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“No.” Jason slipped his hand under the table and wound his fingers through hers. “I want you to stay.”
“Okay.” She squeezed his hand. “Then I’ll stay.”
Vanessa smiled, a hint of hidden knowledge in her eyes. “You guys are cute together.”
Cassie didn’t know what to say. She and Jason had been enjoying their time together, but they hadn’t discussed what life would be like once they returned to Savannah. Being co-workers always complicated things.
And if you throw ghosts and murder investigations on top of that, it was bound to get out of hand.
But Vanessa didn’t give either of them time to fumble through an explanation of whatever it was going on between them. Her face sobered, and her eyebrows pinched together. “How’s Janelle holding up?”
“As good as can be expected.” Jason shook his head. “You know how quiet she is. It’s impossible to read her. Even harder now than it was before.”
“I’m sure Kiki is keeping an eye on her.”
“Like a hawk.” He chuckled. “I think they’ve gone out for lunch every day this week.”
“Good. She needs to know people are looking out for her. And Kiki needs someone to take care of.”
Jason raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you should’ve gotten that psychology degree instead.”
Vanessa took a sip of water, but the glass couldn’t hide her smile. “Maybe if the nursing thing doesn’t work out.”
“Stacey said you wanted to talk to me and I don’t think it had anything to do with our breakup.”
“Unfortunately, no. That would’ve been easier, believe it or not.”
“Do you know something?” Jason leaned forward. “About Jasmine?”
“No. Or, well, I don’t know.” Vanessa splayed her hands across the table like she was bracing herself for what came next. She glanced around the diner before continuing. “I think something’s going on at the hospital. I’m not sure if Jasmine got caught in the crossfire.”
“What do you mean something’s going on?” Cassie asked. Her mind flashed to the Ghost Doctor and the dream she had. “Like what?”
“I think the hospital is lying about the way people have died.” She lowered her voice even more. “I think they’re trying to avoid more malpractice lawsuits.”
“Can you prove it?”
“If I could, I would’ve gone to someone in HR.” Her smile was tight now. “Or the press.”
Jason leaned back with a huff. “So, what’s the next step?”
Before Vanessa could respond, the waitress arrived, expertly carrying all three plates at once. “Our world-famous Reuben.” She set the plate down in front of Cassie. “Bacon cheeseburger and fries for the gentleman.” She set the last plate down in front of Vanessa. “And the classic burger for the lady. Can I get y’all anything else?”
“I think we’re all set.” Jason hit the woman with a wide smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, hon. Holler if you need anything.”
Cassie waited until she left. “We need proof. We need to see if Jasmine’s death wasn’t what they said it was. And if we can find that out, we’ll need to see if she’s connected to what happened to Mark Galanis. And that other woman.” Cassie hoped Vanessa didn’t ask who. “Or anyone else. Then we’ll need to find a connection.”
Vanessa looked down at her burger, but it appeared as though the last thing she wanted to do was pick it up and take a bite. “I’ve got an idea.” She peered through the top of her lashes at Jason. There was fear and desperation in her eyes. “I could pull some records. Maybe we’d find a connection that way.”
Jason was already shaking his head by the time she finished her sentence. “You could get fired.”
“Jasmine is dead.” Vanessa whispered the sentence like the air had been stolen from her lungs. “And Mark? Too many people we know. Too many people gone too soon.”
“We don’t know that for sure.”
“Which is why we need to find out.” Her eyes hardened. “I know the risks. And I’m willing to take them.” She sighed. Her body slumped. “But I’ve already looked at everything, and I have no idea what I’m doing. I was never good at connecting the dots like you were. I know you’ll see something I missed.”
