Page 18 of Kian

“I agree. Something doesn’t sit right.”

“I feel the same. I’m really worried. I can’t even track his phone. I should have tracked it right away. Right after he sent me that text and didn’t answer me, but I just thought he didn’t want to use it since he thought he stumbled across poachers. He said he had to call FWP, but they don’t have a record of him calling. Damn it,” Killian muttered.

“With all this snow, it’s going to be tough to physically search for him outside.”

“The only way the tracker app on his phone won’t work isif the phone is off, and I can’t see Kian turning it off. For any reason. We could check with his cellphone provider but we would probably have to get a warrant.”

“I think he’s in trouble. At first, I thought since he was on vacation, he was just into something. Like maybe he decided to look for a house, but it’s the not hearing from him that bothers me.” Killian shook his head. “He told me he’d contact me every so often and I haven’t heard a thing except that text.”

Dave nodded sympathetically. Killian knew Kian always kept his phone on because he knew how much it would worry him, and Killian kept his phone on for the same reason. They always stayed in touch. There was definitely something wrong, perhaps due to their twin connection, Killian could feel it in his gut that Kian was in trouble.

“Any updates?” Beau asked as he approached Killian’s desk.

“No, nothing yet.” Killian shook his head with frustration, knowing that every agent in the office was concerned for his brother’s well-being.

“I have an idea. Let me make a phone call.” Beau walked back to his own desk.

Killian watched as Beau made a call on his cellphone before returning to him with a hopeful expression.

“Warren Coleman said he could have Grady Henderson take you up in their helicopter to search for Kian.”

“That’s great.” Killian said, feeling a glimmer of hope for finding his brother. “When can we go?”

“As soon as you’re ready. Warren said the roads and helipad on his ranch are clear, so there won’t be any issues, but there is a storm moving in, so you need to go now.”

Killian looked at Dave for approval.

“Go. Keep us updated if you find anything,” Dave said with concern.

“Thanks, Dave.” Killian then turned to Beau. “Thank you forarranging this.”

“I just hope we find him soon,” Beau said with genuine concern.

With his coat and hat in hand, Killian left the office and made his way to his truck. As he started the engine, he couldn’t help but say, “Where are you, Kian?”

The screen on his dash lit up with a call from his fiancée, Celine Nelson.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he said.

“Any news?”

Killian huffed. “No, but I’m heading to the Coleman ranch. Grady is going to take me up in the helicopter and we’ll head to where Kian called from last.”

“Okay. Keep me posted. I’m sure you’re worried, baby, but you’ll find him.”

“I hope so. I’ll call you after I get back. I love you.”

“I love you too.” She disconnected.

Killian had hated telling his parents that Kian was missing, but he couldn’t keep something like that from them. He knew they were worried and if something happened to Kian, they, along with him, would be devastated.

Driving toward the Coleman ranch, he was relieved to see that the roads had been plowed. But with more snow predicted, he wondered how they would ever spot his brother from the air. Unless he was out in the middle of the snow-covered landscape, they’d never find him in the forests.

An hour later, Grady skillfully maneuvered the helicopter over mountains and through valleys, but they saw no sign of Kian.

Killian kept a close eye on the snowy landscape below, hoping for any indication of his brother’s whereabouts. He noticed Grady doing the same.

“This is like searching for a needle in a haystack,” Killianremarked. “With all this snow, it’s nearly impossible to spot anything in the woods.”

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