Chapter 42
Deputy Scout Wilson — Sheriff’s Department
Scout pushed through the side door into the cool night air, already running on fumes. He crossed the lot where deputies parked their personal rides. The lamps overhead buzzed, throwing long shadows across the asphalt.
He was halfway to his truck when a figure slipped out from behind the dumpsters—someone who’d clearly been waiting.
Scout’s hand went straight to his gun.
“Stop right there,” he snapped, drawing and aiming.
His finger settled on the trigger—then recognition hit.
The shape froze—then stepped into the light.
Kyle Denton.
“Jesus, Kyle.” Scout holstered fast. His hand shook as he snapped the leather closed. “Are you out of your damn mind? I could’ve shot you.”
Kyle staggered into the light, pupils blown, liquor sharp on his breath.
“You took her,” Kyle hissed.
Scout blinked. “Excuse me?”
Kyle jabbed a shaky finger at his chest. “Tessa. You took her from me.”
Hell. Not tonight. But this had always been coming.
“Kyle,” Scout said, forcing calm into his voice, “She’s not something to be owned.”
“Oh, right. Here comes Saint Scout.” Kyle’s laugh was jagged. Bitter. “Swooping in after I walked out.”
“You walked out. Didn’t like that she outranked you. Didn’t like that she wouldn’t shrink.”
Kyle’s face twisted. “She talked about you. And Burke. And this whole little mountain town like it was some fairy tale that fixed people.”
“She talked about her work. Her cases. She was proud of what she did.” Scout’s gaze hardened. “You tried to change her. That’s why she left.”
Kyle shoved him—more stumble than force.
Scout steadied him with hardly any effort. “Knock it off.”
Kyle sagged in his grip, hands trembling. “I should’ve been enough for her.”
Scout sighed. “That’s not how relationships work, Kyle.”
Kyle scrubbed both hands over his face. “She’s gone, Scout.”
The words hit hard. Scout swallowed once. “Yeah,” he said. “We’re going to find her.”
Kyle’s voice cracked. “I didn’t take her. I just… I messed everything up.”
“I know.” Scout caught him before he pitched forward. “Kyle—look at me.”
Kyle lifted his head, eyes red and unfocused.
“You need to get sober,” Scout said. “Right now. Michael Tucker—the big boss from Raleigh—is walking back into this station in the morning. If you show up drunk, he’ll bury you.”
Kyle winced like Tucker’s name was a slap.
“So here’s what’s going to happen,” Scout continued, voice low and firm. “I’m driving you to your hotel. You’re going to sleep it off, drink water, take a shower, and pull yourself together. You hear me?”
Kyle nodded once. Defeated.
Scout guided him toward the truck. “Come on,” he said, opening the passenger door. “Let’s get you out of here before someone else sees you like this.”
Kyle climbed in and slumped against the seat.
Scout shut the door and scanned the dark lot.
By the time he drove Kyle back to the hotel and finally headed home, Tuesday had bled into Wednesday. Heavy. Sleepless.
Scout wasn’t doing much better.
Every hour that passed felt like a clock counting down on something he couldn’t afford to lose.
Sheriff Burke Scott — Wednesday Morning
The morning mist still clung to the ridgelines when Caitlin slipped into the passenger seat and Rosie hopped into the back before Burke had even closed his door. The retired K-9 rested her chin on the console like it was her sworn duty to monitor the road.
Burke glanced over. “What’s on your agenda today?”
Caitlin smiled, the kind that quietly lit her whole face. “It’s Wednesday—Ladies’ Book Club at the museum. Loud, dramatic, over-caffeinated. My favorite kind of chaos.”
Some of Burke’s tension loosened. “They’re lucky to have you.”
She reached over and squeezed his hand. “And you’re exhausted.”
He didn’t deny it.
“First Sara,” she murmured. “Now Tessa.”
Caitlin hesitated. “Burke… I hate even saying it, but—what about Professor Sinclair?”
“Preston’s been helpful.” He paused. “But I’m not ruling anyone out.”
“Sometimes the helpful ones are the most dangerous,” Caitlin said quietly. “Especially the ones everyone trusts.”
Burke didn’t answer for a beat. His thumb tapped once against the steering wheel.
“Yeah,” he said. “I know.”
Tessa was gone—really gone—and Raleigh had a way of turning every rescue into a mess.
“But you’ll find her, Burke,” Caitlin said softly. “You found me, and you didn’t even know where to start.”
His mouth twitched. “Maybe I ought to go find Aunt Emma. She pointed me in the right direction last time.”
Caitlin laughed softly. “She’d tell you exactly where to look, too.”
Rosie chuffed like she agreed.
By the time they pulled into Harris Regional, Burke’s chest felt a little steadier.
Not lighter. Just braced.
Harris Regional Hospital — ICU Corridor
The elevator doors opened onto muted voices and rolling carts. Scout was already there, leaning against the wall near Sara’s door, shoulders rigid. The second he saw Burke and Caitlin, relief flickered—then locked down.
“Morning,” Scout said, voice gravel-thin.
“Morning,” Burke answered, gripping his forearm. Caitlin hugged him—quick and gentle.
Luke stood guard at the door, one fist curling and uncurling at his side as Sara’s silhouette shifted on the other side of the glass. He leaned in a fraction. Burke watched him a moment longer, recognizing concern—and something Luke hadn’t mapped out yet.
“Sheriff, she’s awake. More alert this morning.”
Caitlin gave him a warm nod. “Good job staying with her.”
Luke’s focus snapped toward the glass panel again—protective, instinctive. He probably didn’t even realize he’d moved closer.
Burke did. So did Scout.
Burke looked at Scout.
Scout said nothing.
Neither did Burke.
Luke was in this now. Not as backup.
Rosie padded up beside Luke and nudged his knee with her nose—gentle, deliberate. The dog only did that when someone was stretched tight as wire. Luke gave her a faint smile and scratched her ear, the tension in his shoulders easing just a notch.
A nurse stepped out, peeling off gloves. “She’s asking for Sheriff Scott and Deputy Wilson. Keep things calm. She’s still fragile.”
Scout straightened like he’d been yanked upright by a wire.
Burke nodded once. “Let’s go.”
Caitlin touched his hand as he passed, warm and certain. “You’ve got this.”
Rosie sat beside Luke again—tail thumping once—as Burke, Scout, and Caitlin stepped into the ICU room.
Behind them, Luke took his post at the door, eyes settling on Sara’s silhouette through the glass.
He didn’t say a word.
He didn’t have to.
Burke had seen everything he needed to.
This wasn’t just a shift assignment anymore.
It was personal.