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“Brittany’s okay,” Jenna said. “We’re not sure about the baby.”
“Oh, hell. What happened?” The man met Jenna’s gaze. “No, wait, I heard something about a missing baby on the news. Please, Lord, don’t tell me that baby was Brittany’s.”
Jenna’s lips pressed together in a tight line. “It was.”
He shook his head. “What the hell happened?”
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Jenna said.
He grabbed a rag and wiped it across the bar. “She had the baby in her belly when I saw them load her into the ambulance.”
Jenna nodded. “We’re not here because we think you might have taken the baby. But you might have seen someone who could have been stalking my sister or who’d approached her about the baby.”
Rome touched a hand to his chin. “Mostly, we have locals hanging out to visit and watch games. But we get strangers in here, too. Folks fly into Bozeman to get to Yellowstone. Some stay in town. Others rent cars and stay at resorts in West Yellowstone.” He closed his eyes and pinched his nose. “People asked her all the time when she was due.” He laughed. “I mean, you couldn’t miss the fact she was gonna drop that baby any day. I only let her work behind the bar to offset her rent and make some tip money for groceries.”
“Do you remember any of the people who asked about her baby or when she was due?” Cliff asked.
“Several guests asked. I can’t recall anyone in particular.” His brow wrinkled. “She did talk with one of our regulars, Dave Waters. Nice guy. Always has a kind word for the staff and tips well. He and some of his friends come during football season to watch the games.”
Jenna had hoped for more from the bar owner. The person who’d taken Brittany’s baby could have been one of the people who’d shown an interest in her condition.
“Do you have video surveillance cameras on the bar?”
Rome shook his head. “I’ve been meaning to install a system; I just don’t have the money to invest.”
“Were you aware that my sister’s apartment was ransacked since she left for the hospital?”
His eyes grew rounder. “This is the first I’ve heard. I was up early to go fishing with a friend. I never got any calls while I was out on the river.” He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, a frown creasing his brow. “What the hell? Eleven calls, and my phone never rang.” He held up his cell phone to show them the number of calls he’d missed. “Why would someone trash her apartment? As far as I could tell, she had nothing to steal.”
“Good question,” Jenna said. “One we’d like to know the answer to.”
“Wish I could help you.” Martin shook his head. “Can’t believe someone took her baby. She must be beside herself.”
“She is,” Jenna said. “Think about it. If you remember anything that might help the case, call me.” Jenna pulled a business card out of her wallet and handed it to the bar owner,
He stared down at the card, his eyes widening. He glanced up at Jenna. “FBI?”
Jenna’s lips twisted. “Yeah, but I’m not officially on the case. I’m here because it’s my sister and my niece.”
The older man nodded. “Family.”
“We’ve gathered all her belongings. I’ll come back as soon as I can to clean,” Jenna said. “Right now, I’m more worried about finding the baby.”
“I’m sorry I’m not more help. Poor girl. She already had it rough. Let her know I’m thinking of her.”
“I will,” Jenna said. “She said nice things about you. Thank you for giving her a place to stay and earn some money.”
The bar owner. “I figured she was young enough to be my daughter if I’d ever had one. I wouldn’t want my daughter sleeping on the streets nine months pregnant.”
“Like my sister told me, you’re a good man, Mr. Martin.” Jenna pushed out of the chair and stood, tossing a bill on the counter.
“Take your money,” Martin said. “And take good care of Brittany. She’s high-spirited, but she works hard. She’ll always have a job with me.”
“Thank you.” Jenna turned to Cliff. “I have to go to the bathroom, then I want to look at the other businesses around the bar and see if they have surveillance cameras.”
Jenna left Cliff at the bar to finish his beer. She walked down the hallway to the door marked WOMEN and pushed through.
Inside, she hurried to a stall and quickly relieved her bladder. Once she was finished, she left the stall and washed her hands. As she reached for a paper towel from the dispenser, the bathroom door swung open behind her.
