by Krysta Scott
“As is the maternal aunt, Your Honor,” Sam interjected more gracefully than Nikki would have thought possible, although his client didn’t augment his position. She stood staring vacantly ahead at nothing in particular with no reaction to the proceedings.
“The point is”—Garrett slammed a fist into his palm, punctuating each word—“that the qualifications of the applicants here today are what’s material to your decision.”
Judge Weatherly leaned forward, holding Garrett’s attention. “That’s all well and good, counsel, but you still haven’t answered my question.”
“What I am trying to say, Your—”
“I know exactly what you’re trying to say, counsel. But I am not persuaded that the circumstances of the parents aren’t material to my decision today. So tell me, why is your client in jail?” Judge Weatherly tapped his index finger on his papers as seconds ticked by. “It would not be advisable to have me ask a third time, counsel.”
Garrett met the judge’s gaze but didn’t answer. Nikki had never seen anyone this stubborn or this bold. What was he thinking?
“Very well.” Judge Weatherly turned to Sam. “Mr. Carr, where is the mother?”
“She’s—”
“Objection.” Garrett slammed his hand down on his file. “This is irrelevant.”
“Overruled, Mr. Nightshade. You may continue, Mr. Carr.”
“She’s in the hospital.”
Judge Weatherly turned back to Garrett. “Mr. Nightshade, are you aware of the reasons the mother is in the hospital?”
“Yes.”
“And would those reasons tie into why your client is in jail?”
Garrett’s face turned red, and his eyes glinted under the dim lights. “Yes,” he ground out.
“Ms. Angelus, I think I understand the situation. Do you have any input into placement of the child?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“I object to any recommendation she might have.” Garrett pointed a finger in Nikki’s direction. “She has only spoken to the child once and hasn’t had the opportunity to speak with the paternal grandparents.”
“Your point?” Again, the twitch of Judge Weatherly’s lips.
“She hasn’t gathered enough information to form an opinion.”
“Ms. Angelus? Would you like to weigh in on this?”
Nikki breathed deeply to silence the urge to wrap her fingers around Garrett’s neck. She clasped her hands behind her back as she considered her next words. “Your Honor, it is true that I only visited with the child last night after she was removed from the home due to the…incident. In fact, I have received contradictory information regarding the status of both the grandparents and the maternal aunt. The child is safe for the moment, and I would suggest that a thorough home study be conducted to insure optimum placement for this child.”
“Now wait a second—”
Judge Weatherly silenced Garrett with a wave of his hand. “Mr. Carr, do you have any input?”
“I agree with the Guardian Ad Litem. A home study is the best course.”
The paternal grandmother whispered into her husband’s ear. The grandfather pulled at Garrett’s arm and spoke in a low tone, glancing nervously at Judge Weatherly. Garrett shook his head.
“Your Honor, a home study requires we hire a social worker to assess the appropriateness of each home. My clients can’t afford something like that.”
“That’s not a problem.” Nikki had to admit the look of pained confusion on Garrett’s face proved much more satisfying than squeezing the life out of him. Way better. “The child was taken into protective custody last night. The Department of Human Services will conduct a home study to determine placement.”
“Counsel,” Judge Weatherly began, pausing at length, meeting Garrett’s gaze, then Nikki’s as he met both attorneys at eye level. “Has DHS not been notified of this hearing?”
“I didn’t notify them.” Sam gave Garrett a lost look. “Did you?”
Garrett didn’t answer right away, nor look in Sam’s direction. His focus remained on Judge Weatherly. Nikki had to admire his stamina while facing defeat square in the face. In a record fifteen minutes, he’d boxed himself into a tight space he couldn’t wriggle out of. “No.”
“Would you agree that DHS is a necessary party to this action, given the child is in protective custody, counsel?” Weatherly’s eyes narrowed to impenetrable obsidian. His light tone masked the serious nature of his question.
Both attorneys answered in unison, “Yes.”
“Good, then I have no alternative but to continue this matter until DHS can be properly notified of these proceedings. See my clerk about selecting a new date. Allow enough time for DHS to complete a home study.”
Nikki offered a smile in Garrett’s direction. His expression remained stony. Good, her message had been delivered and received. Loud and clear. Score one for Nikki.
****
Garrett ushered his clients out of court and into a nearby conference room. After he closed the door, Lars Hanover attacked. “What the hell just happened in there?” Lars pointed his bony finger in the direction they had just come.
“Apparently the judge isn’t willing to make a decision until he sees a home study.” Garrett didn’t want to admit it, but he had just been sideswiped by Nikki Angelus, something that wouldn’t have happened if he’d had time to prepare the playing field. He squelched a twinge of uninvited admiration. She wouldn’t get the best of him next time. He’d make sure of it, but first, he had to console his clients.
“How are we supposed to protect her?” Carolyn Hanover spat from her seat at the table. “She’s in there all alone with no support. There’s no telling what can or will happen if—”
“Surely, you can monitor her activity from the outside and prevent her misusing her powers on the other children and the gatekeepers”
Lars’ face crumpled into a veneer of sheer hatred and venom. “No. Our daughter-in-law would never allow us to keep a single item of Lori’s. She never trusted us to oversee our granddaughter’s progress. She kept Lori’s training to herself and taught her never to ask for our help. Even last night, she remained silent.”
