“He was just being careful because he wasn’t sure who to trust,” she said.

“Yes,” I said, nodding.

The folder also held a grainy photograph of a white pickup truck parked near the mountain trail, its license plate partly visible.

On the back of the photo, Brandon had written:

“Is this vehicle registered to Parker’s family property?

Must confirm.”

I turned to Paige, my mind racing.

“What does that mean?”