Page 93 of Rangers Last Promise

He points at me.

I stop.

I hate that the finger still works.

“You heard Hampton,” Tate says. “He knows about the key. We have no idea where he is, and your house is the obvious place for him to watch.”

“He's wounded.”

“So is Doc, and apparently neither one of them has enough sense to stay put.”

Doc straightens. “Why am I involved in this?”

“Because you've tried to walk toward gunfire twice since you arrived.”

“Three times,” Wolf says.

Doc looks at him.

Wolf shrugs. “I was counting.”

Sheriff Tate continues. “Two deputies are watching Mara’s house. Nobody approaches until daylight.”

I look through the office window.

The storm has moved east, leaving the streets wet and shining beneath the lamps. Eagle River looks peaceful again.

It isn't.

Somewhere out there is a man who was supposed to have died eleven years ago.

And he knows my brother gave me a key.

“Fine.”

Four men stare at me.

“What?”

Sheriff Tate narrows his eyes. “That was too easy.”

“I agreed with you.”

“You never agree with me that quickly.”

“Maybe I'm growing.”

“No.”

I glare at him.

Wolf coughs into his fist.

Doc doesn't bother hiding the beginning of a smile.

I point at him. “You don't get to laugh.”

“I didn't.”