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“I didn’t know what his intentions were at first. But after time, I realized that he wasn’t out to harm anyone again. He actually married a woman from Tabiq. Aiza. They just had a baby not that long ago.”
“I’ve tried to find information on Steven. But I have learned not to believe what the internet says. Just because someone says. I’ve met a lot of wolves in sheep's clothing.”
“So have I. Steven isn’t one of those men. At least, not now. He’s a family man. His brother died a long time ago. Steven was almost eighteen at the time.”
“There was nothing in the obituary that explained what happened.”
“Suicide,” Bennett replied.
“Wow. Must have been tough on Steven. Did you know why he took his own life?” I asked.
“Steven said Michael was suffering from depression. Their father had been mentally and physically abusive. I can’t diagnose him, but I would say he couldn’t take it any longer. And broke.”
“How did Steven survive?” I asked.
“Barely. He’s a victim of it. But being married and having a family of his own seems to have helped. What I can tell you is that he knows about Michael having a daughter. They have been searching for her.”
“I’m not ready for her to learn about them yet. Not until I know she won’t get hurt,” I stated.
“Damien, I know you mean well, and we want to protect the ones we love, but you can’t keep her from her family. That will hurt her more than you realize,” he said.
Love? “She is my client,” I stated firmly.
Bennett nodded. “Zoey was mine as well. That doesn’t mean I didn’t fall in love with her. But maybe you’re not ready to admit your feelings yet.”
“I didn’t ask for your advice, just the facts regarding Tabiq,” I snapped.
“Consider it a bonus,” he smiled. “Just remember what I said. The truth always comes out. Let her hear it from you.”
It might be good advice, but it sucked. She was going to be hurt either way, and potentially pissed at me for keeping it from her.
“I want to talk to Steven before I do anything,” I said. “I need him to understand that if anything happens to her, he’ll answer to me.”
“And yet you say she’s only a client.”
“You’re pushing your luck, Bennett,” I said.
He laughed. “I usually do. Now let’s get Steven on the phone for you.” Bennett pulled out his phone and dialed the number. “Hello Steven. Are you able to talk? Good. I have someone here that wants to speak to you. If you don’t mind, I'm going to put you on speakerphone.”
A few seconds later, Bennett’s phone was resting on the coffee table and we both sat down near it.
“Hi. My name is Damien Blaze. I wanted to talk to you about your brother,” I said.
Steven said, “He’s deceased. Is there more than that you need to know?” I could hear his apprehension as he spoke. Protecting the memory of his late brother. I could commend him on that.
“Yes. It actually has to do with you,” I said.
“I had nothing to do with his death if that is what you’re asking,” he stated firmly.
“Not saying you did.” I was going to have to ask the tough questions, and Steven wasn’t going to like it. “I need to know what your stance is in regards to Tabiq and what they have gone through as a country,” I stated.
Bennett interjected and said, “It’s okay to answer honestly. He is familiar with the history of Tabiq.”
“That changes things,” Steven replied. “I hate what they have been through and I am working with the Hendersons to be part of the solution. But what does any of this have to do with Michael?”
“Was he part of the problem?” I asked.
“He...was brought to Tabiq by our father. What he did was because he had no choice, or felt as though he didn’t. It was obey or pay the price. So to answer your question, yes, he came here and did something that tore him up inside. It...was more than he could handle, and I think that is what caused him to take his own life.”
