by Taylor Lee
When she didn’t resist, Mac led the distraught young woman to the overstuffed sofa and helped her sit. Reaching for a box of tissues, Mac sat beside her. She pulled the crying girl next to her and put her arm around her shaking shoulders. To her surprise, Maggie leaned into her and cried even harder. For what seemed like many long minutes, Mac rubbed Maggie’s back and murmured comforting phrases.
When Maggie’s sobs became less desperate and seemed to be slowing down, Mac hugged her. “If you can, Maggie, I need to hear why you’re so upset. The only way I can help you is if you tell me what’s wrong.”
Raising her tear-stained face to Mac, Maggie’s sob-filled voice was intense. “I…I want to tell you, but you have to promise me that you won’t tell anyone.”
Mac pressed her lips together in a firm line and shook her head. “You know I can’t make that promise, Maggie. Not until I know what’s wrong. Once I know what’s upset you so badly, then together we can decide who else needs to know.”
When Maggie shook her head fiercely, Mac said, “I presume your parents don’t know your secret, is that correct?”
Her voice rising, Maggie said, “No, no, they don’t. And I can’t tell them.” She added plaintively, “You don’t understand, it will kill them…”
Mac squeezed her shoulder and hugged her closer to her. “You might be surprised, Maggie. Parents are a lot stronger than teenagers think they are. Don’t forget, your parents were teenagers once.”
Maggie sneered, looking more like the haughty girl Mac was accustomed to seeing. “Yeah, but I’m sure they were perfect little ‘do-rights’ who never did anything wrong.”
“I doubt that, Maggie. You should ask them sometime, or better yet, get your grandparents to tell you all the ways your mom and dad kept them up at night.” Seeing a spark of interest flash across Maggie’s face, Mac continued. “Besides, your parents have been worried about you for a long time, Maggie. They obviously care about you a great deal.”
Maggie hesitated, then stared up at Mac, her eyes filled with fear. “I…I’m pregnant, Dr. Durant. I’m going to have a baby.”
Mac managed to quell her hard sigh. She wasn’t surprised. Given the way that Maggie had been behaving, getting pregnant was almost a certainty. Particularly with the crowd that the she and Chloe had been associating with. At that moment, a difficult thought slithered across Mac’s taut nerves. Taking a deep breath, she asked carefully, “Do you know who the father is, Maggie?”
Maggie stared at her hands silently, as if deciding whether she would answer. Mac didn’t press, hoping that she had gained the girl’s confidence enough that she would tell her.
After a long moment, Maggie nodded and whispered, “It’s Shawn Brogan…one of Chloe’s mom’s friends.”
At least an hour passed before Mac was able to convince Maggie that not only did her parents need to know she was pregnant, but that the police also needed to be notified. At first, Maggie reacted hysterically, lashing out at Mac, insisting that she never should have trusted Mac and she wished she’d never told her.
Finally, Mac said as firmly as she could, “You need to understand, Maggie. What Shawn Brogan did is called statutory rape. It’s a crime.”
Maggie was fierce. “No…no you don’t understand. I wanted to do it. He’s hot. I never dreamed that he would like me. I thought he’d think I was too young.”
“That’s exactly what the problem is, Maggie, you are too young. You’re an underage girl, and Shawn is an adult man.”
The three-hour, tearful conversation with Maggie’s parents was heartbreaking and exhausting. As she’d anticipated, Maggie’s parents’ reactions ran the gamut from shock, to outrage, and finally, to anger. When Mac explained that they needed to report the crime, Mr. and Mrs. Staples were in total agreement. From the ravished expression on Mr. Staples face, Mac knew it wouldn’t be long before he confronted Shawn Brogan, which made it essential she get them to the precinct.
Jake’s response to her call was calm and professional although Mac knew he had to be as angry as she was. He indicated that he would clear his calendar and along with a juvenile counselor, would wait for her and the Staples.
After listening to Maggie’s halting description of her relationship with Shawn Brogan, Jake asked, “You’re certain you’re pregnant, Maggie?”
Without looking at Jake or her parents, the flushed girl nodded. “Yes. Chloe went with me to the Planned Parenthood office. A doctor there confirmed it. Shawn wanted me to get an abortion, but the doctor at Planned Parenthood said he wanted me to talk to my parents first because I’m only fifteen.”
