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Lawfully Adored

By Jenna Brandt

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Police officer Aiden O’Connell looked out over the mountain peak at the setting sun and knew only a small window of time remained to find the missing hiker. 
Aiden bent down next to his German Shepherd partner, Cooper, allowing him to inspect an area below a cluster of towering pine trees between a set of giant boulders. True to his training, Cooper barked and urged Aiden to follow him up an overgrown hiking trail.
Clear Mountain, Colorado was a popular destination for tourists. The craggy rock formations overlooking the quaint town were a constant attraction for outdoor enthusiasts. Unfortunately, inexperienced hikers would often underestimate the dangers of the area, causing themselves to get hurt or lost.
Aiden and Cooper were one of the only two K-9 search and rescue teams for the entire area. The Clear Mountain Search and Rescue unit was comprised of only three other officers and a sergeant. The constant call-outs to the surrounding mountain areas kept the team busy.
This evening, a call from Boulder came in from a distraught wife. She reported her husband had not returned from his weekend hiking trip. Her concern resulted in deployment of the rescue team.
“K-9 2, this is K-9 1, we aren’t having any luck over on this side. What’s your status?” a deep male voice echoed out over the radio.
Aiden pulled the receiver for his radio free from his dark blue uniform and pushed the button on the side to talk back. “K-9 1, we might have gotten a possible beat over here.” Pulling a map out of his back pocket, Aiden glanced down to confirm his location. He was still getting used to the area after transferring from Boulder County Police a year prior. “We’re two clicks from Meadow Ridge near the cluster of pines by the twin boulders.”
“Copy that, K-9 2, we’re headed over your way.”
Like a well-oiled machine, Cooper and Aiden continued to move up the trail with Cooper stopping every few hundred yards to inspect a new area. The west side of the mountain sheared off, leaving only forest on the east side. 
Several minutes later, a second German Shepherd came charging in from the right side of Aiden and Cooper. The smaller dog joined Cooper and playfully nipped at him while the same male voice from earlier said, “I think Harley is jealous of Cooper for picking up the scent on this one.”
Aiden turned his head to the right, recognizing fellow officer, Zach Turner. “Eh, it’s only because Cooper has a couple of years on Harley. Brad did a great job of training her.” Aiden noticed that Zach stiffened at the mention of his former partner, so Aiden quickly added, “Harley will catch up soon enough, especially with you handling her, Zach.”
“Yeah, but I was hoping to find this hiker on my own, so I could finally secure a date with that female reporter from the Clear Mountain Gazette who keeps following you around.”
Aiden shrugged. “You and me both. It would be great if you could get her off my back.”
“Man, what is it with you? Have you seen her? She’s hot; a solid nine. What? Are you holding out for a ten?”
“No, she just seems more attracted to the badge than to me and you know I’m not into that,” Aiden explained. 


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