Page 205 of Rangers Unexpected Return

Every eye turned toward her.

She looked at me.

"She did."

The room went completely silent.

"Who did she tell?"

Rylie's lips trembled.

"The sheriff."

Walter Mills.

"He told her he'd take care of it."

The words barely left her mouth before every Ranger in the room understood the same thing.

Emily had reported Emma.

Emma had never been rescued.

Three days later...

Emily disappeared.

Mace quietly looked toward me.

"If Walter knew..."

"He knew Emma existed."

"And somebody made sure neither of them ever talked again."

Nobody noticed Max until he stood.

His ears pointed toward the shattered doorway.

A low growl rolled from his chest.

Wolf's hand immediately went to his pistol.

"What is it, boy?"

Max didn't move.

He simply stared into the darkness beyond the doorway.

Then, somewhere outside...

A little girl laughed.

Every person in the room froze.

The laugh came again.

Soft.