“But every child of the Guild cries out when trapped.”
“Not this one.”
Garrett met Lars’ gaze with a measured look. “Are you suggesting that an eight-year-old has enough control of her impulses not to reach out when she’s frightened? I’ve never heard of such a thing.” Lars didn’t turn away, but his cheek twitched slightly under Garrett’s scrutiny. “Is there something else you haven’t told me, Lars?”
“No.” Lars’ eyes widened as he placed his hands out in a placating gesture. “I’ve told you everything, I swear.”
Garrett put a steady hand on Lars’ shoulder and squeezed. “You better be telling me everything.”
Lars winced and nodded as his gaze traveled to Carolyn, who sat frozen in place. Her thin lips pressed together in silent fury.
“Fine.” Garrett shook Lars to get his attention. “I will see what I can do about reaching Lori.”
“And how’re you going to do that?”
“If we can’t go through the front door, we’ll just have to go through the back.”
****
“Ms. Angelus.” Garrett’s voice whipped up from behind her. She’d only met Garrett this morning, but already she recognized the man’s husky tone. Too bad hearing it meant more confrontation. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Her fingers curled into a fist. She didn’t want to deal with him, but couldn’t think of a good enough reason to avoid this conversation. “Sure.”
“You can’t really believe that it’s best for this child to remain in the juvenile shelter?”
As she scrutinized his pious face, her blood boiled. What did this estate lawyer know about children, let alone what was best for them? “What’s more crucial to this puzzle is why Lori would request to stay there rather than go with her grandparents. Until that
home study is finished—” She pointed her finger at him wishing it was a sharp object so she could really drive her point home. “I’m not recommending she be removed.”
“Good Lord, the child is eight years old. She can’t possibly know what she needs.”
“In my experience, children are much more attuned to their needs than most of the parents I work with.”
“Don’t be naïve—”
Nikki raised her brow.
Garrett ceased speaking but didn’t appear to be ashamed. He probably came from the ancient ‘children should be seen and not heard’ ideology. She clamped her jaw tight and turned to leave. There was no reason to engage in this type of dialogue. He gripped her arm and swung her around. His soft brown eyes shifted from anger to amusement.
“Come on.” His voice dropped to a sultry octave. “Don’t be like that.”
She pulled away from him, ignoring the intense tingly sensation traveling up her arm. “Like what?” She blew the words out through clenched teeth.
“Suppose we call a truce, okay?” While his expression remained impassive, Nikki sensed something more insistent about this approach than the one he’d initially taken. “Do you have a card?”
Surprised by the mundane request, she jerked a card from her docket book and thrust it at him.
“Thank you.” He smiled a little too broadly, as if he’d gotten away with stealing her virginity rather than a mere business card.
****
Garrett held Nikki’s gaze. Establishing dominance as quickly as possible suddenly seemed vital. She had succeeded in slipping past his influence, but now that he had her card, it was a done deal. Such a small ordinary personal item but it would do the trick. Still, he couldn’t resist the urge to push a little further. “I know you have concerns regarding this child. Perhaps if I talked to her, I could convince my client to let it be for the moment.”
Her blue eyes filled with venom. “You know you are prohibited from speaking to that child by the order that appoints me.” She pointed her thumb at herself. “I won’t agree to anyone speaking to the child.”
He allowed his lips to curve, noting her annoyance. “We’ll see.”
She rolled her eyes and waved him off. He watched her retreating back, grateful he had another way to break her spirit. He went in search of Sam to retrieve another business card. He couldn’t resist a little chuckle. “Looks like I’m back in business.”
****
Parker Hanover tightened his hold on the steel bars and wedged his face between them. He tried to let the cold metal distract him, but it was no use. There was no way to get fresh air. The cinder block walls closed in around him, constricting his ability to breathe. He took big gulps. How long would they imprison him with no real light and no room? The two other occupants confined in the small space rustled around in the cell, disturbing his focus.
“You’re gonna hurt yourself, buddy.” One of the men spoke from behind, not even trying to suppress his amusement.
Yeah, they thought he was a chump. But they were fool-hardy jerks who had no idea who he was or how powerful his family was. But these idiots would learn as soon as his attorney got here.
“Shut up.” Parker let the words drop menacingly, although they sounded petty and childish to his ears. That’s what Amy would say anyway. Petty and childish, that’s what you are. You need to grow a pair. You disgust me. He grinned. Bet she wasn’t thinking that now. She should have been more cautious with her suggestions. He would bet his meager pay check that last night hadn’t gone as she planned.
“Hey,” a second voice, deeper than the first, sounded. “Don’t punish the messenger. Carl here was just trying to help out.”
Parker pulled his face from the bars for a better view of the two buffoons. What did they know about the terrible twist fate sent his way? Or anything else for that matter. They were the desperate, muted twits who couldn’t see people the same as his kind did. His people used skills to get inside a person’s mind and twist it to their liking. How ironic that years ago his parents isolated his mind forcing him to live among these bottom dwellers. His hold tightened around the steel rods. The only thing that mattered was his precious daughter. Rage crackled inside him like a magma flow, threatening to erupt through his head. Who would protect his daughter now?
