Kenzie turned on her police radio. “Indian Peaks Trailhead. A married couple went hiking yesterday morning and never came back. A sheriff’s deputy found their vehicle parked near the trailhead.”
“Not good.”
This couple’s survival depended entirely on how well equipped they’d been to spend the night in snow and freezing temperatures.
Kenzie raised the mic, waited for a break in radio traffic. “Sixteen eighty-eight, K9 en route.”
There was a burst of static as Dispatch answered with the time. “K9 en route, sixteen twenty-three.”
As Kenzie backed out of the driveway, Conrad relaxed into his seat.
It felt good to bedoingsomething.
* * *
Kenzie parkednext to Rescue 1 in the parking lot at the Indian Peaks Trailhead. A couple of sheriff’s vehicles were already there, along with a rescue truck from the Scarlet Springs Fire Department. Team members stood together with sheriff’s deputies waiting for her—or, really, Gizmo.
She reached over, took Conrad’s hand. “Just remember that everyone here is your friend and cares about you.”
His eyes were hiding behind sunglasses, but he nodded. “Let’s do this.”
She climbed out of the vehicle, got Gizmo out of his crate. “Are you ready to get to work, buddy?”
He wagged his tail, standing patiently while she put him in his harness. Gizmo loved working. To him, it was all a fun game. He found the people and then got treats and playtime with his favorite toy.
But this was about saving lives.
Deputy Julia Marcs walked over to her, then stopped—and stared. “Oh, my God, Conrad!”
“Hey, Julia.”
Julia hurried over to him and gave him a hug. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Holy shit. Look who’s here.” Eric grinned and started their way. He pulled Conrad into a bear hug. “God, it’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too. I hear you’re a father now. What the hell was Vicki thinking?”
Eric chuckled. “I’m a lucky man. I can’t wait for you to meet our little guy.”
Kenzie’s throat went tight.
She wasn’t the only one who had missed him.
Austin hugged him, too, slapping him on the back. “I wasn’t sure we’d ever see you again. Damn, it’s good to have you home.”
“I bet Lexi and Emily are keeping you busy.”
Austin grinned. “You know it.”
Chaska shook Harrison’s hand, slapped him on the shoulder. “Welcome home. You’ve been on quite a journey.”
“And you went and got yourself married.”
Chaska laughed. “No one was more surprised about that than I was.”
A shrill squeal. “Conrad!”
Sasha Dillon ran across the snowy parking lot and jumped into Harrison’s arms. “Oh, my God! I can’t believe you’re really here! You scared the shit out of me!”
