Page 222 of Rangers Unexpected Return

I frowned.

"He's got something."

Trigger quietly spoke into the radio.

"Second floor clear so far."

Blaze answered.

"Rear staircase clear."

Wolf nodded toward the attic pull-down.

"The ladder."

Saint unfolded it slowly.

The wooden steps dropped into place.

Darkness waited above us.

I whispered.

"Max."

He climbed first.

Nobody questioned it.

The German Shepherd disappeared into the attic without hesitation.

A second later he barked.

Once.

Short.

Sharp.

Found something.

I climbed after him.

Dust floated through the flashlight beam.

Boxes covered most of the attic floor.

Old Christmas decorations.

Broken chairs.

Picture frames.

Nothing unusual.

Except...

Max stood beside one box.