Page 22 of Montana Manhunt

“They’ll never ask for outside help.” Violet sipped her tea. “The police force here is a ‘good old boy’ club. They think they can handle anything that comes up in town.”

“We didn’t like it either, but were wise enough to ask for fed help when it was warranted,” Grant said. “They had more resources than we did. We would have been fools to pass up the help available.”

“In this town, Chief Hanson is a powerhouse. You don’t want to be on his bad side. A detective calling in the feds without Hanson’s consent could expect immediate termination.”

“Did you ever run up against him?” Noah asked as he filled his plate. Soon, he’d turn the conversation to something neutral so Violet would eat. However, he and Grant needed to know how cooperative Hanson would be with Violet involved in the case. No way to keep her from nosing around and asking questions.

“A time or two.”

He waited a beat for Violet to continue. She didn’t. “How serious?”

She shrugged. “Enough.”

Grant tilted his head. “You couldn’t have much of a record or the military wouldn’t have allowed you to enlist.”

Her cheeks turned pink. “I didn’t have a record. If I had, the chief’s son would have had one as well.”

Noah froze with a biscuit halfway to his mouth. The chief’s son?

“That sounds like a story.” Rayne grinned. “Care to share?”

“More like a bad dream. Let’s just say I was young and stupid and thought the most popular boy in high school was really interested in a girl from the wrong side of town. Turns out Fitz was only interested in one thing and when I wouldn’t put out like he wanted, he dumped me like a hot potato.”

“His loss,” Noah said. “My gain.” Time to turn the conversation in another direction. “Rayne, you were a Chicago cop for several years. You must have some other good stories you can share.” He inclined his head slightly toward Violet.

Understanding filled Rayne’s eyes. “Too many to count.” She launched into a story about catching a man stealing a toaster from his ex-girlfriend. By the time she finished, Violet’s plate was empty, and she was laughing so hard she was holding her sides.

“I’ve got a better story than that one,” Grant said. He told the women about the time he and Knight caught a guy who robbed a jewelry store and was desperate to escape before Grant and Knight caught him. He’d been scrambling out an open window, but his pants got caught on a screw. To escape before the police arrived, the burglar had left his pants behind and ran right into the path of an unmarked police car carrying Grant and his partner.

“How did he explain the lack of pants?” Rayne asked.

“Sleep walking.” Grant’s eyes twinkled. “I’m going to take a shower. Be back in ten minutes.”

Rayne stood. “Same for me.” She left the living room.

Then Noah and Violet were alone.

Noah set his mug and empty plate on the coffee table beside Violet’s dishes. He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her against his body.

“Thanks, Noah.”

“For what?”

“Taking care of me, holding me all night.” She snuggled closer. “For everything. I don’t know if I could face this nightmare without you.”

“You’re strong. I know you would have faced it with the same grace and class you exhibit daily. I’m privileged to walk through this with you.”

Violet uttered a soft laugh. “I don’t know many men who would say that considering the trouble we’re facing. You’re one in a million.”

Noah loosened his hold, cupped her chin, and tilted her face up to his. Mouth capturing hers, he kissed her slow and deep. When he finally came up for air, he noted that Violet’s eyes were unfocused, her breathing ragged.

A door opened, and Grant stepped into the living room. He paused. “Should I come back later?”

“Nope. We’re finished for now.”

Soon Rayne rejoined them.

Minutes later, Noah parked the SUV in the lot beside the police station and removed his weapons and holsters. The rest of the operatives followed suit, stashing them in various places around the vehicle. When they finished, Noah exited the SUV and came to Violet’s door. He extended his hand to her. “Ready, beautiful?”

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