Page 304 of Rangers Last Promise

Wolf presses harder on the accelerator.

The truck surges forward.

Tate’s radio crackles.

Finally, a voice comes through.

Not Lieutenant Ross.

Hampton.

“Sheriff?”

Tate grabs his radio.

“Hampton?”

“Yes.”

“How did you get a radio?”

“It was left on the desk.”

“You’re locked in a holding cell.”

“Your station is very small.”

“What happened to Lieutenant Ross?”

“I don’t know. The lights went out. Then I heard the back door open.”

Harlan.

“Did you see anyone?” I ask.

“No.”

“Where is Ross?”

“She was moving the evidence.”

Relief hits me.

“Where?”

“She didn’t tell me.”

Good.

Lieutenant Ross knew enough not to announce it where Hampton could hear.

Tate’s voice comes through the radio.

“Listen carefully. Stay in the cell.”

“I wasn’t planning to pick the lock.”

Trigger leans forward.