Page 135 of Rangers Last Promise

“I remember all seventeen names.”

A pause.

Then Hampton says something that changes everything.

“There weren't seventeen.”

Doc goes silent.

“So what does the message mean?”

“Seventeen were waiting.”

“Yes.”

“How many men?”

“Eight.”

My heart pounds.

Eight entered.

Eight waiting.

Then what is seventeen?

Doc asks the question.

“What was seventeen?”

Hampton answers.

“A file.”

I look at Sheriff Tate.

Operation Twenty-Three.

File Seventeen.

This is getting bigger.

“What was in it?” Doc asks.

“The reason your team was supposed to disappear.”

“And where is it?”

Hampton laughs without humor.

“That's what Grant hid.”

A vehicle engine roars through my earpiece.

Sheriff Tate turns toward the barn.

“Movement!”