Page 8 of Colorado K-9 Rescue
“Yeah, wouldn’t you feel some guilt if you were in my shoes?”
“I guess, but at some point, we all need to move on.”
“Then maybe this is the case to help you with that,” Cassidy said. “But don’t forget my sisterly advice—stay away from Agent Knox. He may be attractive, but he’s trouble.”
“What is the baggage that everyone keeps talking about anyway?”
“I don’t know for sure. I heard he was working undercover and then some sort of office love-triangle thing started. He was sleeping with his partner or something and her boyfriend, another agent, found out and blew his cover. Somehow Knox kept his job and so did the female agent, but the boyfriend lost his job. That’s probably why he doesn’t want to work with anyone here or share case information unless he has to.”
“Huh,” Mckenna answered. “All right, I need to start doing my job. I came in early to do paperwork. I’ll catch you later.”
“Mckenna?”
“Yeah?”
“I might be an overprotective sister, but it’s because I love you.”
“I know that,” Mckenna said, softening a bit. She was probably being too hard on Cassidy.
“If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks, sis.”
Cassidy headed on out. Mckenna watched her leave. Her sister’s career choice had been a result of Mckenna’s kidnapping. That experience had changed her entire family’s life. Now she needed to go help two families whose lives would never be the same. She would do everything she could to help these families and the survivor through their ordeal. Nobody would stop her from doing that—especially Agent Knox.
CHAPTER 7
Evan pulled up on the shoulder of a dirt road and parked, taking in the scene around him. While it was difficult, there was always an adrenaline rush too with a crime like this one. He wanted to solve this and—Mckenna was right—he wanted justice. Nothing felt better than the moment he put handcuffs on a suspect. It made the long hours, no friends, and barely going home worth it.
What was hard was the emotional toll. Those were the times he wanted someone to go home to and talk about things, but between his parents’ disastrous marriage and his previous partner, he didn’t know how he’d ever have a relationship he could trust.
Which was why he needed to stay as far away from Mckenna Parker as possible.
He felt bad that he’d snapped at her again, but she seemed to see through the wall he put up and understand him in a way no one else did. He didn’t know what to do with that or how to handle it. The last thing he needed right now was to fall for someone—especially someone in his office. As if the gossip wasn’t bad enough.
Just get to work and figure out this case. Forget Mckenna. You do your thing, and she can do hers. The last thing I need is her interfering with this case.
Evan stepped out of his vehicle and walked over to the crime scene tape. He checked in with the person securing the scene sothey could log him in and then stepped under the yellow tape flapping in the breeze.
The yellow tape seemed so out of place here in the mountains where other than the sounds of officers working the crime scene, there was silence. Sometimes a Steller’s jay or magpie squawked in the distance, but a big piece of the beauty for Evan was the quiet. It was like heaven to him. He’d love to live in the mountains. When he’d moved to Colorado he’d bought a house in the foothills near Morrison, but there were still neighbors and too much noise. He flashed his badge to another deputy as he approached a young woman on an ambulance gurney. They were about to load her in, and he stopped the EMTs.
He recognized Lily Hendrix from the picture her parents had provided. Blond hair framed her face that had dirt smudges and enough blotchiness for Evan to know she’d been crying…probably sobbing. His heart went out to this young woman who also happened to be his only witness right now. How could such a horrible crime be committed when he was surrounded by such a beautiful setting? It didn’t seem right. He hated to ask her, but he had to try to see if Lily could remember anything.
“Lily? I’m Agent Evan Knox. Are you up for a few questions?”
No answer. Lily’s eyes stared off toward the mountains behind him.
“Lily?”
“Hey, man,” one of the EMTs finally interrupted. “She hasn’t been responsive for any of us. We need to get her to the hospital so she can be checked out.”
“Okay,” Evan said, stepping back. “Lily, I know this is hard. I’ll find you later at the hospital. Maybe we can talk then.”
Lily’s eyelids opened and closed, but that was the only reaction. The EMTs loaded her up and closed the doors. He’dfind out for sure, but they’d probably take her down to Denver General.
It was crazy that in a short drive they could be in the heart of the busy city versus the rugged terrain and open wilderness that surrounded him. As much as he loved the mountains, he wished this crime had happened in the city. There were no cameras out here. No witnesses. None of the possible investigative tools that came with the city. He sighed as he watched the ambulance negotiate the dirt road, dust billowing up behind it.
“Agent Knox?”
