The Advocate's Ex Parte (The Advocate Series Book 5)

by Teresa Burrell

  “They’re not fixable?” Sabre said adamantly. “So, you don’t think there is any hope for this family? Are you proposing we go right to a .26 hearing?”

  “She’s not saying that, Sabre,” Ahlers said.

  “Maybe I am. This family has already had too many chances. These kids need a better life,” the social worker said.

  Sabre shook her head. “It would be wonderful if we could give these children a perfect family, but first of all we aren’t going to find one of those. Furthermore, the psychologists have all said these children need their parents and they need each other. All we can hope to do is keep them safe and provide for them the best we can. The court already has jurisdiction over this family. The 387 petition is really a dispositional issue.”

  “But…,” Heather started to object.

  Ahlers interrupted, “So, you want us to withdraw the 387 petition?”

  “I don’t care one way or the other. Like I said, we already have jurisdiction so the real issue is the placement. So, if we can agree to place these children with the paternal relatives, and I will fight for that because I truly believe that’s the best place for them, then perhaps we can settle this without a trial.”

  Heather shook her head.

  “Sabre, if you’ll give us a few minutes. I’d like to talk to my client,” Ahlers said.

  “Certainly,” Sabre said and walked downstairs.

  ***

  About ten minutes later Ahlers came downstairs and met with Sabre. Bob and Regina, the attorneys for the Wheelers, joined them. After some discussion, the attorneys and an obviously disgruntled social worker agreed to settle the case. The petition was withdrawn with a new permanent plan placing the children with the paternal aunt. It was understood that after six months the parents could look again at placement. More importantly, to all the attorneys’ satisfaction, they’d be dealing with a more experienced social worker.

  Chapter 32

  The Tran Case

  Child: Emma, age 18 mos. (F)

  Parents: Father—unknown, Mother—Kim-Ly Tran

  Issues: Neglect

  Facts: Mother left eighteen-month-old girl in locked room and went to work. Apartment complex caught on fire.

  “Hi, Marla,” Sabre said to the social worker on the Tran case as she walked into her office. “It’s nice to have you on a case again.” Marla Miller was Sabre’s and Bob’s favorite social worker. She worked hard and guarded the children with everything she had, but she understood this wasn’t a perfect world.

  “Thanks. You, too. I don’t think we’ve had a case since Alexis Murdock. At least nothing nearly that crazy.” Marla pointed to a chair. “Take a load off.”

  Sabre pulled the chair to the side so she could see Marla. Her desk was piled too high to see over the stacks. “That was a pretty awful case. Do you ever hear anything from them?” Sabre knew Marla tried to keep track of her old cases, especially the ones that were the most worrisome or the ones that involved children with whom she had become attached.

  Marla smiled. “You know me all too well. I spoke with Alexis’ mother just last week. They’re doing very well. You know the other children, Jamie and Haley, were placed with a maternal great-aunt in Decatur, which is only about seven or eight miles from Atlanta. The siblings have regular contact.” Marla scooted her chair back from her cluttered desk. “So, enough of this trip down memory lane. I understand you have some concerns about the Tran case. So do I, especially in light of the CASA worker.”

  “What about the CASA worker?”

  “I thought you knew. I’m sorry. A woman named Mae Chu was assigned to work on the case last week.”

  “Yeah, I knew that much. I’ve left her several messages, but she hasn’t returned my calls.”

  “She seems to have disappeared.”

  “What do you mean, disappeared?” Sabre tilted her head to one side, looking a little confused.

  “She received her assignment, but she never reported in and now no one can reach her.”

  “The court ordered the CASA appointment about nine or ten days ago. How long has she been missing?”

  “We’re not sure exactly. The judge made the order a week ago Tuesday. Wednesday, Mae Chu was assigned the Tran case. She picked up the packet on Thursday and no one at CASA has heard from her since.”

  “Was it reported to the police?”

