“You need to. I know these things. I watch a lot of Hallmark movies, and this always works. Besides, I want to help, and how could she resist a cute kid like me?”
“You’re right, Munchkin.” He tousled her hair. I’ll do it for you.”
JP rang the bell. It seemed like a long time before Sabre opened the door, barefoot and wearing her favorite tattered t-shirt and sweatpants. A small smile played on her face when she saw the sign JP was holding. It read: I’m sorry. He moved that sign behind the others he was holding. The next one read: I messed up big time. He shuffled again. The next sign read. I’m really, really sorry. Sabre broke into a full grin. Then Morgan turned around her sign: He really means it. The girl displayed a second message: Please forgive him. The next one pleaded: He needs you (and so do I). Sabre was laughing by the time Morgan turned her final sign: Even though he’s a big dope.
“Hey, you didn’t show me that one.” JP gave her a friendly elbow.
“Come in,” Sabre said.
Morgan shrugged and looked at JP. “It worked, didn’t it?”
Standing in the foyer, JP explained what he’d seen on her computer and at Starbuck’s.
“I should’ve told you in the first place,” Sabre said. “But I was afraid you’d try and talk me out of it.”
“I would’ve, but when I realized you intended to do it anyway—as I know you would have—I could’ve been there to protect you.”
“It was stupid, but I didn’t really think there was any danger.” Sabre quickly added, “And there wasn’t.”
“That’s not the point. There could’ve been. I couldn’t stand it if anything ever happened to you. You mean the world to me.”
JP had forgotten for a second that Morgan was in the room. He glanced at her, and she gave him a thumbs up.
“Good move, Uncle Johnny.”
Chapter 61
Monday morning Sabre checked the delinquency calendar for Conner’s case. No one had given her any notice that there was a hearing set, but she wanted to make sure. It was not on calendar. She knew Villareal was investigating, because he’d been to see Roxy and Muriel. She didn’t know what else he’d done, but she hoped he had confirmed everything Muriel had confessed.
Sabre was almost done with her dependency calendar when her phone rang.
“Hey, kid,” JP said. “I just got a call from Gene. He says Muriel is gone.”
“What do you mean ‘gone’?”
“Gene went by the house, and Roxy told him Muriel wasn’t there when she got up.”
“Roxy’s awake already? She doesn’t usually get up until after noon.”
“Apparently, she was up early today, about nine, she claims. She’s called Muriel a couple of times, but it goes right to voicemail.”
“If she takes off, we may never get Conner out of custody. And if they don’t drop the charges, we need her to testify.”
“Gene and I are out looking right now. I’ll keep you posted.”
~~~
JP had returned home and was working on the computer when Sabre and Morgan arrived. Morgan gave him a hug, announced she had homework, and ran to her room.
Just as Sabre sat down, the bell rang. JP got up and answered the door. His brother stood there, looking sheepish.
“What are you doing here?” JP asked.
“I came to say goodbye to Morgan,” Gene said.
JP stepped outside and closed the door behind him. “You can’t do that. I’m already skating on thin ice, just knowing where you are and not turning you in. And what exactly do you mean? Are you taking off?”
“I’m gonna go see my parole officer—turn myself in. I’ll serve my time. The kids will be in good hands with you, and maybe next time I’m out, I can stay out.”
“Dammit, Gene. I can’t let you see Morgan. There’s a ‘no visitation’ order until you appear in court. If the judge or DSS finds out I let you have visitation, they’ll put her in foster care. Do you want that?”
“No, but I need to see my little girl. Each time I leave, I never know if I’ll ever see her again. It drives me crazy.”
“Keep your voices down,” Sabre said, coming out to join them. “Morgan will hear you.” She extended her hand. “You must be Gene. I’m Sabre, your son’s attorney.”
“Nice to meet you ma’am. Jacky says you’re the best. I sure appreciate you helping him through this mess.”
“Sorry, I forgot you two hadn’t met,” JP said. He faced Sabre. “Now please tell my idiot brother that he cannot see Morgan this way.” JP turned back to Gene. “You’re not going to mess this up for her. I won’t let you.”
“There’s a better way to do this,” Sabre said. Both Gene and JP stopped talking and focused on Sabre as she explained. “I should be able to set it up so you can see her at her court hearing tomorrow. You should be there anyway. If I make the arrangements ahead of time, I’m sure Morgan’s attorney will not object. The social worker knows how much Morgan wants to see you. Your dependency attorney will be there, and he can help you as well. I’ll let him know you plan to attend and introduce you as soon as you arrive. They’ll take you into custody at court, but if everything goes right—and it should—you’ll get to see Morgan. I should be able to arrange for you to see Conner as well. I know it would be good for him.”
“You have a lot of ‘shoulds’ in there.”
“It’s not a perfect plan, because there are a lot of variables, but it’s the best way for you to see your children.”
“What could go wrong?” Gene rolled his eyes.
“Everything,” Sabre said. “But I’m pretty certain the social worker and minor’s attorney will work with us. And judges are usually good about allowing parental visits. The biggest problem would be law enforcement. You probably know better than I what they’ll do. The best-case scenario is that we do the hearing, you have your visit, and then they arrest you.”
