Page 87 of Trail to Trouble

Katrina pulled her phone from her pocket, called up Bianca’s text, and hit reply.

I understand your warning and have already taken measures.

A reply came back so quickly one would have sworn Bianca, or Sebastián, was staring at her phone, just waiting for a communication from her.

I’m glad to know you’re still safe. Wherever you are hiding, stay there. Don’t go home.

Katrina’s heart sank.

“Oh no,” Katrina whispered.

“What’s the matter?” Hunter asked.

“It’s not Bianca.”

“What?” he questioned.

“Look,” she said as she handed him her phone.

“The reply text wasn’t signed PB. The earlier ones were. That asshole did something to her!”

“All the more reason to get this done,” Heidi said firmly.

“Maybe she just forgot to sign off the way she used to,” Hunter stated.

“No. That wouldn’t be like her. PB was her signature. Something’s not right.”

Katrina grabbed her phone back from Hunter and hit reply.

Will do. I’m back where I love to be. Except for one time, anyhow. You know the time.

She waited a few minutes for the reply that never came.

Sebastián now knew where she was.

The four of them slid out of Lee’s truck and entered City Hall.

The woman who worked the front desk ten years ago greeted them and was easily recognizable. She had hardly changed at all except for the couple of creases formed at the corners of her eyes when she smiled. Using her hand, she flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder when she stood. In that instant, the woman’s name popped into her mind.Mandi.She confirmed her recollection with a glance at the nameplate on the counter.

“Good morning, Heidi, Lee, and Hunter. Long time no see,” she said.

Mandi fixed her gaze on her and squinted. It was the kind of expression one used when trying to recall the name of a familiar face.

“I’m Hannah Rice. We met about a decade ago.”

It felt strange to use her real name.

At the sound of her name, Mandi’s eyes widened.

“Yes, I remember now. How are you?”

“Pretty good. You?”

Clearly a lie for the moment she was in, but a couple of weeks ago, life as she knew it was okay.

“Good. What can I do for you all?”

“We’re hoping to see Chief Ricco. Is he in?” Hunter asked.