Page 203 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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As safe as we can make him right now.

“Kitchen’s clear,” another voice calls.

“Back hall clear.”

“Storage is clear.”

Clear. Clear. Clear.

Too many clears.

Something’s off.

I feel it.

That quiet edge just before something breaks.

I shift slightly, scanning again.

Faces.

Positions.

Movement.

Then—

“Hey…”

The voice cuts through everything.

Older.

Uneasy.

One of the locals. He’s here with us because he said grandpa needed him.

“Where’s George?”

I go still.

“George?”

“Grandpa.”

Aspen’s grandfather.

I turn slowly.

“What?” I ask.

The man frowns, looking around.

“He was just here,” he says. “Sitting by the fireplace.”

Aspen’s head snaps toward us.

“What do you meanwas?” she asks, already moving.

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