It was a dumb omission on your part. You run the checks again and find a Helena Hiss booked into the Hacienda del Monte. You drive north to the foothills and arrive at the picturesque Spanish inn. A Mercedes rental is in front of cottage suite 18.

A man in a crew-cut answers the door. He's rangy, in his thirties -- a little younger than you expected -- with a tattoo on his left forearm. You can see why Carrie described him as dangerous. "Mr. Arnold Post?"

"Yes?" He takes your card, inspecting it carefully before slipping it into his wallet. Out of the same wallet comes his own business card and you take it. "What can I do you for, officer?"

Before you can reply, a woman enters from the bedroom and turns down the radio, a local all-sports station. "Police? What do you want?" She puts down the note pad she's been working on and identifies herself as Helena Hiss. They appear to be sharing the suite.

Five minutes later and it's over. Helena apologized for their change of plans and promised to call Glen Treater and Carrie, to put their minds at rest. "You know how it is when you're on vacation. Sorry, officer. So embarrassing, making everyone worry."

You soon put the case out of your mind, the non-case, your first in Santa Fe.

You don't think about it again until early the next morning when the phone rings. Chief Weber is on the other end, informing you that Arnold Post has been kidnapped.

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