by N. C. Reed
“I know what I saw!” she all but screeched.
“I think . . . is Lila here?” he asked, cutting himself off.
“Yes sir!” a muffled squeak called from upstairs.
“Lila, can you maintain with the other kids until the rest get back?” he called.
“Yes sir!” Lila called back.
“Then let’s take this outside and away from where any of these kids can hear it,” Clay ordered. “The kids old enough for school will be home any minute and they are not going to walk into this mess.”
“It's my job to manage this place and care for these children!” Malitha all but yelled.
“Yeah, I think we may be revisiting that decision. Pancho, call down and get some more help up here. Maybe have a couple of women walk the kids up and stay here with them. Security class is out so there should be someone around that can come up.”
“On it,” Jose reached for his radio.
“Outside, Mrs George,” Clay's tone brooked no argument. “You too, Miss Ledford.” Kandi didn't hesitate and walked outside as soon as Clay ordered her to. Malitha George did hesitate, trying to find a reason or way to stay, but ultimately knew she couldn't and walked as slowly as possible to the door and then outside.
“Knew it was too good to be true,” Clay muttered before following them out.
***
“Plate, this is Pancho, how copy?”
“Go for Plate,” Deuce replied at once. They were all on edge after hearing Corey's call.
“I need you to call Captain Thatcher to the radio room, please,” Jose ordered. “We need her help.”
“Roger that, wait one,” Deuce replied, grabbing the schedule behind him. He was pretty sure . . . yep, Thatcher was working the clinic. He looked at Millie.
“Please go and ask Doctor Thatcher to come to radio room, please.” She nodded and left at once.
“Pancho, be advised, Doctor Thatcher is in the clinic. We have someone bringing her here now.”
“Copy that. Also contact Deputy Holloway and ask him to contact us as well.”
“Copy that, will do.” Deuce was really concerned now. Even as he prepared to call for Greg on another frequency, Thatcher stepped inside.
“Someone needed me?” she said.
“Yes ma'am,” Deuce nodded. “Pancho called wanting to speak to you. Here you are, Ma'am,” he handed her the proper mike.
“Pancho, go for Thatcher,” she said simply.
“Doctor, has Miss Leighton arrived with the child?” Pancho asked.
“Affirmative,” Thatcher frowned, remembering how Leighton had barged in with one of the younger security staff on her heels.
“Have you examined the child, Doctor?”
“Negative. The child appeared to be fine,” Thatcher's frown increased. “I wasn't informed there was anything wrong.”
“There may not be,” Pancho's voice sounded tight. “We need you to examine the child and determine if there is any evidence whatsoever that the child has been abused in any way, especially recently. Be advised the child may show evidence of abuse in the past, but we are only interested in something that could have happened in the last day or so. If Kait is on duty she can explain the children's history if you aren't aware of it. Please do this immediately and let us know what you find. Time is of the essence.”
“Understood,” Thatcher replied crisply, eyes narrowing. “I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.” She set the microphone down and returned to the clinic to find Trudy Leighton cursing.
“-dare that old bitch accuse me of something like that!” Jaylyn Thatcher realized then that Leighton could hear everything that was said over the young soldier's radio.
“Take it easy, Trudy,” Jaylyn raised a hand in supplication. “No one down here, at least none of us who know and tolerate you, will believe that for a second.”
“Tolerate is it?” Trudy sounded put upon.
“Trudy, you do have to admit you come across kinda rough,” Jaylyn was trying to calm the situation with sideways humor.
“Well, I get treated that way a lot,” Trudy semi-defended.
“I imagine that to be true,” Jaylyn admitted, taking the baby from her. “And what's your name, sweetie?” she almost cooed at the child, shocking Corey Raynard to his bones. She must have noticed because she shot him a glance.
“What?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. “It's a baby. Babies are adorable.”
“No argument from me, Ma'am,” Corey promised.
“What's your name, soldier?” she asked.
