Page 231 of Rangers Last Promise

“How long will it take?”

“If the phone still works? A few minutes.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“Longer.”

She pulls on gloves.

Tate retrieves the evidence bag containing Grant’s flip phone.

I stand beside Doc while Lieutenant Ross photographs the device, documents the condition, and carefully removes the dead battery.

Nobody jokes.

Nobody moves.

Even Hampton stays silent.

The replacement fits.

Ross connects the phone to a small machine inside her case.

A light appears on the screen.

Then another.

The Motorola vibrates once.

Doc’s breath catches.

The screen glows blue.

Grant’s phone comes alive after fifteen years.

Lieutenant Ross checks the call log.

“Most of the records are gone.”

“What about messages?” I ask.

She presses another button.

“One saved voice message.”

Doc turns pale.

“Play it.”

Ross looks at Sheriff Tate.

He nods.

She presses the speaker button.

Static fills the room.

Then Grant’s voice comes through the tiny speaker.