Page 104 of Montana Manhunt

“He’ll talk to us,” Noah said. “He won’t be able to help his curiosity.”

“Let’s find out if you’re right.” Violet opened her door and stepped out.

The operatives walked into the receptionist area and greeted Carol. Her eyebrows rose. “Well, hello. How can I help you?”

“We need to speak to Mr. Melton again,” Violet said. “I know he’s busy, but this is important. We won’t take much of his time.”

Carol glanced at her computer and tapped a few keys. “I’ll tell him you’re here. I’m not sure he has the time to speak with you. He has back-to-back clients this afternoon and a court case tomorrow morning.”

“Please, tell him it’s important. We wouldn’t bother him otherwise.”

Carol’s expression softened. “I’ll try, Violet.”

“Thank you.”

Melton’s assistant walked down the hall to his office and knocked. A minute later, she returned. “He’ll see you for ten minutes. After that, you’ll have to leave.”

Noah nudged Violet forward.

Okay, then. Looked like she was taking point on this interview. If Cami’s boyfriend could get past his anger, he might help them in the investigation.

Carol preceded them down the hall and knocked on her boss’ door. “Sir, Violet and her friends are here.” She pushed the door open wider and stepped back for them to enter. “Good luck,” she whispered to Violet.

From the expression on Bradley’s face, Violet and her friends faced an uphill battle. Once Carol closed the door, Violet said, “Thanks for agreeing to see us, Bradley. We appreciate you taking the time.”

“Don’t waste your ten minutes.” He pointed at her. “And I’m only doing this because of Camilla.”

“We spoke to Charity about the accusations against you by her, Dana, and Lauren when you were in high school.”

His lips pressed into a straight line. “I was never charged with sexual assault.”

“They lied.”

He froze. “What did you say?”

“Charity admitted she and her friends lied and filed false police reports.”

“She and Lauren admitted it?”

“Charity said Dana bullied them into filing charges against you because she was angry. Dana made a pass at you and you turned her down. Her ego couldn’t handle a rejection, so she got back at you for it. Look, Charity was new at your high school and didn’t have many friends. She was afraid to go against Dana, who was in the group of popular kids.”

Bradley waved to the chairs in front of his desk. “Sit down. I apologize for being rude. Why did you go to Charity and Lauren?”

“How else was I to discover the kind of man my sister was dating?”

He sighed. “Fair enough. What did Lauren have to say about the false charges?”

“Nothing. We found her on the floor of her office in a pool of blood.”

Blood drained from Bradley’s face. “She’s dead?”

“Critically injured. Bradley, she was stabbed like Cami. I think the attacker heard something that spooked him because he didn’t stab her in the heart.”

“Did you talk to her? Does she know who tried to kill her?” He straightened. “It wasn’t me. You can ask Carol. I’ve been here all day meeting with clients and preparing for a court case tomorrow morning.”

“The man who attacked her wore a ski mask. Bradley, he mentioned you by name and told Lauren she deserved to die for what she did to you.”

“That’s impossible. The case was closed and sealed because we were juveniles.”

---