Page 253 of Rangers Last Promise

“What’s inside?”

“The original list. Names. Photographs. Payment records. Orders signed by the Colonel.”

Doc stares at him.

“You said you took the list before Grant could copy it.”

“I did.”

“Then why is it in a case near the graves?”

“I put it there.”

“Why?”

“Because I couldn’t carry it out.”

“You managed to carry Grant’s phone.”

Kane’s gaze hardens.

“I made choices that night.”

“Bad ones.”

“Yes.”

The answer surprises Doc.

It surprises me too.

Kane doesn’t defend himself.

He doesn’t make excuses.

He looks like a man who has lived with every one of those choices.

“What did Grant put in the third envelope?” Kane asks.

“We haven’t opened it.”

“Good.”

“Why?”

“Because it isn’t safe here.”

Sheriff Tate’s expression turns cold.

“This is a sheriff’s station filled with armed deputies and Army Rangers.”

“And Vance just fired through the front window.”

Tate’s jaw tightens.

Kane looks at me.

“The envelope tells you how to find the case.”