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“Like Kenna, he suffered a mild concussion. He was released from the hospital yesterday.”
Max nodded. “Good. That’s a relief.”
Agent Gunn finished the story. “The only thing missing is what Kyle stole, but he was adamant he destroyed it.” Agent Gunn looked at her, like she could confirm it was destroyed.
She couldn’t, except to say, “Kyle knew how dangerous it was, and he really didn’t want it out in the world. If he said he destroyed it, I believe him.”
“Are you ever going to tell us what the thing is he stole and what it does?” her dad asked, agitated by all the secrecy.
“No.” Agent Gunn didn’t look apologetic at all for not revealing the answer. “But the world is a better place without it. Everyone’s private business should remain private.” He looked her in the eye. “You and your family are safe now.”
She turned to her parents. “Did you see Kyle when you made arrangements for him?”
“Briefly,” her father said, then dropped his head and wiped at his eyes.
“So he’s really dead?” She couldn’t believe it for some reason. Something niggled at the back of her mind.
“The service is the day after tomorrow.” Her mom squeezed her hand. “We hope you’ll be released from the hospital by then.”
“The doctor said I could go home later today.”
Max looked at her, surprised. “When did he say that?”
“Right after you left this morning.”
“Best news I’ve heard in a long time.” Max kissed her on the head.
Agent Gunn looked at all of them. “If you have further questions, please contact me. I’ll try to answer, if I can.” He gave them an apologetic look to convey his sympathy. “I’m really sorry for your loss. Take care, Kenna, though I think you’re in good hands.”
She glanced up at Max, who looked down adoringly at her. “I’m in the best hands.”
“Goodbye to all of you. Sorry we met under these circumstances.” Agent Gunn left them alone.
Her mom and dad shared a sad look.
“Are you guys okay?” she asked them.
Her mom closed her eyes briefly, then turned to her. “It’s just so senseless and wrong. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. We were supposed to go first. Not him. He had such a bright future. He’d barely had time to live.”
She sympathized with her parents. Losing a child couldn’t be easy. Especially in this way. Her heart broke for them. For Kyle.
But something deep inside her told her this wasn’t the tragedy it should be. She couldn’t explain it. But it felt like this was as inevitable as Kyle had said it would be, but also not as it seemed.
Maybe like many others, he’d predicted his own death with a sense of dread but also hope that somehow he’d cheat it.
But Kyle hadn’t.
And maybe she was simply numb, because she didn’t feel his loss the way she thought she would.
Max slipped his hand beneath her hair and rubbed at the back of her neck. “You look tired.”
It wasn’t even lunchtime. “I am.” It seemed her energy came in spurts, then left her drained.
Mom leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I bet, like us, you’re looking forward to being free of protective custody.”
Kenna grinned. “I want my life back.”
Her mom glanced up at Max. “Looks like you got something else you’ve wanted back for a long time.”
