Page 47 of Montana Manhunt

“We’re fine. Thank you for offering.”

“If you change your mind, please let me know.” Carol excused herself and walked down a hallway to the left of the reception area. When she returned minutes later, she said, “Mr. Melton will be with you in about ten minutes.”

“Thanks,” Noah said. He wrapped his arm around Violet’s shoulders and settled back to wait.

Finally, a door opened down the hall and a feminine voice said, “He’s a lying, cheating louse, and I expect you to make him pay through the nose.” Seconds later, a beautiful brunette swept into the room with a young child perched on her hip and a scowl on her face. “See you later, Carol.”

“Good luck in court next week, dear.”

“Oh, trust me. Jason is the one who should be terrified.” With that, the woman opened the door and left the Victorian mansion.

Carol stood. “Let me see if Mr. Melton is ready for you.” She hurried down the hall again, only to return a minute later. “Please, follow me.”

“Rayne and I will wait here,” Grant said.

Violet and Noah followed the receptionist down the hall, where she knocked on a closed door. When she twisted the knob and pushed the door open, she said, “Violet, Camilla’s sister, and her boyfriend, Noah.” Carol stepped back so they could enter the room.

A tall, dark-haired man came around the desk and stared at Violet. He shook his head slowly. “If my assistant hadn’t forewarned me, I would have thought you were Camilla. The resemblance is remarkable.” Bradley held out his hand to Violet. “I’m so sorry about your sister.” His voice grew thick. “She was a warm, wonderful woman.”

“Thank you, Mr. Melton. That’s so kind of you to say when I know you must be hurting as well.”

He squeezed her hand gently before releasing her and shaking Noah’s hand. “Good to meet you, Noah. Camilla mentioned you several times.”

Violet’s cheeks burned. Maybe she’d mentioned the handsome operative a few times. Okay, a few hundred times. She’d been confused about where she stood with Noah, and Cami was the person she talked to about everything. Tears burned her eyes. Who would she go to now?

She swiped at the tears trickling down her cheeks and took a deep breath. Violet had to hold herself together. She’d accomplish nothing if she broke down every time she questioned anyone about her sister.

Bradley motioned toward the love seat and a pair of comfortable-looking chairs on the other side of the office. “Please, take a seat and let’s talk.”

“Do you have time for us, Mr. Melton?” Noah asked. “We don’t want to wreck your schedule.” When he and Violet sat side by side on the love seat, Noah wrapped his arm around her shoulders again and eased her against his side.

“Please, call me Bradley. I’ll make time for Camilla’s sister. My next appointment is in half an hour. If we take longer than that, Carol will reschedule the appointment.” He dropped into one of the padded chairs. “Is there anything I can help you with, Violet?”

“We have a lot of questions.”

“I imagine you do. Ask away. I’ll answer what I can.”

“Cami and I were close, but I didn’t know about her relationship with you. How long did you and Cami date?”

“Not long enough. I convinced her to give a relationship with me a try about six weeks ago. Camilla didn’t trust men. I’m honored that she finally gave me a chance.”

“How did you and my sister meet?”

“Court. I represented a child under Camilla’s care when the girl wanted to be emancipated from her abusive mother. The young lady was six months away from turning eighteen and had essentially been caring for herself since she was twelve and doing a great job of it, I might add.”

His lips curved. “Took me nearly a year to convince Camilla to move me from the friend zone.”

“Were you and Cami having problems?”

Bradley stared. “No. Why?”

“Cami called me twice while I was deployed with my unit. She sounded upset and afraid and wanted me to call her back when I returned.”

His gaze looked haunted. “You’re right. She was afraid.”

“Of what?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. She wouldn’t tell me.”

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