Page 96 of Montana Manhunt

“Dana Farraday lied about Bradley Melton raping her, Lauren, and Charity.”

He scowled. “Why did she file a false report?”

“She made a move on Bradley, and he turned her down.”

Grant glanced at Rayne before turning his gaze back to the road. “Dana accused Melton of rape because she was angry? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Pretty ugly, isn’t it?” She shook her head.

“What about Lauren and Charity? Was there any truth to the rape accusation?”

“Nope. They were afraid of what Dana would do to them if they told the truth.”

“Unbelievable,” he muttered.

“Why the rush to see Lauren?” Noah asked.

“According to Charity, she’s been acting out of character, paranoid and afraid to open the door to anyone she doesn’tknow. When Charity tried to call her and warn her we were coming, she didn’t answer the phone.”

“Could be several reasons for that.”

“Could be trouble, too.”

“There’s that,” Grant said. “Lauren may not open the door if she sees four strangers at her door.”

“Especially if two of them are men. I hope Charity can reach her. Otherwise, we might not persuade Lauren to open the door.”

“You and Rayne are persuasive. I have confidence in you.” If anyone could overcome Lauren’s fears, it would be Violet and Rayne.

Minutes later, Grant parked in front of Lauren Gilmore’s ranch-style home. The operatives climbed from the SUV and walked to the front door.

Violet pressed the doorbell. From inside the home, they heard the bell ring. They waited for a minute, but received no response.

She pressed the doorbell a second time. When they still got no response, Violet covered her hand with the bottom of her shirt and twisted the knob. It turned easily under her hand.

Alarm raced through Noah. No way a woman who bordered on paranoid would leave her door unlocked. He nudged Violet behind him and drew his weapon. If he scared Lauren, he’d apologize and back off. But his gut said something was wrong.

He glanced at Grant, who gave a slight nod, palming his own weapon. Noah eased the door open and, weapon up and ready, entered Lauren’s home with Grant on his heels.

The living room was vacant. No threats. Also, no sign of the homeowner. A hallway lay to the left. An archway led to the back of the house. Noah motioned Grant to the archway while he turned toward the hall. After sending Rayne in the same direction as Grant, he signaled Violet to fall in behind him. Thatway, if either he or Grant came across Lauren, hopefully Violet or Rayne could reassure the woman they weren’t in the home to harm her.

Noah cleared the guest bath and bedroom. Further down the hall, he entered the main bedroom. Everything was in order. That left one more room to clear.

Was it possible Lauren had gone out and forgotten to lock her front door? Perhaps, but not likely.

Noah approached the last room. The door was closed. He glanced at Violet and motioned for her to take the left. He would sweep the right side.

He pressed his back to the wall beside the door, gripped the knob, and twisted. Noah pushed the door open and froze. The powerful scent of iron assaulted his nose. Noah’s gut knotted.

He entered the room, quartering the right side with his weapon up and ready, and spotted a woman sprawled on her back beside a desk. “Violet.”

She rushed past him. “Left side is clear. I need my mike bag.”

He raced from the room. “Grant, watch Violet. Last room on the left. Call an ambulance. Lauren is down.”

“Copy that.”

Noah rushed to the SUV, slung the mike bag over his shoulder, and sprinted for the house. Seconds later, he knelt beside Violet and set her bag on the carpet away from the blood pool. “How is she?” he murmured.

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