“Corey, Ma'am. Corey Raynard. Call sign Ray.”
“Well, Ray, I need you to stay with me, and Trudy I need you to step outside. No, don't say anything else right now, okay?” she ordered when Trudy started to object. “I know what's going on, but they seem to be doing everything by the book. I've learned enough about Clayton Sanders to know that he's methodical. If he thinks this is needed, it isn't necessarily because he thinks you're guilty. From the sound of it, I'd say he thinks the opposite and is looking for me to confirm it, but that's just a guess on my part. You being in here while I do this will undermine that, so just go. Wait outside, or even outdoors if you'd like some fresh air. I’ll take a look at this little cutie,” she smiled at the baby, “and then we can talk if you need to.”
“Her name is Tammy,” a subdued Trudy told her. “At least that's the name she was given here. No one knows what her real name was or who her parents were. She's a good baby,” she added softly.
“She seems like it,” Jaylyn agreed. “Go ahead, now,” she ordered gently. “It won't take long.”
It seemed like a very long walk to the door for Trudy Leighton.
***
Greg Holloway fought not to swear. He was standing in the clinic with Doctor Thatcher, being informed of her exam.
“There is absolutely no indication of abuse of any kind outside some old injuries that are at least six months old in my estimation. And no sign whatsoever of any kind of sexual abuse, ever,” she added grimly. “Something like that on a baby her age and size . . . it could never be hidden or disguised.”
“I see,” Greg let out a long breath. “Is it okay for the child to stay here for the moment? Until I can get this sorted?”
“Of course,” she agreed at once.
“Corey, you okay to hang here, too?” Greg asked.
“Yes sir,” he nodded.
“I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
***
“What is going on out here?” Franklin George demanded, seeing his wife facing off against Clayton Sanders and two others.
“That foul abomination has-,” Malitha began but was cut off by Clay.
“That, is, enough!” he ground out, beginning to lose his temper. “I have heard all the name calling I intend to put up with! As for what is going on, Mister Franklin, we're waiting for the Doctor's report on one of the children from the orphanage. Miss Malitha has accused Trudy Leighton of abusing the child.”
“Well, it was only a matter of time,” Franklin declared. “Since you refused to-,”
“How about we go with innocent until proven guilty, hm?” Clay cut him off as well. “All Miss Malitha declared was that she caught Miss Leighton with the baby's diaper off. A dirty diaper, Mister George,” he stressed when Franklin's eyes narrowed. “A diaper she was changing. And there is bountiful evidence to that fact, just so you know.”
“A woman such as that has no business changing a child's diaper,” he didn't quite growl.
“Wow, you just don't quit, do you,” Jose shook his head slowly. “The fact that she made a different life choice from yours does not make her a pedophile, Mister George. Most pedophiles prey on the opposite sex, by the way. And in child abuse cases in general, over ninety percent of the victims know their attacker at least by sight and usually by name. Most have at least some familiarity with their attacker as well.”
“And how would you know that?” Franklin demanded.
“They teach it in college social courses,” Jose informed him. “I may look like an ignorant imbecile, but it's only a look.”
“Enough,” Clay said softly to his friend. “We're waiting . . . ” he trailed off as a golf cart driven by Greg Holloway pulled up. The former deputy got off the cart and walked over to them standing apart from everyone there.
“Miss Malitha, let’s you and I go inside and you tell me what exactly happened, okay?” he said gently. “Rest of you can wait here,” he ordered.
“There's no need for us to go inside,” Malitha raised her head. “I will say what I have to say right here! I caught that foul creature sexually abusing a helpless infant! An abomination sent up here by him!” she pointed at Clay.
“What was she doing, exactly?” Greg asked, pen poised over his notebook. He decided not to push for privacy. He could already see where this was going.
“I just told you she was abusing that child!”
“I need to know details, Miss Malitha,” Greg informed her. “I need you to tell me exactly what she was doing. Describe to me in detail what she was doing to the child.”
