She Called. Then the Line Went Dead.

The beginning of Mirage of Trust — Book 2 in the Women of the Canyon series

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Chapter 1

After throwing a few groceries into Quinn’s condo refrigerator, Riley headed north toward Sabáka airport. She had stocked the fridge automatically, as if Quinn would walk into her own kitchen later that morning. As if nothing were wrong.

Quinn had switched the vid off before she spoke.

“Riley. I’m coming in on the red-eye tomorrow morning. Could you pick me up?”

Her voice had been tight. Controlled. As though each word had to pass inspection before leaving her mouth.

Riley didn’t sleep much after that.

The sun rose to her right as she drove. The sky was clear, not a cloud in sight, even on the horizon. A normal desert morning. It always struck her when she left the canyon. The sharp contrast between the temperate climate in Echo Canyon and the barren stretch of road in the desert leading to Sabáka.

She tried to focus on the road, on the steady rhythm of tires against pavement, on anything other than the hesitation before Quinn had said goodbye.

She put on a podcast. Turned it off thirty seconds later.

Ben had told her not to fret.

“You’ll know soon enough.”

Riley didn’t want soon enough. She wanted now.

A message buzzed as she pulled into arrivals.

We landed early. I’ll meet you at the curb.

Riley eased into the first open space.

When Quinn stepped through the automatic doors, swiping her palm past the biometric reader, Riley felt something drop inside her.

Her friend looked smaller. Tensed. As if she were holding herself together from the inside.

Riley lifted the hatch, set the suitcase inside, and pulled Quinn into her arms.

“I’ve got you. Whatever it is, I’ve got you.”

Quinn pressed her face briefly into Riley’s shoulder. Then she stepped away and slid into the passenger seat without speaking.

They drove in silence.

Halfway home, Riley glanced over.

Tears streamed down Quinn’s face. No sound. Just steady.

Riley reached across the console and rested her hand on Quinn’s forearm.

Quinn did not pull away.

The guilt sat heavily in her chest. Not for what had happened. For the silence. For not calling. For not telling Riley the truth.

She tried to steady herself. Tried to take something from the warmth of Riley’s hand. Something familiar. Something she could still trust.

They climbed toward Echo Canyon as the sun cleared the peaks. Wind nudged the SUV as they rounded the bend.

“That’s odd,” Riley said quietly.

“What is?” Quinn’s voice sounded thin.

“Clear sky and a push like that.”

Quinn looked at her. “Since when does land push back?”

Riley almost smiled. “Often. When we pay attention.”

They drove the rest of the way without speaking.

Instead of turning toward Quinn’s condo, Riley continued up the road.

Quinn noticed. “This isn’t my turn.”

“I made an executive decision,” Riley said. “The guest room’s ready. You always sleep better there. I’ll make something warm. We’ll decide the rest later.”

Quinn studied her for a moment, then nodded.

“You traveled light,” Riley said as she lifted the suitcase.

Another nod.

Inside the old house, a familiarity passed through Quinn. She was in her comfort zone. She desperately wanted to sit down on Riley’s comfortable couch and tell her everything. Quinn paused at the bedroom door.

“I think I’ll lie down,” she said. “See if I can find a human somewhere inside this body.”

Riley swallowed. “There’s water on the nightstand. And an apple.”

Quinn gave the faintest smile. “Thanks for picking me up.”

“Anytime.”

The door closed softly.

Riley stood in the hallway for a moment, listening. The house felt different. Even the refrigerator hum seemed louder.

She stepped outside.

The canyon was bright now. The wind moved through the mesquite. Not strong. Just present. It lifted a dry leaf and spun it once before dropping it.

Smiling, Riley pulled out her comm and typed two words.

She’s here.

Ben replied almost immediately.

Good.

Riley slipped the comm back into her pocket and looked across the valley.

Whatever had followed Quinn home was here now.

And Echo Canyon does not ignore what enters it.

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