“Mm-hmm. And you’re sure that Shawn Brogan is the father?”
Maggie looked up at him, startled. “Yes, of course I’m sure.” She added bitterly, “That’s what Shawn asked me. Like he didn’t know that I was a virgin.”
“I see. Did you tell the Planned Parenthood doctor who the father was and how old he is?”
“Uh, no. I told him it was a boy at school.”
“So you do understand that, as Dr. Durant explained, the fact that you’re underage and Mr. Brogan is an adult makes this a serious issue.”
Before Maggie could voice her protest, Jake turned to her parents. “I understand that you’re prepared to file charges against Mr. Brogan on behalf of your daughter, correct?”
When the distraught parents nodded, Jake said, “My office will bring Mr. Brogan in for questioning immediately.” Jake added, “I also think it’s important that we inform my brother, Assistant United States Attorney Jorden Justice. Not for legal reasons, but personal ones. My niece, Jorden’s daughter Chloe, was likely present at one or more of the parties in which the crime was committed. We will need to interview Chloe and other people who attended the parties. Obviously, at this point, we are most concerned about the underage girls who were present and seeing that you and your daughter receive justice.”
****
Mac knew that Jorden would be furious when he heard the news, but even she was not prepared for the depth of his anger. Clearly, he had been fighting what seemed like a losing battle to protect his daughters from their mother. Now that they had confirmation that everything he had been warning the court about was a hideous reality, his anger settled into a hard cold rage.
At Jorden’s insistence, Mac agreed to meet with him and Jake when they interviewed Chloe. While she agreed, Mac made it clear that she questioned the wisdom of her presence.
“You don’t understand, Mac. I need you here, both you and Jake. I know that Chloe will be angry and defensive. I hope you and Jake will help make the case for how serious this is. And why I’m going to file an injunction insisting that Judge Sorenson reverse her custody decision immediately.”
Clearly surprised to see her father and Mac in Jake’s office, Chloe hesitated in the doorway. “I…I don’t understand, Uncle Jake. Great Grandfather said you needed to talk to me.” Holding Jake’s gaze, she said defensively, “Why are Coach Durant and my dad here?”
Jorden responded coldly. “Because I’m your father, Chloe. Mac and your Uncle Jake informed me of a very serious issue that involves you. It’s important that all of us are here to discuss it.” He pointed to the chair across from him at the conference table. “Please sit down, now.”
Chloe frowned, then gave an impudent shrug. She waltzed over to the table and with an exaggerated shrug, settled into the chair. She glanced from her father to her uncle, then focused a hard glare on Mac and said flippantly, “I don’t want her here. Just because she’s your girlfriend, Dad, doesn’t mean she can butt into our business.”
“That’s enough, Chloe. I won’t permit you to be rude to Mac. In addition to being the woman I’m in love with, Dr. Durant is the school psychologist at Wildwood. Unlike you, blinded by your anger, your friend Maggie Staples knew that Mac was the best person she could turn to when she got in trouble.”
Chloe visibly blanched, then looked from Mac to her father and stammered, “Why…what did Maggie tell you?
”
“Maggie told her she’s pregnant. The reason we’re here in your Uncle Jake’s office is that she also told Mac who the father is.”
A range of emotions crossed Chloe’s face, then her expression hardening, said defiantly, “I don’t believe you. And even if Maggie is pregnant, what’s that got to do with me?”
Mac stepped in. “Maggie came to my office today. She was terribly upset. She told me she’s two months pregnant and that Shawn Brogan is the father of her baby.”
When Chloe defiantly lifted her chin, clearly ready to take issue, Mac held up her hand. “Don’t, Chloe. Maggie specifically said that she told you several weeks ago that she’s pregnant and that Mr. Brogan is the father.”
Jake interjected. “The reason this is serious, Chloe, as well as tragic for Maggie, is that Mr. Brogan is an adult. We’re in the process now of charging him with statutory rape, a very serious crime.”
Chloe shrieked. “That’s not fair, Uncle Jake! Maggie loves him. She was glad she got pregnant because then Shawn would take her more seriously, and wouldn’t think she was just a kid.”
