Find Her Alive (Detective Josie Quinn #8) - Lisa Regan Page 0,9

been around as long as Josie could remember. They were usually used by hunters or fishermen at this time of year—late March—and occasionally, in the summer, families rented them. High up in the mountains, the area seemed remote but was really only a half hour from the city. A stream ran through the various properties as well as several hiking trails. A rutted gravel road snaked up the mountain, leading to the driveways of each cabin. There were ten in all. Trinity, Shannon had said, was staying in number six.

Josie bounced along in her Ford Escape until she found the driveway marked with a faded waist-level wooden sign with the number six on it. She turned, following another narrow gravel path until Trinity’s red Fiat Spider came into view, its front end pointed in the direction Josie had come. The cabin was small with faux log-siding the color of smoke and a bright red aluminum roof. It had a narrow porch just big enough for two wooden rocking chairs. Its door was bright red with a wicker wreath hanging on it, complete with fake, brightly colored spring flowers. It was quaint and inviting, and the exact opposite of Trinity’s style. How had she managed to stay in a place like this for a whole month? Josie wondered. A voice in the back of Josie’s head reminded her of Trinity’s accusation that she’d never really known her at all.

With a sigh, Josie parked beside the Fiat, grabbed Trinity’s sunglasses, and got out. As she walked past the Fiat, something in the passenger’s seat caught her eye. Trinity’s suitcase was visible through the passenger’s side window. On top of it was her purse. A Gucci purse to go with her Gucci sunglasses. Noah would have a stroke if he knew how much Trinity had paid for the purse. Josie had been with her in New York City when she bought it and had felt nauseated watching Trinity hand the cashier her credit card.

Trinity was leaving. Josie wondered if she’d gotten her anchor position back. She had been watching the morning show all month, hoping to hear that the network was planning Trinity’s return, but all she’d seen was a string of temporary co-hosts who fell short of filling Trinity’s shoes. There was no mention of Trinity other than that she was “out on assignment”. Nor was there any mention of the now-famous Mila Kates taking over her anchor seat. It was a strange coincidence that Trinity was leaving the very day that Josie worked up the nerve to come see her.

Josie’s feet felt heavy as she climbed the porch and knocked on the door. “Trin?” she called.

No answer. She looked into the window beside the front door, but the white curtains blocked her from seeing inside. “Trinity?” she called again. She knocked again, louder this time. Nothing.

Pressing her ear against the door below the wreath, she listened for any sounds from inside but heard nothing. She tried the doorknob. Surprisingly, it turned easily in her hand. She put Trinity’s sunglasses in her pocket and pushed the door open, calling for her sister again. A musty smell hit her as soon as she crossed the threshold. It was nearly ten a.m. and the sun was bright overhead. No lights were on inside. Josie called for Trinity again but got no answer. Her heart did a double-tap. Her hand checked for her service weapon, but it wasn’t there as it was her day off. There was no reason to think she needed it to visit Trinity. The cabin, quaintly decorated in dark red and brown, was clean and orderly except for the dust covering every surface. Josie quickly checked the one bedroom and the tiny bathroom. Both were empty, neat, and covered in dust. Turning back to the main living area, Josie couldn’t stop the creeping sense of dread dragging its icy fingers up her spine. On the kitchen table was a note written on what looked like a page torn from Trinity’s planner:

Mr. P, Thanks for the rental. The place is lovely. I know I only stayed for a week, but you can keep the deposit. I don’t expect a refund. I hope you find everything in good repair. If there are any issues, please call me. Trinity.

Below that was her cell phone number. Next to the note was a single key on a keychain in the shape of a bear with the words Whispering Oaks 6 printed in white across it. Josie’s