Page 248 of Rangers Last Promise

A dark stain marks the paper.

Not blood.

Ink.

Faded words are barely visible beneath it.

Lieutenant Ross angles a light across the envelope.

The writing appears.

My pulse stops.

Mara reads it aloud.

“Give this to Daniel Kane.”

Behind us, the station’s rear door opens.

Weapons come up.

Rangers turn.

Sheriff Tate reaches for his gun.

A man stands in the doorway with gray hair, a scar cutting across his jaw, and blood soaking the side of his shirt.

He raises both hands.

Doc stares at him.

For fifteen years, Daniel Kane has existed in memories, questions, and Grant’s last warning.

Now he’s standing inside the Eagle River Sheriff’s Department.

Kane looks at the envelope.

Then at me.

“You opened the box.”

I move in front of Mara.

Kane gives a tired smile.

“Still protecting Grant’s little sister.”

My hand tightens around my weapon.

“She doesn’t need me to protect her.”

“No,” Kane says. “She never did.”

His knees buckle.

He hits the floor.

Mara reaches him first.