Saving Madeline

by Rachel Ann Nunes

  Sally grinned, seeing she’d struck a nerve. “I don’t think so. But for what it’s worth, I agree with you, and that’s why I’m going to give you copies of all my research on the case so far. The last place I want Parker Hathaway is in jail. Someone’s got to keep an eye out for that child.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it. I’m actually not too worried about jail time. It’s the visiting rights that will be problematic. Unless I find something solid on Dakota Allen, they may never let him have unsupervised visiting rights again.”

  Chapter 10

  Tuesday morning, Parker walked out of the courtroom feeling more humiliated than he had felt since his fifth-grade teacher caught him cheating on a test and called his father in to “discuss” the matter. It had been a stupid thing to do because he’d never failed a test, even when he hadn’t read the material. He’d done it just to prove he could. Or maybe to get his father’s attention. Well, he’d gotten attention all right but only for one evening.

  His arraignment had been held between the arraignments of other arrestees, whose alleged crimes ranged from unpaid parking tickets to drunken driving and on to robbery. He’d pleaded not guilty, though he was sure everyone knew he was lying; and though the slick DA fought against giving him reasonable bail, Caitlin had convinced the judge he was not a flight risk, and the bail was arranged.

  He hadn’t yet been offered the plea deal by the DA that Caitlin thought they might expect, and in fact the DA appeared completely ready to prosecute him to the full extent of the law. Worse, Dakota had taken out a restraining order that prevented him from coming within three hundred feet of her, the house, or Madeline. He’d felt sick at that, though Caitlin had warned him it was coming. She assured him that as long as they could convince a judge to allow him to see Madeline, they would waive the restraining order for supervised visits.

  Supervised visits. The words left a horrible taste in his mouth.

  With rare exceptions, he’d never been separated from Madeline by more than a few days since her birth. She was a large part of how he’d been able to pull his life together after the wild, uncaring months with Dakota. And now, at least temporarily, he was forbidden to see her at all.

  Parker stretched his shoulders uncomfortably in the suit his mother had brought yesterday for the arraignment. It had set him apart from the other criminals, and for that he was glad, but he’d never been comfortable in dress clothes. You couldn’t work or sweat or have fun in dress clothes—not like you could in a good pair of familiar, comfortable jeans.

  He hadn’t allowed his mother to attend the court proceedings. This was the day she usually got together with her women friends for brunch, and he had used that excuse to keep her away. The truth was he couldn’t bear to have her see him standing before a judge. His father wouldn’t have been surprised, perhaps, but his mother had always held out hope for his future.

  A future that was now uncertain.

  The DA had pulled Caitlin aside after the arraignment, and they were now chatting some feet away, heads close together. Parker didn’t know if it was customary for the legal defender and the DA to be so chummy, but he didn’t like Mace Keeley, who was as good-looking as he was smooth in the courtroom. Parker knew his type—a pretty boy who was good with people and desk work but was useless for anything truly physical. Not the kind of neighbor you’d ask to help you load a moving van or lay a bit of sod, but a guy who habitually attended the gym to make sure he didn’t flab. He probably didn’t even cut his own grass.

  Yet Caitlin was interested in Keeley. He could tell by the way her face lit up as they talked, her smile turning her pale face beautiful. A few curling wisps of copper hair had escaped the pins at the back of her head, softening her freckled face. He felt an urge to punch Keeley.

  Instead, he walked purposefully toward them. Caitlin smiled at him, but Keeley ignored his presence and said, “Saturday, then. I’ll call you about the time.”

  “Sounds good.” Caitlin’s voice was light, and Parker had the feeling she was trying not to let Keeley’s words be too important. Or maybe she really didn’t care. Maybe she was a player like Keeley. The thought disturbed him.

  “What now?” he asked.

  “They’ll be releasing your truck in an hour or so, and you can pick it up at the station. Meanwhile, we need to discuss your case.”

  “I need to see Madeline.”

  “You can’t visit yet—not even with someone there.”

  He nodded. “I know.” He wondered if she could see his anguish, if it was etched on his face as clearly as he felt it carved into his heart.

  “You still might go to prison. I’ll do everything I can to keep you out, but since Dakota has custody, the law is on her side.”

  “I know.”

  “I thought money might be a factor in our favor, that maybe she’d get the DA to drop the charges, but apparently she’s found another way of supporting herself, and she’s out for blood.”

  Probably her new boyfriend, but Parker didn’t feel the need to say it aloud. Caitlin knew what kind of woman she was. She dealt with people like Dakota every day.

  With people like him.

  No, I’m not like Dakota anymore.

  “It won’t last,” he said confidently. “Her plans don’t often pan out. In fact, never—at least not for very long.” Except for me, he added silently. She’d caught him permanently, or for as long as she could hold Madeline hostage. “Has Detective Crumb found anything yet?”

  Caitlin shrugged. “I haven’t heard from her today, but I’m sure if you call her later, she’ll have an update. Meanwhile, it’s vital for your case that we get you working and established so if we really go to trial, we’ll have a strong case to present to a jury.”

  “A jury?”

  “It’s your right, and I feel the best thing for our case. Many of them will have children and a healthy hatred of recreational drugs.”

