Hidden Heritage

After a gruesome murder at the Carlton County Livestock Feedyard, the KBI enlists Undersheriff Lottie Albright to work undercover. Agent Dimon believes Sheriff Sam Abbot is turning a blind eye toward illegal activities between the bullhaulers and Mexican immigrants working at the feedyard. She reluctantly agrees with Dimon that she should act alone because her husband, Keith, and psychologist twin sister, Josie, would be too outraged over the KBI’s suspicious to be effective. However, Lottie secretly resolves to act as a double agent, and clear Sam, not implicate him.

As a cover for her sleuthing, Lottie calls for stories from Mexican families whose ancestors were part of colonization groups into Kansas. Francisca Diaz, a mysterious old Spanish woman comes into the historical society to contribute her family history. Lottie dismisses her notion that her family has always been in Kansas, The old woman hints at precious documents and pleads for help to avenge ancient wrongs. Francisca is known as a healer who keeps many secrets. When she is brutally murdered, the family’s history overlaps with the murder at the feedyard.

Hidden Heritage involves the dangerous side of spirituality. Lottie knows intuitively she shouldn’t delve into the dark side of low magic without Josie, her anchor, at her side. Keith, sensing Lottie is keeping secrets, sorrowfully watches his wife with growing bewilderment. Stunned by the Diaz’s prejudice against Mexicans, Lottie dangerously rushes to strip the veil from old Spanish secrets before she ruins her marriage and alienates her sister.