The Widow of Papina

by Katie Hamstead

  He stumbled back and fell behind the bed. I covered myself, and when he leapt back up, he’d pulled his pants back on. He spoke to her in her language, and she wailed back at him.

  “Nova!” I cried. “What are you doing?”

  She glanced at me and moved closer. She yelled at him again and he raised his hands, responding in her language again.

  “What’s she saying?” I said in a high-pitched voice.

  He glanced at me and she yelled at him again.

  “She’s saying you don’t belong to me,” he answered quickly.

  She yelled at him again, waving the gun wildly.

  He pulled back, wincing.

  “Nova, what’s going on?”

  She looked down at me. “You belong to Forrest.”

  My jaw fell. Her first words to me in more than a year! But, I had to make sense of them. “ Forrest is dead.”

  Her eyes flashed with pain. “I know. But, he can’t have you. He hurt you. He held you down and forced you! I won’t let him steal you away from me.”

  “Nova, put the gun down.”

  Her lip curled. “No. I’m gonna shoot him like he shot me for what he’s done to you.”

  “He didn’t do anything to me!” My voice reflected my tension, my fear, and she looked down at me with concern. I clutched tightly to the blankets as I continued. “I’ve fallen in love with him. It was consensual. Nova, I can’t be alone for the rest of my life.”

  She lowered the gun and turned to me. “you are the last thing Forrest thought about. The last words he said were to tell you he loved you. You can’t be with someone else after that, so now it’s just me, and I’ll take care of you like he wanted.”

  My jaw hung as I struggled to process what she said.

  Paul appeared behind her, and plucked the gun from her hand. She didn’t seem to notice as she knelt on the bed in front of me and grabbed my shoulders. “I’ll protect you like he did for me, I promise.”

  “But . . . what happened?”

  Her eyes darkened, and for a moment, feared she’d stop talking again. But, she leaned closer and said in a hushed voice, “My ex-boyfriend attacked me. Him and his stupid friends . . . but, Forrest saw them drag me away and came after me. He ripped them off and helped me escape. But, they shot him.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. “They shot him as he ran, and he told me to get in the car. He fell and I saw all the arrows in him and I screamed. I tried to help him, but I think he knew he . . . ”

  Her head fell on my chest as she sobbed. “He said to find you and tell you that he loves you. Then, they shot him again. I tried to get him to stand up, but they came at me so I ran. When I looked back, they pulled his head back and—”

  “Nova,” Paul said. “I think you should stop.”

  She cried loudly as I sat, stunned, horrified. I was on the verge of throwing up. I whimpered, the images of Forrest’s brutal murder flashing through my mind.

  I moaned and sat forward. “I don’t feel so good.”

  Paul grabbed me and rushed me into the bathroom where I threw up in the toilet. He tossed a towel around my shoulders and pulled my hair back into a ponytail, a moment before I threw up again.

  I didn’t want to think about it, but Forrest’s face as he was shot over and over filled my mind. I heaved again, but nothing much came out, it just hurt.

  Paul dashed into the bedroom. “Nova?”

  “Get away from me!” she screamed. “Get out of this house!”

  “Where’d you get the gun?”

  “Sarah hid it in the floor of the office. They never noticed the loose carpet in the corner.”

  “Nova, we need—”

  “Get out!” she screamed.

  Jackson cried out.

  “No,” Paul said. “I’m part of this. I’m going to help Bray, and you’re going to trust that I’m not going to hurt her.”

  “No.”

  “Yes!” His voice rose as anger filled it. “Now go see to Jackson and help him calm back down. Bray doesn’t need the added stress right now.”

  “I won’t do what you tell me.”

  “Nova Garcia, you will do as I say because if you really loved Bray, you wouldn’t want to add to her burdens. So, go see to Jackson.”

  Silence lingered for a moment, then, “Don’t you dare touch her.”

  She stomped out, and the sound of Jackson’s cries grew louder as his door opened.

  Paul was at my side. “Bray?”

  I couldn’t speak.

  He stroked my hair back from my face. “Let’s get you dressed. We’re heading to Bearville right now.”

  Chapter 29

  Paul drove us to Bearville. Jackson moaned and whined for the first fifteen minutes before he fell back to sleep. I stared at the clock. 11:46p.m. I hoped more than anything Nova would speak again when we arrived.

  I must have dozed off because Paul shook my shoulder. “We’re here. I’ll take Nova, you get Jackson.”

  “If you touch me I’ll—”

  He swung around and glared at Nova. “You’ll what?”

  “I’ll . . . I’ll say you did it!”

  “Uh-huh.” He jumped out of the truck and pulled her door open as a pair of police walked up to join us. “Let’s go.”

  She grumbled and climbed out.

  I hurried to pluck out the sleeping Jackson and follow them inside.

  The detective emerged, looking dazed. Her hair was tied back in a messy pony tail and she’d just thrown her suit on. “Why so urgent, sheriff?”

  He shoved Nova’s shoulder.

  She growled and yelled, “I hate you! You stay away from Bray, you hear me?”

  The detective’s eyes widened. “Get her in for questioning.”

