Page 122 of Montana Manhunt

His heart turned over in his chest. He wrapped his hand around hers and squeezed. Man, he loved this woman with every breath he took.

“Have you heard anything about Rosalie?” Rayne asked.

Mrs. White grimaced. “Only that she is living it up with Chief Hanson. I don’t know why they don’t get married. They’re always together each night in her house or his. Everyone knows. They haven’t tried to hide their involvement with each other.”

“Was anything else said about Rosalie?” Noah asked, watching her.

A frown settled on her mouth. “Only that Rosalie seems to have more money than anyone can explain. What she did to those girls was a shame. No relative should turn out their own kin without a penny.”

“We survived thanks to you.” Violet wrapped her hand around Mrs. White’s. “You were the family we needed. Cami and I wouldn’t have made it without you.”

“I wish I could have done more.” Her voice came out husky.

“You were there for us when no one else was.”

“Thank you for saying that, dear.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Is there anything I can do to help you this afternoon, Violet?”

Violet’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Being at the visitation with me is enough.”

Mrs. White looked at Noah. “Is it true that killers go to the funerals of their victims?”

“It has happened,” he admitted.

“You’ll protect Violet.” A demand, not a question.

“Yes, ma’am. With my life.”

“I can protect myself,” Violet protested.

“I can see that,” the woman said with a pointed glance at Violet’s stitches.

“The man who attacked me is sporting a knife wound in his thigh for his trouble.”

“Unless he’s limping noticeably, I don’t see how that will help you find him,” she said tartly.

“It ties the killer to the attack on Violet.” Noah studied the older woman for a moment. “What do you know about Jeff Hanson, Mrs. White?”

“Not much. He’s a lawyer, working for some big law firm in Helena. Jeff was already in college when his parents’ marriage fell apart. The gossip mill reported Jeff wanted to quit college and come back home, but his daddy wouldn’t let him.”

“What did you think about that decision?”

“Well, from an educational perspective, that decision was the right one. The boy was planning to go to law school. He needed a stellar academic record to follow his dream. Quitting school because of a family crisis wouldn’t have been wise. Besides, what could he have done? His mother had left town and was staying with her lover. No matter what Jeff said or did, none of his actions would have made a difference in the outcome.” She frowned. “I will say that during the divorce proceedings, Jeff came home several times to be with his father and brother. Each time he left, he was more angry and withdrawn.”

“Do you know if Jeff and his mother have any kind of relationship now?”

“I don’t think so. From what I understand, neither boy has seen Harriet since she left Morrison.”

“We know the police chief is dating Aunt Rosalie,” Violet said. “Are Jeff and Fitz dating anyone now?”

Another frown. “You know, I don’t believe I’ve heard about Jeff dating anyone. Fitz, however, plays the field, like he did in high school. He has a revolving door where the women are concerned. It’s like the women are his flavors of the week.”

“That’s a shame,” Rayne said.

“I agree. It’s not fair to the women or to himself. He deserves to be happy. So does his brother. I hate that the boys were so traumatized by Harriet’s actions.”

---