Page 301 of Rangers Unexpected Return

Mabel laughed.

"Maybe we can talk him into staying in Eagle River."

Carson rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

"You heard it," Hazel replied.

"And don't let it go to your head."

Everyone laughed.

Even with the weight of the investigation, Eagle River somehow found room to breathe.

I opened the first folder.

Nothing.

The second...

Nothing.

Then...

A thin envelope slipped onto the table.

Across the front someone had typed:

Temporary Protective Placement

I looked at Mace.

"Protective placement?"

He nodded slowly.

"That usually means a child was removed from a dangerous situation."

Carefully, I opened the envelope.

Inside was a single intake form.

Most of the information had faded.

The child's first name...

Eliza

The room seemed to stop.

Sheriff Tate stepped closer.

"Read it."

I scanned the page.

"Age... eight."