Page 136 of Rangers Unexpected Return

“This is a small town.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

His smile disappeared.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

I had questioned hundreds of suspects. Some became nervous. Some became angry.

Evan Mills did none of those things.

He studied me.

Not like a frightened man.

Like someone deciding how much I knew.

Sheriff Tate stepped aside. “Come in.”

Trigger’s eyes snapped toward him.

Sheriff Tate gave him the smallest shake of his head.

I understood what he was doing. If Evan remained on the porch, he could leave whenever he wanted. Inviting him inside gave us a chance to watch him, question him, and find out why he had come.

Evan walked through the doorway.

Max remained between Mace and me. He didn’t bark or growl, but his body was rigid.

Evan stopped when he saw him. “That your dog?”

“Yeah,” Mace answered.

“He friendly?”

“When he wants to be.”

Max stared at Evan.

Apparently, he didn’t want to be.

Evan looked around the living room. His gaze passed over the open boxes, the old clothing, and the photographs spread across the floor.

Then he saw the sweatshirt on the table.

He went completely still.

It only lasted a heartbeat.

Then he looked at Rylie. “Going through your old things?”

Rylie folded her arms. “Why?”

“No reason. Your dad kept half your childhood packed away. I always told him he’d need another house if he didn’t start throwing things out.”

“You knew what was in the boxes?” I asked.

Evan turned toward me. “I helped Tate put some of them in the attic years ago.”