Page 125 of Rangers Last Promise

Even Sheriff Tate laughs.

I glare at all of them.

“I hate this town.”

“No, you don't,” Tate says.

Unfortunately, he's right.

His radio crackles.

“Sheriff, Collins.”

Tate lifts it. “Go ahead.”

“We confirmed the garage key is missing. Fake rock is empty. No damage to the padlock.”

I stop smiling.

“Anything inside?”

“Nothing obvious. Spare house key is where Deputy Ellis said she keeps it.”

Doc looks at me.

“Then whoever took the garage key used it to get inside, took the spare house key, entered your house, and returned the spare afterward.”

“But didn't return the garage key,” I say.

“Maybe they didn't have time.”

“Or they still need it.”

That thought settles badly.

Sheriff Tate speaks into the radio.

“Change the locks on the house and garage. Nobody enters without one of my deputies present.”

“Sheriff—”

He gives me the look.

I stop.

Again.

Doc notices.

Again.

I’m beginning to resent how much he's enjoying Sheriff Tate.

His phone vibrates.

Every trace of humor disappears.

Doc looks at the screen.