol. She is dismissive and accuses “Steven” of self-pity, a unique tone that makes Ryan realize he has finally found his target.

Unprepared for Laura’s directness, Ryan panics when she asks if he wants her support to die by suicide. He abruptly ends the call and smashes a mug in frustration. After calming down, he listens to the recording and begins an online search using clues from her speech. He discovers a newspaper photograph identifying the volunteer as Laura Morris and mentioning her daughter, Effie. A second article about a local fundraiser confirms her marriage to Tony Morris and includes a quote from Laura that matched a phrase she used during their call, cementing her identity.