Page 97 of Rangers Last Promise

Wolf rubs his jaw.

“We're guessing.”

“Yes,” I say. “Which means we stop guessing and start finding records.”

Sheriff Tate looks at me.

“Tomorrow.”

I sigh.

“Do you enjoy saying that word?”

“More every time.”

By three in the morning, Sheriff Tate finally forces everyone out of his office.

Except me.

Apparently I'm not allowed to go home.

Again.

Wolf and Trigger return to the Last Stand. Doc is supposed to go with them.

He doesn't.

I come out of the restroom and find him sitting in a chair beside my desk.

I stop.

“What are you doing?”

“Waiting.”

“For?”

“You.”

“Why?”

“You need somewhere to sleep.”

“So do you.”

“I'll sleep later.”

“You were shot.”

“Grazed.”

“If you say that word one more time, I'm going to reopen the wound myself.”

He considers me.

“That seems medically counterproductive.”

I close my eyes.