Page 57 of Shattering Dawn

“I told you to stay in the room with the informant,” Gideon said.

“Really? You’re going to do this now? You’re going to lecture me about a failure to follow orders because I tried to save your life?”

“Later.”

“Damned right, later,” she muttered. “Like never.”

“You’re pissed? After I savedyourlife?”

“I was feeling grateful but you just ruined the mood.”

The informant raised his head slightly. “Could you two finish this conversation some other time?”

“Yes,” Amelia said. “Where’s the nearest hospital?”

“This town doesn’t have a hospital,” the man said. “Emergency clinic next to the fire station.”

“Got a name?” Gideon asked.

“Mayfield. Joe Mayfield.”

Amelia helped Gideon wedge Mayfield into the rear seat of the SUV. Gideon got behind the wheel and fired up the big engine. She climbed into the passenger seat, fastened her seat belt, and gripped her phone.

She waited tensely for service. It seemed to take forever for the bars to appear. She called nine-one-one.

When she finished dealing with the operator, she ended the call and twisted around in her seat to look at Mayfield.

“The operator said the medics will be waiting at the clinic when we get there,” she told him.

He was slumped into the corner of the seat. He opened his eyes partway.

“Sorry I got you two into that mess,” he mumbled.

Acting on impulse, Amelia unclipped her seat belt, knelt, and reached out to put her hand on Mayfield’s leg. Once again he rallied.

“You’re going to be okay,” she said.

Mayfield opened his eyes again. “Everyone knows that the local kids sometimes go out to the hotel to party and do a little dealing but I wasn’t expecting to run into a professional drug gang.”

“Are you sure that’s who those guys were?” Gideon asked. “Drug dealers?”

“Who else?” Mayfield said.

“Why did you set up the meeting with us tonight?” Gideon asked.

Mayfield looked at Amelia. “I know who you are. You’re one of the women who do that weird podcast.”

“The Lost Night Files,” Amelia said quietly. “How did you know?”

“I never miss an episode. You’re still looking for answers, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” Amelia said. “Do you have some for us?”

“I was there that night,” Mayfield said.

Gideon glanced at the rearview mirror. “You’re our eyewitness, the one who started the fire.”

Chapter Thirty-one