  “Yes, but not until a couple of days ago because initially the CASA supervisor figured Mae just got cold feet and didn’t want the case.”

  “I know the volunteers often change their minds. They become overwhelmed or afraid they can’t do the job.”

  “It happens. But then, after the supervisor called a few times and received no response, she tried Mae’s emergency contact, a friend of Mae’s, and the friend hadn’t spoken to her for over a week. She claimed that wasn’t unusual, though. They often went weeks without talking.”

  “And no one else reported her missing?”

  “Mae doesn’t work and she lives alone so there’s no one to really miss her. The police are looking into it now, but I don’t know if they have officially listed her as a missing person.”

  “Hopefully the cops will find she’s just on vacation or something. Although, my investigator said there’s something about this case that bothers him...but I don’t have anything specific to give you.” Sabre thought for a moment. “There is one thing. Has Kim-Ly ever said anything to you about giving her daughter up for adoption?”

  “No. Do you know something I don’t?”

  “It’s what she said to the foster mother, but it was more in the form of questions. It may be that she’s concerned she’s going to lose her child permanently.”

  Marla leaned back in her chair. “I haven’t heard anything like that. Kim-Ly seems to take good care of the child for the most part. And she obviously loves Emma. I know she works as a stripper, but I don’t care about that as long as what she’s doing is legal. I know a lot of those girls are hooking and that could put the child in danger, but I don’t have any evidence to support that Kim-Ly is involved in that activity.”

  “Have they assigned another advocate to replace Mae Chu?” Sabre asked.

  “Yes.” Marla shuffled through one of the six stacks of files on her desk. Then she reached for a second stack. “Here it is.” Marla retrieved a file marked Tran, opened it up, and flipped through a couple of pages. “Her name is Linda Gonzalez. I’ll copy this for you so you’ll have all her information.” Marla swung her chair around, placed the page on the printer behind her desk, made a copy for Sabre, and handed it to her.

  “Thanks, I’ll call her as soon as I return to the office. Do you know if she has started an investigation yet?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Anything else I need to know on this case?”

  “I don’t think so. I’ll let you know if I hear anything new on Mae Chu.”

  ***

  Sabre returned to her office, called Linda Gonzalez, left her a message explaining who she was, and asked for a return call. Then she called JP and told him about the missing Mae Chu. “Perhaps you can add it to the things you’re looking for when you continue your investigation on this case. It probably doesn’t have anything to do with Kim-Ly or our dependency case, but you never know.”

  “I’ll do that. And Sabre, don’t make any more visits on the King case without me, okay?”

  “Have you found out something new?”

  “Just a gut feeling. Isaiah Banks is a real badass and until I have more answers I’d feel better if you didn’t make those visits alone.”

  “Okay. I didn’t plan on going any time soon anyway. If I decide to go this weekend, I’ll let you know.”

  Just as Sabre hung up the phone, Elaine walked in. “Your cowboy’s here.”

  Sabre looked puzzled. She had just hung up with JP. Then she realized it must be Clint. She took a deep breath and reprimanded herself for the tingly feeling in her stomach. “Send him in.”

  Sa
bre smiled when he walked in. “Good afternoon.”

  “Let me apologize for barging in, but I wanted to ask you to dinner. How about tomorrow?”

  “You could have called.”

  “I know,” he smiled at her sheepishly, “but I figured you’d have a harder time saying ‘no’ if I came in person.”

  She laughed. “You’re right about that.” She looked at him for several seconds before she continued. She liked this guy, but she had mixed emotions about the fact that he wouldn’t be here long. She could have a good time and then he’d be gone so she wouldn’t have to be concerned about getting involved. But if she really liked him, then he’d be gone and she may be heartbroken again. “Okay. Saturday.”

  “Seven o’clock okay?”

  “Yes, I’ll meet you at the restaurant. Did you have a place in mind?”

  “It’s your city. You pick.”

  “World Famous. It’s in Pacific Beach. Would you like directions?”

