Page 221 of Rangers Unexpected Return

Slowly.

Across the hallway wall.

Then disappeared.

Wolf raised two fingers.

Blaze moved toward the rear staircase.

Saint covered the front.

Trigger remained beside Rylie.

I looked at Judy.

She already had her pistol drawn.

She caught me watching.

"I know."

I smiled.

"I wasn't going to tell you to stay behind me."

"You were thinking it."

"No."

"Liar."

"A little."

Despite everything, the corner of her mouth lifted.

That tiny smile disappeared as quickly as it came.

Wolf whispered.

"Move."

We climbed the stairs one step at a time.

Old wood creaked beneath our boots.

Max led us.

Halfway up the stairs he stopped.

His nose lifted.

Then he turned.

Not toward the hallway.

Toward the ceiling.

The attic.