Page 78 of Montana Manhunt

“That’s not how we do things around here,” he began.

“It is today, buddy. Both men were seriously injured a few hours ago. I’m under doctor’s orders to watch them for signs of distress. I won’t leave them.”

The detectives exchanged glances before Ellis dragged a hand down his face and said, “All right. We’ll try it your way. If any of you interfere with our questioning, we’ll separate you, doctor’s orders or not. Do I make myself clear?”

“If you have a problem with the arrangement, call the emergency room at the hospital and talk to Dr. Wheeler,” Violet returned. “We do it my way or you can wait until our lawyer arrives and talk to her.”

Noah wanted to laugh, but restrained himself. His woman played hardball. No wonder she was one of the best medics Fortress had on staff. “Are we doing this or not? If we are, I need to sit down.”

Ellis motioned toward the interrogation room on his right. “After you, Mann.”

“I’ll bring in extra chairs.” Freeman walked up the hall and returned quickly with two more chairs.

“You’ll need one more,” Grant said.

The detective frowned. “Why?”

“For our lawyer.”

Again, the detectives exchanged a glance. Expression grim, Freeman brought another chair and set it off to the side.

Ellis and Freeman sat across the table from the four operatives and pulled out their notepads and pens. “Just so we’re clear, we’re recording this conversation,” Ellis said, then read them their rights. “How were you injured, Mann?”

“Shrapnel from the apartment building exploding. Same for Grant.”

“What do you know about that explosion? And before you bother denying that you were there, you’ve already confessed to being in the area and being injured by the explosion. So let’s not waste time, all right? Just tell us why you were there and what you know.”

Noah glanced at his watch. At least 30 minutes before Casey would arrive. He glanced at Violet, took her hand in his, and gave a slight nod. The story was hers to tell. If she wandered into dangerous territory, he would call a halt to the interrogation until Casey was in the room.

“I wanted some pictures my sister kept around her apartment,” Violet said. “Noah and the others came with me so I wouldn’t have to face the task alone.”

“It’s a crime scene,” Freeman snapped.

“The crime scene tape was gone.”

“So you broke in and helped yourself to your sister’s valuables?”

Violet stiffened. “I didn’t break in. I have a key and several emails from Cami where she told me that her apartment was a refuge for me if I ever needed it, that I had an open invitation to come and stay.”

“That was before she was murdered in her own living room.” Ellis scribbled in his notebook. “What time did you let yourself in?”

“Five minutes after three.”

Both detectives looked up at that. “How long were you in the apartment?”

“Ten minutes.”

“You left at 3:15, correct?”

“Yes.”

“The bomb went off at 3:17 this morning.” Ellis stared at her. “That’s two minutes after you left the building.”

“Yes.”

“Did you set the bomb?”

“No. I’m a paramedic, not an EOD expert.”

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