“And the worst?”
“They arrest you when you arrive at court. But even if they do that, you’ll likely get your visit with Morgan, but it’ll be in a room with plexiglass between you,” Sabre said. “And you wouldn’t be able to see Conner.”
Gene looked at JP, and nodded his head toward Sabre. “Is she a straight-shooter?”
“You can hang your hat on it.”
“How is your parole officer to work with?” Sabre asked Gene.
“She’s pretty reasonable.”
“You may want to notify her what you’re up to, but you can decide that.”
Gene was quiet for a few seconds. “Let’s do it.”
“Can you be there at eight-thirty?”
“Yep.”
“Do you need a ride?” JP asked. “I can pick you up.”
“No.”
“Are you sure? It’s no trouble.”
“I’ll be there, little brother,” Gene said flippantly. “Don’t you worry.”
“Have you found Muriel?” Sabre asked Gene.
“No, but she’ll show up. I have someone on it.”
“What does that mean?” JP asked.
“It means I’m not gonna leave my son languishing in the Hall. I like Muriel, but I’m mad as hell for what she’s done to Conner.”
After Gene left, JP asked Sabre, “Can you really pull this off?”
“I sure hope so.” She picked up her phone and started making calls.
Chapter 62
JP and Sabre waited outside the courthouse for Gene to show up. Morgan was upstairs with Bob. Sabre checked her phone: 8:25. Where was he?
Gene’s attorney, Terry Chucas, a short, slender man in his fifties approached them. “Is he here?”
“Not yet,” Sabre said.
“But you think he’ll show?”
“He said he would.”
“He says lots of things,” JP interjected.
Terry turned to JP. “You don’t think he’ll show up?”
“I gave up trying to second guess my brother forty years ago. The one thing I’ve learned is
that if I bet against him, I win more often than when I bet with him.”
Another ten minutes passed and still no Gene. The social worker came out to where they were standing and asked about him.
“Not here yet,” Sabre said.
“I’ll be in the courtroom,” the woman said. “Come get me if you need me.”
They continued to wait. JP started to pace back and forth along the sidewalk. Sabre could see his anger building. He turned when he was ten steps away and said, “If he disappoints Morgan, he’d better not show his face to me again.”
Just then a car pulled up and Gene got out. “Hey, Jacky, you got some money to pay the Taxi driver?”
JP shook his head and walked over, pulling his wallet.
“I’m just yankin’ your chain,” Gene said, then paid for the ride.
“You’re an ass,” JP said.
“I know.”
Sabre and Terry walked toward the two men.
“Hi, Gene. Glad you could make it,” Sabre said. “This is Terry Chucas, the attorney who was appointed to represent you.”
A woman in her early sixties, with little makeup and wearing a plain dark suit, approached the group.
“Who’s that?” Sabre asked.
“My parole officer.”
Sabre stiffened, hoping the PO wouldn’t stop everything right there.
“Good morning, Georgianne. You’re looking as lovely as ever.”
“Thanks, Gene,” she said. “But you know that crap doesn’t work with me.”
“It don’t hurt to speak the truth.”
“Keep that in mind the next time you try to untangle a mess you’ve gotten yourself into.”
Terry Chucas spoke up, aiming his remarks directly at Georgianne. “I’d like to speak to my client in private for a bit, if that’s okay with all of you.”
“I’m just here to make sure everything goes smoothly and that Gene’s taken into custody before I leave.” She nodded toward the courthouse. “I think we should move this party inside.” She eyed her parolee. “Not that I don’t trust you, Gene, but I’ve been down similar roads.”
“But never with me,” Gene said.
“You’re right. Or we wouldn’t be standing outside now.”
They all went inside. Chucas and Gene went to the end of the hall, where they could speak privately. Georgianne stayed about thirty feet from them, positioning herself between Gene and the exit. Bob came downstairs to join them, and they all walked to Department One. JP waited outside while Sabre and Bob went in to let the bailiff know they were ready to do the case. They were greeted by the county counsel.
“I understand the parents are submitting on the report,” Linda Farris said.
“That’s what I’ve heard,” Bob said. “The father will likely go back into custody for a while, and the mother hasn’t been doing her programs. She signed up for parenting classes, but never went. She can’t seem to make the appropriate arrangements for therapy even though the social worker gave her all the information she needed on two different occasions. She’s had only two visits with Morgan but has spoken to her several times on the phone. Neither of the parents are objecting to the caretaker.”
“This should go smoothly,” Linda said.
Sabre hoped so, for Morgan’s sake, but she knew nothing was a sure bet. They all went inside the courtroom and were soon joined by the parents and their respective attorneys.
“In re Morgan Torn,” the court clerk announced.
The county counsel said, “Linda Farris for the Department of Social Services.”
Bob stood. “Robert Clark for the minor, who is not present in the courtroom. However, the paternal uncle, John P. Torn, is seated in the back. He is the present caretaker.”
“Richard Wagner for the mother, who is present, Your Honor.”
“Terry Chucas for the father, who is also present in court.”
“Thank you,” Judge Hekman said. “How are we proceeding this morning?”
