Free The Trigger by L.J. Sellers

pleased to be here.”
    “The pleasure is mine. We love when bright young people want to join our community.” Spencer sat across from her in the booth, and Dallas looked him over. He seemed dressed for golf in a short-sleeve pullover and khaki pants.
    No concealed weapon that she could perceive. “How many members do you have?”
    “Just thirty-seven. We’ve had hundreds of applicants, but we have high standards for admission. The essay portion disqualifies many, and the psychological evaluation eliminates half of those who come out here for it.”
    The psych test was news to her. “What are you screening for?” Dallas laughed. “We’re all a little obsessive about something.”
    “Obsession can be a good thing.” Spencer’s tone turned serious. “We’re trying to keep out people with paranoia/conspiracy issues or antisocial attitudes. We’re a close-knit community and personal interaction is essential.”
    “Whew!” Dallas joked. “I’m a social media consultant, so I’ve got that under control.”
    Spencer grinned. “I knew that. As long as you’re not afraid the government is out to get you, I think you’ll breeze through.”
    “Good government is essential, even in small communities. Does Destiny have a council of leaders or some kind of mechanism for democratic decision making?”
    “We do. And the council will decide whether to accept you.”
    “When do I meet them?”
    “Probably this evening. Let’s order lunch, then tour the community this afternoon and see how it goes. You may reject us.” Spencer signaled the food server, and a young man came over. Dallas ordered a specialty salad with pears and candied pecans. She wasn’t crazy about pears, but gourmet chefs loved them, and she wanted to look like someone who had grown up with gourmet food instead of rice and beans.
    “Good choice. I’ve had everything on the menu by now, and that’s one of my favorites.” Spencer ordered a patty melt, then sheepishly admitted, “It’s my weakness, but I went for a long run this morning.”
    “Don’t worry, I’m not a purist. I love free-range beef.” This was almost too easy. “Do you raise livestock out there?”
    “Some. We have a little bit of everything.”
    Another food server, a woman about her age, walked by, seeming familiar. After a moment of mental searching, Dallas’ heart skittered.
Holy shit.
Ashley Townsend. They’d gone to high school together in Flagstaff. What the hell was she doing in Redding? More important, would she recognize Dallas with her new hair? Most likely. Not much else about her had changed in ten years. She couldn’t sit here and let her cover get blown.
    “Do you mind if we move to the patio? It’s such a nice day.” Dallas grabbed her purse and got up, not willing to take no for an answer.
    Spencer looked surprised, but said, “Sure. I’ll let the hostess know.”
    Dallas was tempted to make a break for the restroom so she could call McCullen, but she wasn’t willing to cross the restaurant. What could her contact do, anyway? Detain Ashley? Force the owner to close the business because of a security threat? No. She just had to keep her face averted and move things along as quickly as possible.
    Outside, she chose a table that wasn’t visible through the windows. Spencer came along a moment later and sat down. “This is a nice idea. I love spring when the weather is perfect.”
    “Me too. Although spring in Phoenix comes a little earlier than this.” The bureau had kept her real location because they’d had to move so quickly.
    “I don’t know how you live there. I hate the desert.”
    “Me too. That’s part of why I’m here now.”
    “Why else?”
    “I’m tired of living in uncertainty about the future, and I’m tired of grieving. I want a new life.”
    “You lost someone?”
    Dallas nodded, mustering up a sad expression. “My fiancé. We were together five years, then he killed himself after he developed Huntington’s