Page 80 of Montana Memory

Lachlan wasn’t just some random badge. He was local. Hunter had talked to him more than once since we’d come to town, said he was decent. Smart. Observant. And most importantly—he knew I had no memory of who I used to be.

Still, that didn’t mean he was here to help me. But I clung to the tiny kernel of hope anyway.

Lachlan shut his door slowly, like he wasn’t in a hurry. His gaze swept from me to the two detectives standing in the barn doorway behind me. His expression didn’t change, but I saw it—the subtle flicker of something…tightin his jaw. His eyes.

Johnson and Kelly didn’t look thrilled to see him either.

“Afternoon,” Lachlan said, his voice light but not warm. “Didn’t expect to find company out here.”

Johnson stepped forward, holding up his badge again like it was a magic key. “Detectives Johnson and Kelly. We’re just here to ask Ms. Banks a few questions. Nothing formal.”

Lachlan’s eyebrows lifted. “Right. I heard you were asking around in town. Trying to find info about Jada.”

A beat passed. Long enough to make me sweat. Neither Johnson nor Kelly responded.

“Shame you didn’t swing by the sheriff’s office,” Lachlan added, still friendly. “We’d’ve been happy to help. Might’ve even saved you a trip.”

Kelly’s smile was all teeth. “Didn’t mean to step on toes. Just didn’t want to bother anyone with something so minor. We weren’t trying to be disrespectful.”

“Of course not,” Lachlan said, smile tight and too polished. “Appreciate that.”

The tension in the air was sharp now—bright and electric, like a summer storm about to crack. But none of it was aimed at me, and I was grateful for that small miracle.

If the three of them wanted to play power games, they could knock themselves out.

“Unfortunately, Ms. Banks isn’t cooperating,” Johnson said, with a dramatic sigh like I was some rebellious teenager refusing to hand over my phone.

I stiffened, unsure if I should jump in to defend myself or keep my mouth shut. I didn’t trust my voice right now. Or my brain. Or anything, really.

Lachlan stepped forward, just a little, hands resting easy on his duty belt. “She doesn’t have to cooperate,” he said casually. “Last I checked, there’s no warrant with her name on it.”

God bless him.

Kelly gave a short laugh, like they were all just old friends having a casual debate. “No, no, of course not. We’re just hoping to get a few things cleared up. Paperwork stuff. A few loose ends about Alan Ard.”

Alan. Not Kenzie. So maybe this wasn’t about the kidnapping. Not directly anyway. Maybe this was to see if I knew anything about how he died. I exhaled slowly, trying not to let it show.

Lachlan turned to me, his voice quieter. “Jada? You want to talk to them?”

I didn’t want to. Every instinct I had screamed no. But I also didn’t want to give them a reason to show up again tomorrow. Or the day after. Or worse—catch me alone again.

I swallowed hard. “I guess.”

“All right,” Lachlan nodded. “Why don’t we do this somewhere more comfortable? We’ve got an interview room at the station. Neutral ground. That sound okay?”

Neither of the detectives looked thrilled about it, but they didn’t argue either.

Kelly turned to Johnson. “Fine by me.”

I looked over at Lachlan. “I don’t have Hunter’s truck. I walked here from the cabin.” I prayed he wasn’t going to make me ride with the two detectives.

“You can ride with me,” he responded, walking over and opening the passenger side door. “I’ll drop you off at home after.”

“Of course,” Kelly said, a little too quickly. “We’ll follow behind.”

I got into the SUV, not sure what I should say or do. It was quiet, too quiet, except for the hum of the engine and the occasional crackle of gravel under the tires. My hands were folded tightly in my lap, fingers clenched so hard my knuckles ached.

Lachlan drove like it was any normal Tuesday. Not like I might be heading into something I couldn’t walk back from.

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