Page 107 of Montana Manhunt

NOAH STEPPED BACKand looked at the long line of large sheets of paper stuck to the walls around the sitting room, covered with information about each of the serial killer’s victims.

Grant studied the lists, his expression grim. “This guy’s been busy for years. Why did the local cops sit on this?”

“You know why. Cops want to keep investigations in house. None of them want to admit they can’t solve a crime in their own backyard.”

“How many women could have been saved if the cops had swallowed their pride and asked for help?”

Noah shook his head. They’d never know now. No use in speculating about something that couldn’t be changed.

He glanced at Violet. When he saw tears trailing down her cheeks, Noah’s heart turned over in his chest. “We need to take a break,” he murmured to his friend.

Grant turned. “Rayne, want to help me get cold drinks to go with dinner?”

Rayne set aside the journal she was reading and rose. “I think we have a vending machine on the other end of the floor.”

“We’ll be back in a few minutes, Noah.” Grant wrapped his hand around Rayne’s, and they left the suite.

Noah sat beside Violet and wrapped his arms around her. He stroked her hair, trailing a hand up and down her back until she calmed.

“Sorry,” she whispered.

“Don’t be.”

“Reading Cami’s journals made me feel like she was here with me. Then I remembered she was gone.”

“I understand, baby.”

Pain flashed in her eyes. “How could you understand?”

“I lost a sibling, too.”

Her head whipped up. “When? How?”

“My brother went to a convenience store on the way home from work one night to buy milk for his boys. A punk walked in, waving a pistol, as Colby was paying for the milk. When my brother swung around to face the gunman, the kid got scared and pulled the trigger. The bullet struck Colby in the chest. He died on the operating table three hours later.”

“Oh, Noah. I’m so sorry.”

“Me, too. Colby was a brilliant brother, husband, and father. Even though it’s been five years, his loss still hurts like it was yesterday.”

Violet wrapped her arms around Noah and held him tight. “Being here with me under these circumstances must bring back painful memories for you.”

“I don’t want to be anywhere else. I’ll always be here for you, Violet. Always.”

She watched him for a moment. “What if we break up?”

His gut twisted into a knot. Man, if he ever lost her, his life wouldn’t be worth living. “We won’t.” He made it a decree. For him, this was non-negotiable. End of story.

“How can you say that with such confidence? We’ve only officially been together for a few days.”

“I just know.”

“Noah.”

He cupped her face with his hands. “Sweetheart, I’m never letting you go. You’re mine. You have been since the day I met you. There is no one else for me.”

She stared. “I don’t understand.”

“Yes, you do. How can you not? I love you, Violet. I fell in love with you the day we met. You own my heart. It beats only for you.”

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