Chain Reaction (27 page)

Lucinda closed her eyes. She could not bear to look at the judge one moment longer.

‘And if we were discussing a permanent change in custody of these children, I would be forced to rule in favor of the rights of the biological mother. However, we are not. We are discussing a temporary arrangement – one that would not terminate the mother’s parental rights; it would only put them on hold for a short period of time. In situations like these, we must always rule in favor of the protection of the children against possible harm.’

Lucinda’s eyes flew open. Did she hear correctly? Was the judge about to rule against Teresa Culvert?

‘It is the decision of this court that temporary custody be awarded to Dr Evan Spencer, who currently has physical custody of the children. This decision is to be in force until the CPS in Maryland and here in Virginia completes their investigation into the suitability of members of the biological father’s family. After the submission of that report, we will hold another hearing where the biological mother can present renewed arguments to regain custody of Amber and Andy Culvert.’

Lucinda breathed a sigh of relief and looked over at Teresa. Her attorney had a hand on her shoulder. He appeared to be applying pressure to keep his client in her seat. Teresa’s profile was shot full of anger. The lawyer leaned toward her, talking non-stop in a soft voice as if trying to prevent Teresa from doing anything rash.

Lucinda stepped out of the courtroom and sent a text with the good news to Charley. When she finished, Evan Spencer was at her side.

‘When she called for a recess, I was certain she was going to rule against me and return custody to their mother. And they’re just starting to settle into our home. Even Amber seems to be calming down a bit. She doesn’t always startle when I walk into the room and watch my every move with suspicion.’

‘The way she started the reading of her decision made me apprehensive, too,’ Lucinda said.

Evan chuckled. ‘Judges seem to like to create a sense of drama with every decision they issue from the bench. Makes me wonder if they’re like that at home with their spouses and children.’

Lucinda laughed. ‘I’ll betcha anything some of them are.’

‘I’m going home to deliver the news to the kids. You want to come along?’

‘Sorry, Evan, I’ve got to check on the progress of a search warrant – and serve it, I hope. Give them all my congratulations and best wishes for the future.’

Lucinda watched him walk away, wondering if she should have told him that she’d already sent a text to Charley. Then she smiled, realizing that Charley would probably pretend to be surprised when her dad delivered the news.

B
ack in town, Jake called Lucinda as he drove to his office. ‘Hey, Lucy! We need to talk.’

‘Are you still in DC?’

‘No, I’m back and I really want to talk to you in person.’

‘Right now, I’m arranging for a tow truck and then heading over to the high school to serve a warrant on Brittany Schaffer’s pick-up.’

‘Good work.’

‘You want to go with me? We can talk on the way. I can swing by and pick you up.’

‘I probably won’t be at the office for another ten minutes.’

‘That’ll work, Jake. I’ll call when I’m a block away.’

Jake was worried about Lucinda’s reaction to his orders from the Wicked Witch.
Will she agree to pretend to be taking orders from me? Or will she bristle at the suggestion? Oh, well
, he thought,
I’ll find out soon enough
.

He arrived at the office just in time to let them know he had survived yet another encounter with his nemesis up north before Lucinda called back. As he left the building, he saw her pulling into the parking lot.

He slid into the passenger’s seat and leaned over to Lucinda for a kiss. She obliged and then said, ‘What’s got you all worried, Mr Special Agent Man? Did the Wicked Witch bully you again?’

‘You’re not going to believe this but she called me by my first name and made sure that half-and-half was available for my coffee.’

‘You’re kidding? Did she follow that up with a firing squad?’

‘Not exactly. But she did warn me not to eff up this investigation.’

‘Did she say “eff” or did she say—’

‘No. She stuck with “eff” and “effing”, but she certainly was angry enough to let the f-bomb fly.’

‘Angry at you?’

‘No, believe it or not. She was angry about the inter-agency politics. As often as she’s pissed me off about that sort of thing, this time it was her turn.’

‘Inter-agency? Problems with my cop shop?’

‘Oh, no. Bigger deal than that – you guys she’d just brush under the rug. Her problems came straight from the Acting Director of the ATF.’

‘Don’t tell me they’re trying to take the case back after the disaster with Connelly,’ Lucinda said with a groan.

