Page 318 of Rangers Unexpected Return

Mrs. Helen Carver agreed to take Eliza somewhere safe.

Collins inhaled sharply.

“My grandmother knew Helen Carver.”

Doris nodded.

“So did I.”

“Who was she?” I asked.

“A counselor,” Doris said.

“She worked with women and children leaving dangerous homes.”

Sheriff Tate picked up the newspaper clipping.

It was from a paper in Spokane, Washington.

The headline announced the retirement of a child-services advocate.

Helen Carver Retires After Thirty-Five Years of Service.

Mace looked at me.

“Washington.”

I nodded.

“Emily didn’t send Eliza to Alaska.”

“Then what was the Fairbanks connection?”

Collins opened the sealed envelope.

Inside was a single page.

Emily’s handwriting covered it.

I read aloud.

“Emma’s real name is Eliza Harper.”

“She came to camp with a woman who said she was her aunt.”

“She was not.”

Sheriff Tate’s face hardened.

I continued.

“Helen says Eliza’s mother disappeared in Alaska.”

“She believes the woman brought Eliza to Texas to hide her.”

“Not protect her.”

“Hide her.”