Page 84 of Montana Manhunt

“Stores don’t open for a few hours yet.” He looked at Grant. “We need to talk to Bradley Melton again and the two female accusers.”

“We also need to look through the cases of the women murdered by the serial killer. There has to be something connecting these women together despite the Morrison PD burying their heads in the sand.”

“Agreed.” Noah kissed Violet’s temple and nudged her toward the French doors. “Food first. Who knows how much time will pass before we eat again. By the time we finish, the stores will be open. We’ll be able to purchase what Violet needs and drop it off at the funeral home on the way to visit Melton’s accusers.”

“Provided no one tries to shoot or blow us up again,” Grant muttered.

Rayne waited for them in the living room. “Echo and Artemis are back in the US.”

“Were they successful?” Violet asked.

Her teammate smiled. “Yes. The boy and his parents have been reunited. The entire terrorist cell is dead.”

“Excellent.” Grant grinned. “That calls for a celebration. I vote for a large brunch.”

Rayne rolled her eyes. “You always vote for food.”

“Told you. I’m a growing boy.”

She and Violet exchanged glances and laughed.

Grant looked smug.

Leave it to his teammate to introduce a moment of levity in a dark day for Violet. He’d have to watch for opportunities to do the same for her. “I assume you’ve already chosen a restaurant.”

“Of course. Mama B’s Deli is only two blocks away. Something for everybody.”

“Let’s not keep Mama B waiting,” Noah murmured. He rested his hand against Violet’s lower back and guided her toward the door.

Minutes later, the operatives sat around a table in the far corner of the busy deli and perused the menu. When they made their selections, Noah and Grant went to the counter to place their orders.

“How is Violet?” Grant asked.

“Heartbroken and angry. Do you blame her?”

His teammate’s expression was grim. “What else?”

Noah turned. “What do you mean?”

“Come on, Noah. The tension was so thick between you two that I could cut it with a knife. What’s going on?”

Maybe his friend would notice the same things he had. He lowered his voice. “Have you noticed the timeline involving the murders?”

“What do you mean?”

“The murders began in earnest not long after Violet left Morrison.”

Grant stared. “You think she’s the catalyst.”

He lifted one shoulder. “It’s a theory.” One he’d love to run by Seth and get his take on. “If I’m right, I think he’ll try to close the circle.”

“If he tries to take on Violet, he’ll be in for the fight of his life,” Grant murmured.

“He’ll have to go through me first.” Noah didn’t intend to make it easy on him.

“He’s already tried.”

“And failed.”

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