With Deegan’s help, Kiersten climbed out of the back of the ambulance. Although she was banged up, she was fine. “Now tell me again, in more detail, how did the Feds know where we were?” she asked.
“They took my phone, but neither of them knew I had a GPS tracker in my boot that was linked to Jamie’s computer. I turned it on before I walked into Max’s office and I knew Jamie would eventually check his monitor.”
“So, you knew that Max was guilty all along?”
“No, not really. I wanted to have faith in him, but a lawman is always prepared for what can happen. The moment I saw Max I knew he was guilty.”
“He wanted Evans to kill Annie?” She leaned against the front of a patrol car.
“I truly don’t know what his intentions were, but in the end, Max saw that as the only way to get out of the mess he was in.”
“Wow, sis. You look like shit!” Cull came up, smiling from ear to ear.
“Now how the hell did you know where we were?” Deegan asked.
“Kiersten called me as she was leaving the Fed building and told me everything. She was so frantic, she forgot to hang up. The German woman made the mistake of taking Kiersten’s phone. Deegan, you’re not the only one who can track.” He winked. “I better go call Sally. She’ll be worried.” He stepped forward and shook Deegan’s hand. “I believe I can leave my sister in good hands.”
Nodding, Deegan said with pride, “Until my dying breath.”
Once Cull was gone, he turned to Kiersten and took the necessary steps until they were inches from one another. “Now, about you and me. How about we have a talk—”
“What the fuck happened? I thought I said not to leave a trail of damage?”
Kiersten and Deegan both looked up at Hamilton as he bounded their way. His face was red and his arms were waving.
“Sir, with all due respect, you said no bloodshed,” Deegan said.
“We need to get you both debriefed. Immediately,” Hamilton commanded.
“Yes, sir,” Kiersten said with a smile. “But first, I have something else I need to do.”
The man blinked wildly. “Cade, I expect to see you in my office first thing Monday morning. Got it?”
She nodded, took Deegan’s hand and together they walked away from the chaos of emergency vehicles, local police storming around and Hamilton’s angry expression.
“What do you think about,” Kiersten said once they were a few feet from bystanders, “female Sheriff’s?”
“I’m an equal opportunist. Why?”
“Kace has accepted a position closer to the family ranch and I thought maybe I’d like to find out what it’s like to run a county. Think you could handle it? Think you could help me with my election campaign?”
He stopped and pulled her close. “Sweetheart, I can handle anything as long as you’re happy. Does this mean you really want to quit the Justice Department? Or is that because of us?”
“I believe I do. After all, isn’t it important for me to spend quality time with our children?”
He smiled from ear to ear and picked her up, swinging her around several times. He placed her back on her feet and looked into her eyes. She felt loved and wanted. “I love you, Kiersten Cade.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You better because this is where we belong. For better or for worse.”
Not the end but only the beginning…