Fuck this! Where the hell was his prick of an attorney? He deserved so much better than this. He should be revered, not mocked by pond scum.
“I don’t need his help or yours.” A guttural growl accompanied his words, and for the first time, both men appeared off balance. “That’s right, keep away from me.” He circled around them. “Go to the corner and keep quiet.”
The men looked at each other as if in silent communication. Parker didn’t think they could really do that, but both seemed to receive the message. The smirks returned, and the men once again appeared at ease, eager for a confrontation.
“Come on.” This from Carl as he swiped his hand in the air. “No need to be so crabby. You, me, and Ben here might be stuck in this tank for a while.”
Parker scoffed. They weren’t really looking for peace. More likely they were itching to fight, and Parker wouldn’t stop them if it went that far. He sneered. “I won’t be here long. My attorney’s going to bond me out.”
“Right.” Ben chuckled. “You’ve been here twelve hours and he ain’t seen you yet. Looks like he’s right on it, dude.”
Parker’s grip tightened around the bars. Ben’s words stung. Not only because he was laughing at him, but because he spoke the truth. His attorney should have been here first thing this morning. His stomach clenched. Had his parents lied to him when they assured him they would get him an attorney? Worse yet, what if nobody took the case and he was truly alone? He shoved his face back through the bars. “He’ll be here.”
“What are you in for, anyway?” Carl asked.
His mind went back to last night and excitement hummed through his bloodstream. He could still hear the thud of Amy’s body as it banged against the wall, hear the glass shattering as the picture had fallen to the floor. His heart beat faster and blood rushed to his head. He’d been the one to cause all that destruction. And it had felt fan-fucking-tastic.
“Ah,” he sighed, closing his eyes at the bloody images and smells. A tiny prick at the edge of his conscience warned him that he should feel remorse. But he couldn’t help himself. It felt good. Never had he felt so in control. Never had he been so powerful. The heady feeling of making his family bend to his will surged through him, just like it had when he’d slammed the butt of the gun into Amy’s head. Yeah, last night was good. Very good.
“I was told I put my wife into the hospital.” He thought it was best to leave out the rest of the details. Let them wonder what he had done. Let them imagine the worst.
“You hurt your wife?” This came from Ben who sounded incredulous.
For the second time, Parker pulled away from his vigil to face Ben.
“That’s what they say.” He stared them down, grinning. Proud.
“You hardly seem the type.” Ben changed his position and now rested on a metal cot, hands locked behind his head. Carl stood with an arm draped around the pole of what passed as bunk beds, and wore a similar expression.
“Oh, yeah, what do you think my type is?”
Both men’s eyes glazed over as they appeared to be taking his question seriously. Then a vicious smile lit Carl’s face. “You look like a kiddy diddler.”
Parker lunged at him, blinded by fury and indignation. He hammered Carl’s head against the pole. Stunned, Carl reeled backward, his hands grappling for a steadying grip on loose sheets, to no avail. He fell to the ground.
A malevolent glint entered Carl’s eyes. “Oh, you want to play, do you?” He rose and raced toward him. Carl’s knuckles landed squarely on his jaw, dropping Parker to his knees. Pain exploded from his cheek bone into the backs of his eyeballs. He grimaced and reached to claw Carl’s face. His fingers slid into the tender spot
of Carl’s eye, and he pressed hard. Carl screamed and drew back. Ben grabbed Carl from behind and dragged him off Parker.
“You don’t want to do this,” Ben said as he pulled his buddy to the opposite side of the cell. It wasn’t far, but enough to keep him out of reach. Parker struggled to his feet, poised to take another run at him.
“Let go of me!” Carl yelled, struggling with Ben. “I’m going to fuck that piece of shit up so his own momma won’t recognize him.”
“We want out of here, remember. Not more time,” Ben hissed. Parker made a move in their direction. Ben glared at him, halting him in his tracks.
Anger still boiled and burned inside him, demanding satisfaction.
“You heard what he called me.” As if that was enough for Ben to step aside and allow Parker to finish Carl off. But Ben held Parker’s gaze and shook his head slowly.
“Asshole, don’t you remember where you are? Jail! Do you want to get into more trouble?”
Parker couldn’t comprehend being in more trouble than he already was. You’re a kiddy diddler. The words uttered by the dregs of the cell block resonated in his mind.
“You’re thinking it too! You’re just like him.” It was worse than being called a wife beater. As usual, the authorities had misunderstood the situation. He just couldn’t take her incessant nagging. They didn’t understand. All they were interested in was making him the butt of a joke. Well, he couldn’t take that and be a man at the same time. Rage made his vision go red and he propelled himself forward, toward the men, wanting to hurt someone. Ben shoved Carl to the side and doubled his fist, slamming it into the center of Parker’s face. The cracking sound came just before the pain.
“Augh!” Parker clutched his fractured nose, the pain searing his mind. His eyes watered. The metallic taste of blood trickled into his mouth. “Bastard! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you both!”