Linda Farris spoke first. “I believe we have an agreement, Your Honor.”
“The mother is submitting on the recommendations by the Department,” Attorney Wagner said.
“The father is also submitting on the revised recommendations,” Attorney Chucas said. “He’s in agreement with the placement of his daughter with the paternal uncle, as well as the new visitation order. Mr. Torn has agreed to facilitate visitation at the prison, as long as it is feasible and the minor wants to visit. However, Your Honor, we’d like to speak to a special visitation order today at the courthouse. Would the court like me to do that now?”
“Yes, please.”
“The father has surrendered to his parole officer, who is here in the courthouse. He understands that this will likely result in his incarceration. There are no new charges against my client, but he may have a parole violation, which he is fully prepared to deal with. Arrangements have been made to have Morgan at court today so she can see her father in an appropriate setting. We ask that the court approve the visit.”
The judge looked at the county counsel, who said, “We agree, Your Honor, the social worker thinks the visit would be good for the minor.”
Richard Wagner said, “No objection by the mother.”
Judge Hekman turned to Bob. “Does Morgan want the visit, Mr. Clark?”
“Very much so, Your Honor. She’s close to her father and has asked about him every time I’ve seen her. She has also spoken often of him to her uncle. Just to err on the side of caution, although I’m not sure it is needed, I’ll be present for the visit, as well as the paternal uncle.”
“Does that work for you, Mr. Torn?” Judge Hekman asked Gene.
“Yes, Your Honor. I’m fine with that. I just want to see my daughter.”
The judge ordered the mother to participate in her programs, placed Morgan with JP, and set a review hearing for six months later. Then she turned to Bob. “Mr. Clark, where is your client now?”
“She’s upstairs, Your Honor.”
“Would you go get her please? I’d like to talk to her.”
JP whispered to Sabre, “Why does she want to see Morgan?”
“My guess is the judge will ask Morgan if she wants to see her father.”
“That’s a no-brainer. She loves that man.”
Bob left the courtroom and returned with Morgan. When the girl walked in, she immediately spotted her father. Her eyes lit up, and a huge smile crossed her face.
“Hello, Morgan. I’m Judge Hekman. How are you this morning?”
“I’m good, ma’am.” Morgan looked at the judge when she spoke, but then her gaze returned to her father.
“Have you ever been in a courtroom before?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Does it make you nervous to be here?”
“No, ma’am.” Morgan glanced around at her surroundings. “It’s remarkable.”
“That’s an interesting choice of words.”
“Did I use the word wrong? Doesn’t it mean outstanding or extraordinary?” Morgan glanced at her father, as if asking for confirmation.
He nodded at her. “Yes, ma’am. It’s remarkable.”
“Do you know why you’re here?”
“Not exactly. I know my dad goes to court a lot, and now my brother does too. I know this is where you decide if I get to keep living with Uncle Johnny. I always wondered what court was like.”
“And you find it remarkable?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Do you like living with your Uncle Johnny?”
“Yes, ma’am, but…” The girl hesitated.
“What is it, Morgan?”
“It would be even better if my brother could live with us too. Can you take care of that?”
“I can’t do anything about that right now, Morgan.”
“I was afraid of that, but I didn’t think it would hurt to ask,” Morgan said.
Chuckles were heard around the courtroom.
“It never hurts to ask.” The judge s
miled softly. “Is there anything else you’d like to ask me?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Go ahead.”
“Can I hug my daddy?”
“How about if you see him after this hearing and you can hug him then?”
Morgan’s smile covered her whole face.
The judge continued. “We have a special room where you can spend time with him. Thank you for coming to court today, Morgan. You’ve been very enlightening.”
“Enlightening.” Morgan nodded her head. “That’s a good word.”
“As to the special visitation request by the father,” the judge said, “this court finds it would be in the best interest of the minor to have that visit.” Hekman turned to Gene. “And you, sir, need to get your act together. Your daughter needs you.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Gene said.
“This court is adjourned.”
Chapter 63
Morgan bolted toward her father when she saw him. He picked her up and hugged her tight.
“I knew you’d come to see me, Daddy.”
“I had to see my favorite gal.”
JP and Bob watched as Morgan interacted with her father.
“They’re really close, aren’t they?” Bob said.
“I’m surprised,” JP said. “But he must be doing something right, because Conner loves him too. I just wish he’d straighten up and stay out of the pen long enough to raise his children.”
“Sometimes they grow up in prison and finally figure it out. Maybe this’ll be the time.”
“Or not. The guy hasn’t figured it out in fifty years. He’s always on the wrong horse and sittin’ backwards.”
The visit lasted for almost an hour. Gene and Morgan stayed engaged, neither of them distracted from their time together. Finally, the bailiff came in. “It’s time to go,” he said. “Your parole officer is outside.”
“How long will you be gone, Daddy?”
“Six months at the most. That’s all I have left on my sentence. Jack…er Uncle Johnny said he’d bring you once in a while if you want to come.”
“Really? You never let us visit before.”
“I know, but it’s all going to be different this time. I promise.”
The Advocate's Justice Page 23
