Page 53 of No Way Forward

“No,” Richard rasped. “It might not be safe for her.”

“Don’t be a fool, Richard. Besides, the man is dead. He’s there. The guys got him.”

He shook his head. “No, she must be safe. Please. Zaid, take care of her.” He struggled for a breath.

Novette stroked his cheek. “Shush, Daddy. It’s okay. Just relax and let Zaid take you to the hospital.”

Zaid started to lift him, but Richard smacked his hand. His wide eyes turned glassy. “Tell her.”

“Tell me what?” Novette looked from Zaid to her dad and back again. “What does Zaid know that I don’t?”

“Don’t blame him. He kept it secret for me—because I couldn’t lose you. I couldn’t ever lose you, Novette. I love you more than my life. I would lose you if you knew the truth. I would lose….”

A siren blared in the distance, but it was too late. The light went out of Richard’s eyes. Novette wept over her dad, her heart broken.

Zaid lay behind Novette, watching her. She had tossed and turned for a while, crying in her sleep. At last she seemed to be getting rest. He wouldn’t allow anyone to disturb her.

After the police interviewed them for hours, she’d had to deal with getting the household staff under control. Zaid remained by her side, and at last they were alone.

Someone knocked on the bedroom door. Wrenching it open, he f

ound the oldest of the maids. Despite being his elder, she cowed at his expression, and he tried to pull himself together.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, sir. I thought Ms. Novette could use some hot tea and a sandwich. She hasn’t eaten all day. I don’t want her to get sick.”

“Thank you for your kindness.” He took the tray. “And I apologize for my attitude.”

“It’s understandable. You’ve both been through a lot. If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Honestly, I’m surprised to find you helping us now.” He told the younger maid to be sure to be alone when she let him in the house. One could never know where the staff’s loyalties lay.

Pink settled in the older woman’s cheeks. “She’s the mistress of the house now, but even still…”

Zaid understood that no one agreed with the way Richard treated Novette. Take the rest of the evening off. I’ll see to whatever she needs.”

The maid nodded and uttered her thanks. “I’ve always known you loved Ms. Novette and that she loves you. I’m glad she has you in this difficult time. In the long run, I think she’ll be better off.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, sir.”

He agreed with her although he didn’t admit it.

Novette cried out. “Zaid?”

“I’m here, sweetheart.” He rushed to the bed and sat down next to her to take her hand. “You should sleep some more.”

“I can’t. Everything that happened keeps running through my dreams. It’s like I’m not resting at all.” She sat up and drew her knees to her chest. “You’ve been avoiding telling me what my dad was talking about at the end, but I want you to tell me now.”

“Novette.” He hated creating new wounds when she was so weak and broken.

“My dad asked me not to blame you. Did you do something?” She seemed hardly able to look at him, but when she did the fear in her eyes tore him apart.

“You’ve been through enough for one day. Let’s think about that tomorrow.”

“No. The secrets and the lies are over. Just say it. The fact that my dad didn’t want to tell me whatever it is until it was almost too late lets me know it’s huge. Does it have to do with Diane Leggett?”

His eyes widened. “How do you know that name?”

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