Page 135 of Montana Manhunt

“We can’t take that chance.” Violet retraced her steps to the bedroom and returned seconds later with her mike bag over her shoulder. “In case a guest is injured during the evacuation.”

Noah checked his weapon and slid it into his holster. “Let’s go. Stay close.” He opened the door a crack to check the hallway. Guests streamed toward the elevator in various states of dress.

He stepped into the hall and raised his voice. “Use the stairs. The elevators aren’t safe in a fire.”

Many people paused, then changed directions. A few stopped at the elevator and pressed the call button.

Noah reminded himself that he didn’t have a badge anymore. He couldn’t insist they use the stairs for safety.

He and his teammates joined the guests heading toward the stairwell. During the trek to the lobby, Noah kept his hand wrapped around Violet’s, alert for trouble.

When they reached the lobby and exited the hotel, Noah quartered the area as he urged Violet and the others toward the stretch of woods across the street from the east side of the hotel where many other guests gathered.

A high-pitched scream filled the air, followed by a child’s sobs.

A few yards away in the opposite direction, a fight broke out between two men who yelled profanities at each other as they threw punches and rolled on the ground to gain the advantage.

“I need to check on the child,” Violet said.

Of course she did. Her healer’s heart wouldn’t allow anything different. Another glance at the two combatants told Noah he’d have to help Grant separate the two idiots still slugging away at each other. Rayne might have been a cop, but these men were obviously high on a drug, which made them doubly dangerous. “Rayne, go with Violet. Stay sharp.”

She nodded and walked with the medic.

Noah glanced at Grant and sighed. “Come on. Let’s settle these guys down before Violet has two more patients to treat.”

“Hope the cops and firefighters show up soon. This is one reason I haven’t missed being a cop.”

“Same.”

He and Grant waded into the fray and separated the two men shouting profanities at each other. “Knock it off,” Noah snapped. “We’ve got families with kids out here. They don’t need to see you throwing punches at each other or listen to your foul language.”

The six-foot man with serious muscle attempted to lunge at the man in Grant’s grasp. “He’s a no-good wife stealer.”

“Liar,” the other man shouted.

“Don’t care what your problem is, buddy.” Noah adjusted his hold. “If you and the other guy want to throw punches at each other, wait until all these hotel guests are back inside with their families.” He tightened his grip. “Understand?”

Muscle groaned. “Yeah, man, I got it.”

“Good.” He shoved Muscle away from him and pointed to a tree ten feet away. “Sit there and keep your mouth closed. Don’t even look at the other guy.”

Grant stiffened, color draining from his face. “Noah.” He inclined his head toward the other side of the crowd.

He spun, his gaze shooting to Violet.

She stood at the edge of the crowd, almost in the tree line, hands raised. White-faced, Violet looked at Noah, her expression a mask of fear.

Several guests finally realized something was amiss and scrambled away from Violet and Rayne. A young child and her mother were at Violet’s feet, the mother covering as much of the child’s body as she could. Rayne’s weapon was rock-steady, muzzle pointed at Jeff Hanson who had a Sig’s barrel pressed against Violet’s temple.

Noah palmed his weapon and used a hand signal to communicate with Grant as he maneuvered through the crowd hurrying to escape the danger. “Let her go, Hanson,” Noah snapped.

The lawyer sneered. “I don’t think so, Mann. You have more immediate problems than your girlfriend.”

“Got news for you. No one is more important to me than Violet. If you harm one hair on her head, I will kill you.”

“But your woman will still be dead.” Hanson used the muzzle to gesture toward Noah. “Bowen, get over there next to Mann. Make one wrong move, and I’ll shoot your girlfriend, too.”

A muscle in Noah’s jaw flexed. Not what he’d hoped would happen. Time to come up with another plan. “What do you want, Hanson?”

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