Page 50 of The Rookie's Second Chance

Jake hesitated for a moment, the crease in his brow deepening. "Ethan gave me these files," he finally said, pulling out a thick envelope from his jacket. "He was cagey, but he swore he had nothing to do with what happened to you or with Lexi's stalker."

"Let me see them," I insisted, extending my hand with more energy than I felt.

He looked like he was going to argue but must have seen something in my eyes that told him it would be futile. He handed me the envelope. I leafed through the pages. It was like glimpsing into a story halfway through, trying to piece together the plot from scattered pages.

"There," I pointed, my finger trembling slightly from the effort. "A connection. This guy, Officer Kilkenny, he was on the missing person case…” I flipped through the pages. “... And he was the lead on the case where the body was found later."

Jake leaned over, his eyes scanning the document where my finger rested. "Shit, I didn't catch that."

"That's why I'm the detective, officer," I teased, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth despite the ache that followed.

A shadow of a smile crossed his face. "Yeah, yeah, don't rub it in."

"Not to outdo myself, there’s more. Look here in this interview from the missing person’s case. He said he’s personally invested. And why? Right here.” I pointed to a quote on the page. “Officer Kilkenny mentioned his kid went to school with Garrett, and he didn’t want any students to feel unsafe. But then a week later, he said it was a runaway case, no foul play. That's not a coincidence. That's a lead."

Jake nodded, the situation sinking in. "We need to contact Miami PD, see what Kilkenny knows. If he's willing to talk."

I handed the files back to him. "As soon as I'm out of here, we get to work."

"We?" Jake arched an eyebrow, his protective side on full display.

"We," I confirmed firmly. "I'm not sitting this one out. Not after what's happened."

He studied me for a long moment, searching my face for signs of strain. I must have passed the test because he finally nodded.

"Alright, Kayla. As soon as you're out, we'll dive into this mess together. We'll find this bastard."

The satisfaction of that promise washed over me, and I settled back into the pillows, conserving my strength for the battles ahead. There was a quiet determination in the room now, a shared purpose that made the sterile hospital room feel like a war room. I felt the thrill of the hunt rekindling inside me.

I closed my eyes, not to sleep, but to imagine walking through the doors of the precinct, files in hand, ready to chase down leads. The thought of action, of justice, was a far better medicine than anything that dripped from the IV bags beside me.

Jake's presence was a silent vow, an anchor in the tumultuous sea of the unknown. As he sat beside me, his features set in resolute lines, I knew we were stepping into the fray together. And with that, I let the anticipation lull me into a restful state, preparing for the day I'd step out of the hospital and back into the chase.

Chapter Twenty-Four

MANDY

When Jake stumbled through the door that night, I was ready—beer in one hand, the other tossing the remote onto the couch. I'd figured out that the way to his heart wasn't through elaborate dinners; it was just being there, being easy to be with.

"What's wrong?" I asked as the evening progressed, trying to keep my voice light as I handed him another beer. He looked like he'd gone ten rounds with life and lost every single one.

He took the beer, a silent thanks in the nod he gave me. "I’m just worried about Kayla," he said, sinking into the armchair like it was a life raft.

"I can imagine," I managed, pouring a bit of sympathy into my words, even though deep down, a tiny voice was chanting 'opportunity.' I shoved it down fast. I wasn't that person, was I?

Jake didn't say much after that, just stared at the TV, not really watching the game. I knew he and Kayla were close—partners or whatever—but he never said much about it. I had my suspicions, but nothing solid.

I sat down on the couch, leaving space between us, a casual gap that said, 'I'm here but not pushing.'

"You want pizza again? I ordered your favorite," I said, hoping the familiar comfort food might bring him back to me.

He finally looked away from the screen, meeting my eyes for a second. "Yeah, pizza sounds good, Mandy. Thanks."

As I set up the pizza and grabbed him a slice, I watched him out of the corner of my eye. He was so damn closed off sometimes. It was like he had this wall, and every time I thought I was making progress, something would send him retreating behind it again.

I handed him a plate, and our fingers brushed. There was a charge there, I swear. But he pulled back too quick for me to be sure. "You gotta take care of yourself, Jake," I said, half-teasing, half-serious. "You're no good to anyone if you run yourself into the ground."

He grunted something that might've been agreement, took a bite of pizza, and for a moment, he just looked like a regular guy, not a officer with the world on his shoulders. "I know, Mandy," he said after swallowing. "Just been a long day."

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