The Runaway Reporter (A Police Procedural Mystery Series of Crime and Suspense, Hyder Ali #3) by Thomas Fincham Read Free Book Online Page B

Hyder wanted to think about.  It had been a long day and the only thing he wanted to do now was to place his head on a pillow and pass out.
    He left the condo and headed home.
     
    SIXTEEN
     
    Hyder’s eyes snapped open when he heard a knock on his bedroom door.  He looked at the clock and it was time for Sehri —the time to close the fast.
    “ Beta , you don’t have much time,” he heard his mom say from behind the door.
    Hyder had come to rely on his mom to wake him up in the mornings.  If he left it to himself or the alarm clock, he would never be able to fast.
    With all his strength he willed himself up and then proceeded to the kitchen.  His mother was behind the stove and the air was filled with delicious aromas from what she was cooking.
    He knew she had woken up well before him to perform Tahajjud ( night ) prayers.  Although they were not obligatory, the Prophet Muhammad encouraged his followers to perform the prayers as a way of purifying the soul.
    His eyes heavy with sleep, he took his seat at the table, whereby his mom placed a plate of scrambled eggs and roti in front of him.
    With a cup of tea, Hyder devoured his meal before it was time for sunrise.  When finished, he recited the following verse from the Quran:
    Wa be-saume ghadin nu-vai-tu min shah-re Ramadhana ( I intend to fast on this day of Ramadhan ).
    He then performed ablution and, after completing the Fajr ( dawn ) prayers, he went back to bed.
     
    SEVENTEEN
     
    Nolan’s eyes twitched when he heard a noise coming from downstairs.
    He tried to ignore it, hoping to fall back into slumber, but the noise only got louder.
    Nolan cursed, and got up.
    In his shorts and T-shirt he trudged down to the main floor and opened the front door.
    Lopez was standing outside, holding a paper bag in her hands.
    “What time is it?” Nolan blinked. The sunlight was blinding him.
    “It’s time for you to get up,” she said.
    Nolan went back inside and flopped on the sofa.  “I should give you a key,” he said.  “This way I wouldn’t have to get off my butt to let you in.”
    She went into the kitchen and said, “We decided to take it slow, remember?”
    He rubbed his face.  He remembered.
    They both respected and cared for the other. The last thing they wanted was for their relationship to end because they rushed in.  Their loyalty and friendship meant more than anything.  If they wanted the new phase of their relationship to work, and more importantly, to last, then they had to take baby steps.  This meant giving the other person room to adjust.  In Nolan’s case, it was letting him control his drinking on his terms.
    Lopez opened the paper bag and began placing items on the dining table.  “I brought breakfast,” she said.
    “I’m still asleep,” he replied.
    “Do you want me to throw water on you?” she said.
    Nolan snorted. “You wouldn’t dare.”
    “How about hot coffee?” she said, holding a steaming cup in her hand.
    Nolan saw the look on her face and decided he didn’t want to tempt her.
    He took a chair at the dining table.  He grabbed the egg and cheese wrap and began biting into it.
    “It’s okay,” she said.  “You can start without me.”
    She was being sarcastic, but Nolan hadn’t realized she was still setting up the table.  “My bad,” he said.
    She removed more items from the bag, placed them on plates, and then sat across from him. She grabbed a sandwich and began biting into it.
    “I guess now it’s okay to continue,” he said.
    “It is,” she said with a smile.  “Ladies first, you know.”
    He smiled back and bit into his wrap.
    They ate their breakfast in silence until Lopez said, “Halton wants to meet us.”
    “When?”
    She looked at her watch.  “Now,” she said. “Halton tried calling you.”
    “I don’t answer his calls,” Nolan shrugged.
    “Go get ready. We’re already late.”
    Nolan stood up and stretched.  “I’m ready.”
    “You’re not seriously considering