“I reckon I know child abuse when I see it!” she was suddenly not as loud.
“I'm sure you do, ma'am,” Greg nodded. “But I'm going to have to write this up and so I need details. Please describe to me exactly what Miss Leighton was doing when you caught her.”
“Miss Leighton is it?” Franklin interrupted. “You're addressing her awfully politely for a child molester,” he semi-accused.
“Training, Mister George,” Greg told him, politely. “Miss Malitha, I need you to describe to me what you saw Miss Leighton doing to the child. I have to have that information to proceed.”
“My word for what happened should be all that's needed against such a creature as that!” Malitha replied haughtily.
“I'm afraid that's not how the law works, Miss Malitha,” Greg said gently. “We have to work according to the evidence. Please tell me what it was, exactly, you saw happening.”
“I saw her sexually abusing that child!” Malitha retorted.
“How, ma'am?” Greg asked.
“What do you mean 'how'?” she asked, wary.
“I need to know what she was doing, exactly, Miss Malitha,” he pressed. “In what way was the abuse sexual in nature?”
Malitha opened her mouth, but then closed it abruptly. Greg waited a few seconds before lowering his pen and notebook.
“She wasn't abusing the baby, was she Miss Malitha?” he asked sadly.
“If Malitha says she was abusing that child then she was!” Franklin chimed in, angry. “I don't appreciate your insinuation, either, young man!”
“Anything you want to say before I respond, Miss Malitha?” Greg asked her carefully. When he got no reply, he looked at Franklin.
“Doctor Thatcher just completed a full exam of the child in question, Mister George,” he said calmly. “She did find signs of abuse,” he added carefully. From the corner of his eye he saw Malitha George's head come up.
“I knew it!” she almost crowed. Triumphant.
“So you owe Malitha an apology, then, I expect,” Franklin sounded angry.
“Abuse that was a minimum of six months old,” Greg closed the jaws of his trap without fanfare. “Abuse that has completely healed and was in no way sexual in nature. Physical abuse the child suffered before coming here to live, Mister George. A child with a clean diaper and fresh baby powder on her.” He looked at Malitha George.
“You saw her changing a diaper, Miss Malitha,” his voice showed his disappointment in someone he had always known to be trustworthy. “You lied, Mrs. George.”
Clay fought the urge to explode. This could have blown into a horrible scene before anyone could stop it, had Kandi Ledford not walked in on it in progress.
“She should not be around these children,” Malitha George's voice was brittle. Angry.
“Sounds more to me like you shouldn't be around them,” Clay said flatly. “She hasn't done anything wrong, while you just accused someone of one of the most horrible crimes known to man. Falsely accused I should say. Proven false, not just hearsay.” He paused as the ATV rolled up, young mothers aboard and looking concerned. Clay struck as soon as the engine was off.
“Callie Weston,” he called.
“Sir?” the young woman stood straighter almost on instinct.
“Where are you working now?” he asked gently.
“In the seed garden with Mrs. Sanders,” she told him.
“That's where you work starting tomorrow, Mrs. George,” Clay ordered. “Callie, starting tomorrow you’ll be staying here at the orphanage. It will be you, Lila and Trudy Leighton on most days, though it will change in occasion. Any questions?” he asked the girl.
“No sir,” she shook her head even as Franklin George began protesting.
“That's not your decision to make!”
“It is now, thanks to Miss Malitha,” Clay replied evenly.
“I’ll just see Leon about that!” Franklin threatened.
“You won't for the foreseeable future,” Clay shot him down. “Miss Malitha almost pushed him into a heart attack a couple days ago. He's on enforced bed rest, well chair rest I guess, and a strict no visitor policy until further notice. Doctor's orders. Gordon did say if any of you had a complaint you wanted to take to Leon you could bring it to him. But my decision stands. You're finished at the Orphanage, Miss Malitha. Ladies,” he turned to the other three moms. “If you all continue doing as well as you have been, then it's entirely possible that your assignments may change, or not. I chose Miss Weston because she happened to be the first one here today, not due to any favoritism.
