Page 381 of Rangers Unexpected Return

“I don’t know.”

“How did you find out?”

“A friend owed me a favor.”

“That sounds legal.”

“It wasn't.”

Doc grunts.

“At least you're honest.”

“The request was buried. Whoever made it knew what they were doing.”

“What were they looking for?”

“That’s what I wanted to know.”

“And that led you to me?”

“Not exactly.”

I reach for my laptop and turn it around.

Doc leans closer.

I pull up the document I’ve looked at, at least a hundred times.

It’s a scan of a piece of paper recovered from Nathan’s truck.

Most of it was destroyed in the crash.

Three words survived.

SHAW. EAGLE RIVER.

Doc doesn't move.

For several seconds, neither do I.

Then his eyes lift to mine.

“Where did you get this?”

“It wasn't included in the final accident report.”

“I figured that much.”

“It was logged with Nathan’s personal effects at the scene. Then it disappeared.”

Doc's face hardens.

“Disappeared?”

“Somebody removed it from evidence.”

“But you have a copy.”