Page 47 of Rangers Last Promise

“Not where we found it.”

“Where was it?”

“Beneath the lining. Wolf noticed one corner had come loose.”

I unfasten the chain and open the door wider.

Doc hands me the paper.

It’s old, creased, and stained dark brown along one edge.

Grant’s handwriting covers the page.

If anything happens to me, Doc has the coordinates.

The photograph has the names.

Mara has the key.

My heart stops.

“What key?”

Doc watches me carefully. “I was hoping you knew.”

For a moment, I don’t.

Then a memory surfaces.

Not Afghanistan.

Not Grant’s funeral.

A hot afternoon before his final deployment.

Grant sitting on the tailgate of his truck while I complained about having to spend Saturday helping Dad clean the garage. He’d reached into his pocket and tossed something at me.

A small silver key.

I caught it against my chest.

What’s this?

Key to my lockbox.

I’d rolled my eyes.

You have a lockbox? What are you, eighty?

He’d laughed and shoved my shoulder.

Just keep it, brat.

I remember slipping it onto my charm bracelet because I was afraid I’d lose it.

I look at Doc.

“Grant gave me a key before he deployed.”