Page 226 of Rangers Unexpected Return

He walked across the attic.

Past the old boxes.

Past the Christmas decorations.

To the far wall.

He sniffed once.

Then pawed at the floor.

Mace crouched beside him.

"What is it?"

The dog pawed again.

Wood.

Old.

Different.

Mace knocked once.

The sound echoed.

Hollow.

Judy's eyes widened.

"Move the boxes."

Within seconds the Rangers cleared the area.

A square outline appeared beneath years of dust.

A trapdoor.

Sheriff Tate stared.

"I've been up here a dozen times, and I never noticed this.”

"I never knew this was here."

Trigger grabbed the iron ring.

"It hasn't been opened in years."

Will stopped him.

"Pictures first."

After photographing it, Will nodded.

Trigger pulled.

The hinges groaned.