Page 266 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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To what?

I already know.

But I need him to say it.

“For the pipeline,” I finish.

He nods once.

Cold.

Certain.

“And you think he knows something?” I ask.

“Not consciously,” the agent says.

Dementia.

Fragments.

Memories.

Pieces.

And just like that—

It clicks.

They didn’t take him because of Aspen.

They took him because of what’s in his head.

Or what used to be.

Behind me—

“No,” Aspen whispers.

I turn slightly.

Her face has gone pale.

Shaken.

“No, he wouldn’t—he doesn’t even remember what he had for breakfast—”

“That doesn’t matter,” the agent says.

Wrong move.

I turn back fast.

“You don’t talk to her,” I say.

Low.

Deadly.

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