Page 63 of Kian

“Well, that’s one good thing, right?”

“Yeah, it is. We’ll talk.”

“Alright.” Killian moved to his desk, pulled the chair out and sat down.

Kian tightened his lips as he thought of how Gretchen saw him and Sheila hugging. He knew what she thought and if he had time, he’d visit her, but he didn’t right now. Sam was working on the case too and Kian wanted to get with him to see if he’d gotten anywhere yet. Those men needed to be caught before anything else. Even his love life.

Chapter Ten

Gretchen sped down the road, escaping the small town and heading toward Copper Ridge Road. She pulled over onto the side of the road and parked, breaking down in sobs. She rested her head on the steering wheel and gripped it tightly in her hands.

Suddenly, she jumped when someone tapped on her window. It was Deputy Logan Townson.

Taking a deep breath, Gretchen looked away from him and wiped her tears before lowering the window to speak to him.

“Logan, I’m okay,” she said, trying to hide her emotions. But his frown made her realize he could see right through her façade. “Okay, I’m not okay, but I will be.”

“You were driving recklessly, and this is not the road for that,” Logan said.

“I’m sorry, Logan. I pulled over because I needed to compose myself.”

“I understand, but you know how dangerous this road can be. Please get going as soon as you can. I’ll sit behind you with my lights on to make sure you’re visible, but you need to get off this road.”

“I’ll go soon, Logan. I need a few minutes. Are you going to give me a ticket?”

Logan shook his head. “Not this time, but there won’t be a next time. You nearly caused an accident in town.”

“I’m sorry,” Gretchen cried as another tear rolled down her face. “I saw... something that upset me.”

“Alright. Take your time and when you’re ready to go, you can. I’ll be behind you until you do. I don’t want anyone coming around that turn and not seeing you.” Logan walked back to his cruiser.

Gretchen watched him climb back into his SUV with the blue lights flashing, something she didn’t even notice until now. Leaning her head back against the seat, she let herself cry. That’s why Kian hadn’t been contacted her; he was with someone else, likely Sheila, the woman he had once proposed to. Someone must have told her when he returned, and she rushed to Clifton to see him.

After sitting there for fifteen minutes, Gretchen wiped away her tears, waved to Logan and drove off. She headed toward her parents’ house, hoping they could provide some comfort in this difficult time.

As she pulled up to the cape cod home, Gretchen couldn’t help but stare at it. This was where she grew up and her parents were wonderful people who had always made this house feel like a haven for her. It was the place where all of her childhood friends would gather, and everyone loved her parents. Her friends used to say they wished their own parents were as welcoming as hers.

Gretchen stepped out of the car and climbed the steps before knocking on the door. Her mother’s smiling face greeted her, but quickly turned into a frown when she saw the look on Gretchen’s face.

“Honey, come inside,” her mother said, pulling her into a warm embrace. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing? Is this how you always look now? I know we haven’t seen you in a while, but I don’t remember this sadness in your eyes.”

“Could I have something to drink?”

“Of course. I have some homemade lemonade.”

“I was thinking something stronger,” Gretchen muttered as she plopped down in a chair at the kitchen table.

“That’s not like you. Now I know something must be wrong.”Her mother sat down beside her and placed a reassuring hand on hers. “Tell me.”

Gretchen sighed, then told her mother about Kian. From finding him, to falling in love with him, and seeing him with Sheila.

“At least, I think it was Sheila. I don’t know what she looks like.”

“And he sent you a text?”

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