Montana Fire by Vella Day Read Free Book Online

floor, her friend, Becky Andrews, who manned the nurse’s station, was
     chatting on the phone.
    She held up a finger and disconnected a few seconds later. “Jamie!” She walked around
     the counter and gave her a hug. “What are you doing here?”
    Jamie told her about her friend. “Can I see him?”
    “I’m sorry, but only family is allowed.”
    Jamie should have called ahead and asked about his condition, but she’d hoped she
     could have peeked in. “How is he?” She saw no need to say the homeless man might not
     have a family—other than Charlotte.
    “Stable. He’s intubated for smoke inhalation, but the doctor is hopeful that we can
     take him off the machine soon.”
    “And his burns?”
    “Shoulder and neck. I didn’t treat him though.”
    Poor man. If he lived, the rehabilitation would be extensive, and the skin grafts
     painful. Her heart nearly broke in two.
    “Do you know when he’ll be moved to the burn unit?” He’d get better care there.
    “Again, we’re hoping for a vacancy later today.”
    “Thanks.” It was probably for the best that Jamie not see him all bandaged and helpless.
    When she returned to the clinic, the waiting room was packed. In a way, that was a
     good thing. Running around helping one patient after another would keep her mind from
     thinking about Jonathan.
    She wasn’t the only one working hard today. Yolanda seemed more stressed than usual.
     Not only was one of the nurses sick, but the second doctor, Shane McDermott, was on
     vacation. Several of the doctors from LACE volunteered a few hours a week, but they
     usually came on the weekends or in the evenings.
    Jamie took her time with each patient, but she didn’t chat as she often did. About
     the time she was ready to go home, another wave of people arrived, so she didn’t feel
     right leaving.
    Jamie caught Yolanda in between patients. “Do you want me to stay late? I owe you
     an hour.”
    “No, Jamie. You go home. I’m locking up tonight.”
    “Not to sound paranoid, but what if those men return? You shouldn’t be here by yourself.”
    Yolanda smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ve hired security to walk the nurses to their cars
     and stay around while I lock up. The cop I spoke with said the RHPD would be driving
     by on a regular basis until nine.”
    “That’s wonderful, and thank you for the added security.”
    Even though Yolanda suggested Jamie leave at five, she stayed until seven to help
     out. When she finally got out of there, even though it was still light, the guard
     insisted on walking her to her car.
    Because she hadn’t slept well last night, on the drive home, Jamie had to shake her
     head repeatedly to keep awake. While she had enjoyed being with Zoey at her house,
     Jamie looked forward to sleeping in her own bed.
    Tomorrow before work, she’d call to see if the doctor had removed Jonathan’s tube,
     and if he’d moved from the ICU. If he had, it meant leaving extra early for a visit.
     She couldn’t in all good conscience leave Yolanda stranded again, especially if Layla
     called in sick.
    Sometime tomorrow, she had to remember to contact RHPD and ask if they find the location
     of Jonathan’s daughter, Charlotte. Wouldn’t she want to see her dad one more time?
     Jamie would give anything if she could have spoken with her father before that drunk
     driver took his life.

Chapter Five

    T he sun had just dipped below the horizon by the time Max arrived home. It was no wonder
     he was hungry and exhausted. He and Rich had surveyed every frigging inch of that
     building, noting the burn patterns, and testing for chemicals. While they couldn’t
     be positive without lab corroboration, it looked like the arsonist had used butane
     to start the fire—the same kind of hydrocarbon based fuel the Blood Rights gang used.
     Besides Jonathan’s mattress and an odd assortment of clothing, the forensic team had
     unearthed all sorts of electronic equipment. Between the gear and the