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“Sorry I missed your call.” Naya glanced at the dash clock. “I’ll probably be late. I saw Zack, then got distracted. What’s up?” Naya buckled her seatbelt and turned the ignition.
“No worries,” Ingram said. “I’m so sorry, but I’m going to have to cancel for our painting party tonight. Something came up at work I have to take care of.”
“Is everything okay?”
“They called a mandatory staff meeting. Apparently, we need training on how to handle the protestors. What we can and can’t say.”
“Sounds riveting.” Naya kept the car in park.
“I know. Did you get anywhere with your lead?”
“Nope.” Naya sighed. For every one person willing to talk, there were five more that proved to be dead ends. Each time, it only made her want to investigate further until she uncovered the treasure chest of information that would make the story. She just had to hang on long enough to hit the jackpot. “But I have a few more sources on my list to touch base with. Although, someone doesn’t want me writing this story.”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone left a note of warning on my car. Told me to stop or else.”
“Nay, did you report it to the police?”
“Why would I? They have much more pressing matters to worry about.”
“Your safety is important.”
“I think it was Tucker.” Naya ran through their conversation. He hadn’t been happy then. “There’s no one else who would know what my car looks like or that I’m writing this story. Plus, I’m going to address it with my boss tomorrow.”
“Just be careful, okay? You have a hunger for finding the truth for your stories, and sometimes people don’t want that exposed.”
Of course Ingram would allude to the one time a story had gone south. When she’d investigated the attacks on one of the dance instructors in town. The culprit’s father had begun stalking Naya to stop her from writing the story. He’d claimed his family had enough heartache to handle without a story being released with the details.
Sure, the situation had been scary, but Naya couldn’t stop working because one person wasn’t happy. If she didn’t find the truth, no one might. Just like her brother and the people sick in the hospital now. They would end up without the justice they deserved.
“Maybe you need a bodyguard. Someone to watch your back. I could put a bug in Zack’s ear.”
Naya glanced out the window. Zack still stood several feet away. He glanced up from his phone like he could sense her staring. “No need. I’ve got your number on speed dial if need be. He’s got his own life.”
“Well, back in the day, you two were tight.” Ingram chuckled.
Naya remembered all too well.
They’d both been in foster care and were next-door neighbors for five years. Zack had been in kinship foster care and lived with his grandma. She’d lived with the Tomlinsons, a nice enough family. During that time, Zack had been her big brother. Protector. Confidant.
But he’d hurt her once, just like every other guy she’d opened her heart to. Naya couldn’t risk adding more damage to her battered heart. If she did, it might just break her the next time.
The Lord would have to work a miracle to change her mind, and right now, He’d given her the gift of singleness. She didn’t have plans to change her status anytime soon. Even if Zack had grown up to be a handsome man. A hero.
She didn’t need a hero. She needed a lead.
“Are we still on for our hike tomorrow after work?”
“For sure. It’ll be nice to clear my head. I have to go. See ya tomorrow.”
A knock reverberated against her window, and Naya’s hand flew to her chest.
Zack peered in, his brow creased.
She rolled down the window.
“Everything okay?” He scanned the interior of the car. “Are you having car trouble?”