‘They were trying but Sandra cut off that maneuver before they knew what hit ’em.’

Jake explained what was said in the meeting. When he repeated Sandra’s statement that he had Lucinda firmly under his control, Lucinda interrupted. ‘I certainly hope you set her straight on that.’

Jake looked out the window, trying to figure out the most diplomatic answer possible.

‘Well? You did, didn’t you?’ Lucinda pressed.

‘Not exactly. I agreed with her.’

‘And you call that “not exactly”?’ Lucinda said as she pulled her car on to the shoulder and came to a stop.

‘Oh, c’mon, Lucy. She knows it’s not true. She just wanted the ATF guys to believe it. She wanted them to think that even though you were called the lead investigator, I was really calling the shots.’

‘And do you think that?’

‘No. Absolutely not, Lucy. I was just playing along so that the ATF guys would back off.’

‘Really? How do you know she wasn’t serious?’

‘Because, when they left and it was just the two of us, she told me to treat the ATF like mushrooms, to keep them in the dark and feed them shit. That was when she was “effing” this and “effing” that. She told me to give the ATF nothing but busy work – but to make them think that’s all you were doing.’

Lucinda stared at him, making Jake squirm. She pulled the car back on to the road without saying another word. When they reached the high school, she said, ‘And I suppose you all want me to go along with this little ruse? To pretend like I’m a bumbling fool, to act like a total idiot and kiss your damn ass every time the ATF is around?’

‘Pretty much, Lucy.’

‘Damn, you Feebs are all assholes,’ she snapped as she stepped out of the car and slammed the door. ‘Well, are you coming?’

‘Yes, ma’am,’ he said, opening his door and exiting the vehicle.

They went straight to the office and spoke to Principal Rose Johnson who led them to Brittany’s classroom. ‘I’ll get her to step out into the hall,’ Rose said before opening the door and slipping inside.

‘Ms Schaffer, could I have a word, please?’

‘What?’ Brittany asked.

‘Could you step out in the hallway for a moment, please?’

Brittany rolled her eyes. ‘Class, turn to page one hundred and seventy-four in your anthology. Read “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats and be prepared to discuss it when I return.’ She stepped through the door and saw Lucinda and Jake. ‘Oh, Ms Johnson, you’re running errands for the cops now?’ She turned to Lucinda and said, ‘I told you, I am not going to answer any more questions until and unless I have legal representation by my side.’

Lucinda smiled. ‘I have no intention of asking you any questions, Ms Schaffer. In fact, I would be quite pleased if you would just shut up and listen. I came with a search warrant for your truck,’ she said, handing a copy of the document over to Brittany.

‘You can’t do this. I’m calling my attorney.’

‘You can call him if you like, Ms Schaffer,’ Jake said. ‘But by the time you reach him, your vehicle will be loaded up on the city tow truck. And by the time he gets here, your truck will be parked in a bay at the forensic garage.’

‘You have exactly one choice in this matter,’ Lucinda added. ‘You can give me the key to your truck or we can drill out the lock at the garage. Which do you prefer?’

Rose stepped into the fray. ‘Ms Schaffer, you can’t stop this. You need to cooperate. If you do, they will not damage your pick-up. But if you fight them, they’ll have to force their way in – I know it’s difficult for you but this is for the school. A crime was committed here. A student died. A staff member died. You have to do everything you can to help.’

‘You wouldn’t believe that if they were targeting you, Ms Johnson. I think you’d feel a little differently if it was your property they were confiscating.’

‘We are not confiscating your truck, Ms Schaffer,’ Lucinda said. ‘We are taking control of it for a short period of time in order to search it for any evidence. If you loaned it out to someone else, as you said, I would think you would want the assurance that it was not used in the incident that damaged the school where you teach.’

Rose continued. ‘As a teacher, you have an obligation and responsibility to cooperate. Now give them the keys to your truck. And then I want you to rethink your decision not to answer their questions without an attorney mucking things up. If you are as innocent as you claim, there is no reason for you to hide behind a lawyer.’

‘What do you mean “no reason”? Have you never heard of framing? Have you never heard of wrongful conviction? Have you never heard of prosecutorial misconduct? Have you never heard of water-boarding?’

