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Rangers Unexpected Return

Page 4

by Susie McIver

“He wants us to know where he’s going.”

Mills frowned.

"Eagle River..."

His expression hardened.

“I haven't heard that name in years.”

“It’s a small town on the river.”

I looked back through the bedroom doorway.

The victim’s smile was aimed directly at me.

The Keeper had made this personal.

“We need to identify her,” I said.

“And then?”

“Then I’m going to Eagle River.”

“You aren’t going alone.”

“I don’t need a babysitter.”

“You’re still not going alone. Take Carson with you, and Will.”

Before I could answer, Will called from the bedroom.

“You both need to come back in here.”

I returned to the bedroom with Mills behind me. Will stood beside the open closet, holding an evidence bag.

Inside it was a photograph.

The picture had faded around the edges, but I recognized the wooden sign immediately. A painted tree stood above a winding blue river.

WELCOME TO EAGLE RIVER.

Nine women stood beneath it.

Someone had drawn a black line through eight of their faces.

Only one remained untouched.

Mills moved closer. “Do you know her?”

I stared at the woman in the center of the photograph.

Eighteen years had passed since I had seen her, but I knew exactly who she was.

“Rylie Tate.”

“The college friend you mentioned?”

I nodded.