Page 268 of Rangers Unexpected Return

Sheriff Tate closed his eyes.

"My God."

I looked back at Emily's letter.

One paragraph remained.

Dad...

If Judy Langley ever finds this...

My heart stopped.

Rylie looked at me.

"She knew you?"

"No."

I looked at the date.

Emily had written the letter years before I became a detective.

Then I realized my mistake.

Below my name...

She had written another word.

I looked closer.

I had read it too quickly.

It didn't say Judy.

It said Judge Langley.

Sheriff Tate smiled.

"Your father."

I felt the breath leave my lungs.

My father had been a district judge before he retired. They moved to Dallas after I decided to live there.

Emily continued.

Judge Langley told our class once that truth doesn't disappear.

Sometimes it simply waits until someone is brave enough to uncover it.

I hope he's right.

I couldn't speak.

I'd heard those words before.

Not from Emily.