Page 272 of Rangers Unexpected Return

The Keeper had beaten us.

Again.

Rylie slowly stepped forward.

"No."

Everyone looked at her.

She stared into the empty compartment.

"Emily wouldn't leave it empty."

"Why not?" Trigger asked.

"Because she always finished what she started."

She reached into the compartment before anyone could stop her.

"Rylie—"

Her fingers stopped.

"I felt something."

Will immediately handed her a flashlight.

She looked deeper.

The hook wasn't alone.

Someone had carved words into the back board.

Tiny.

Almost impossible to see.

Judy knelt beside her.

"What does it say?"

Rylie brushed years of dust away.

The words slowly appeared.

LOOK UP.

Silence.

Every person in the tavern instinctively looked toward the ceiling.

Nothing.

Judy didn't.

She looked at the photograph still resting on the bar.

Then back inside the compartment.