Page 237 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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“It means,” he says calmly, “you just interfered with an active operation.”

Rage hits harder this time.

Because that confirms it.

What we already suspected.

Tank.

The hunt.

The lies.

“You mean like Tank did?” I ask, my voice low.

The agent doesn’t answer.

And that?

That’s all the answer I need.

Aspen’s voice breaks slightly behind me.

“You knew?” she asks. “You knew about them?”

The agent’s expression doesn’t change.

“We’re here now,” he says.

Not an answer.

A deflection.

Not good enough.

Not even close.

I step forward.

Just enough to make it clear—

This isn’t over.

“You don’t get to walk in here,” I say quietly, “after everything that’s happened… and tell us you’ve got it handled. Tank’s been dead for seven years.”

His eyes narrow slightly.

“That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

I shake my head once.

“No,” I say. “That’s what you think you’re doing.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Sharp.

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