Page 74 of Hunted, Season Three

“City boy,” Post and I momentarily meet gazes, the slow blink indicating he knowsexactlywho the fucker is.“Came around these parts for a solo vacation-”

“He wouldnevertake a solo vacation!”

“Near Christmas.”

“Which is something he would’ve wanted to spend with me!I’m his whole world!”

“Went campin’-”

“He would never go camping!It’s disgusting!”

“And no one’s seen him since.”Post’s other hand is casually shoved into his pocket.“Mrs.McAdams came in searching for information a couple days ago at which time I gave her everything I knew about the situation.”

Not a blatant lie.

He’s aware of who McAdams is.

What he’s done to an extent.

What he’s capable of to another.

He also believes Rabbit is one ofour town’sand we protect our own.

That trumps all other bullshit.

“Weren’t you off around Christmas?”The casual inquiry from him has me nodding.“Somethin’ was wrong with the truck, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah.”My stare shifts back to hers.“Couldn’t tow shit at the time even if I wanted to.”

Disbelief lingers in her unyielding glare.

“As I previously mentioned,” Post calmly recaptures the conversation, “camping out in these woods without a guide isn’t illegal, just highly unrecommended due to the dangers that lurk.”The subtle undertone of his statement once more threatens to have me grinning.“Much like trying to rely on a regular phone versus a sat, something aguide– had he chosen to have one– would’vehad for worst case scenarios.”

Her increasingly narrowing vision only sparks more humor for me.

“If you would like, I can have a couple of volunteers from the county conduct a courtesy search of the potential areas in which Brad might’ve ventured into-”

“Yes,” she bitterly insists prior to gesturing to the guard behind her, “and I will supply several of my own to aid in his retrieval.”

“However,” Post firmly interjects, “such search will have to wait untilafterthe winter storm has fully passed as guaranteeing the healthand safetyof the people ofmy townarealwaysandwill alwaysbe my top priority.”

His less than subtle reminder successfully gets me to smile.

That’s exactly what he’s doing right now.

Protecting us and whatever it is hethinkswe’ve done.

“Fine…” Beverly nefariously concedes, speech slow.Menacing.“Just remember that I tried to do things the nice way, Sheriff.”

Chapter 16

Kipp

I hate wrapping pipes, but I love laying it.

Ha.

I’m gonna be such a good dad.

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