Page 130 of Montana Manhunt

Violet heard something in the other woman’s voice. “You don’t like him.”

A shrug. “Not really. I can’t say why exactly. He’s one of those men who always says the right thing and acts the right way in every situation, but it feels fake, like he’s reading from a script.” Melanie sighed. “That probably makes no sense.”

“Actually, it does.” Noah put his cup down. “Did Camilla feel the same way about Hanson?”

She nodded. “The week before she died, she looked into the deaths of some of her kids. I kept telling her to leave the detecting to the police, but she wouldn’t listen.”

“Why do you think she continued to investigate?”

“Camilla didn’t give me details. She was afraid too much information would be dangerous to me.”

“Would she have gone to Jeff Hanson for help?” Noah persisted.

“Maybe.”

“Why do you say that?” Violet asked. Made little sense for Cami to go to a man who gave her the creeps for help. Wouldn’t she have gone to her boyfriend instead?

“Camilla said she needed someone who understood police procedures and knew cops.”

Well, that excluded out Bradley. “Did she say why?”

Fear clouded Melanie’s eyes. “She wanted information about a cold case, and she believed Hanson could help her get what she needed.”

Violet looked at Noah. His expression was grim. They needed to talk to Jeff Hanson again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

NOAH WATCHED ASthe taillights of Melanie Raines’ car faded in the distance. He turned to Violet. “I know your first instinct is to track down Hanson and find out if he talked to Camilla.”

“You bet it is. Why didn’t he say something at the visitation? He could have told me he’d talked to Cami.”

“Let’s go back to the hotel and regroup. You’re exhausted, baby. Rest tonight and we’ll talk to Hanson tomorrow. In the meantime, we’ll dig into his background before we confront him.”

Violet’s hands fisted. “I don’t want to wait, but I know you’re right. If he’s involved in Cami’s death, I’m afraid he’ll run.”

He captured her chin with his palm and tilted her face up to his. “If he runs, we’ll run him to ground. You have my word.”

She stared up at him for a moment, then kissed him. “Thank you.”

The knot in his stomach loosened. Noah helped Violet into the SUV and soon the operatives were on their way to the hotel.

An hour later, Grant parked in the underground garage. They took the stairs to their floor, and Noah checked the suite again for bugs and cameras. “We’re clear.”

The operatives migrated to the sitting room. “Are you hungry, Violet?”

“A little. I’m more tired than anything.”

Grant grabbed the room service menu and scanned the options. “What about a grilled cheese sandwich? That always hits the spot for me when I need a lighter meal.”

Violet looked thoughtful. “That sounds good. I’d love tomato soup, too.”

“You got it.” Grant looked at the rest of them. “Same for the rest of you?”

“I’m in,” Rayne said. “I could use comfort food.”

Noah signaled for his friend to call in the order, then turned to Violet. He cupped her cheek and bent to kiss her. “Go change into comfortable clothes. We’ll talk when you return.”

“Come on,” Rayne said. “I’m ready to change shoes. I miss my tactical boots.”

---