  Nova struggled as they took her away and yelled, “Don’t let him near Bray!”

  The detective looked at me. “What happened?”

  My cheeks felt like an inferno. “She found out I am dating Paul and it didn’t go down well.”

  “How exactly did she find out?”

  Paul cleared his throat.

  “Maybe I don’t want to know.” She turned away from us, but said, “As her legal guardian, you can sit in if you want, which might be good considering she wants him to stay away from you. It might reassure her enough to spill everything.”

  Paul reached out and carefully took Jackson from my arms. I followed the detective to a small room where a loud crash made me jump.

  She raised an eyebrow. “Well, we’re in the right place.”

  She threw the door open and Nova spun, panting like a raging bull. Her eyes focused on me as I walked in and she rushed over, wrapping her arms around me.

  I stroked her hair. “Hey, can you tell them what happened?”

  Her shoulders rose. “I don’t want to.”

  “Why not?”

  She looked up into my face. “Because, you’ll hate me.”

  My heart ached for her. I caressed her face, staring into her eyes. “I won’t hate you. What happened wasn’t your fault.”

  Her chin quivered. “But it was! You don’t understand.”

  “Well, tell me so I can.”

  She pulled away and shook her head. “No. I was horrible and selfish that day. I hated you for being married to him when he was the only nice man I’d ever met. I didn’t think that a white girl deserved him when white people are so horrible.”

  I stared at her, unable to get a read on how I felt or what I thought. “What do you mean?”

  She grabbed the roots of her hair and tugged. “My ex was a boy from the boarding school, but his dad didn’t want us to be together because I’m Indian. So, he dumped me, and has been mean to me ever since while secretl
y trying to hook up with me. I hated him for what he did so I avoided him.”

  My heart raced in my chest as I said in a soft voice, “You said your ex killed Forrest.”

  Pain filled her eyes as she rushed toward me. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. Please don’t hate me. I didn’t realize they were coming back from one of their sports trips. All I cared about was . . . was . . . ”

  Her head fell into my hands. “Please don’t hate me.”

  “Nova.” I pulled her into my arms. “I will never hate you. We’re family. I said I’d adopt you and I will once all of this is over. Nothing you could say will change that.”

  She sobbed loudly in my arms for several minutes. I glanced around and saw the detective and the man who usually did the questioning standing back, just watching. The detective pointed at the wall where I saw a small microphone. They must have started recording, and needed me to get more out of Nova.

  “Nova, I love you, and so does Jackson. We want you to be part of our family.”

  Her sobbing slowed and she looked up at me. “Really?”

  I smiled. “I’ve always wanted plenty of children.”

  She chuckled. “Promise me you won’t hate me?”

  “I promise.” I stroked her hair.

  She took a deep breath and slowly released it. “Forrest dropped me home, and on the way I tried to tell him that I loved him again, but he said that I didn’t, and that I needed to stop. I said I’d give him . . . ”

  She flushed and looked away. “But, he was horrified, and said he was going to arrange for me to be changed to a different counselor. He said that as a married man it was completely out of the question. So, he forced me from his car and drove away.

  “So, I decided I needed to . . . ” Her voice caught. “I needed to get rid of you. I stole my foster father’s bicycle and headed to town. I was going to tell you he deserved better than white trash like you and that we were in love, and while I rode, I planned it all out, and barely noticed the bus pass by me. That’s when he must have seen me.

  “When I reached the edge of town, he and two of his friends were waiting for me. I tried to escape, but they had all their archery gear and threatened to shoot me. Then, they dragged me through the park, pinned me down and . . . ”

  “Oh, Nova!” I clung to her as my own tears fell.

  “That’s when Forrest showed up. I didn’t notice him at first because I was screaming and hurting so bad, but he hit them all and pulled me free.

  “I really didn’t think they’d shoot him, not over me. We almost made it to the car, but he fell. They ran toward us, and he told me to go, like I told you, and find you and say he loved you. That was when my ex grabbed his hair and said, ‘If only I knew how to scalp ya,’ before he slit his throat.

  “I screamed, and he turned toward me, so I ran. They fired at me, but I don’t think they wanted to hit me. I just kept running and running. I didn’t want them to find me, until I was lost. I hid in a cave because it was so cold . . . ”

  She trembled. “The sheriff found me. I couldn’t even move to make him leave me alone. I just wanted to die. Then, you showed up. I couldn’t believe you of all people wanted to take me home. I still hated you because Forrest loved you and not me. His last thoughts and words were about you, not me.”

  I was speechless. I had no idea what to say or even how to feel. Stunned, was all I could muster.

  She looked up into my eyes. “I’m so sorry, Bray. Now you’re like the mom I always wanted, but it’s my fault you lost your husband. I’ll understand if you don’t want me.”

  I clasped her face. “No! Nova it wasn’t your fault. You were a victim, too. He was just being Forrest and tried to help you.”

  Out of the corner of my eye I saw the detective wave at me. I glanced over and saw her mouth, “A name.”

  It took me a moment to realize what she meant, and I looked down at Nova again. “Sweetheart, who did this to you?”

