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The Protector’s Daughter

Page 293

by Susie McIver

She looks at Hayley.

“Don’t bring me into this,” Hayley says.

“You always take his side when he’s being impossible.”

“No, I don’t.”

“You did it at the hospital.”

“Because the bag might have contained something dangerous.”

“It still might.”

“We’ve been through this bag. Nothing is going to blow up,” Sage says.

Hayley turns toward me.

“She has a point.”

I stare at her.

She smiles.

Taylor pulls on gloves.

“Can we examine the backpack before this becomes a family meeting?”

Holt studies the burned corner.

“The fire damaged the outer canvas, but the bottom panel is intact.”

Taylor empties everything onto the table.

Letters.

Photographs.

Clothes.

Sage’s notebook.

The small pouch containing her money.

Every item is placed carefully aside.

Nothing resembles a ledger.

Holt runs his hand along the interior seams.

He stops near the bottom.

“This stitching is different.”

Sage leans closer.

“Addy repaired that.”

“When?”