Page 40 of Montana Manhunt

She glanced at Noah, who gave a slight nod. This wasn’t the time to hold back information except for their quick trip up to the roof of the apartment building.

“Noah and I went to the morgue so I could see Camilla. When we left the hospital, a gunman opened fire on us.”

“You should have stuck around until the cops arrived,” he snapped.

“Stayed around to be shot? No, thanks. We were the targets, Fitz. As soon as we left in our SUV, the shooting stopped.”

“And you raced right over here to see Mrs. White?”

“We drove squares for ten minutes to be sure we weren’t followed,” Grant said. “After that, we came here to check on Mrs. White. We’ve been with her about 30 minutes.”

“Write the details,” Noah said mildly, as he rested his hand on Violet’s shoulder in a show of support and possession. Yeah, he was probably being an idiot, but he wanted Hanson to know that Violet was his, and Noah protected his own. “The detectives in charge of Camilla’s case should be interested in the connection.”

“Keep your nose out of our business, Mann. You might have been a cop at one time, but you ain’t a cop here. We take care of business our own way.”

“I’ve heard that.”

Hanson scowled. “You’ll wait here until the detectives arrive to interview you, unless you want to wait in an interrogation room at the station.” He grabbed the radio clipped to his shirt. “Dispatch, This is Hanson. Notify Detectives Ellis and Freeman that I found witnesses at the apartment building across from the hospital. Unit 225.”

“Copy that, Officer Hanson.”

The cop glanced over his shoulder and yelled, “Hey, kid. Come babysit some witnesses.”

Seconds later, a young officer who did indeed look like a kid entered the apartment.

“This here is Officer Walsh,” Hanson announced. “He’ll keep you company to make sure you don’t feel it necessary to confer with each other over what you saw. Walsh, monitor them until the detectives arrive. I’ve got more apartments to check.”

“Yes, sir.”

After Hanson left, leaving the apartment door open, Walsh stood in the doorway with his back to the corridor.

“Mrs. White, would you like some hot tea or coffee?” Violet asked. “I’ll be glad to brew something for you.”

The older woman brightened. “Why, yes, dear, coffee sounds lovely. You know where everything is in the kitchen. Make enough for your friends, too, and perhaps Officer Walsh. It appears we’ll be waiting for a while.”

Rayne rose with Violet. “I’ll help you. Officer Walsh, how do you take your coffee?”

“Uh, just black, ma’am. Thanks for thinking of me.”

She smiled. “We know what it’s like to work crazy shifts and need caffeine infusions to stay alert.”

“You’re law enforcement, too?”

“I used to be on the job in Chicago. Now, I work for Fortress Security.”

A stunned expression settled on the kid’s face. “Wow,” he murmured.

“We’ll be back in a few minutes with coffee for everyone.”

“Please, don’t talk about what you saw, ma’am. I’ll get in trouble with the detectives, and I’m a rookie. I can’t afford to tick off my superiors.”

She laughed. “No problem. Violet and I can find plenty of things to talk about besides the shooting.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“It’s Rayne.”

“I’m Jamie. It’s nice to meet you.”

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