2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

Speaking of Wesley Bridger, what did you make of him initially? When, if ever, did you become suspicious of him? What actions/clues led you there?

It really annoyed me how he called LePere "Chief". I didn't like him whatsoever. The suspicion on him was the thought that he had this scheme he wanted to undertake with LePere and it felt like it couldn't be a good thing. The second point was when he told the story about bombing the boat when in the SEALS, I got the sense he really enjoyed what he had done, despite loss of life that would have occurred over the bombing.

He rubbed me the wrong way from the onset though I didn't think his actions were so nefarious in the beginning. However, when John went back to get his camera and it was gone and discovered his property had been vandalized and trashed, I immediately suspected Wesley. It was clear to me then that he'd done that to force LePere to reconsider the kidnapping scheme. I never looked back from him being the culprit.

Great spotting Jonetta. At that point in the story (the vandalism) part of me still thought maybe there was some truth to the Fitzgerald company being involved.

It was too coincidental and why would they do that? It seemed beneath a company of their size and why not just destroy the evidence in the sea? It was just too picayune.

You are right Jonetta. It makes logical sense. I guess I was really duped by Bridger for a time.

Bridger fooled me completely. I didn't think he was an upstanding citizen because he was trying to convince LaPere to steal millions but I didn't suspect him of anything else. Especially when Bridger came back for LaPere on that dive when LaPere stayed down too long to get more pictures.

I only started to suspect that Bridger would turn on LaPere once LaPere told him that he'd take responsibility for the kidnapping in exchange for the investigation of the shipwreck. I knew Bridger wouldn't trust LaPere not to tell the authorities everything.

That dive thing...I suspected him strongly at that point because, correct me if I'm wrong, wasn't Bridger behind LePere??? I was certain he was the one responsible for LePere being snagged (which now we know he was). That's when I was convinced Bridger did this. Everything that happened later (vandalism, stolen camera, etc.) just convinced me more.