  She flushed and looked away.

  “Nova, who is your ex?”

  Her chin quivered as she cried. “He’ll hurt me. He said if I open my mouth he’ll lock me up and torture me, then kill me, too.”

  I took a sharp breath, horrified that someone could even think such things. “Nova, I’ll protect you.”

  She shook her head and squeezed my waist. “No, I need to protect you.”

  “From what?”

  “His dad thinks you’re the prettiest woman in town and you’re wasted out here. He says you deserve better than a marriage to a native and now you have the chance.”

  “Good heavens!” I gasped horrified, but believing I knew exactly who she was talking about. “Nova, the police will protect us. The sheriff and deputy and everyone in town will protect us.”

  She looked up at me again. “You don’t think he’ll come after me again?”

  “I think as soon as you tell me who he is, I will send the detective out to get him.”

  She took a shuddered breath and nodded. “Alfie Richards.”

  I glanced over at the detective as she rushed over and touched Nova’s shoulder. “Thank you, Nova.”

  The detective pulled her phone from her pocket and rushed out of the room.

  The man stepped over and gestured to the door.

  Nova looked up at me. “What’s happening?”

  “I think they are going to go pick up Alfie.”

  She shuffled. “He won’t see me, will he?”

  “I don’t think they’ll let him.”

  She smiled. “You know what?”

  “What?”

  “I feel better for telling you.”

  I kissed the top of her head. “I do, too. I knew Forrest wouldn’t hurt you and you wouldn’t have hurt him. All along I knew there had to be another explanation.”

  “I know. You’re the only person who did.”

  I turned to lead her out. “Come on. Let’s get something to help keep us awake.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Several hours later, Alfie Richards came hollering into the police station. “Nova, you little slut! I’m going to kill you!”

  Nova shot up from her spot dozing on my shoulder. “Where is he?”

  Paul’s eyes flew open and he looked over Jackson’s head. “Get into that room there, just to be safe.”

  We all rushed in, and Paul shut the door behind him. Amazingly, Jackson stayed asleep.

  Nova clung to my hand. “He can’t see me.”

  “He won’t.” I stroked her head.

  “What if he gets off?”

  Paul grunted. “He better not. If he does, I’ll make sure he’s expelled and run out of town.”

  Nova shot him a fierce glance and looked up at me. “Why does he have to be here?”

  “Nova—”

  The door burst open and the detective fixed her gaze on Nova. “Come and identify him. And, if it’s at all possible, we’d like the names of the other boys, too.” She looked at the sheriff. “We’ve locked the school down. No one goes in or out.”

  He nodded. “Good.”

  She looked back to Nova. “Come on.”

  She shook her head, her grip around my hand almost crushing it. “Not without Bray.”

  The detective looked at me and I nodded.

  We went to the room with the one-way window and saw Alfie Richards pacing the tight space.

  “Is that the person who killed Forrest?” the detective asked.

  Nova burst into tears, but nodded.

  The detective’s shoulders sagged. “Nova, we know you’re able to speak, so now, please say it aloud. For the record.”

  Nova swiped at her tears with the back of her hand. “That’s the disgusting jerk.”

  “All right.
We have people going through the school’s arrows as we speak. The evidence does line up for this story and if we find the weapons then—”

  Alfie banged on the window. “Nova! If you’re in there, you better shut your ugly mouth.”

  She buried her face into my shoulder.

  “I should have never been stupid enough to look at a fugly little slut like you.”

  She made a strange growling sound and looked up at me. “His two friends that were with him were Josh Haynes and Eric Sharpe.”

  The detective smirked. “I like this girl when she talks.”

  She walked over and opened the door. “I think we can handle it from here. Why don’t you all go home and we’ll call you if we need you again.”

  A wave of exhaustion swept over me. “That sounds like a good idea.”

  When I climbed into Paul’s truck, I saw the time. 5:04 a.m. So much for an early night! As we drove in silence, I processed everything I’d learned. Forrest had done what I’d expected. He’d been noble and selfless and saved Nova, and most of all, the last thought on his mind was me. The last words he spoke were to say he loved me.

  Although his death would have been horrendous, I smiled as tears rolled down my cheeks. Forrest would finally be seen as the hero I always knew him to be. I felt relieved to finally know the truth, and I felt like Forrest wasn’t so far away.

  We turned into town and I tapped Paul’s arm. He glanced at me, and I pointed down a side street. He turned, and I directed him to the graveyard.

  He pulled up, and I climbed out. He kept the truck rolling as I trotted over to Forrest’s grave and knelt down. I ran my hand over the snow and stared at his head stone. “Well, Forrest, I finally know. It actually feels right, you know? You always fought for what’s right, and I always knew that would be the real reason you died.”

  My tear fell onto the snow and I stared at it. “You know what? I feel like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders. I feel light, and surprisingly, I don’t feel angry at those boys. They’re going to get what they deserve. I do feel sad because I miss you, but I know I can keep you alive in my heart by keeping Nova on the right track. You gave her that chance, and I’m not going to make your sacrifice be in vain.”