Page 49 of No Way Forward

“Do you know about his daughter?”

He messed around on his phone and nodded. “Her face was there too. Funny how no one remembers her before then. That picture the reporter took went viral. She’ll never walk down the street unrecognized after that. It was sad. She looked so scared and vulnerable. Pretty girl.”

“Shut up, Carlton.”

He chuckled and leaned across the table. “Still all about you, huh? You know you’re a lot more beautiful when you’re not trying to manipulate and scheme.”

“I don’t recall asking for your advice. Anyway, I have information about the two of them that nobody knows. This is the perfect time to explore it, after that news report.”

“Let’s hear

it.”

“No, I need money.”

He sighed. “I’m not authorized to—”

She held up her phone and slid her finger over the screen. “I’ve got all kinds of photos on my phone you can use. And the information could be a huge scandal if you know what to do with it.”

Reluctantly, he agreed. “You’re right. If what you know is juicy, this is the perfect time to publish it, right after that shooting. Let me call my boss.”

She waited, tapping her foot while he wandered over toward the door to chat on his phone. Her own phone drew her attention, and she texted Novette. “Are you there, Novette? Are you okay?”

She didn’t know why she did it or why she cared one way or another. Novette didn’t respond. Her face grew warm. She shouldn’t even have tried. Novette didn’t deserve a warning about what was coming.

Carlton flopped down in his seat. “You’ve got a deal, Azalie. He says he’ll be very generous if you give us all of those pictures and the information is juicy. Spill it.”

She knew Carlton wouldn’t go back on his word. He took care of his informants if he promised he would. “You know Novette is adopted, right?”

“Yeah, they brought out that fact in the article.”

“And as far as everyone knows he found her at an orphanage.”

“Well a residential group home. They don’t call it an orphanage anymore.”

“Whatever.”

“Okay, yes, I know about his Daddy Warbucks venture.”

“Daddy what?”

“Never mind. What’s your point?”

She grinned. “What would you say if I told you Richard Kagen knew Novette’s mom and that she wasn’t just some random orphan?”

Carlton’s eyes rounded. “Are you saying she’s his illegitimate love child?”

“No.” She blinked. “I don’t know. I didn’t think of it that way. Anyway, he knew her mom—and her dad, I think. Not sure. But you can find out. The point is he lied. She wasn’t just some charity case to lavish his fortune on.”

“Oh man, this could be huge. I can’t believe no one has looked into it before now.” He pushed his fingers into his hair, grinning like a loon. Azalie could already see all the money the rag would pay her. She might be able to take it easy a bit longer. Maybe long enough to find a husband.

The thought surprised and intrigued her. She had never considered marrying before, unless it was to Zaid. But marriage might work if the guy was rich. She could still have her affairs if she was careful, and she never had to work a day in her life. Oh, this was an exciting twist.

“So?” she said. “It’s good, right?”

“Very good.” He stood. “You’ll get your money, but I’ve got to get out of here and get to digging. Thanks, Azalie. Thanks a lot.”

Chapter 22

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