Page 52 of Ranger Devotion

“That was another reason I didn’t come forward. I wasn’t sure you’d believe me.” He sighed. “Oakwood is the only happy home I can remember. The time I spent here with my grandparents was a bright spot in my childhood. My ex-wife lived here with Seth because I’d deeded her some property I’d inherited before going to prison. She intended to sell it and move on, but fell in love with the town. After getting out of prison and finishing parole, I wanted to be close to them, even if only to attend their graves. So I changed my name and moved back. I was fortunate to get a job at Haven Ranch. I found peace here.”

Annie knew the rest of the story. She’d bought the ranch and Dwayne stayed on as her property manager. “Marcus couldn’t have been happy to find out you were working for me.”

“No, he wasn’t, but I never dreamed he would do this. He wants revenge for what happened to Seth.” Dwayne’s voice went flat. “He’s never accepted that it was an accident.”

Tate crouched to look Dwayne in the eye. “Where is Marcus hiding?”

“I don’t know.”

“Try again. You assured us no one was squatting in any of the buildings, but Marcus has to be staying somewhere on the property. So where is he?”

“I swear I don’t know. I’ve checked every inch of the property, and there’s no sign of him. I suspect he’s on the move, constantly rotating between buildings so I can’t pin him down. He might even be staying on the Kellerman property next door. Marcus is trained to operate under the radar. He knows how to move undetected in enemy territory.”

The crack of a branch outside sent Annie’s heart rate skittering. She moved to the door, her weapon at the ready, and peered into the night. Nothing moved that she could see. Still, the hairs on her arms rose.

Bud joined her, his nose raised. His ears were at attention, his fur ruffled, but he didn’t growl. Another branch broke, then something crashed to the forest floor. The sleet picked up its pace.

She glanced back at Tate. “We should get back to the main lodge.”

They were too exposed out here. She craved the safety of the main lodge. Dylan’s murder weighed heavy on her heart, but there was nothing she could do for him now, and the sooner they were back with the group, the better. They could question Dwayne more there.

Tate hauled Dwayne to his feet, but didn’t move him toward the door. Instead, he paused, as if something had just occurred to him. “What did Marcus take from the pantry in the mess hall? He didn’t break in to grab canned food and some beef jerky. He needed something. What was it?”

Dwayne’s brow crinkled. “I’m not sure. I went back after you left to search the space, and I think some bottles of industrial cleaning solution and solvent were missing.”

Annie shivered in the cold. “Why would he need that?”

Tate met her gaze across the distance between them, his expression horrified. “So he could build a bomb.”

TWENTY-FIVE

Urgency coursed through Tate. What did Marcus intend to do? Would he attack the main lodge or the cabin?

“A bomb.” Dwayne’s voice cracked with panic. “That can’t be right…He wouldn’t…”

“He wants revenge, and he’ll use any method necessary to get it.” Tate didn’t mince his words. Fury heated his blood. Dwayne had withheld valuable information. That decision had cost them precious time. With Dylan’s body lying on the cement just feet away, it was hard to understand the older man’s silence. “What I don’t know is what he intends to use the bomb for.”

“He’ll go for Preston.” Annie’s mouth was a hard line. “Marcus is running out of time, and he knows it.”

Tate agreed. Marcus would grow more desperate to complete his mission before morning. “We need to go.” He kept a tight grip on Dwayne’s arm as they moved across the generator shed toward the door. Dwayne seemed to have aged a decade in the last few minutes. His shoulders were hunched, his head hung low. The cuffs, still encircling his wrists, rattled. Bud fell into step next to his master.

Annie glanced at the generator. The wires hanging from the control panel ended any hope of restarting the equipment. She met him at the doorway. Without a word, they switched off their flashlights and palmed their weapons.

Tate let his eyes adjust, and then whispered, “We’ll take the UTV back to the main lodge.”

“The keys are in the ignition.” Dwayne’s deep rumble was thick with tears. “Let Bud go first. He’ll alert if someone is nearby.”

Tate had no objection to using the dog’s superior senses. Marcus had lured them to the generator shed for a reason, and he didn’t think it was just a distraction. The killer had a plan. Tate eased the shed door open. Wind whistled through the trees, and drizzle pattered against the soaked earth. A chill snaked down Tate’s back, his eyes on the woods. Nothing stirred.

Dwayne clicked his tongue. “Bud. Out.”

Bud stuck his nose between Tate’s leg and the door. His ears were pricked as he eased outside. He stood, listening, and then turned his head, as if waiting for another command from his master.

“We’re clear.” Dwayne clicked his tongue again. “Bud, let’s go.”

The dog took off for the UTV, his lean body barely visible in the dark as he jumped into the passenger seat and waited patiently. Tate turned to Annie. “Stay here with Dwayne. I’ll bring the UTV around.” Bud had given the all clear, but Tate wasn’t taking chances. Not with Annie’s life.

He couldn’t see her face, but he heard her breathe out before she answered with a nod he felt more than saw. She had her gun at the ready. Tate knew if anything went down, she’d have his back. His trust in her was absolute.