Page 118 of Montana Manhunt

“I’m Violet. I introduced myself when I worked to stabilize you yesterday, but you were in shock and losing blood. You didn’t realize you were talking to me rather than my sister.”

“So, it’s true?” she whispered. “Camilla is dead?”

“Yes.”

“How? When?”

“Someone stabbed her to death a few days ago.”

Blood drained from Lauren’s face. “No. That can’t be true. She promised me she’d be careful.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

NOAH STEPPED UPbeside Violet. “Lauren, I’m Noah, Violet’s boyfriend.”

“I remember you. You asked me questions.”

“You gave me information about your attack yesterday.”

“You’re a cop?”

“Not now, ma’am. I was on the job for several years. I work with Violet now. You said Camilla told you she would be careful. Are you telling us you and Camilla knew each other?”

She nodded slightly.

“How did you meet?”

“I contacted her when a friend went missing and was later found murdered.”

“Why didn’t you contact the police?”

She shivered. “Didn’t know who to trust.”

Fair enough. He wouldn’t have known who to trust in this area, either. “What was your friend’s name?”

“Marin Farmer.”

Noah’s gut tightened. Marin had been murdered three weeks ago. “Why did you approach Camilla about Marin? You could have gone to the state police if you didn’t trust your own law enforcement officers.”

“Marin used to be in the foster care system. Camilla was her caseworker.”

“How did you and Marin meet?”

“We worked for the same event planning business. She was a whiz at planning parties and banquets.” Lauren’s gaze shifted to Violet. “Marin talked about your sister all the time. She and Camilla kept in touch after Marin aged out of the system.”

“What did Cami say about Marin’s death?” Violet asked.

“She was angry and tired of losing her girls to murder. Camilla planned to ask around to see if she could come up with the name of someone who might have killed these women.”

“When was the last time you talked to Camilla?” Noah asked.

“Last weekend. She said she was on to something but wanted to talk to Violet before she approached anyone else about what she suspected.”

“She didn’t give you a hint as to the culprit’s identity?”

Another head shake.

Not what he wanted to hear. “Do you have any idea who might be responsible for the deaths of these women?”

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