Page 124 of Rangers Unexpected Return

We returned to the tavern at four in the morning.

The women remained upstairs. The Rangers had searched every room and found one more listening device beneath a table near the fireplace.

Trigger stood behind the bar when we entered.

“Did you find him?”

“No,” I answered.

“What did you find?”

“A stolen truck, a prepaid phone, a wooden eagle, and a map of the old camp.”

Rylie came down the stairs with Max beside her.

“What was circled on the map?”

“The camp office.”

Her face lost color.

“Rylie?”

She held tightly to the railing.

“The office had a locked cabinet.”

Trigger moved toward her.

“What kind of cabinet?”

“Emily kept camp records in it. Medical forms, emergency contacts, staff information. We weren’t allowed near it.”

“Do you remember what the lock looked like?” I asked.

Rylie thought for a moment.

“It was small. Brass.”

The room went silent.

Sheriff Tate walked in behind us.

“I’m taking you to my house.”

Trigger shook his head.

“No.”

“The key is there,” he said.

“Then you get it.”

“I don’t know exactly where it is. Rylie does.”

“Dad, you said you packed it in a box and put the boxes in the attic.”

Rylie descended the remaining stairs.