Page 106 of Montana Manhunt

The operatives filed out of the office and down the hallway. “Thanks, Carol,” Violet said.

“Was Mr. Melton able to help?”

“I believe he did.”

“I’m glad. Best of luck, all of you.” Carol turned to the older woman seated in the reception area. “Mrs. Brown, Mr. Melton is ready for you now. Please, follow me.”

Back in the SUV, Grant looked at Noah. “Where to now? Back to the hotel, or have you thought of another stop to make?”

“Office supply store, then the hotel.” Noah glance at Violet. “Unless you have a different plan.”

“I want the Fortress tech geeks to monitor Lauren’s condition overnight. Tomorrow, I want to talk to her if possible. We also have the visitation at the funeral home tomorrow evening. The announcement has already been made to the public about the visitation and the funeral the day after.”

“Do you have what you need for the visitation and funeral?” Rayne asked. “I know you bought the outfit for Camilla. What about for you?”

“I picked up something for myself as well.”

Grant nodded. “We’re off to the office supply store, then.” Ten minutes later, he parked. “I can get what we need. The rest of you stay here. I’ll be back in a minute.”

He returned with one large bag that he handed to Rayne. “Any other stops before we return to the hotel?”

Noah shook his head. “Let’s go. We have work to do.”

But would it be enough to catch a killer before he struck again?

Later, Noah slid the key card into the lock of the hotel room and opened the door. He signaled Violet and the others to wait while he searched the suite for signs of intrusion. Noah slid a hand into his cargo pocket and pulled out an electronic signal detector. He moved from room to room, then returned to the sitting room. “We’re clear.”

Violet sat at one end of the couch and leaned her head back. “Where should we set up?”

“This is the biggest space,” Grant said. He assembled an easel, set an oversize note pad on the tray, and laid four markers on the coffee table. “We’re set. We should order dinner from room service before we start.”

Rayne grinned. “Always thinking with your stomach, Grant.”

He shrugged. “What can I say? I have a fast metabolism.”

Noah snorted. “More likely it’s the rigorous workouts Seth puts us through. You’re right, though. We should order food. Suggestions, Violet?”

“Club sandwiches. I can’t stomach anything heavy.”

“Sound good to everyone else?” When no one objected, Noah called the front desk and placed their order. “Food delivery in forty minutes.”

“How should we handle the work?” Rayne asked.

Noah turned. “Violet, do you want help to skim Camilla’s journals, or would you rather handle it on your own?”

“I don’t mind help.” The faster she scanned the journals, the better. Going back for a more detailed reading could wait. “I think the Morrison detectives were right to zero in on the last two years of Cami’s journals. My sister didn’t keep many secrets from me. The longest one she kept to herself was Bradley.”

“Do me a favor and read through her journal the year that you had the run-in with Hanson.”

Violet stilled. Noah was right. If Fitz said or did anything back then that shed light on what happened in recent days, Cami could have written an observation that pointed to the killer. “Good idea. I should have thought of that myself.”

“Rayne, give Violet a hand with the journals. Grant and I will go through the files Zane sent and start looking for connections between the murder victims. We also need to find the connection between Camilla and the other victims.”

Violet stood. “I’ll get the journals.” She carried the box with her sister’s journals into the sitting room and placed it on the floor in front of the couch.

Noah picked up a marker. “Let’s get to work.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

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