Chapter 25 #2
“Your solve rate is impressive. Very impressive.”
Oh, I wasn’t expecting that. “Thank you, but ...”
“As you know, I’m the cold case detective in Rosebud,” he continued, “specifically, missing persons and unsolved murders throughout Queensland. It’s a small unit, chronically underfunded, and we’re drowning in backlog.
” He paused. “Just the cases that Frank Branson detailed in his notes, and the ones that bastard Bob Ackerman contaminated, could keep me busy for years. And that’s before we get into the historical cases—disappearances never properly investigated, like my sister, Charlotte. ”
My pulse quickened. I leaned against the doorframe, watching Kayden work while Parker spoke.
“I need someone sharp,” Parker continued. “Someone dedicated. Someone who understands that region, knows the people, and has the instincts to see connections others might miss. Someone who wants to do real detective work that matters.”
“You’re offering me a job?”
“I am, as a civilian consultant, to start, until the IA investigation concludes, and we can sort out your official status. You’ll be working under Aria’s jurisdiction, Wolf Security. The pay isn’t great, I won’t lie. But the work is meaningful.”
My breath caught.
“The skeleton in the cave is just one case,” Parker continued.
“I’d like you to take the lead on that girl’s body under the drum in the cave.
Once we dig out her remains, Whitney can process the bones, then we can hand the findings over to you.
There are dozens of cases linked to Bob and Frank, probably more, once we really dig into it—years of work ahead of us.
But it’s work that needs doing, work you’re uniquely qualified for, given your unfortunate connection to those bastards. ”
I turned and found Kayden watching me from across the shed. He’d stopped working on the engine. Our eyes met, and the sadness in his gaze strangled my heart.
He’d been listening to my side of the call, and he already knew what this offer meant. Me leaving here. Moving to Rosebud. Distance. Time apart.
“I’m interested,” I said. My voice trembled. “Very interested.”
“Why do I feel like there’s a but coming?”
I studied Kayden, and my heart ached.
Ten years ago, I’d walked away from the man I loved. And every day since, some part of me had wondered what would have happened if I’d stayed.
I wasn’t doing that again. Not to him. Not to us. I’d lost my badge and the world hadn’t ended.
The job was a dream. Real cold case work. Justice for forgotten victims. Closure for families like Parker and his triplet brothers, who had been searching for their missing sister for twenty years. But if I lost Kayden, I wasn’t sure I’d recover from it twice.
“I’m sorry, Parker. I can’t move to Rosebud. I’m living at Koolaroo Ranch now, and I’d like to stay here … with Kayden.”
There was a pause on the other end. Then Parker chuckled. “I thought I’d seen a spark between you two. Glad my instincts work on more than just long-lost loved ones.”
I giggled. “Were we that obvious?”
“Hey, trust me, that’s a good thing. Anyway, I should’ve mentioned this can be done remotely.
Most of what I do these days is digital: old case files, old photos, computer searches, and phone interviews.
You’d need to travel for some fieldwork, but the bulk of it can be done from wherever you’re based.
I’ll set you up with a computer, printer, the lot.
I just hope you have a spot with some blank walls to set up some crime scene boards. ”
I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. Across the shed, Kayden was still watching me. I lifted my eyes to his. He let out a breath I think he’d been holding the whole call. His shoulders dropped. A slow smile broke across his face.
“I have the perfect place.”
“Good. I’ll email you the formal offer this evening. Look it over and have a think about it.”
“I don’t need to think about it.” My heart was booming so hard I could barely speak. “I accept.”
Parker released a massive sigh. “You might want to read the offer first and see what you’re signing up for.”
“I know what I’m signing up for—justice, closure, real detective work.” I swallowed hard. “Purpose.”
“Then welcome to the team, Delaney. Get the signed agreement back to me, and I’ll send through some case summaries early next week.”
He ended the call, and I stood there for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. My career wasn’t over. It was transforming into something better. Something that felt more right than anything I’d done in years.
“What was that about?” Kayden walked toward me, wiping his hand on his jeans.
“That was Parker Callahan. The cold case detective.”
“And?”
“He offered me a job.” My shock gave way to absolute joy. “Working cold cases. Missing persons. Giving families closure and finding justice for people who’ve been forgotten.”
“Holy shit.” Kayden dropped the wrench, and it clanged on the concrete. “That’s incredible.”
“But there’s some bad news.”
The smile left his face. “What?”
“I’ll be taking over your loft, because I can work from there. You’re stuck with me, babe.” I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer.
The smile that spread across his face was worth everything. “Yes!” He picked me up, and as he twirled me around, I threw my head back and laughed.
He lowered me to my feet and kissed me, hard and thoroughly, his hands cupping my face like he was trying to capture all of me.
When we broke apart, both breathing hard, he studied my eyes. “You’re sure?” he asked, his expression suddenly serious. “This is what you want? To be on Koolaroo full-time?”
“If it means being with you, then yes, absolutely, one hundred percent.”
He crushed his lips to mine again, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just us. Just him, me, and how right this felt.
We eased apart, and he cupped my cheek. “I’m so happy for you, babe.”
“Thank you. Let’s go tell the others,” I said, and gripping my hand, we ran toward the homestead.
For the first time in two weeks, I had purpose again. Direction. An identity that fit me perfectly.
And on top of all that, I had the man I loved beside me.