Page 234 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

A heavy beat passed between us. He didn't elaborate on the past, on the person he had lost, or the grief he carried. He didn't need to. I understood perfectly. I looked at him and realized just how close I had come to losing my own chance.

Before I could answer, Derek wandered back over, paperwork tucked beneath his arm.

"You two done having your emotional support group meeting?"

Mason laughed.

"Yeah."

Derek looked between us suspiciously.

"Good."

He grabbed his duffel.

"Because if either of you starts hugging, I'm calling Internal Affairs. Alright," he announced. "Time to disappear before somebody gives us more paperwork."

Mason groaned.

"I hate paperwork more than getting shot."

The three of us made our way outside together.

Morning had finally settled over Blackridge, the first golden rays climbing over the pine trees surrounding the Sheriff's Department. It felt... peaceful.

Strange. After everything we'd walked through, peace almost felt suspicious. We reached the black state-issued SUV parked near the curb. Derek tossed his duffel into the back before climbing behind the wheel while Mason lingered beside me for another second.

He held out his hand. I took it. No words. None were needed. Just the firm grip of two men who'd trusted each other with their lives.

"You know where to find me," Mason said.

"I do."

"And if you don't..."

He nodded toward Derek.

"He'll probably find you first."

"I heard that!" Derek shouted from inside the vehicle.

Mason shaked his head before climbing into the passenger seat. The engine rumbled to life. The SUV rolled forward a few feet before Derek slammed on the brakes. The passenger window dropped. He leaned halfway out, cupping his hands around his mouth.

"Don't become boring, Sheriff!"

I didn't even think about it. I raised one hand and flipped him off. His laughter echoed down Main Street as the SUV disappeared around the corner.

"...Love you too!"

I couldn't stop the laugh that escaped me. A real one. Not forced or polite. It echoed around the quiet street before fading into the crisp morning air.

Silence settled over Blackridge once more. I stood outside the station for a long moment, hands buried in my jacket pockets.

Walker was gone. His empire had crumbled with him. Collins...

Collins had vanished too. He'd slipped into the wilderness before we could put cuffs on him, disappearing like smoke through the trees and somewhere out there… The real monster still breathed. Cases like these never truly ended. They simply paused. Sooner or later… They always came back. I knew I'd keep looking. I'd keep chasing shadows. Keep reading reports until three in the morning. Keep hunting. That's who I was. My phone vibrated in my pocket. A single notification.

My heartbeat betrayed me before I even looked.