Page 98 of Montana Manhunt

“Noah Mann.”

“Do you have identification, Mr. Mann?”

“My ID is in my right cargo pocket.”

“Do you have any weapons on you?”

“Several.”

All four cops went on alert. The three officers who’d been waiting outside drew their weapons, keeping them by their thighs. “Go slow, buddy.”

Noah slowly reached down and pulled up the flap of his pocket, then grabbed his identification and extended his hand to the first cop on the scene.

After a cursory glance, Officer Hardin studied the identification more carefully. “You work for Brent Maddox.” A statement, not a question.

“All four of us work for Fortress.”

“You’re from Nashville. Are you on a job in this area?”

“No, sir. My girlfriend’s sister was murdered a few days ago in Morrison.”

Hardin’s attention shifted to Violet. “Identification, ma’am.”

Violet followed Noah’s lead and slowly reached for her identification.

“Same for you two,” Hardin said to Grant and Rayne. When he had all of their identifications in his hand, he said, “Standish, run them.” The officer focused on the operatives again. “We need to search you for weapons.”

Noah and Grant exchanged glances. Noah said, “We understand. Please, be careful with the women, especially Violet.”

“I’d planned to, but why did you mention her specifically?”

“A man attacked her today in the Morrison Funeral Home’s bathroom. She has stitches in her forehead and a concussion.”

“Noted.” Hardin glanced at the female officer. “Search the women, please, Macie.”

“Yes, sir.” Macie patted down Violet, removing weapons as she found them. Finally, she straightened and said, “Do you have any other weapons on you, ma’am?”

Violet smiled and moved her right booted foot forward. “I have a boot knife on the inside.”

“Rookie mistake,” a cop named Willis said.

Macie’s cheeks flushed as she pulled up Violet’s pant leg and removed the boot knife and added the weapon to the pile. The officer stepped back, shaking her head. “You’re a walking arsenal. What is your job at Fortress?”

“Paramedic. I’m on a black ops team with Rayne.”

“Definitely don’t want to get on your bad side,” muttered Officer Vance.

Noah chuckled. “She’s amazing.”

Hardin signaled Macie to repeat the search process with Rayne. By the time she finished the process, the rookie officer had amassed another pile of weapons.

Vance gave a soft whistle. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many weapons from one person before.”

Standish climbed from his cruiser and walked to Hardin. He spoke in a voice too soft for Noah to overhear.

Hardin stiffened and turned a speculative gaze toward Noah. “Search Mr. Mann for weapons.”

“Yes, sir.” Standish hurried to comply with the order. When he finished, an even larger stash of weapons was on the ground beside the women’s piles.

---