Page 31 of The Perfect Hosts
Focus!Jamie hears Juneau’s voice and the snap her fingers, something she was fond of doing when he wasn’t paying attention.
“She’s been sleeping a lot,” the doctor continues, “but she did ask about the woman who died. She wanted to know if Johanna was okay.”
“She said Johanna?” Jamie asks. “She called her by name?” The doctor nods. “Anything else?”
The doctor thinks for a moment. “She was really out of it, but she did mumble something about a baby. I figured she was asking about Madeline Drake, since she’s pregnant.”
“Makes sense,” Jamie says and thanks the doctor before stepping into the hospital room.
The room is dim and cool with the cloying smell of eggs coming from a tray sitting on the bedside table.
The young woman in the bed is dozing, but restlessly. Her pale face registers a different emotion with each brow furrow, each downturn of her mouth: pain, fear, shock, anger. Jamie doesn’t want to startle her, so he keeps a respectful distance and clears his throat. “Good morning, Ms. Bauer,” he says. There’s no response. “Mellie,” Jamie says more loudly. Her eyes, a striking blue, flutter open. “My name is Jamie Saldano,” he says gently. “I’m investigating the explosion at the Drake ranch, and if you’re up to it, I would like to ask you a few questions.”
She eyes him suspiciously for a moment, something Jamie is used to. He doesn’t read too much into it.
“Okay,” Mellie says. She sits up in bed, wincing at the movement.
“Here, let me,” Jamie says, reaching for the remote-control dangling between the bedrails by its cord. He presses the button that will raise her head, watching to make sure he isn’t causing her any more pain. She looks even younger than her twenty-one years. Her face is unmarred except for a small piercing in one nostril and her cranberry-colored hair is dusted with soot and smells smoky. Jamie pulls a chair next to her bedside but, before sitting, moves the breakfast tray with the offending smell to the far side of the room. “Does it hurt?” Jamie asks, finally settling into the chair.
“Some,” she says, shrugging. “But the doctors said it could have been much worse. I’m more sore than anything. I can’t wait to get out of here.”
“Then, I won’t keep you long,” Jamie says, “but if you need a break or want me to get a nurse, let me know.” Mellie nods. “You work for the catering company, correct?”
“Yeah,” she says. “I started last summer. Mostly I walk around handing out appetizers during events, but I also help with setup and teardown.”
“You live in Nightjar?” Jamie asks. Mellie nods. “And you’ve lived here how long?”
“For about a year. Thought it would be fun to live in the mountains.” Mellie gives a little shrug of her shoulders. “It’s beautiful, but it hasn’t been much fun.”
“That’s understandable, given what you’ve been through,” Jamie agrees. “But we’re working hard to figure out what happened. Can you walk me through what happened yesterday?”
“Like from the beginning of the day?” Mellie asks wearily.
Jamie knows that even the smallest detail can be crucial in an investigation, how memories can dissipate, and despite Mellie’s obvious exhaustion and pain, he needs answers. “Tell me everything you remember.”
“Okay,” Mellie says, shifting in her bed. “I worked an event that ended late the night before and slept in until about ten and hung around my apartment until about two, and then I ran a few errands before I headed to the caterer’s and then rode with some of the other crew to the Drake ranch. We arrived there about four and got right to work helping to unload the catering vans and set up the food.”
“Did you see anything out of the ordinary?” Jamie asks. “Anyone hanging around who looked out of place?”
“No. But I really wouldn’t know who should be there or not. It was the first time I’ve ever been to the ranch,” Mellie explains. “Once the guests started to arrive, I began handing out appetizers, then there was an announcement that the gender reveal was going to begin. So everyone started moving toward the field.”
“And you headed that way too?” Jamie asks, thinking the waitress could be a dead end.
“No.” Mellie shakes her head. “I went to the barn. I saw the midwife go in there earlier, and I was hoping to talk to her.”
“You knew Johanna Monaghan?” Jamie asks, with surprise.
Mellie looks down. “It’s a small town, and I’m not supposed to have personal conversations with the guests, but I’d heard what a great midwife she is. Was. And I had some questions.”
“What kind of questions?” Jamie presses gently.
“You won’t tell my boss, will you?” Mellie asks. “I just started this job, and I don’t want to get fired.”
“Fired for what?” Jamie asks, though he has an inkling as to what she’s about to tell him.
“Being pregnant,” Mellie says softly. “I heard that Johanna was this incredible midwife, and I was hoping she’d maybe be able to help me.”
“You know you can’t be fired for being pregnant, don’t you?” Jamie says. “That’s illegal.”