She must have seen the grim expressions on all of their faces, because Chloe seemed to step back, indecision warring across her face. Then without warning, she whirled on Mac. “This is all your fault. You’re just trying to get my mom in trouble. But Mom didn’t have anything to do with this. She doesn’t even know Maggie’s pregnant.” Apparently forgetting that she’d just defended Brogan, she said derisively, “Plus, how does she even know who the father is? Maybe Maggie just wants it to be Shawn because he’s so cool.”
Jorden’s voice was rapier sharp. “That’s enough, Chloe. I will not permit you to speak to Mac like that. It’s bad enough that you’re willing to turn on your friend.” He held up his hand to stop her from interrupting. “Before you make me even more ashamed of you than I already am, Chloe, let me tell you that you’re right about one thing. It’s immaterial if your mother knows that Maggie is pregnant or if she knows that one of her boy-toys impregnated a fifteen-year-old girl in her house. What I do know, as do you, is that your mother hosted parties at her condo where illegal drugs and alcohol were available to all attendees, including you and your friends. She also knew that adult men were associating with underage girls, one of whom happens to be her daughter. She’s absolutely responsible for what happens in her house.”
Jorden’s rigid jaw and dangerously glinting eyes froze Chloe’s intended protest. “Do know that before you and I leave here, I’m going to file an injunction against the judge who ruled on our custody case. I will insist that a new judge hear the case. In addition, given the circumstances, I will file for a restraining order, ensuring that you and Emma will not be able to see your mother or go to her house until a new judge rules on this case.”
When Jake and Jorden left the room to deal with the charges against Shawn Brogan, Chloe and Mac were left alone. Mac later wondered why she was surprised when Chloe attacked her. She admitted she’d been expecting the ax to fall, but assumed the weapon would be in Francine’s hands and not Chloe’s.
“I know who you are.” Chloe’s expression was ripe with hatred. A derisive smirk curled her pouty lips as she faced Mac head-on. “Does my dad know? Know who you really are? That you aren’t the perfect person you pretend to be? That you were fired from your last job because you’re a tramp? Does Dad know that? Well, if he doesn’t, he will soon. My mom is telling the judge all about it. We’ll just see if Dad can get his restraining order against my mom.” She gave a harsh laugh. “Maybe my mom will ask the judge to file a restraining order against you. You know, for being a liar and a bad influence on Emma and me. Wouldn’t that be rich?”
The young woman’s expression hardened further. She couldn’t have done a better imitation of Francine’s hateful sneer if they’d been cloned. Tipping her chin up even higher, Chloe declared, “I don’t care what you think. I know that my mom and dad are going to get back together. We just need to get rid of you first.”
Chapter 30
Jorden’s voice was tortured. Mac didn’t have to see him to know that his shale-gray eyes were gleaming with anger, his brow deeply furrowed, and his jaw rigid. Even over the telephone, Mac could feel his rage and his hurt. She’d never seen him as angry as he was today. Listening to him spewing expletive-laden threats, it was clear his anger had only intensified. She couldn’t tell whom he was angrier with, Francine or his daughter.
“Goddammit, Mac. What’s happened to Chloe? God, I barely know that rude, destructive girl who sat in Jake’s office today. Christ, where did my sweet, shy, insecure daughter go? A couple months ago, my biggest worry was how hard she was on herself. She put enormous pressure on herself to be perfect, certain that she could never measure up. God, Mac, I spent most of my time telling her how proud of her I was. And that she was perfect just as she was.” He groaned, a deep agonized sound. “Now dammit, I’m actually ashamed of her. Jesus, did you see how quickly she turned against Maggie? And how rude she was to you?
“I’m telling you, Mac, this is Francine on overdrive. Do you see now why I call her the plague? Actually, that’s too tame a description. She’s more like a tornado. A violent haboob, a giant dust storm blowing into town, spewing hail, dirt, destroying everything in her path. Leaving crushed lovers and families in her wake. I don’t know why I’m surprised. This is what she’s done all of her life. It’s the kind of woman she is. Destructive to the core. She doesn’t give a fuck how many people she hurts, even her own daughters.” He emitted a ragged sigh. “I have to stop her, Mac. Before she does any more damage to Chloe. As it is, Chloe will barely speak to me. Hell, she won’t even look at me.”
