Page 292 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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“You don’t understand what you’re holding,” he says.

I glance down at the maps.

The names.

The routes.

The tunnels.

Then back at him.

“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I do.”

A beat.

Then—

“Do you?” he asks.

And something about the way he says it—

Doesn’t sit right.

Not warning.

Not concern.

Something else.

Something closer to…

Ownership.

My grip tightens on the box.

“You want to explain why those names are on there?” I ask.

His expression doesn’t change.

“Those are part of an ongoing investigation.”

“Funny,” I say. “Looks more like protection.”

That lands.

Hard.

Behind me, Briggs shifts.

“Yeah,” he mutters. “Real interesting investigation you’ve got.”

The agent ignores him.

Keeps his focus on me.

“You’re out of your lane.”

I take one step forward.

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