Page 189 of Rangers Unexpected Return

He was a father remembering the dead girl who had once slept in the cabin beside his child.

Rylie hugged him.

He held on tightly.

Mace’s shoulder brushed mine.

This time, neither of us moved away.

Will adjusted the evidence light.

“I’ve photographed the letter, envelope, and both sides of the picture. There are no usable prints on the glossy surface, but the photograph is older than I expected.”

“How old?” I asked.

“The paper stock is consistent with the late nineties or early two thousands. I’ll need the lab to confirm.”

“Not the Dallas lab.”

He looked at me.

“I heard.”

“Send it to the state lab under Sheriff Tate’s case number.”

Will nodded.

He placed the photograph beneath a scanner connected to his laptop.

“The image is dark, but I may be able to improve the contrast.”

The photograph filled the screen.

Nine girls stood around the campfire.

Rylie and Emily were closest to the flames. The others formed a loose circle. Beyond them, the deputy stood in shadow with his face scratched away.

Will enlarged the uniform.

The badge shape was visible but too blurred to read.

“The scratch marks were made directly on the photograph,” he said. “Probably with a knife or pin.”

“Can you recover the face beneath them?” Mace asked.

“No. The emulsion is gone.”

“Then why leave the photograph?” Trigger asked.

“Because something else matters,” I said.

We all studied the image.

The deputy.

The campfire.

The girls.