AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nancy nodded solemnly. “He saved our lives. I will never forget that man’s face or his bravery. Or his kindness.” She smiled, softening her features. “I was stunned, because he remembered me, too. My husband and I and all the others were so damn scared that night, and Rocky was patient and gentle with us. Helped me into that little boat like I was made of fine glass. You should be proud of your dad.”
Gabe’s swallow was audible. “I am. He was the best father a man could have.”
Shock flickered over Nancy’s face. “Was? He’s passed?”
Gabe nodded. “Six weeks ago, ma’am.”
“I’m so sorry, son. Really.” She drew a breath, then let it out. “He was here about four or five months ago, also asking about the woman who lived on our street. I didn’t know her well, but I remembered her name. Forty-some years of teaching has made me very good at remembering names. Hers was Nadia Hall.”
Molly’s pulse kicked up. Yes. “Did she have a dog?”
“Oh yes.” Nancy smiled again. “Madame Fluffy. Fancy dog, all ears and hair with a long snout.”
That fit. “An Afghan hound.”
Nancy seemed amused. “If you say so. Never had much use for those fancy pooches. All my dogs came from the pound.” She sobered. “I hope the dog survived the flood.”
“What happened to Nadia?” Molly asked.
Nancy’s eyes narrowed. “Now, don’t be playing innocent with me, young lady. I’ll tell you what you want to know, but I don’t countenance false innocence.”
“She died,” Molly said baldly.
“I think so, yes.” Nancy’s gaze moved to Gabe. “Your daddy was looking for her, too. I got the impression he knew what had happened to her.”
Don’t tell her about Xavier. Don’t tell her.
“Dad thought that she was murdered. He was going door to door that night, searching for people to rescue.”
“More like window to window,” Nancy corrected. “My husband and I were on our roof and the water was rising so fast, we both thought that we were goners. Your daddy came along in the nick of time.”
“I can’t even imagine,” Gabe murmured. “Anyway, Dad was searching for survivors and found her body.”
Nancy nodded slowly. “That’s what he told me, too.”
Molly let herself relax. Nicely done, Gabe. Nicely done. No mention of Xavier.
“I didn’t understand what had happened at the time,” Nancy went on. “Not until he showed up on my doorstep this past spring and we reminisced. He said he’d come by a time or two before, but we weren’t living here then.”
That was news. “Where were you then?” Molly asked.
“In Huntsville. My husband was being treated at the hospital there. Our daughter lives there, and I needed the help. I rented the house out while we were there. Three long years. But the treatments weren’t working, and my husband didn’t want to continue.” Her lips curved sadly. “He wanted one more Mardi Gras. So we came home. That was last year. He got his Mardi Gras, and then he let go.”
“I’m so sorry,” Gabe said quietly.
“I know you are, son. You know grief. You, too, Miss Sutton. I can see it in your eyes.”
It was true. Molly’s heart had been cracking, her eyes filling, and she hadn’t even been aware.
“I guess grief is a part of life,” Gabe said philosophically. “It still sucks.”
“It does, indeed.” Nancy studied their faces, then sighed. “Why are you searching for Nadia Hall now?” Then she tensed. “How did your daddy die?”
Gabe tensed as well. “The official cause of death was suicide.”
Nancy frowned. “But you don’t think so. You think it’s connected to Nadia.”
Gabe glanced at Molly, his eyes pleading for her to warn this woman.