  “How soon will we go to trial?”

  “Not for a month at the very least. Could be a lot more, depending.”

  Parker felt the sudden urge to be sick. “But we can help Madeline before that, can’t we?”

  She didn’t reply right away, gesturing for him to walk with her. “Look, Parker, I’ve been appointed to represent you in the criminal case, nothing more. I’m not experienced with family court. I suggest you find someone to help you there.”

  “Who?” He didn’t even want to think about how he’d pay.

  “I’ll make some calls and give you a name by the end of the day. But for now, you need to decide about a job. Because whatever happens with visiting rights, that will be a big factor.”

  “The contractor I worked for offered me a job as a foreman here in Salt Lake. I’m sure that’s not still available, but he might have another position.”

  “Is he the contractor for the job you dumped Saturday?”

  Parker nodded, refusing to let her comment needle him. “He might not want me.”

  “Let’s go see.”

  Parker blinked in surprise. “You’ll take me?”

  “Well, your truck isn’t available yet. Besides, we have an appointment with him in fifteen minutes.”

  It was the first real inkling of hope he’d experienced that day. “You are good.”

  She shrugged. “I get up early. Now come on. I still have two briefs to work on before lunch.”

  He held the door open for her, and her arm brushed his chest as she passed, sending heat rushing through him. He had a strong and sudden urge to run his hand over her milky skin, to kiss her smooth neck.

  Dream on, he thought. She would never look twice at a man like him. Pretty boy Keeley was her type.

  She had come to a stop outside the door, waiting for him. Their eyes met and attraction shot through him again. What was wrong with him? She was completely off-limits.

  It was all he could do to look away.

  • • •

  Parker met Jason Rosen at the temporary office of the new building
project in West Valley. The gray-haired man stood and met Parker halfway across the room, offering his hand in greeting. After that, he waited for Parker to speak, and an awkwardness fell between them. Parker wished he could flee, and in his earlier days he would have, but now there was too much at stake. Construction jobs didn’t abound in the winter as they often did in the summer.

  “I suppose you’ve heard about what happened,” he began.

  Rosen shrugged his narrow shoulders. “I don’t believe everything I hear. I do know that you quit down in Manti, and I figured it was related to your daughter.”

  This was where things could get tricky. Caitlin had advised him to stick to the basics. “My ex-wife is doing drugs. I removed my daughter because I feared she was in danger.” He swallowed hard. “What I did was against the law, but she’s back with her mother, and I’m working with authorities to make sure she remains safe. Because of that, I’d like to work near Salt Lake. I promise to work hard if you give me another chance.”

  Rosen tilted his head, his stern expression softening. “In this business, I work with a lot of men who come and go, men who have a variety of strengths and problems, and trials. Some are solid, some are even bright, some would sooner steal from me than give me a good day’s work. But rarely do I see someone like you, who has the potential to excel in this business. You have worked for me an entire year, and never once have you not shown up or been lazy on the job. I can’t give you the foreman job because I can’t risk having your personal problems interfering with the overall construction, but I will gladly give you a job for as long as you’re able to work. Even if it’s just a week or two. We’re actually shorthanded right now. When this is all behind you, we can discuss future projects.”

  “Thank you.” Parker felt a rush of gratitude. “When do I start?”

  Rosen eyed his suit. “Right now, if you have a change of clothes.”

  “I do. In the car.”

  “Then let’s get to work.”

  • • •

  Parker emerged from the trailer looking decidedly more happy than when he’d gone in. Caitlin climbed out of the car into the cold morning air as he approached. He wore the suit well, though she knew he took no pleasure in dressing up. Still, he looked good—as good as any attorney or executive she had dated. “I take it he said yes?”

  “I start right now.” He gestured toward the backseat, where the small suitcase his mother had brought him the night before lay on the seat. “I’ll change inside.”

  She stepped away so he could open the back door and reach inside the car for his suitcase. “What about your truck?”

  “I forgot about that. I’ll have to get it later. Maybe after work? Do you know when they close?”

  “I’ll ask Sally.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You don’t have a lunch.”

  He grinned. “Believe me, it won’t be the first time I’ve worked all day without eating. Besides, the boss always has donuts or something around. And there’re soft drinks available. I’ll be fine.”

  Caitlin wanted to protest, but he was a grown man, and it really was none of her business. “Do you have a number where I can reach you?”

  “Actually, my phone is still at the police station. I was hoping to pick it up when I got the truck. But don’t worry—I’ll catch a cab. I have a bit of money in my wallet. The police were kind enough to give that back this morning.”

  “We still need to talk strategy for your case.”

  “Any chance we could meet some evening?”

  She could tell he was worried about messing up his chance at the new job, as well he should be. Not having a job would be a definite disadvantage to their case, especially if Dakota was pressuring Mace to go for blood. “Evening is fine—at least early evening. In fact, why don’t I pick you up tonight, and we can get your truck and talk? I can’t stay long, but I can at least outline what I think will be our best defense.”

  “Thank you. That’s more than I expected.”

  And far more than she should have offered, but something about this man had her going out of her way to help him. Because he’s innocent, she thought. Of course she had yet to prove that. Maybe Sally had uncovered more information.

