Page 291 of Rangers Unexpected Return

Mace slowly exhaled.

"So Eliza was already scared."

"Yes."

The room went silent.

Sheriff Tate looked toward the old camp photograph hanging on the wall.

"What if Eliza wasn't hiding from the Keeper?"

"What if..."

"...she was hiding from someone before she ever arrived at camp?"

A chill ran down my spine.

I looked at Mace.

"We've been assuming Camp Eagle River was where this started."

He finished my thought.

"What if it wasn't?"

“What if he followed her here?”

Just then...

Nora came hurrying up the stairs carrying a dusty banker box.

"I found something."

Everyone gathered around.

"I remembered Doris saying we cleaned out the old storage room when I took over."

She brushed dust from the lid.

"I almost threw these away."

Across the top someone had written in black marker:

CAMP EAGLE RIVER - SUMMER RECORDS

Sheriff Tate stared at the box.

"I thought those were lost."

"So did I," Nora replied.

Doris smiled proudly.

"I never throw away history."

Mabel laughed.

"No."