Mac didn’t interrupt Jorden’s agonized lament. She knew he needed to vent, to give words to the anguished fury he was feeling. Besides, what could she say? That as a trained psychologist, she’d seen layers to Chloe that her clueless father had not. He’d been so intent on protecting her, trying to convince her how talented she was, that he hadn’t seen the complicated girl beneath her “perfect” child persona. He hadn’t understood what a high standard he and the rest of the Justice family set for his offspring. And without a doubt it was Jorden who epitomized that gold standard. His younger brothers could’ve told him how challenging it was to have an older brother who excelled at everything he did. So could Chloe, if she’d known how to articulate her insecurities.
Mac had seen those insecurities the first time she met Chloe. In Mac’s experience, the girl was predictable. Like her father and the rest of her privileged peers, she set incredibly high goals for herself. Standards that were virtually impossible to achieve. Mac thought she could make a difference. She’d hoped that with basketball, she could help Chloe learn how to win and how to lose, given that in the game, as in life, both were inevitable. Unlike Jorden, Mac had seen cracks in Chloe’s Fabergé eggshell. The most obvious clue was her willingness to lie, particularly to her father. It was as if knowing she couldn’t be the perfect child she was sure Jorden required her to be, she began to create other personas. None of which came close to the exacting perfection of Justice standards.
Francine couldn’t have come into Chloe’s life at a worse time. Francine was everything the sheltered teenage girl was not. She was stunningly beautiful in a shockingly voluptuous way. The epitome of the sex-charged culture that even protected Wildwood girls followed and longed to imitate, Francine was Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Britney Spears in a single outrageous package. To her shy, over-programmed daughter, Francine represented freedom. Her outrageous clothes, extreme lifestyle and disregard for rules of any kind were a stark contrast to Chloe’s privileged lifestyle with all its rigid requirements. As it quickly became apparent, Francine was also the polar opposite of Jorden in every way.
If it hadn’t been for Judge Sorenson’s blind hatred, with Mac’s help, Jorden might have been able to hang onto the daughter he thought Chloe was. The shared custody ruling opened a literal bacchanal playground to the naïve you
ng woman. Outrageous clothes, makeup, streaked hair, even a tattoo were de rigueur to the playmates at Francine’s adult playground. Cavorting with women and men who were all older and infinitely worldlier than Chloe and her girlfriends opened Chloe to experiences she likely wouldn’t have had in college, much less as a sophomore in high school. The nightly party scene at Francine’s condo put Ludacris at the Atlanta Diamonds to shame, replete with alcohol and designer drugs. Bikini-clad women and adult men eager to sample nubile jailbait ensured the hideousness that followed.
Without a doubt the most damaging aspects of the adult “Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory—Francine style” was its Dark Queen, Francine herself. Her ability to take her malleable daughter and mold her into a clone of herself was truly remarkable. Right down to her outrageous clothes, her contemptuous expressions, her dismissive attitude and her rudeness. In less than two months Chloe had become a diminutive Francine.
Mac was confident that in a fair fight with Francine over the man she loved, she would win hands down. Jorden truly did despise his ex-wife and was in love with her. That she knew. But in an altercation with the nasty girl who this afternoon had threatened to expose her? Victory was far from certain. In fact, if she were a betting woman, Mac would admit the odds were not in her favor.
****
“I understand your concerns, Mr. Justice, and yours, Commander Justice. However, I trust you will forgive my skepticism. While the charges you make against Mr. Brogan are serious, at least at this point, all we have is the unsubstantiated claim of a fifteen-year-old girl. As I’m sure you know, teenage girls are given to fantasies, particularly if they have done something wrong.”
Jake grasped Jorden’s arm, physically holding him back. He murmured, “Let me, bro.”
Rising to his full height, Jake fastened a narrow gaze on Judge Sorenson. “Judge, at this moment we have witness reports that prove that Shawn Brogan, a twenty-nine year old man, impregnated Maggie Staples, a fifteen-year-old girl. Mr. and Mrs. Staples have filed charges on behalf of their daughter. When we are finished with the investigation, we will be arraigning Mr. Brogan on the charge of statutory rape. As you know, the punishment for the crime is a minimum of fifteen years in prison.”