“If the four of you are agreeable to it, we may try to work out a schedule where all of you get at least one if not two days a week working here at the orphanage. That would also mean that you would float between jobs, as well, but on a rotating shift of sorts. Talk among yourselves tonight and decide if that's something you're interested in. Let me know either tomorrow or the next day. Fair enough?”
A chorus of 'yes sirs' answered him.
“I still say that's not up to you!” Franklin objected.
“You're obviously ignoring what just happened here, Mister George,” Clay told him. “This could have caused a terrible incident, a false accusation like this. What if it had? What if someone had attacked Miss Leighton, believing the lie that Mrs. George told? Do you realize that she would have been responsible for whatever happened, right along with whoever did anything?”
“You can't hold her responsible for something others do!”
“I can when her words incite them to action,” Clay said firmly. “We can't afford this kind of thing, Mister George. We just can't. We have to stick together and watch out for one another. Do you not realize even now how bad this could have been? This could have made it unsafe for Miss Leighton to even move around. She wouldn't have been able to feel safe even in her own home. How would you like to not feel safe in your home, Mister George? What if someone accused you of something so heinous?”
“I'm not anything like that sinful, Godforsaken excuse of a-,”
“Enough,” Clay's voice was harsh and most of the people standing there jumped. “I have heard all of that shit I aim to listen to. Both of you get gone from here and I don't want to see or hear you back. I don't want to hear of you accusing Miss Leighton of anything else, either. Nor do I want to hear 'rumors' of any kind going around about this,” he swept his gaze over the entire group.
“Anyone responsible for spreading such rumors may well find themselves looking for a new place to live. I will not have that kind of division and discord sowed here. That means starting now, by the way. Miss Leighton lives here and will be returning to her home this afternoon. She will continue working in the orphanage until and unless something that requires her attention more urgently comes up, at which time she may be reassigned. But she had better not have any more trouble of this kind, am
I understood? That doesn't actually require an answer, since I had better be understood,” he raised a hand to ward off replies.
“I'm sure my mother will be glad to see you in the morning, Mrs. George,” he added. “You two can spend the day complaining to each other about me. Now that is all. Ladies, I'm sure you want to get cleaned up and have some time with your children,” he told the four moms who lived at the orphanage. “I don't blame you. I trust that this issue is settled in a way that puts your minds at ease?” All four nodded, not knowing whether they should speak or not.
“Outstanding,” Clay clapped his hands, again making several people jump. “I'd say we're done here, then. Greg, thank you for handling this so quickly. I need to go and speak to Miss Leighton and thank Doctor Thatcher for working so swiftly as well. I will have Miss Leighton bring the baby back to you as she comes, ladies,” he informed the orphanage occupants. “All of you please have a pleasant evening.”
Dismissing them all, he moved to the ATV, Jose moving to take shotgun again.
“Hang around up here for a bit,” Clay told Vicki Tully softly. “Even in the orphanage until Leighton returns with the child. Make sure there's no further problems.”
“Roger that,” Vicki nodded. “Have Corey bring her back if I'm going to be inside,” she suggested.
“Was going to,” he agreed. “Good move. See you later.”
***
“As if we didn't have enough problems,” Jose said once they were clear of the Hill.
“I know, right?” Clay snorted. “Ain't it great? Never a dull moment around here, boy.”
“That could have been something much worse than it was,” Jose was shaking his head. “Of all the stupid things to do!”
“Yep. We’ll have to keep a close eye on things up here for several days. I think I will appoint Corey to hang out around the Hill for the next week or so. He's almost healed, but not quite completely. Another week should see him able to re-qualify, so he can spend this week getting himself ready and working up here. We’ll add that as an addition to Ground Watch. Make that happen, subordinate,” he said loftily as he grinned at his friend.