Page 31 of Montana Manhunt

“How long have you been a cop?”

“Long enough to know you ain’t got no power in Morrison.” His cold eyes shifted to Violet. “Do yourself a favor, sweet cheeks. Bury your sister and go back to your life. You don’t belong here now.” With that, Fitz sauntered toward the police station.

After he entered the building, Noah unlocked the SUV and opened the passenger-side door for Violet. When she continued to stare at the police station, Noah stepped in front of her. “Hey, you still with me?” he murmured.

Violet blinked and refocused on Noah. She blew out a breath. “Sorry. I didn’t expect to see him here, of all places.”

“You didn’t know he was a cop?”

She shook her head. “Cami never talked about him, not after what he did to me in high school. As far as she was concerned, Fitz Hanson didn’t exist.”

In a town the size of Morrison, Camilla had to be aware of him. No doubt her silence about Fitz’s career moves was her way of protecting Violet.

Noah helped her into the SUV and shut the door before circling the hood and climbing behind the wheel. “Where to next?”

“Medical examiner’s office.”

“Where is it?”

“The basement of the hospital. Turn right on Main Street and go straight. Morrison Hospital is five miles away on the left. You can’t miss it.” She lapsed into silence, staring out the window.

He followed her directions and soon parked in the lot in front of the hospital. Noah turned off the engine and twisted toward Violet. “Ready?” he asked softly.

“There’s no shame if you aren’t,” Grant said. “Do what’s best for you, Violet. If you’d rather wait until Camilla is at the funeral home, no one will think less of you.”

“I would. I have to do this for Cami.”

Noah got out. When he came around to her door, he scanned the area. No one seemed to pay attention to them, but the back of his neck tingled, a sure sign someone was watching them.

After helping her to the asphalt, Noah glanced at Grant and Rayne. “We have eyes on us.”

“Direction?” Rayne asked.

“Can’t tell.”

“Do you want us to go with you or wait here?”

“Stay,” Violet said. “See if you can figure out who’s so interested in our movements.”

Noah handed Grant the SUV’s remote. “Take off if things get hot.”

A nod. “Let me know when you’re finished. I’ll pick you up at the entrance. Less exposure for Violet.”

“Thanks.”

Wrapping his arm around Violet’s shoulders, he headed for the hospital’s entrance. Once inside the building, Noah skimmed the directory attached to the wall and headed for the bank of elevators.

They boarded a car, and he pushed basement level 2, where the morgue and ME’s office were located. As soon as the doors closed, Noah embraced Violet, holding her close while the elevator car descended to the lowest depths of the hospital.

The car arrived a minute later and the silver doors slid open soundlessly. The familiar scents of a morgue assaulted Noah’s nose the instant he stepped into the hall. Some smells you didn’t forget. The combination of harsh chemicals and death permeated the atmosphere in a noxious, memorable combination.

He glanced down at Violet. Her face showed absolutely nothing of the pain in her eyes. “Are you sure you want to do this, baby? Some things can’t be undone in life. Seeing Camilla on a slab is one of those things that will stick in your memory.”

She gave a curt nod and squared her shoulders.

Noah’s heart hurt for her. The next few minutes would be excruciatingly painful. “All right. If you need to get out of there in a hurry, tell me.”

Another brief nod.

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