Page 258 of Rangers Unexpected Return

"...they never found her."

Rylie stared at the erased page.

"The Keeper wanted us looking for Emma."

I slowly nodded.

"But Emily called her Emma."

"What if..."

Mace stepped beside me.

"...Emily made that name up."

The realization settled over us.

Emily hadn't lied.

She'd protected the only thing the little girl still had left—her identity.

Even from Rylie.

Even from her friends.

Even on the tape.

Because if anyone ever found it...

The little girl would still have one chance.

Her real name.

I stood in front of the evidence board.

Every clue.

Every murder.

Every photograph.

Every lie.

Then I slowly removed one card.

EMMA.

I replaced it with a blank card.

UNKNOWN GIRL.

The room watched without speaking.

"We've been investigating the wrong victim."

Mace nodded.

"The Keeper wanted that."