Page 34 of Rangers Last Promise

“But you knew he found evidence.”

“He gave me part of it before the mission.”

“The numbers and the name you mentioned earlier.”

I finish taping a small bandage over the cut.

“Yes.”

“Who was the name?”

I pull my hand away, but Mara catches my wrist.

The contact surprises both of us.

Her fingers are warm against my skin.

For a second, neither of us moves.

Then she asks again.

“Who was it?”

I look down at her hand before meeting her gaze.

“Elias Hampton.”

Recognition doesn’t appear in her eyes.

“Was he a Ranger?”

“No. He was a civilian intelligence contractor attached to our forward operating base.”

“Did he change the coordinates?”

“We believed he helped transmit the false order.”

“Where is he now?”

“Dead.”

“Are you sure?”

“No.”

Her grip loosens.

I step away before I forget why keeping distance from her matters.

Sheriff Tate returns from the hallway with Deputy Parker behind him. Both men’s boots are muddy.

“What did you find?” Mara asks.

“The line feeding the tavern was cut at the rear junction box,” Tate says. “Parker also found tire tracks in the alley and this beneath the breaker.”

He holds up a clear evidence bag.

Inside is the torn corner of a photograph.