‘Oh, good grief, Ms Schaffer, you are so dramatic,’ Rose said. ‘Get in there and get your truck key and give to the Lieutenant or I will be forced to call the Superintendent of Schools and report your behavior. I am certain it is something he will want to take before the school board.’

Brittany glared at her and then shared her venomous gaze with Lucinda and Jake. ‘Fine. I’ll get the key. But I will be informing my attorney about your intimidation, Ms Johnson.’ Brittany spun around and flounced back into the classroom where the subdued buzz of conversation cut off immediately. ‘Go ahead, go ahead. Discuss the poem among yourselves. I’ll be back in a moment.’

Brittany stepped back out and turned over the key. ‘I am going to file a complaint with the police department about this harassment, so don’t celebrate your victory too soon.’

C
harley and Amber sat across from each other in the cafeteria. Amber said, ‘I can’t go to the movies tomorrow. If I use my allowance, I won’t have any money – and what if there’s an emergency?’

‘Daddy will give me enough extra money for both of us.’

‘That makes me sound so pathetic.’

‘No. Daddy always pays for the movies when I take a friend. And gives me plenty of money for snacks and drinks, too – plenty for both of us.’ Over Amber’s shoulder, Charley saw Amber’s mother coming straight for them. ‘Amber! Your mother!’

Before Amber could turn around, Teresa took hold of her upper arm and jerked her out of her seat. ‘Time to come home, Amber,’ Teresa said.

‘But I’m not supposed to go with you, Mom,’ Amber said.

Charley jumped to her feet. ‘No. The judge said no.’

‘Screw the judge,’ Teresa said. ‘C’mon, Amber, don’t dawdle.’

Charley pulled out her cell, punched in nine-one-one. ‘My friend is being abducted from the school cafeteria. Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Hurry! My name is Charley—’

Teresa slapped the phone with one hand, sending it flying across the room, and used the other hand to pull on Amber’s arm. Although the girl planted her feet as hard as she could, she still slid across the room as her mother tugged her toward the door.

Charley grabbed Amber around the waist and tried to pull her in the opposite direction. Teresa swung around and punched Charley in the face, knocking her to the ground. For a moment, Charley was stunned. She wiped a hand across the end of her nose, pulled it away and saw blood. Charley felt her lower lip quiver. She wanted nothing more than to sit down and cry but she refused to surrender to the desire and give up on her friend.

‘Help! Help!’ she screamed. ‘My friend is being kidnapped!’

A few boys rushed to help Charley but stopped in their tracks when Teresa said, ‘I’m her damned mother, you idiots.’

‘But today the judge said she can’t do this,’ Charley argued.

‘If you listen to that dumb little girl, you are all going to be in big trouble,’ Teresa said and continued dragging her daughter across the floor.

The boys looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Charley caught up with mother and daughter, climbed on a table and jumped on Teresa’s back, grabbing the woman’s ears and pulling hard. Teresa released Amber’s arm and ran over to the closest wall and rammed Charley’s back into the hard surface, knocking her loose. Charley slid down the wall and thumped on the floor.

Teresa reached out to latch on to Amber again, but Amber ducked under her mother’s arm and ran off. Teresa chased after her but when she passed the pack of boys, one of them stuck out his leg. Teresa stumbled, fell and her face slid a couple of feet across the floor before she came to a stop.

No one had noticed Principal Bowerman jogging towards them, but there he was, looking stern, tall and hefty. ‘Everybody, stop what you are doing and stay right where you are.’ He pointed at Teresa and said, ‘You misrepresented yourself when you checked in at the front office. I’ve called the authorities and they are on the way.’

‘But I am Amber Culvert’s mother.’

‘And you checked the legal guardian box but, according to the court order I received five minutes ago, that is not true.’

‘I still have parental rights.’

‘We’ll discuss those in a minute,’ Bowerman said. He then pointed to the boy who sent Teresa flying to the floor and said, ‘Go to the office and wait for me. Now, who hit that girl over there by the wall?’

‘She did,’ the boys said, pointing at Teresa.

The principal looked down at the boys and said, ‘I’m going to find out which one of you is responsible for giving that girl a bloody nose. And if I don’t get the answers I need, all of you will be expelled. Now, go to my office and wait.’