Page 150 of Rangers Last Promise

“It weighed six ounces.”

“It came out of nowhere.”

Wolf shakes his head. “You fought in Afghanistan.”

“There were no rats that size.”

“It was the size of my hand.”

“That is too big.”

Sheriff Tate walks past us.

“I'm surrounded by heroes.”

Hampton leads us into an old refrigeration room.

A steel cabinet stands against the back wall.

He removes a key from his pocket.

Mara immediately looks at me.

“Don't.”

“I didn't say anything.”

“You looked at the key.”

“So did you.”

“Because someone stole mine.”

Hampton pauses.

“Grant’s key is really gone?”

“Yes.”

His expression darkens.

“That is bad.”

“Very insightful,” Mara says.

He opens the cabinet.

Inside are file boxes.

Old.

Dusty.

Real.

My pulse accelerates.

Hampton removes one.