Page 363 of Rangers Unexpected Return

“She stopped moving.”

“And you called it an accident.”

“I had to protect my boys.”

“No,” I said. “You chose to.”

His gaze sharpened.

For one brief moment, the old sheriff returned.

“You don’t understand what family means.”

Mace stepped closer to me.

I looked directly at Walter.

“I understand exactly what family means.”

He stared at me.

“Family protects the innocent. It doesn’t bury them.”

His anger vanished.

The confused old man returned.

“Emily was brave.”

“Yes.”

“Braver than me.”

“Yes.”

His face crumpled.

“I’m sorry.”

Elizabeth leaned toward the screen.

“Where is my mother?”

Walter closed his eyes.

“Under the red swing.”

The call filled with silence.

Then Walter began repeating one sentence.

“I called it an accident.”

Again.

And again.

“I called it an accident.”