Page 326 of Rangers Last Promise

Arthur Harlan signed the orders that killed those men.

“What about Grant’s team?” I ask.

“There was a separate order directing Captain Fred Miller to change your extraction route.”

“Signed by Harlan?”

“Yes.”

Mara takes my hand.

“Where is Miller?”

“Federal agents arrested him at his home in Virginia two hours ago.”

One more ghost dragged into the light.

Miller changed our route.

Vance pulled the trigger.

Harlan gave the order.

All three men are accounted for.

“What about the third envelope?” Mara asks.

Sheriff Tate looks toward Lieutenant Ross.

She walks over carrying a clear evidence bag.

The envelope marked IF WE FAIL remains sealed inside.

“We opened it after documenting the contents,” she says.

“And?”

“One letter. Addressed to Kane.”

She hands us a copy.

Mara and I read it together.

Kane,

If this reaches you, then we failed.

Get the black key to Doc. He’ll know what to do when the time comes, even if he doesn’t think he does.

The twenty-three men deserve their names back.

So do you.

Tell Mara I tried to come home.

Tell Mom I’m sorry.

And tell the Rangers I kept my last promise.