Page 165 of Rangers Unexpected Return

“Robert’s message wasn’t warning us away from what was inside,” I said. “He already knew it was gone.”

Trigger aimed his light at the inside of the door. “There’s writing.”

Rylie leaned closer.

Faint scratches marked the brass.

Not writing.

Numbers.

Five sets of two digits had been carved into the metal.

Rylie read them aloud.

“Eight, twelve. Eight, nineteen. Eight, twenty-three. Eight, twenty-seven. Nine, two.”

“Dates?” Mace asked.

“August twelfth through September second,” I said.

Rylie went still. “Those were the nights we had campfires.”

“All nine girls?”

“Yes. The counselors and older campers gathered by the lake after the younger kids went to bed.”

“Was Robert there that summer?” I asked.

“Yes, both brothers were there.”

“Evan was a deputy, but he still helped his family. Remember, they owned the camp.”

“That’s right.”

“Can you remember anyone else?”

Rylie closed her eyes, trying to remember. “Deputies drove through sometimes.”

Mace ran his flashlight across the cabinet. “There’s something under the bottom shelf.”

Trigger helped him lift it.

A thin envelope had been taped beneath the metal.

The paper was yellow and brittle, but the tape had protected it from the damp.

Rylie covered her mouth.

Emily Ross had hidden something inside the cabinet.

And whoever removed the box had missed it.

I pulled on a fresh pair of gloves and carefully detached the envelope.

One word was written across the front.

RYLIE.