Page 19 of The Business Trip

“Datelineodd?” I asked. I wasn’t fully following.

“Yes,” she said with an urgency in her voice. “Like someone-has-her-phone odd.”

I cocked my head, considering her words.

“Can I see the texts you’re referring to, Lucy?” She passed me her phone, and I looked them over twice, then passed it back.

“I’m sure it’s fine, really, Lucy. She’s probably just messing with you, like reverse sarcasm. Or maybe she’s blanking on your joke. How would anyone have her phone? And if they did, why would they be texting us about meetings and stuff? It doesn’t make sense. She posted on Facebook from the conference last week. She sent me a voice memo yesterday.”

Lucy leaned across the table toward me, narrowed her eyes a bit, and whispered.

“Bruce, I have a gut feeling. My Reiki coach told me gut feelings are what guide us. What can we do to find out?”

“Listen,” I said in my best dad voice. “If something bad happened to her, why would the person have her cell phone? They would know it could be traced. Police could probably find it in minutes.”

There was commotion outside of the conference room door, and we both looked over to see people beginning to gather for the newsroom-wide meeting.

“I’d like to do some more digging, Bruce,” Lucy said. “I’m going to find out if it’s truly her. I’ll send some bad information and see how she responds.”

“Well, uh…” I didn’t know what to say, but now the conference room door was swinging open and people were starting to walk in, so I had to respond.

“I guess,” I whispered. “Keep me posted.”

“I will,” she responded with a determined look on her face.

CHAPTER 17Anna

The Tuesday After the Flight

Glenn hadn’t been at the bar the night before. Rumors were swirling that there had been a robbery at his trailer and he was beaten up pretty badly and had to go to the hospital with a broken arm. One of my fellow waitresses said she heard he had teeth knocked out too and that these robbers threatened him about something.

I kept my mouth shut and head down, but I was feeling an immense amount of relief. He would be out of the mix for a while if he was in the hospital. I could sleep easily.

Now it was an hour before work and I was just unloading the dishwasher when my phone pinged with a text. Glancing over at the phone resting on the counter, I saw that it was Jasmine. The dishes were still warm and slightly damp as the cycle had just finished, so I had to wipe my hands on a dish towel first, but then I opened her text.

This guy Trent is super sexy but he has a temper. Don’t worry, I can handle myself. Don’t tell Glenn.

I typed a fast reply.

Things have been crazy here. Glenn is in the hospital.

Glenn’s in the hospital? I promise I will send your money soon. Thanks for everything.

Yeah, robbery at the trailer if you know what I mean. He got beat up pretty badly. You’re good though? You don’t need anything else?

I’m good

CHAPTER 18Lucy

The Tuesday After the Flight

It was a busy news day, but my mind was elsewhere. After Bruce gave me the green light, I kept formulating texts in my head. What could I say that might put a person into a trap? If it was Steph and she was just being weird, we could all laugh it off later. But if it wasn’t…

At lunch, I saw Nora in the break room. I needed a co-conspirator, so I pulled her aside and quickly briefed her on everything.

“Help me think of some trappy texts,” I whispered.

“What if you made up some names?” Nora asked. “Like tell her Susan and Frank called and need to speak with her and you have to know what to tell them, or something like that.”

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