Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole Read Free Book Online Page A

want to post the article on his blog. He just wanted to get it right and not run the risk of calling out an innocent woman he didn’t even know.
    What he needed was more information or, at least, pictures of her doing something illegal. He also needed cleaner pictures in general and one good headshot of her. That would be the main image on his blog.
    He would turn the images over tomorrow, sure, but that meant he still had the night to put his story together and get the images he needed.
    His computer started buzzing and popped up a Skype call. He glanced at the name, let out a sigh, and then clicked accept.
    “Hi, Mom.”
    “Haatim? Where are you?”
    “Home.”
    “Why are you in your underwear?”
    “It’s my apartment,” he said. “And I’m not expecting visitors.”
    She put her hand on her forehead and mumbled a few unmentionable phrases.
    “Oh, Haatim,” she said finally.
    “Did you need something?”
    “I just wanted to see how you were doing.”
    “I’m fine,” he replied.
    “Are you sure? You haven’t called in weeks, and I haven’t seen you since you left for Arizona.”
    “I’ve only been back for three months.”
    “I’m worried that you aren’t facing your grief properly, Haatim. You should be surrounding yourself with family and friends, not running away.”
    Haatim was silent for a long moment, struggling with the emotions roiling inside of him. He knew objectively that she was correct, and he did miss his family, but he also couldn’t ignore the part of himself that wanted to be alone.
    “Was that all you needed?” he asked finally.
    “No. Your father also wanted me to ask you if you need—”
    “If he wants to ask me something, he can call himself,” Haatim interrupted. He kept his voice nonchalant, determined not to sound angry or frustrated. It didn’t work. “He doesn’t need to use you as a go-between.”
    “He misses you,” she said.
    “Does he?” Haatim asked. “He has a funny way of showing it.”
    “You know he has a hard time expressing his emotions.”
    “You use that excuse for him far too often,” Haatim said. “It would be different if he showed me or Nida any affection. Instead, he was always away. He was always off on business trips until Nida died, and then suddenly he wants everyone to think he was the best father in the world.”
    “He was busy—”
    “He never has trouble talking about his emotions when he’s preaching,” Haatim continued, ranting but unable to stop himself. “He was great at telling other people how much he loved us. In fact, I think he might be too good at it.”
    There was a touch of bitterness in Haatim’s voice as he spoke and he forced himself to stop. He felt a strong ache in his chest and tears welling in his eyes.
    “A lot of people loved your sister,” his mother said softly. “Your father was trying to help assuage their grief.”
    “That doesn’t make her any less dead.”
    The words hung in the air, and seconds ticked past. A tear rolled down his cheek, and he roughly brushed it away.
    “He just wanted the people to know—”
    “What did he want to ask me?” Haatim interrupted, determined to change the subject.
    “He…he’s afraid that because of Nida’s death you’re losing your faith.”
    “He’s not worried about losing his son? Or upset because his God took his daughter away from him? No, I guess not. He’s concerned that I’m losing faith in my religion?”
    “You know it’s important to him.”
    “Yeah. Of course. Priorities, right?”
    “He just…”
    “What kind of God would allow a sixteen-year-old girl to die from cancer? No, I’m sorry mom. Dad can keep his faith. He can shove the entire religion up his—”
    “Haatim, you shouldn’t speak like this.”
    “No, Mom, I’m not losing my faith. It’s gone. I’m done, and I’m out. You can tell him that if you want. I really don’t care.”
    “Haatim…you know your place is here, with your family.”
    “I’m not so