Chapter 18

Chloe Madden

For the first time in weeks, I was going to sleep peacefully. The day had started so chaotically and, because of Carter, had been emotionally exhausting. But the chief was so happy when we showed up with his grandson that he nearly collapsed with relief. He hugged his grandson tightly, tears streaming down his usually stoic face as he whispered words of comfort into his grandson’s ear. "Thank you, thank you," he repeated, his gratitude directed toward Carter.

Carter stood off to the side, his usual air of cool detachment replaced with a rare softness. He met the chief’s eyes, giving a slight nod. “Just doing what needed to be done. You don’t need to thank me for this,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically humble.

The atmosphere in the room was heavy as the boy’s parents held him and cried. Officers exchanged smiles and nods of approval, and for a moment, the grim realities of their job faded into the background.

As I prepared my chamomile tea and opened my pretty worn