Page 29 of Kian

“We heard a helicopter not too long ago—”

“That was me. Warren had Grady fly me around. I spotted smoke coming from a chimney, but Grady couldn’t find a place to land. We checked the coordinates for the cabin, but nothing really came up that we could use. I prayed that you were in there and warm.”

Kian chuckled. “I was. I even told Gretchen that I’d bet my year’s salary on the fact that it was you in that chopper. She saved my life, Killian.”

“Thank you, Gretchen. I can’t wait to meet you and give you a big hug.”

Kian laughed. “Only if I get to hug your beautiful fiancée.”

“No way. She doesn’t even know you’re gone.” Killian laughed.

“Liar. We’re heading back to the cabin now. It’s starting to snow, and it’s only twenty degrees out. We’ll have to wait a while before we can leave.”

“As long as we know you’re safe, we can wait. It’s so good to hear your voice again.”

“Yours too. If the weather isn’t too bad in a day or two, I’ll come back here and call you again. I don’t know what they did with any of my stuff, my vest, coat, gloves, badge, gun, ID—”

“Stetson,” Gretchen added with a laugh.

“Oh, by the way, Gretchen is a real smartass,” Kian said with a chuckle.

“Well then she won’t have any trouble keeping you in line. But don’t worry about your things; they can all be replaced. You can’t. Was the shot through and through?”

“Yeah, but if it clears up in a few days, I can look around. They shot at me three times, so I might be able to find at least one of the cartridges.”

“Okay. If we can get one of those cartridges, we might be able to trace it. I’ll have Dave report the gun and badge stolen, thoughthey probably just tossed them somewhere.”

“Yeah, that’s what I figured too. We should get going; it’s snowing harder now. I’ll see you soon. Love you, little brother. Make sure to tell Mom and Dad I’m safe, and that I love them.”

“I will. Love you too. Talk to you soon. Bye Gretchen, and thank you again.”

“You’re welcome. Bye Killian.”

Kian hung up the phone and handed it back to Gretchen before sitting down on the ATV seat, tears streaming down his face. Gretchen wrapped her arms around him, and he held her tightly as he cried.

Kian could hear Gretchen crying too, but they were both filled with relief that he was safe and going to be able to go home soon.

****

The sharp buzz of Killian’s cellphone cut through the dull hum of the office, signaling an incoming call. He glanced at the number, not recognizing it, but picked it up anyway- it could be important information about a case. With a heavy sigh, he answered.

“Agent Doyle speaking.”

But when his brother’s voice came through the line, he shot to his feet.

“Kian? Kian, is that you?”

The whole office fell silent as Killian continued to talk to his brother, tears streaming down his face. Agents and coworkers alike huddled around his desk, listening in on the emotional conversation. When he finally hung up, Killian slumped back into his chair and buried his head in his hands.

“Killian, was that Kian?” Agent Creed McBride asked, breaking the tense silence.

Killian looked up with tears still glistening in his eyes and nodded.

“He’s alive,” he choked out and with a resounding cheer, the entire room erupted in celebration. As Killian explained what had happened, relief and joy washed over everyone in the room.

“I’ll report his weapon and badge missing,” Dave said, his voice filled with emotion as he walked back to his own office to take care of the paperwork.

****

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