Page 61 of The Doctor's Promise
“Is it?”
Drew put down the coffee he was about to sip. “Ah. This isn’t a friendly visit. What’s on your mind, Rafa?”
Rafa studied him for a moment before answering.
“Are you stalking Noemi for some reason? Did you attack and stab her, knowing she was carrying my children?”
Drew’s eyes grew big. “Wow, Rafa. That, I wasn’t expecting.”
“Answer my question, please.” Rafa’s anger was on a knife-edge. Drew put his coffee cup down and placed his hands flat on the table.
“No, Rafa, of course not. Of course I would never hurt Noemi, or anyone else. Why on earth would you think that?”
Rafa told him everything in a flat, dead tone. “So, you can see why I might be suspicious.”
Drew nodded slowly. “Now that you put it like that… yes, I suppose you would think of me, especially when I made a deliberate effort to insert myself into Noemi’s life. But no, I swear to you. I would never stoop so low. Was I surprised when Noemi told me about the two of you? Yes, I admit I was. Was there a fleeting moment of thinking that your relationship was inappropriate? Yes, for a scintilla. But your relationship is entirely your business and knowing Noemi now, I think Thomasina would be delighted for the both of you.”
He let out a shaky breath and for the first time, Rafa saw real emotion in him. “I’m sorry to hear about Noemi. Is she alright?”
“Yes, thankfully. The stabbing wasn’t serious, and both she and the babies are doing well. But you can see why I’m trying to figure out who would do this to her.”
“I can, but I will swear on the Bible, it wasn’t me. I’ll take a polygraph, give DNA, anything. When did it happen?”
Rafa told him and Drew visibly relaxed. “That day, I can tell you I had a workshop, all day at one of the smaller chapels in the city. Bereavement counseling. There was a small group, but I took individual sessions both in the morning and in the evening. You can check with the participants; I’m sure they wouldn’t mind speaking on my behalf.”
Rafa couldn’t decide whether he was being played, but his gut told him Ballentine was on the level. “Maybe a couple.”
“No problem, although there was one man I’d rather you didn’t call. He was a very disturbed young man: angry, combative. He told me that he’d just lost his six-year-old son, and he blamed the mother and her family for not letting him be in the kid’s life.”
Rafa’s skin prickled. “What?”
Drew didn’t pick up on Rafa’s concern. “I can’t name names obviously, but I saw the kind of anger you’re talking about. Mental health in this country…”
Rafa held up his hand, stopping him, his eyes almost wild with terror. “Drew, was this guy’s name Paul?”
Drew’s expression told him everything he needed to know, and Rafa cursed loudly, drawing the attention of the other patrons. Rafa stood, but Drew was too quick for him. “What is it? What is it, Rafa?”
“It’s Noemi’s sister’s ex. The father of her nephew who died. Jack… Drew, he was six years old and barely knew his father…”
Realization dawned and Drew look horrified. “Oh, dear God Rafa…”
“I have to find Noemi.”
Drew nodded. “Let me drive. You’re in no condition… Come on, Rafa. Let’s go find your girl.”
“Turn around, Noemi.”
Noemi did as she was told, keeping hold of Leonora’s hand. Paul smiled at her, but his eyes were cold, dead. He kept the gun leveled at the center of her belly, and Noemi couldn’t help but put her hand over it protectively, knowing that if he shot her, she could do nothing to protect her babies. “Paul…”
“Shut up. I do the talking. Six years of talking I’m owed.” He looked at Leonora. “None of you let me see him until the day I got to kiss his cold little face. In his coffin! God…”
“We never stopped you visiting—”
Paul cold-cocked Noemi, and she fell back as Leonora screamed. Noemi’s head spun and screeched with pain as she gasped, but she was determined not to lose consciousness. Paul aimed the gun at her head. “Shut your lying mouth, Noemi, just shut up. I should have finished what I started in that hallway.”
Noemi swallowed. “Why didn’t you? Why didn’t you kill me then?”
“Because…” He spat at her, but she saw the flicker of his eyes towards her stomach. Because I told him I was pregnant…