  Caitlin smiled. “I don’t like to lose.”

  “Neither do I. But I’ve also got a feeling your pretty boy doesn’t like to lose, either.”

  “Pretty boy?”

  “That blond DA.”

  “He’s brilliant.” Caitlin wasn’t sure why she felt the need to defend Mace.

  Parker shrugged. “You would know, but I’m not sure how brilliant you have to be to prosecute a case like mine. After all, I’m guilty.”

  “Guilty of taking Madeline,” she retorted, “but not of kidnapping.”

  “Apparently the law thinks it’s the same thing.”

  “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

  “I hope you do.” He grinned again, this time sending a fluttering of something to her stomach. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re better than pretty boy any day—and certainly better looking.” His voice had grown husky on the last words, and Caitlin would have had to be blind and dumb not to know the message he was sending, whether intentionally or not. He was attracted to her. This was obvious in the way his eyes touched her face, lingering on her lips. She could feel his awareness of her, yet not in the distorted, perverse way she’d felt with many of her clients. This was . . . different.

  “What time do you get off?” she asked, masking her confusion.

  “Usually five, but I’ll work until whatever time you get here.”

  She nodded. “See you then.” She turned and reached for her door just as he tried to open it for her. Their hands collided and their faces were inches apart. She could almost taste the masculine aroma of him. Her heart thundered. Neither moved for what seemed like long seconds, and then she straightened and backed away, laughing with him as he finished opening the door. “Thank you,” she said.

  “You’re welcome.”

  She drove away, feeling more than a little satisfaction that he didn’t go inside but stood and watched her leave.

  • • •

  “Sally? It’s Caitlin. I’m in my car on my way to the office, but I wanted to know if there’s any news on the Hathaway case.”

  “Not exactly.”

  “What does that mean?” Caitlin snapped, slamming on her brakes as the brake lights of the car in front of her went on.

  “Wow, who woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”

  “Hey, it’s you I’m doing this favor for.”

  “It was me, but now you’re doing it for him. Not that I blame you. If I were single, I’d take a second look at him myself.”

  “He’s so not my type.” But Caitlin’s cheeks flamed, and she was glad Sally wasn’t with her in the car to see her face. It was one thing to feel attracted to her client but quite another to act on it—which she had no intention of doing. She had enough going on in the romance field with Mace and Wyman hanging around.

  “Whatever you want to tell yourself. But keep in mind he’s not a criminal. Not like most of those others you’ve had to defend.”

  “Look, I’m just doing my job. Like you, I didn’t get good vibes from the ex-wife. And Madeline doesn’t deserve any of this.”

  “Kids with rotten parents never do.”

  “That’s exactly why I’m so interested in the case. I’d like to make sure Parker doesn’t do prison time for this—and make sure nothing happens to that little girl. I did some research on the Internet last night. Do you know how many children die because of drug use in their homes? And not just from abuse or neglect. One toddler sucked on a plastic sack full of drugs and died. Another baby died after his mother used cocaine while nursing him. Horrid, horrid stories. Hundreds it seems. If what Parker claims is true, Madeline and her little brother are in big danger.”

  “I’ve alerted Family Services, and they sent someone out, but they rep
orted nothing out of the ordinary.”

  “Well, yeah, Dakota knew she’d be checked out.”

  “I talked to a lot of her friends. All druggy types.” Sally clicked her tongue. “If you can be guilty by association, she’s as guilty as sin.”

  “‘By association’ isn’t going to get Parker off. What about that guy she said she lived with?”

  “That’s the ‘not exactly’ I was talking about. Ron Hill is nowhere to be found. Some of Dakota’s friends remember hearing about a Ron but nothing of a Ron Hill. There are no public records at all for the man, and no police ones, either.”

  “Which means he probably doesn’t exist.”

  “Right. He gave her a false name, or she gave us one. I hope it was her because that means she has something to hide.”

  Caitlin considered this. “We have to find out more.”

  “I know, but I’ve got a murder case and another missing person case that just came in today—a man. I’m up to my ears investigating leads. And I gotta tell you that now Madeline’s back home safe, the brass aren’t too excited to pursue anything more. I have Dakota’s name and all the particulars tagged, though, so if anything regarding her comes up, the information will forward to me, but anything else I do on the case will be on my own time or squeezed in between official projects.”

  “I understand. You’ve been a big help so far. But maybe I’ll talk to Kenny Pratt.”

  “He’s good. Tell him if he needs info from us to call me. We’ve worked together before.”

  “Thanks, Sally.”

  “Good luck. And Caitlin? If the opportunity presents itself, I say go for it.” She was talking about Parker again. “I know for a fact it’s been years since you’ve even dated a man, much less been in a relationship. Maybe it’s time to take a chance.”

  Caitlin was painfully aware of that fact. “I have Amy to think about. I have to be careful.”

  “That’s an excuse, Caitlin. You’re thirty-two years old—maybe it’s time to make your opportunity and not wait for it.”

  “I’m going out with Mace on Saturday,” she said abruptly.

  “What? When did this happen, and how come you didn’t tell me?”