Page 350 of Rangers Unexpected Return

“He took her near the drainage exit. Trigger is pinned behind a retaining wall.”

“Rylie injured?” I asked.

“Unknown.”

“Evan?”

“Armed. Moving toward the service yard.”

The tunnel climbed sharply.

Rainwater rushed toward us.

Judy slipped once.

I caught her arm.

She regained her balance without slowing.

“Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

We reached a steel ladder leading to a street access hatch.

I climbed first and shoved it open.

Rain struck my face.

We emerged behind an abandoned maintenance building beside the storm channel.

A floodlight flickered above the loading yard.

Trigger crouched behind a concrete barrier twenty yards away.

Blood ran from a cut across his forehead.

His weapon remained raised.

“Where is she?” Judy shouted.

Trigger pointed toward the building.

“He dragged her inside.”

“How?”

“He was dressed like a Spokane police officer. Walked straight up and said Robert had been arrested.”

Of course.

Another uniform.

Another badge.

Another lie people were trained to trust.

“I saw the knife too late,” Trigger said. “He had it against her ribs before I could draw.”