Page 76 of Montana Manhunt

“Detectives Ellis and Freeman would like a word with you,” Hanson said between clenched teeth. “Violet will ride with me.The rest of you can split up with my friends, so we’ll make sure you arrive at the station safely.”

Over his dead body. “We’ll drive ourselves. You can lead us to the station in your cruiser, Hanson, and your buddies can bring up the rear of our caravan.”

Hanson glared at him, clearly trying to come up with another reason to force the operatives to separate.

Noah’s eyebrow rose. “Do you really want to tick off cooperating witnesses?”

The cop snorted. “Witnesses?”

“You have evidence that says otherwise?”

Hanson shoved his handcuffs back into his duty belt. “We need to go. The detectives have a lot of questions. Where is your vehicle?”

Rayne pointed at the SUV parked several yards away. “The black SUV parked under the light.”

“Bring the SUV here, baby,” Grant said, gaze glued to Hanson.

Hanson motioned for one of the other policemen to go with Rayne.

Grant scowled and barred Rayne from going around him. “Got a problem, Hanson?”

“How do I know she won’t run?”

He laughed. “Do you really think she’d run off and leave me here? We’re getting married as soon as I convince her to accept my proposal. Trust me, dude, she’s not going anywhere.”

“Go with her, Jasper,” Hanson snapped.

Grant took a step toward the belligerent cop, eyes narrowed.

Rayne got in front of him and turned to face him. “Grant, look at me,” she said, voice soft.

After a long pause, his gaze dropped to her face.

“I’ll be fine, sweetheart. Trust me.”

“I do.” He refocused on Hanson. “Hanson and his buddies, not so much.”

She inched closer to Grant. “I won’t be out of your sight,” she whispered fiercely. “Don’t make me look weak.”

“Grant.” Noah signaled his friend to stand down. Rayne was right. Grant’s behavior made Rayne appear to be a weak link among the four operatives when nothing was further from the truth. She had to be seen as strong as the rest of them so as not to appear to be a prey for the hunter.

“You’re right,” Grant murmured and brushed his mouth over hers. “Go.” He watched as she walked to the SUV with Jasper on her heels. She climbed behind the wheel and drove to the emergency room entrance, where Noah and the others waited.

Hanson pointed at Noah. “You follow me to the station. If you try to shake us, you’ll be back in this hospital with a lot more injuries than you have now. Understand?”

Noah opened the back passenger door of the SUV and motioned for Violet to climb inside. He followed her in without a word to Hanson and shut the door as Grant sat in the shotgun seat.

After a glower in Rayne’s direction, Hanson and his buddies climbed into their cruisers and formed a caravan with Hanson in the lead.

Noah wrapped his hand around Violet’s and squeezed. “Grant, call Fortress. We need a lawyer on standby.”

“Copy that.” Grant pulled his phone from his cargo pocket and made the call. As Rayne turned into the parking lot of the police station, he said, “We’re in luck. Casey Elders is an hour away, visiting family. She’s on her way.”

Noah breathed easier. “Excellent.”

“Orders?” Rayne asked after turning off the engine and twisting in her seat to look at Noah.

“You know what to do. Answer questions, but volunteer nothing.”

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