Chapter 22 - The Ranger's Memory
The old park ranger stared at the map for several moments before his expression slowly changed.
"I remember something."
Every head turned toward him.
"Twenty years ago... Jacob asked me about an abandoned fire lookout."
Elias immediately looked up.
"Where?"
"North Ridge."
The ranger pointed toward a heavily wooded hill overlooking the lake.
"There used to be a wooden observation tower before lightning destroyed it."
"I thought everything burned."
"So did everyone else."
The ranger closed his eyes, forcing himself to remember.
"Jacob kept asking whether the underground storage room survived."
The rescue team leader quickly marked the location.
"If there's a basement..."
"There could still be something hidden."
Elias folded the map.
"We leave at first light."
The sheriff frowned.
"I should notify county headquarters."
Elias quietly watched him.
"Not yet."
The sheriff hesitated.
"Why?"
"Because Jacob warned us not to trust everyone wearing a badge."
The words hung heavily in the air.
For the briefest moment, the sheriff's jaw tightened.
May you like
Elias noticed.
So did the rescue team leader.
