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She gave him a knowing look. "That doesn't surprise me."

He took a sip of his beer. "What about you? Did your parents support you becoming a doctor?"

"Not really. They spent so much time fighting over who should pay for my college education that I wound up getting scholarships and a job to cover it all myself. It was hard, but I was tired of all the stories, all the lies they each told to prove that they were the better parent, when, to be honest, they were both pretty shitty. I wanted to avoid taking their drama into my future career, so I took them out of it. I just wanted everything to be clear."

He was beginning to understand why she disliked messy chaos so much. It had been her entire world when she was too young to have any say over her life.

"Anyway, that got a little deep, and I'm not even drinking." She sipped her water, her gaze moving to the bar area. "It's not as crowded now."

"I was thinking the same thing." He paused as Melody returned to their table.

"Can I get you anything else?" she asked.

"I have a question, Melody. My friend told me about this bar. His name is Jack Barrone. He lives in the building next door. Do you know him?"

"Sure. Everyone knows Jack. He occasionally picks up bartending shifts when we're shorthanded. I haven't seen him around in a while. Is he okay?"

"I'm not sure. I went to his apartment, but there was a fire yesterday. His place was gutted, and none of his neighbors have seen him."

Her expression turned to shock. "That's awful. I wasn't working yesterday, but I did hear some people talking about a bomb or something. Was that Jack's apartment?"

"Yes, but he wasn't there."

"Thank goodness. I can't believe someone would want to hurt him. He's a nice guy." She paused. "Although he does have a temper when he's drinking, but he told me he's been trying to work on that. I can't believe it. A bomb?" She shook her head in confusion.

"Do you know if Jack worked anywhere else besides here?" he asked.

"You should talk to Kyle. Jack did some work for the owner's brother, who's a contractor. Kyle would know where to find him." She tipped her head toward the blond bartender who appeared to be in his late twenties.

"I'll do that. Thanks."

"Do you want anything else?"

"No. We'll just take the check."

As Melody left, he turned to Rachel. "I'm going to speak to Kyle. Do you mind waiting for the check? Let me give you my card." He pulled out his wallet and took out a credit card. "I've got lunch."

"I can split it with you."

"Let's not fight about it. We have bigger things to worry about." He got up from the table and made his way to the bar, waiting for Kyle to come over.

"Melody told me you want to talk to me about Jack," Kyle said. "What's going on with him? His apartment was blown up? Is that what you told her?"

"Yes," he said, seeing surprise in Kyle's gaze. "Melody said some customers have been talking about it."

"Yeah, two people who live on the first floor of the building next door said their pictures fell off the walls, but luckily, the fire was contained to the apartment upstairs. I didn't know they were talking about Jack's place. I actually called and left him a message on Thursday. We were hoping he could work a shift today, but he didn't call me back. Is he all right?"

"I'm trying to find him to make sure that he is."

Kyle gave him a troubled look. "Are you thinking that someone tried to kill him?"

"Maybe. What do you think? Does he have enemies? Anyone he pissed off lately?"

"Jack could definitely piss people off, but he hasn't been around much the last couple of weeks, so I don't know what's going on with him."

"Melody said that Jack also worked in construction, that the owner here set him up with his brother?"

"Yes. That would be Don Mullaney. He has a construction company, and they're renovating the apartment building at the corner of Monroe and Davis Street, a few blocks from here. Jack was doing some work for him when he wasn't working here."