While he toasted the frozen waffles, then poured maple syrup into a small pitcher, she thought over the request she planned to make. Ten minutes later, food finished, coffee drunk, she said, “Can I ask you a question? I, uh, need some information.”

“Sure, fire away.”

Not an image she cared for, but she launched into an explanation, trying not to make it too complicated. She talked about Christine Fletcher’s disappearance, her own need to learn exactly who this woman was—other than “Della’s crazy sister”—and what had happened to her. Was she still alive? Shallie admitted that her search for Christine was the other “main reason” for coming to Painted Pony Creek. That, in fact, it was her first reason and how delighted she was that his training course had fit in perfectly. “So I decided I could make it a double-purpose trip.” She didn’t include her third, still-private, reason—that she’d wanted to see if there was any chance of a connection, any hope of a future with Cord.

“So, my question is, do you think Eli would be willing to recommend an investigator?”

Cord agreed to talk to him, after pointing out that this kind of research, especially in such a complicated situation, could be costly.

“Oh, I should’ve said! I’m willing to pay.”

He gave her an inquiring glance, but she didn’t give him any further information. “I’ll get in touch with Eli right now and, depending on his schedule, we’ll set up a time to get together.”

“Thanks!” She could tell that she sounded a little breathless. Out of gratitude for Cord’s generosity, his immediate willingness to help. Out of relief and anxiety now that the answers she needed might actually be within reach. She felt he understood her sense of urgency.

He got up and retrieved his cell phone, removing it from its charger, then returned to the kitchen, put it on speaker and tried Eli. He got hold of him right away, then described what Shallie was looking for. To her relief, Eli said he’d be happy to look into it and already had someone in mind… “Why don’t we meet at Bailey’s tonight? J.P., too, if he’s interested. He generally has something useful to add.”

She saw Cord grin at that. “Yeah, and maybe the oh-so-smart Trooper will have some ideas, too.”

“No doubt.”

Shallie called out, “Hi, Eli, and thanks!”

Then she and Cord discussed the day’s plans. “I’ll have you focus on Chief,” he said, providing a little more information than he had earlier. “I want you to prepare him for slow, careful rides, possibly as a therapy horse sometime in the future. I’m interested in moving Hollister Horses in that direction. And at this stage, I’ll bet you know more about it than I do because of working with your friend. You’ve obviously learned a lot from her.”