Page 76 of Last Girls Alive

“Really?”

He pushed her gently on the arm.

She smiled and said, “Thanks. That means a lot, Gav.”

He hugged her tight and whispered in her ear, “Never stop caring like you do. And never stop pushing the investigations. I have your back—always.”

Katie was overwhelmed as she returned the hug, quickly wiping the tears from her face.

“Katie,” said Sheriff Scott as he approached quickly.

She stood up. “I’m fine, Uncle Wayne. Really, we’re fine.”

The sheriff took Katie and held her tight. “I was so worried when I got the call from dispatch. What were you guys doing here?”

“We had gone for a run today and then decided, well,Idecided, we needed to check out the house after seeing the blueprints in the archives. And then on our way out, we checked out the one container that didn’t have a lock.”

“It was a trap?” the sheriff said, motioning to a couple of the deputies.

“I don’t know… maybe an opportunity?” she said.

“I want this property locked down—tight. Everything searched again. Fingerprints taken on the containers, construction equipment, and anything else. Call John and have him go over everything. There must be something that will give us some answers.” Sheriff Scott reluctantly left Katie’s side and surveyed the property, giving more orders.

“Go get checked out, okay?” she said to McGaven.

“I will.”

She slowly walked to Chad who had been patiently waiting for her with Cisco at his side. “Hi. Thank you for saving us.” She petted Cisco who had some bandages on his legs.

“Just my job,” he said, trying to force a smile, but it was clear that he was concerned and relieved all at once.

She bent down to examine the dog. “Is Cisco okay?”

“He’s fine, just some minor cuts trying to get out of the vehicle.”

Katie hugged the dog tight—she realized how close she could have been to losing her partner and dog.

“Looks like you were all lucky.”

“McGaven is going to get checked out at the hospital.”

“And you?” he said.

“I will go too.”

“Are you?”

“Yes, I promise.”

Sheriff Scott had already made his rounds and came back to Katie and Chad. He said, “That crazy bastard is still out there. Chad, I want you to stay with Katie until all this is over. Understood?”

“Absolutely, sir. You have my word.”

“I’m not a little girl. I’m a police officer, remember? And I have Cisco too.”

“I would feel better. Is that too much to ask?”

“Of course not,” she said as all the heavy feelings of juggling everything alone came tumbling back.