  “Nope. I’ll find it. See you Saturday at seven.” He winked at her and turned toward the door. “I’m leaving now before you have a chance to change your mind.”

  Chapter 33

  The King Case

  Children: Devon King, age 2 (M), Kordell King, age 12 (M)

  Parents: Father of Devon—Isaiah Banks, Father of Kordell—Clay Walker, Mother—Brenda King

  Issues: Physical Abuse

  Facts: Isaiah Banks beat his stepson, Kordell, with a belt and his fist.

  “Thanks for meeting me for lunch,” JP said to Greg Nelson. Although they were friends, they didn’t get together socially that often. Recently, however, they had found themselves on several cases together. Even though they were working them from totally different angles, it felt like old times.

  “No problem, as long as you know you’re buying.”

  “You’re the one who makes the big bucks, Detective. I’m just a lowly PI, scraping to keep the dogs alive.”

  “Yeah, right.” He smirked. “So, you’re concerned about Isaiah Banks?”

  “After our conversation yesterday, I got more worried about Sabre Brown. You remember meeting her, right?”

  “Of course. Nice woman, even if she is a defense attorney. Are you still smitten with her?”

  JP put his fork down. “What are you talking about?”

  “Oh, come on, anyone who has seen you two together knows there’s something going on there.”

  “Dang, I guess I better not play poker with you.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with your poker face. At the tables no one can tell what you’re holding, but when it comes to love, you’re like a puppy with his master.”

  JP waved his hand in a gesture that indicated “enough.” “Here’s what I know. Isaiah Banks has a son who was removed from his home by DSS. The judge wasn’t ruling in his favor and was killed by a hit-and-run. Dr. Heller was scheduled to perform a psychological evaluation on Banks the same day as she was hospitalized, also the result of a hit-and-run. Sabre went on a home visit to see Isaiah’s stepson and she almost took a bullet from a drive-by shooter.”

  “And you think Banks is responsible for all of that?”

  “I find him to be a very likely suspect. He’s also a long-time member of the Piru gang and seems to have recently gained some stature in the organization.”

  “And if it is him, you think Sabre is in danger?”

  “Definitely. The problem is I don’t know what I can do about it. I can’t exactly infiltrate the Pirus. No one in his neighborhood is going to talk to me. And if I go snooping around I’m liable to put Sabre in even more danger. I’m stuck. Can you help me out?”

  “We’re already on it, JP. Ever since you called me, Banks has been our primary suspect. We’ve got a couple of guys tailing him right now. When he makes a wrong move, and he will, we’ll nail him. We’re still waiting on the coroner’s report on the dead guy who we think was the drive-by shooter, the one who almost hit Sabre. Maybe when that’s in, we’ll have what we need to arrest Banks. But more importantly, we’re keeping our eyes on Sabre in case any unusual activity comes her way.”

  “Thanks, Greg. But you could’ve told me all this on the phone.”

  Greg pushed his empty plate away from him. “And miss a free lunch? Don’t be silly.”

  “There’s one other thing I need to ask.” The waitress approached and they both ordered coffee.

  “What’s that?” Greg asked.

  “Do you have any news on Robin’s husband, Tyson Doyle Cooper?” Before Greg could answer, JP said, “What kind of ego uses all three names, anyway? A guy like that must think the sun comes up just to hear him crow.”

  “That’s a mouthful to say every time you have to give your name. I’m sure it would be especially tough for you since you seem to have trouble just getting out two initials: ‘J’ and ‘P.’”

  The waitress approached with the coffee. JP took his black. Greg poured some cream in his cup and stirred it. They both thanked her.

  “To answer your question,” Greg said, “We haven’t found a trace of him. Maybe if we were in Texas we might be able to find someone who could lead us to him. No one has spotted his vehicle. We can’t find where he has used a credit card, so if he’s in this area he must be using cash. Frankly, I don’t think he’s here. And since I can’t talk to law enforcement in his home town—Robin says they’re his friends—for all I know he’s still there.”

