Page 20 of Montana Manhunt

Uneasiness coiled in Noah’s gut. If the Morrison PD was like other small law enforcement divisions, the detectives would be more interested in guarding their territory than in working with outsiders to find Camilla’s killer.

“Go clean up,” Grant said. “Rayne and I will keep an eye out for the food.”

“Don’t start eating without us.”

“No guarantees. I’m starving.”

“That’s not news,” Rayne teased. “I could hear your stomach growling from across the room.”

Noah chuckled as he left his friends giving each other grief. In the second bedroom, he grabbed a change of clothes and his shaving kit, and headed into the bathroom.

Minutes later, he returned. Violet was nowhere to be seen. Noah poured coffee into a mug and sipped the steaming brew. His eyes watered. “Tastes like you quadrupled the amount of coffee you’re supposed to use.”

“Wuss,” Grant said. “It’s not my fault if the coffee is terrible. At home, I grind my own beans. The coffee grounds are the problem.”

“You, my friend, are a coffee snob.”

“Guilty. So sue me.”

“I won’t go that far, but I am banning you from making the next batch of coffee. This stuff is toxic.”

“Rayne?” Grant looked at her. “What’s your vote? You’ll take up for me, won’t you?”

“Sorry, buddy, but I have to agree with Noah.” She poured her coffee down the drain. “To keep drinking your coffee, I’d need a cast iron stomach.”

He scowled and raised his hands in mock surrender. “Fine. The rest of you can be on coffee duty from now on. I’ll show you what a good cup of coffee tastes like the next time you’re in my home.”

A knock sounded on the door as Violet entered the living room.

Noah checked the peephole, then opened the door to allow room service to bring in two carts loaded with food and drinks, including coffee sure to taste better than the swill Grant brewed.

Violet went to the carts and stared at the assortment of food Grant had ordered. “Good grief, Grant. This is enough food to feed both of our teams.”

“Maybe. No complaints about my choices, though. I didn’t know how hungry everyone was or their preferences, so I ordered what I wanted.”

“Can’t complain about the variety,” Rayne said, amusement in her eyes. “Looks like you ordered everything on the menu.”

He scowled. “I didn’t order the steak, hamburgers, or pizza, thank you very much. Nor did I order the ice cream. I should get credit for having some restraint.”

“A gold star for you today, then.” Rayne picked up a plate and filled it with a variety of food.

“She’s right,” Violet said. “You chose a wonderful variety from the menu. Thanks for including bagels and hot tea. That may be all I can handle this morning.”

“That was Noah’s suggestion.”

She turned and smiled at him. “Thank you.”

His heart skipped a beat before surging back into a normal rhythm. “That’s what I was looking for.”

Violet’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t understand.”

Noah traced her lower lip with his forefinger. “I’ve been missing your beautiful smile.”

Grant handed Violet a plate. “So, what’s your plan for the day?”

She sobered. “Talk to the detectives in charge of Cami’s case. I want to know what progress they’ve made in finding the killer. After that, I want to go to Cami’s apartment.”

“The detectives may have it sealed off.”

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