Page 133 of Montana Manhunt

“What do you have?”

“Timelines for the Hansons and the murders or disappearances.”

Grant sat beside Noah and studied the screen in silence. He frowned as he scrolled down, reading the information Noah had amassed. Finally, Grant sat back and looked at Noah. “Fitz isn’t our man.”

Noah shook his head. “He has an alibi for every murder.”

“That leaves the other two Hanson men as possible culprits. At least one of them has an alibi for each murder or the time when the other women went missing.”

“What does that tell us?”

“We’ve got nothing,” he muttered.

“This is circumstantial,” Noah admitted. “But think about when the murders and disappearances started and the timing of each one.”

Grant was silent a moment. “We already know the murders started during Violet’s senior year. What am I missing?”

“Chief Hanson has alibis for half of the murders and disappearances.”

His teammate blew out a breath. “And the lawyer has alibis for the other murders and disappearances.”

“What’s that tell you?”

“Either we have a stunning coincidence, or the two men are working together.”

“Is Jeff protecting his father?” Violet asked.

Both men turned toward her.

“Why do you think that is what’s happening here?” Grant asked.

“I heard what you said earlier. The murders started after Mrs. Hanson left. Noah, have you checked the dates that Jeff came home to visit his family? Do they coincide with the murders that Chief Hanson has alibis for?”

“I haven’t confirmed that yet. Give me a few minutes.”

Violet stood. “I’ll make more coffee.”

“Thanks, sweetheart.”

When she drew near, Violet paused and brushed a light kiss over Noah’s lips, then continued to the small kitchen where she prepped the coffeemaker. Once the brew began dripping into the carafe, she said, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I need a shower to clear the cobwebs from my brain.”

“Take your time,” Noah murmured. “Today will be a long, grueling ordeal. Take this time to prepare yourself mentally for what’s ahead.”

She nodded and went into the bedroom.

He turned back to his computer and angled the screen so Grant could see the information as well. After running a search, he sat back.

Grant whistled softly. “Violet might be right. Jeff could be helping his father to protect him. Depends on how you spin the story.” He glanced at Noah. “But I don’t think that’s the case, not after this many years of killing women. I believe the lawyer developed a taste for murder. We still don’t have any proof, though.”

“Now that we know what we’re looking for, we can narrow the search.”

“We need Zane’s help with this, buddy. Tracking down the proof we need will take us too long, especially since we’ll be tied up most of the day with Camilla’s funeral.”

His friend was right. Not only would they be busy today, Noah’s attention would focus almost entirely on Violet and what she needed. He should hand off the detailed search to Zane. He had the computer programs and time to find incontrovertible proof that one of the Hansons had murdered Camilla.

Noah’s lip curled. Unless he was wrong. He considered that for a moment and dismissed it. Too many things added up to at least one of the Hansons being the perp.

Rayne left the bedroom and closed the door behind her. “Violet said you know who has been murdering the women.”

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