  “I’m having the same trouble, which worries me more than ever. He doesn’t appear to be back in his hometown so he’s doing a good job of hiding, wherever he is.”

  “Robin is a sweet girl. I’m sorry you two couldn’t make it together. How’s she doing, by the way?”

  “She’s getting antsy, but she’s also very frightened. She’s not the same person I once knew. She was so full of life, bubbly, and happy. I’m sure you remember how she wouldn’t stop talking.”

  “I remember. She’s quite a character.”

  “Not now. She still talks to me. Told me all about what happened in great detail, like she normally would have, but her voice is different. She was beaten up pretty bad and her spirit nearly broken by that creep. The joy is gone from her voice. Tyson Doyle Cooper,” JP stretched the name out, making it sound even longer, “is meaner than a skillet full of rattlesnakes. He’s a coward who beats up on women. And worst of all, he has the money to cover his tracks.”

  “He’s bound to surface, and when he does we’ll grab him,” Greg said.

  “I just don’t know how long I can keep Robin cooped up where she’s safe.”

  Chapter 34

  The Tran Case

  Frustrated at his lack of ability to find anything leading him to Judge Mitchell’s murder and not being able to find anything else on Tyson Doyle Cooper, JP decided to concentrate on finding out what was going on in the Tran case. It was coming up for a hearing soon and Sabre needed to make a recommendation about this little girl’s life. After several hours of computer research, JP drove to the condo complex in Mira Mesa where Mae Chu lived. He knocked on the door of the condo next to hers, explained that he was a private investigator, and asked if anyone had seen her recently.

  A woman in her forties lived there with her husband and two dogs. She said, “I haven’t seen her for a couple of weeks, but that’s not unusual. She drives into her garage in the back, closes the garage door, and goes in the house. Lots of the neighbors do that.”

  “How long have you lived here?”

  “About a year. She was here when we moved in.”

  “Have you ever met her?”

  “No. I wouldn’t even know her name except that we get her mail once in a while.”

  JP thanked her and walked around the building to see where she would enter through the garage. Two rows of condos formed a line with the garages facing one another. Between the rows of condos was a driveway that formed an alleyway. Mae’s condo was the fourth one in a row of six. The garage door next to Mae Chu was open and a man was cleaning
his car. He looked to be in his late sixties, stood about six-foot-three, and was wearing shorts and a T-shirt.

  JP introduced himself. “Do you know Mae Chu, your neighbor?”

  “I wouldn’t say I know her. I’ve seen her enough that I would probably recognize her in another setting, but we’ve never really had a conversation. She moved in here about two years ago.”

  “Two years ago? And you’ve never talked to her?” JP thought this quite odd. He was a private person himself, but he knew his neighbors. City folks are strange.

  “I spend a lot of time in my garage with the door open and I see people coming and going, so I probably mix with more people than a lot of the other neighbors. You have to understand, there’s no real meeting place, like in a house with a front yard, so unless you have a dog you walk, or you hang out with your garage door open, you’re not going to see much.”

  “When did you last see her?”

  “I saw her leave here in her car last Saturday around six or six-thirty.”

  “Was she alone?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you didn’t see her return?”

  “No. I was in my garage working on a project until nearly midnight. It was a warm night so I left my door open. If she came back, it was after that.” He pointed to the driveway that came off the street. It was directly in front of his garage. “As you can see, that’s the only way in here in a car, so I would see anyone who comes in.”

  “Did Mae Chu have many visitors? A boyfriend, maybe?”

  He shook his head. “Naw, not that I ever saw. I can’t remember any visitors.”

  JP was hitting nothing but dead ends with the CASA worker. And for all he knew, she had simply decided that being a child advocate was too much for her and she split. She apparently had no one to answer to and she had the means to live without working. She could be basking in the sun or climbing a mountain somewhere. It was time to move on to something else.