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She made a decision. “We think so.” If Rocky’s killer tracked them to Nancy Royce...
“And me?” Nancy asked, her voice quivering. “Am I in danger for talking to Rocky?”
Molly met her gaze head-on. “Can you visit your daughter in Huntsville for a little while?”
Nancy drew a shocked breath. “I expect so. Haven’t seen my grandkids in a month. My car’s all gassed up. I’ll leave today.”
Molly put one of her business cards on the coffee table. “Please call me when you get there. We’ll sleep better knowing you’re okay.”
Nancy smiled wryly. “Then it must be pretty bad.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Molly said. “It is. Can you tell me what you remember about Nadia Hall? What did she do for a living?”
“She worked in an office somewhere near the Quarter, I think. She rode the bus and used to complain about traffic all the time. But she was cagey. Didn’t give many details about her life.”
“Was she married? Or have a boyfriend?” Molly asked.
“Rocky Hebert asked the same thing, and I’ll tell you what I told him. She must have had a boyfriend at some point. She was pregnant.” She lifted her brows. “He wasn’t surprised. You’re not, either. Why?”
Molly winced. “No disrespect, ma’am, but I’d like to keep some of the details to ourselves. The more you know, the more in danger you might be.”
Nancy rolled her eyes. “Fine. I suppose I’ll read about it in the newspaper sooner or later. The only other thing I remember about Nadia is that she was a hard worker. Left early in the morning and didn’t get home till late. Sometimes after midnight.”
“Did you ever see the boyfriend?” Molly asked.
“No. If he came over, it was after we went to bed. Or while we were at work.”
Dammit.But what they’d learned so far was still far more than they’d known when they’d knocked on Nancy’s door. “What did she look like?”
“Young. Early twenties, maybe. Blond. Long hair, down to her butt. Real pretty. She smiled a lot, as I recall. She seemed... grateful. Like she hadn’t had much and couldn’t believe how well she was living.”
Molly mentally crossed her fingers. “Would you have any photos?”
“No,” Nancy said with a sad slump of her shoulders. “If I’d had any, they were destroyed in the flood. Everything was destroyed. My kids’ baby pictures, my wedding pictures. Everything.” She shrugged. “If I had some, I’d give them to you, but I know I don’t.”
“I’m sorry,” Molly murmured. “This is bringing back a lot of pain for you.”
“If it helps get justice for Rocky, I don’t mind. That man saved us.”
“Who took care of the dog when she was at work?” Gabe asked. “Did she have a friend or a family member walk the dog?”
Molly felt a little thrill of pride. Good questions, Gabe.
Nancy shook her head. “She hired a dog walker. High school girl who lived down the street. The girl’s family relocated after Katrina. We didn’t hear from them again. We’ve lost touch with most of our old neighbors,” she added sadly. “It was so crazy then, getting out of the flood, living in a tent in the heat. God, it was hot. And the smell...” She shuddered. “I still remember that, way too clearly. So many people didn’t make it. The ones that did scattered. Some went to live with family, some went to Houston. Others lived in government housing. We went to Huntsville to live with our daughter until we’d rebuilt. After that, we contacted folks whose phone numbers we had. Mourned the ones who died. We didn’t know what happened to Nadia. Not till your daddy came by and asked about her. I assumed she’d gotten out with the dog before the waters rose.” She paused. “Did Rocky find the little boy?”
Molly was startled but kept her expression bland. As did Gabe. If he ever decided he was done with chefing, he could have a real future as a PI. “What little boy?” she asked.
“There was a little boy. Sweetest kid. Named Angel. His mama died that night. Died saving him, in fact. I was holding him on my lap in the boat. He was the one who insisted that Rocky check Nadia’s place. I didn’t even think about the look on Rocky’s face when he got back into the boat. I was too terrified that we were going to die. But now, thinking back, I think that was when he saw her body. When he was here a few months ago, he said he was still looking for Angel.” She stared at them shrewdly. “I didn’t believe him then. I don’t now. I just want to know that little Angel’s okay.”
“We’ll do our best to find him,” Molly promised. “And then we can give him your information if you like.”
“I’d like,” Nancy said knowingly. “Is there anything else?”
“How did you know Nadia was pregnant?” Molly asked. “Did she tell you?”
“Nah. I had kids. I knew the signs. She’d cover her belly with her hand and ask what ingredients were in foods we shared at neighborhood barbecues. Also, the kid who walked her dog said that she heard Nadia puking when she came by to get Madame Fluffy.”
“Do you know if she was seeing a doctor?” Molly pressed. “Like an ob-gyn?”
