Page 174 of Rangers Last Promise

The room goes still.

“My mother is dead.”

“I know.”

“Then explain.”

Hampton leans back.

“Your mother contacted me three months ago.”

Mara's face loses color.

I step closer to her.

She doesn't seem to notice.

“How?”

“Email.”

“Why would Mom contact you?”

“She knew who I was.”

“You said you spoke to her once after Grant died.”

“I did.”

“And she threatened to shoot you.”

“Yes.”

“That sounds more like her.”

Wolf almost smiles.

Mara doesn't.

“What did she want three months ago?”

Hampton's expression changes.

“She knew she was running out of time.”

Mara grips the edge of the table.

I move closer.

Not touching.

Just there.

“She told me Grant had left something behind,” Hampton continues. “Something she'd hidden for him.”

“The lockbox.”

“She didn't call it that.”