Page 26 of Montana Manhunt

“We were assigned to the same mission.”

“What mission?” Freeman demanded.

“Rescuing a high-value target.”

“What target?”

“We can’t divulge the identity of our client.”

“How are we supposed to verify your story without details?”

“I’m going to reach for my phone in my cargo pocket.”

“Slow,” Ellis snapped.

Noah followed orders, then laid his phone on the table. “You want the information I gave you verified? This is the only way to do it.”

“Go ahead.”

He called Zane.

“Yeah, Murphy. What do you need, Noah?”

“You’re on speaker with my teammates and two detectives from the Morrison police. They want verification of our whereabouts for the past week.”

“Understood. Detectives, I’m Zane Murphy from Fortress Security. I’m the head of our communications and technology division. I can verify that Violet, Noah, Grant, and Rayne were in Mexico for over seven days and returned to US soil yesterday.”

“How do we know you’re telling the truth?” demanded Freeman. “You could be some friend of Mann’s paid to answer a call. For all we know, you could be reading from a script he handed you.”

Silence, then, “Is he serious, Noah?”

“Unfortunately. The Morrison police aren’t enthusiastic about outsiders.”

The cops in question glared at him. Hey, he just called it like he saw it.

Ellis shifted his attention back to his phone’s screen. His eyes widened at whatever he’d read.

“Hold,” Zane said.

Seconds later, Brent Maddox said, “This better be good, Noah. I’m in the middle of a call with the president.”

He flinched. Yeah, not good. “Sorry, boss. You’re on speaker with my teammates and two detectives with the Morrison police, John Ellis and Caleb Freeman. Zane verified our location for the past week. The detectives aren’t convinced Zane is legitimate. They want another verification.”

“I see. Well, gentlemen, you’re out of luck. My name is Brent Maddox, and while I can verify that the four operatives in the room with you were in Mexico, I can’t be more specific than that. I can tell you they freed a hostage at significant risk to themselves. Other than that, you’ll have to take my word that they’re telling you the truth.”

“That’s good enough for me,” Ellis said.

“What?” Freeman shifted his glare to his partner.

“Thank you for your time, sir,” Ellis said.

“Anything else, Noah?” Brent asked.

“No, sir.”

“I want a report in six hours.”

“Yes, sir.”

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