Page 335 of Rangers Unexpected Return

“Yes.”

“She climbed the fence.”

“Yes.”

Hope burned through the fear.

“She might still be alive.”

Mace squeezed my hand.

“She is.”

This time, I believed him.

When I opened my eyes, I was leaning against Mace’s shoulder. He was still sleeping.

The rain had become a downpour by the time we landed.

Two Spokane detectives waited beside an unmarked SUV.

Detective Avery was a tall woman with short gray hair and a raincoat that looked as though it had been through a war.

She shook my hand.

“We found the storm drain.”

My heart jumped.

“And?”

“Blood on the entrance.”

“Footprints inside.”

“Where does it lead?”

“Under three blocks of residential streets.”

“Any exits?”

“Four.”

“Have you covered them?”

“Yes.”

“No sign of her.”

Mace opened the rear door for Max.

The dog jumped down and immediately lifted his nose into the rain.

Detective Avery looked at him.

“He trained?”

“Search and protection,” Mace answered.