Page 311 of Rangers Unexpected Return

Behind us, Mabel whispered much too loudly.

“I give them two days.”

Doris shook her head.

“One.”

We followed Deputy Collins toward the door.

The deputy remained beside Sheriff Tate.

“There’s something else.”

Everyone stopped.

“What?” Tate asked.

The deputy glanced at the broken evidence envelope.

“The filing cabinet where I found this…”

He hesitated.

“It wasn’t locked.”

Sheriff Tate frowned.

“It should have been.”

“I know.”

The deputy swallowed.

“And someone had been inside the evidence room before I got there.”

Judy went still.

“How do you know?”

“The dust.”

He looked around the room.

“There were fresh footprints leading to that cabinet.”

The air changed.

Wolf stepped toward him.

“Did you see anyone?”

“No.”

“What kind of prints?”

“Boots.”

The deputy’s voice dropped.