Page 197 of Rangers Unexpected Return

"What happened when you reached the cabin?"

"I..."

She stopped again.

Max suddenly stood.

His ears pointed toward the front door.

Every Ranger reached for a weapon.

Wolf quietly moved to one side of the entrance.

Blaze covered the rear.

Saint killed the lantern nearest the window.

The room dropped into darkness.

Only Will's laptop illuminated the photograph.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Three slow taps.

Nobody moved.

Sheriff Tate quietly unfastened the retention strap on his holster.

"Who's there?"

No answer.

Another three knocks.

Trigger looked toward Mace.

I nodded once.

Wolf counted silently with his fingers.

Three...

Two...

One...

He jerked the door open.

Rain blew inside.

The empty porch looked even more unsettling than if someone had been standing there.

The parking area was empty.