"What do you mean you lost her trail again?" Anna's voice rang through the room, sharp enough to startle even herself.
On the other end of the line, Shawn let out a weary sigh. He was supposed to be at Betty's birthday celebration, but—as always—work had won. Even from the party he'd kept a quiet watch on Kathrine. When her phone number had briefly lit up in his system, he'd thought he finally had her.
But, like every signal since yesterday, it vanished almost at once.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," Shawn said, frustration threading his voice. "But it seems Kathrine is turning her phone on deliberately. Yesterday she did the same—came online for a blink, then disappeared before I could trace her."
Anna frowned. 'Why would Kathrine do that if she wants to hide?'
"Why would she risk it," Anna asked aloud, "when all she has to do is stay hidden?"
Shawn hesitated, as if weighing the thought. "Maybe she needed money," he said slowly. "But I checked—no transactions. Nothing."
