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and assume that her husband did not murder her.”
    â€œRight.” Arcadia looked somewhat relieved.
    â€œWhat I need,” Zoe said, “is a private investigator. I’ll bet an expert could go online and get me the answers I need in half an hour.”
    She jumped to her feet. “Back in a second.”
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    â€œInside to find a phone book.”
    She hurried into the interior of the small eatery and spotted a worn set of yellow pages on the desk behind the front counter. She asked if she could borrow it. The clerk shrugged and handed it to her.
    She carried the phone book back outside, sat down at the table, and opened it. There were two listings under Investigators.
    The first was for Radnor Security Systems. It featured a full-page display ad that offered employee background and due diligence checks, corporate security seminars, security guards for businesses, and the latest in online investigative technology.
    The second company was named Truax Investigations. The tiny ad occupied a small space approximately twoinches long and one inch high on the page. It claimed that the firm had been in continuous operation in Whispering Springs for more than forty years. It also guaranteed privacy and confidentiality to all clients. There was a phone number and an address on Cobalt Street.
    â€œLooks like I’ve got a choice between a large company with a corporate emphasis or a small firm that has been in business here in town for quite a while.” Zoe studied the Truax Investigations ad. “Probably a one-man operation.”
    â€œGo with the big company,” Arcadia advised. “More resources and more guarantee of getting someone who knows how to do the online stuff. But it will probably be pricier.”
    â€œHow expensive can a simple search like this be?” Zoe dug her phone out of the tote. “All I want to know is whether or not Mrs. Jennifer Mason has used her charge cards or accessed her bank account recently. Piece of cake for an investigator, I’m sure.”
    She entered the number for Radnor Security Systems and was promptly greeted by a professional-sounding receptionist. She made a quick inquiry regarding fees and hung up fast when she got the answer.
    â€œWell?” Arcadia asked.
    â€œIn hindsight, it appears that my observation of a moment ago was somewhat naïve. It turns out that, contrary to what I assumed, this sort of search can be very expensive. Not only was the hourly rate very high, but in addition, there is a nonrefundable minimum fee which is equivalent to three hours of investigative time.”
    Arcadia raised one shoulder in a small, resigned shrug. “Obviously they don’t want to encourage small accounts. Try the little agency. Might be hungrier.” She paused. “Also might be less chance of complications.”
    Zoe looked at her. There was no need to go into the fine nuances of just what the term complications meant. They both knew how carefully this matter would have to be handled if they were to avoid attracting unwanted attention to themselves.
    â€œOkay, I’ll call Truax.” Zoe picked up the phone again, trying to stay positive. “It’s probably the best way to go, anyway. After all, if he’s been in business for more than forty years, he must be getting on. A real old-fashioned kind of investigator. I’ll bet he has a ton of contacts in the community and with the police. If Jennifer Mason is, indeed, missing, he might even be able to convince the cops to look into the situation without explaining why.”
    â€œJust make sure he keeps your name out of it.”
    Zoe glanced at the ad for Truax Investigations again while she listened to the ringing on the other end of the line. “It says right here that he’s really big on privacy for his clients. I’ll bet he’s built his reputation on his ability to maintain confidentiality.”
    â€œWhat