Page 188 of Rangers Unexpected Return

Mace leaned against the wall beside me.

“He isn’t a suspect yet,” Sheriff Tate said.

“Yes, he is.”

The room became quiet.

I had avoided saying it aloud.

Not anymore.

“Robert knew the camp symbol,” I said. “He lied about it. He knew about Emily’s key, warned me away from the camp, attempted to provide Evan with a false location, and cut off our access to the murder investigation after the letter was discovered.”

“He may be protecting his family,” Rylie said.

“That still makes him part of the crime.”

Trigger rested his hand over hers.

“What about Evan?”

“A suspect.”

“Walter?”

“A suspect.”

Sheriff Tate’s jaw tightened. “Walter was my sheriff.”

“He buried Emily’s case.”

“We don’t know that.”

“He ignored the pink polish, the changed clothing, the moved belongings, and Emily’s fear. He dismissed the key. He allowed her death to be ruled accidental even though she was found in clothes that didn’t belong to her.”

Sheriff Tate looked down.

“I should have questioned it.”

“You were a deputy.”

“So was Evan.”

“You were not assigned to the investigation.”

“I still worked for him.”

Rylie stood and moved toward her father.

“You didn’t know.”

“I should have.”

“No.” Her voice softened. “You should’ve been told the truth.”

Sheriff Tate looked at his daughter.

For a moment, he wasn’t the sheriff.