Page 23 of Rangers Last Promise

“Yes.”

“Windows?”

“The living room window was open. I closed it before Sheriff Tate called.”

“Did you touch anything else?”

“It’s my mother’s house. I touched everything.”

“Where was the journal when you went downstairs?”

“On the bed.”

“Was it in the same position when you went back for it?”

I think about walking upstairs after Sheriff Tate arrived. Grant’s photograph was on the floor. The Army bag had fallen beside the bed when I stood too quickly.

The journal remained on the quilt.

At least, I thought it did.

“I don’t know.”

Doc looks at Wolf.

“The shooter wasn’t there only to kill her.”

“He wanted the journal,” Wolf says.

“Or something hidden inside it.”

I open the back cover and run my fingers along the leather. It feels thicker than the front, but that could be from age.

I press harder.

Something crackles beneath the lining.

Doc hears it.

“Put it on the table.”

“I can handle a journal.”

“It may contain something someone is willing to kill you to recover.”

“That makes it evidence, which means I’m the one qualified to handle it.”

“You’re emotionally involved.”

“And you aren’t?”

A muscle jumps along his jaw.

Wolf coughs into his hand.

Trigger suddenly becomes fascinated by the fireplace.

Good.