Chapter 30
THIRTY
N aya’s shoes hit the sidewalk pavement. Her lungs burned with exertion. Just one more circle, then she could take a leisurely stroll back to her house. She pumped her arms harder. Running was the only thing that cleared her head when she needed an escape. Thanks to her ankle and trying to survive all the attacks thrown her way, she hadn’t been able to decompress like usual.
Powells was dead. And she was to blame.
Naya scanned her surroundings, the pepper spray clipped to her belt loop bouncing in time to her steps. A car drove past her and around the corner. She passed a few kids playing basketball on their driveway. The earbuds she wore played no music and were merely a sign for anyone else out at the moment not to bother her.
Despite the sunny spring morning and the redbud trees in full bloom, her eyes were tired and heavy from the tears she had shed all night and the lack of sleep.
She should have listened to Zack. Stopped the hunt for the truth while they were all ahead.
Now Will and Powells were dead.
Who would be next?
Lord, I’m exhausted and I can’t see how this will get easier.
Naya rounded the cul-de-sac, then paused to catch her breath. She stopped at the curb and stretched out her right leg before moving to her left. Then she rolled each ankle in a slow circular motion to relieve the tension. At least her injured foot had healed enough that the weight on it today didn’t hurt.
A bruised reed I will not break. I will not snuff out a smoldering wick. In faithfulness I will bring forth justice.
The truth from Isaiah 42 was a balm that brought comfort to her heart.
Naya lifted her head toward the clouds.
Powells had warned them that whoever was behind the attacks would find out they were talking with him. He’d been reluctant to share information, and she’d pressed him for it.
And for what?
Had his life been worth the truth?
Naya wanted to scream, but the ache in her heart weighed down any opportunity to voice her anguish. She didn’t know what to do anymore. Someone was still one step ahead of them, and Naya wasn’t sure how to keep those she cared about safe.
Naya headed back toward her house, her shoes dragging against the pavement.
She clocked her workout on her watch and made a left down her neighborhood street. A notification told her she’d missed a call from Zack earlier.
He’d been the strong one yesterday, someone she’d been able to lean on. Who had tried to remind her that none of this was her fault. For that she’d been grateful. She wanted to tell him that.
When she got closer to her driveway, Zack’s car was parked along the curb. I guess I’ll get to do that now. Her heart skipped a beat, and her lips curved upward despite the grim reality of Powells’s death.
She slid her earbuds in her pocket and peered in the car window, but the interior was vacant.
She unlocked the front door and stepped into the foyer. “Grams?” Naya’s voice echoed down the hall. Ingram had come over to her house last night and hadn’t left.
“In here,” Ingram called out, and Naya walked into the kitchen.
Zack straddled a stool at the kitchen island. Two cups sat on the counter next to an empty vase. One she really needed to put to use with a bouquet of fresh flowers. It would make both her and Ingram feel better, even if only a little bit.
Ingram gave Naya a knowing look and pointed her thumb behind her before picking up her purse. “I’ll go run some errands. I’ll be back.” A few seconds later, the front door shut.
“I got a mango smoothie on my way over. Figured it might help.” Zack picked up the cup and handed it to her.
Naya took a sip. “Mmm. These never get old.” She loved the tropical fruit that was an ode to her native country. Her heart thudded at the realization of what Zack had done. The small gesture spoke volumes. “Thank you. For more than just this.” Naya closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around Zack’s torso.
Zack rested his hand on her head and tucked her into his embrace. She let her shoulders sag and closed her eyes. Being around Zack felt like home. A place of safety where she could be herself. No frills attached.
With a sigh, Naya pulled back, and cool air intercepted. If she didn’t create distance, her feelings would push her to do something she’d regret.
Zack squeezed her arms. “How are you doing?” His eyes searched hers, willing her to open up and confide in him.
Silence lengthened, and Naya bit her lip. What could she say? Every thought brought with it a well of emotions.
“Anytime you need to talk, I’m here. I want to be a safe place for you.” His voice deepened.
“You’ve been that for me, Zack. I…” She offered him a watery smile and used the back of her hand to hold the tears at bay. “I don’t know what to say without a waterworks display starting.”
“I happen to enjoy the splash zone.” Zack wiggled his brow, and Naya let out a belly laugh, which brought a steady stream of tears with it.
Zack used the pad of his thumb to wipe a tear from her cheek. The gesture sent nerve impulses ricocheting through Naya. He grabbed a tissue from the counter and handed it to her. “Here.”
Naya dabbed at her eyes, very well aware of their close proximity. “Thank you. For being available.”
Zack’s eyes darkened. “I’m here for you.” He took Naya’s hand in his and rubbed it. “So is the Lord. I prayed He would remind you how near He truly is.”
