Saved by the Bullet

Just as Dillon opened his trembling mouth to answer Damien, there was a soft knock on the door. 

Tristan quickly excused himself to answer it and came back a few moments later.

Dillon used these few additional minutes to figure out what to say, but his mind continued to blank.

He could no longer use the weather as an excuse, and because he was so close to catching Julian previously, he couldn't say that there was no trail.

Tristan walked over to Damien and whispered something into his ear, then handed him a small object.

Dillon was still nervously standing still, staring at the floor when he heard Damian chuckle in a deep voice.

"Well, well. Today is your lucky day indeed. It seems like your men were being held in the holding cells with other captives. They brought back some news", smiled Damien.

He lifted the object, holding it between his fingers.