Page 252 of Rangers Last Promise

“They’re dead?” I ask.

Kane’s gaze moves toward the ceiling.

“All of them.”

“Who killed them?”

“The Colonel’s men.”

“Why?”

“Because they knew what Site Seventeen was.”

Sheriff Tate crouches beside us.

“What was it?”

“A transfer point. Weapons. Money. Intelligence. People.”

“What kind of people?”

“Assets. Informants. Soldiers who’d been promised protection.”

Kane’s voice grows rougher.

“The Colonel used them until they became liabilities. Then he had them executed and buried outside the compound.”

My stomach turns.

“Grant found the graves.”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“Two of the men were still alive when we arrived.”

Doc looks at Kane.

“You never told us that.”

“You weren’t supposed to know.”

“We were there.”

“You were security. Miller kept you outside the main building.”

“I treated wounded men.”

“One of them gave Grant a key.”

Every eye moves toward the black key on the table.

Stamped 2–3.

“What does it open?” I ask.

“A metal field case hidden near the graves.”