Naya’s breath hitched. Zack had prayed for her? His admission sent waves of delight through her. The fact that he pointed her closer to Jesus made her attraction for this man grow.
“Thank you. I—” Naya swallowed.
“What is it?” Zack cocked his head.
“Never mind.” She wasn’t ready to make any type of profession.
She might love his devotion to the Lord, but that couldn’t equate to a love for Zack—yet. She cared for him. But the best relationships deepened over time.
Even though she wanted to explore the possibility of a relationship with him, she had to trust that God would give them time to do that. She didn’t need to rush it.
Guide me in Your wisdom, God. Not my will but Yours. Make it clear if this is the man You would have for me or not. Give me patience with Your timing too.
“Thank you for stopping by.” Naya picked up the smoothie cup. “This was a much-needed distraction.”
Zack’s brow furrowed. “Unfortunately, I have another distraction. This one is, well, less than ideal.”
“What is it?” Naya slid out another stool at the counter and sat down.
Zack pulled out his phone. “There was an article published this morning. About my supposed involvement in the water contamination schemes.” He handed her the device.
Her jaw dropped at the headline, and she quickly clamped her lips shut. She scrolled through the rest of the article, then set the phone down. Had Tucker taken liberties with the content she’d given him for the story? Would he really have stooped so low and twisted what she’d said about Zack helping the foster kids?
“This article is a bunch of baloney.” Naya huffed.
“It was published by the Tribune. Who knows how many people have seen it?” Zack’s shoulders slumped. “Do you know anything about it?” His gaze never wavered from hers.
“Are you asking if I can find out information or if I had a say in the information?” Naya had relinquished the story. Surely Zack wouldn’t be insinuating that she’d had something to do with the publication of false details.
Zack ran his fingers through his hair. “I thought you might know something.”
He hadn’t answered her question.
“Not many people know me as the troublemaking goofball kid,” he whispered.
Naya grimaced. “And you think I told someone?”
For a second, Naya pictured them in school and in the backyards of their houses, practically growing up together. She understood his fear. Most people thought foster kids were trouble. Or that they instigated trouble out of enjoyment, which was rarely the case.
Troublemaking was a symptom of a heart that desired to be noticed and loved. A child that needed to know they were valued. Of all people, Zack should know Naya wouldn’t want him painted in that light.
“I don’t want to be that person anymore.” Zack sat stick straight on the stool.
The person Zack had once been was a far cry from the man he was now.
Didn’t he know?
“That is not who you are.” She wanted to take his hand in hers, but her trembling fingers wouldn’t allow her to. “I don’t see you that way.”
“How do you see me?” His Adam’s apple bobbed.
“You are a child of God. Your past does not define you. You have been made new and now live in the Spirit, producing good fruit.” Naya poked her finger at Zack’s chest. “You love Jesus. You’re patient, respectful, funny. You encourage me and are servant-hearted in everything you do.”
“I want to be that man.”
“You are that man.” Oh Lord, help Zack see where his identity lies. Give him confidence to live it out. “You’re a hero, Zack. Not just to me. To a lot of people.”
He stared at her, his eyes red.
Naya picked up Zack’s phone and pointed at the headline. “And I can assure you I had nothing to do with this piece.”
“I believe you. But someone wrote it. And whoever it was put my job in jeopardy.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have a two-day suspension. While things are sorted out.” Zack shoved his hands in his pockets. “I want to know who took the pictures. Sylvia couldn’t have sent them from a jail cell.” Confusion laced Zack’s tone.
He was right. On the surface, the evidence incriminated her. She was the only one who’d been with Zack when he found the truck.
Naya pinched the bridge of her nose. “Someone must have been hiding in the shadows.”
“Would Tucker have known there was evidence on that trail?”
“It’s possible.” She blew out a breath. “Although, it hurts to think he’d do that to you after I told him he could have the story. I gave him all my files, but there was nothing in there about that box Powells gave you. You showed it to me after.”
She tried to think what Tucker might have discovered.
“It’s okay if you can’t remember everything, Naya. You’ve had a lot going on. I’ll take care of it. You should rest.”
Naya didn’t want to leave Zack to figure this out alone, but her mind was foggy from the past twenty-four hours and the stress her body was under. “I’ll call my boss.”
“Promise me you’ll get some rest too.” Zack stood up and pocketed his phone.
“I don’t think rest will come until we get to the bottom of this.” Naya shrugged. The side-eye Zack gave her told her he wasn’t buying that answer. “I’ll try.”
“I’ll let you know what I find out,” Zack said, then he headed out.
Naya grabbed her laptop and sank onto the couch. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t escape this story.
Right now that was a good thing, because Zack’s reputation was on the line.
She might not be able to change the past, but she could work to change the future.
For all of them.