Page 236 of Cross & Crown

going to file these reports in the morning, work to start

getting your name nice and clear, okay? You’re going to have

to answer for some things, including assaulting an officer of

the law and discharging a firearm in a public area.”

“I figured.”

“Since I was the officer you assaulted, we can handle that

one. National parks are federal territory, though.”

236

JD blanched, but he nodded. “I’ll . . . I’ll take the

punishment. I did it, I deserve it.”

“I got a buddy with some favors owed him in the Bureau,”

Nick said. “I’ll see what I can do for you.”

“Yeah. Thanks, Nick.”

Hagan cleared his throat loudly, shifting his weight from

foot to foot.

JD chuckled. “And you, Alan. Thank you.”

Nick gave Hagan a melancholy once-over. He would have

to tell his partner that he was quitting for good this time. It wasn’t going to be a mental health break like last time. There

wasn’t going to be any coming back once he tendered his

resignation, once he gave up his badge. His stomach turned at

the thought. God, was he really ready to do that? He pushed

it aside to worry about later, to talk to Kelly about it further, and turned back to JD.

“I know what you did,” JD said with a smile.

“Oh yeah?” Nick asked. “What’s that?”

“There’s no treasure under that monument. Not in a grave

dug by minutemen.”

Nick laughed. “I guess you still have some work to do then

if you want to find yourself a Golden and Rosy Cross. Huh?”

“I guess I do. You could have just put me in a cell, let me

rot there,” JD said quickly. “You didn’t have to believe me. But you did. You took me in. You trusted me. You saved my life. I