Bri sighed exaggeratedly and said, “Alas, then who am I gonna' give tha new book in my backpack ta?”
Luce's eyes widened in anticipation and excitement and promptly zipped her lip.
Our girl whispered as the line started moving to the rolling, stainless steel serving table, “Everyone is staring at us.”
I shrugged and smiled. “Let them stare.”
She furrowed her brow then looked around, glaring at everyone before she lifted her chin and moved a couple of inches closer to me.
Once our trays were loaded up, and I got the cook to ladle some of the chipped beef in gravy into a bowl for Calvin, we made our way to one of the little tables. No sooner had Luce put the bowl down for Cal, then she motored off to the two tables with the youngest girls and I just watched in fascination as she placed napkins on the laps of the girls, then organized their silverware for them. Then bumped forearms with each before moving to the next.
I caught Bri studying Jane and me as we watched. “She looks out fer tha young ones. Wants them ta learn manners since they, after tha babies, are most likely ta get adopted. She doesn't want prospective parents ta have any reason not ta follow through on an adoption.”
Then she smirked as Luce finished up before heading our way. “Today has ta be killin' her, not keepin' ta her schedule. It's good fer her.”
Once everyone was seated, Mrs. Johnston in the table next to ours, clapped to get everyone's attention. “Please lower your heads.”
I blinked and realized they were going to do a prayer. I wasn't the most religious girl and wasn't sure which of the many religions would be right for me if I believed. I went to a Christian church back home occasionally, when the Cardinal coaxes me into it. I certainly hoped there was something after this life, but I don't begrudge anyone for their beliefs since someone has to be right, right?
I remembered that the home here was originally founded by a Catholic group, so this must be a carryover. I lowered my head and the headmistress said a simple prayer of thanks and everyone said, “Amen,” when it was over, and then the place exploded into chaos as just about every girl started talking as they dug into their meal. I tapped my toe on the bowl Cal had been drooling over as he waited patiently. He wolfed it down. I poured some of my glass of water into the bowl and he lapped at it.
I was quite aware that Calvin was getting as many stares as we were, I nudged my chin at him and he started wandering the tables, not so discreetly introducing himself. I saw all the tidbits the girls snuck him off their trays as they giggled in glee as he acted like a super handsome goofball. He was certainly a hit and he was going to have to go on a diet when we went back home.
I had asked why the home didn't have pets for the children before we came, and it was quite sensible really. In case any of the children were allergic. There had been some over the years, and one deathly allergic. We had made sure that none of the current girls were before bringing Cal with us. And they all just lit up at his goofy antics. He was eating up all the attention.
Then when the meal was over and all the girls neatly stacked their trays by the garbage can by the door, the headmistress called out, “One hour until lights out girls.”
They all scattered, squealing and giggling and chasing each other.
Luce calling after them, “Slow down, be civil you little hellions.”
She just shook her head at them then almost fell when Bri tapped the back of her knees with hers, “Let them burn off some of that energy, Luce-Goose. Girls will be girls.”
Our little redhead looked to Jane and me for confirmation, I nodded and she relaxed and said, “I guess you're right.” Then before the smirk finished blooming on Bri's face Luce added, “There's a first time for everythin' I s'pose.”
The grin on Luce's face was of the shit-eating category seven when her best friend gasped and smiled at the slight. Then Bri said to the air, “Just where oh where could I find someone else who would appreciate a new book?”
Luce stabbed a finger at her. “Dirty pool, that.”
They shared a look only best friends could. You know the type that can communicate entire conversations between two like-minded individuals in a moment, then they both giggled as Luce shoved her erstwhile companion and asked us, “Come up and talk some more where I can keep an eye on the feral beasts? I want ta know more about New York City. I've not been anywhere before and I like to go through the travel books the unruly one here gets for me.”
I looked at Jane who said, “Of course.”
We followed them up and we all sat on Luce's bed, Calvin hopping up to drape across our legs as we talked about our home. Time just shot by and before I could blink, a crackling hissing filled the room and Mrs. Johnston's voice came out over the old intercom system. “Lights out in ten minutes girls.”
I sighed heavily as the girls all started filing to the closet to pull out pajamas or nightshirts and headed down to the bathroom.
Jane and I stood, then Bri said quietly when she stayed behind after Luce joined the procession, “You'll want ta hang around a bit. Then ya can see what tha other couples never bothered ta see.” She locked her eye on us like she was trying to tell us something. I just nodded slowly and she hesitated a moment then went skipping off calling, “Wait up ya insufferable runt!”
I figured that it was our cue to go at lights out, but Bri obviously wanted us to see something. We saw the workers in the hall when we poked our heads out then went to wait by Luce's bed.
Girls started filing in with their nightclothes and I blinked when girls other than the ones from this room wandered in, yawning and stretching. Dragging blankets with them or stuffed animals. And they all started sitting on the floor around Luce's bed when she rejoined us. Calvin was in pup heaven as he went to lay down with the young ones and got the adoration he thought was his due.
As we leaned casually against the wall, Luce just sat regally on her bed with her long-sleeved nightshirt on, Bri laying down across the bed. The youngest girl, what was her name, Nancy? Nancy crawled up on the bed and sat on Luce's lap, and Luce pulled her sleeves over her hands and hugged the little one to her without touching her.
Then the intercom crackled again, “Lights out. Sweet dreams girls.” With that, the lights except for some night lights over the doors went out.
With a click, Bri turned on a big night watchman style metal flashlight. And handed a book to Luce who was looking around as she started to open the book. “Now where were we?”
A little chorus of, “Neverland, Sissy,” rang out.
She nodded. “Of course.”
Then the little one said, “We're like da lost boys. We gots no family too.”
Luce nodded and then placed her chin on top of the little girl's head and said, “You'll need ta help turn tha pages.”
Nancy nodded.
Jane hugged me back to her and we just stood there, mesmerized as Luce read in the light of the flashlight to the girls who seemed spellbound by the fantastical tale. Luce closed the book after reading with all the hope in the world as she read the line, “Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough.”
She looked around to see a couple of the girls asleep, using Calvin as a living pillow on the floor. “That's it for tonight. Time for bed.”
This got some half-hearted, “Aww,”s but they were all yawning and stretching. Luce stood with Nancy cradled in her arms, sound asleep. Brianne stood and scooped the two waking girls up to carry over her shoulders like sacks of giggling potatoes, “You heard, Sissy, everyone. Bedtime for ya ruffians.”
Other children followed them out as the ones who slept in this room moved to their beds. We poked our heads out the door again to see the staff was still standing there silently in the halls that were only lit by dimly glowing sconces, pretending to look the other way.
They glanced back and shared a knowing smile with us, and I asked the closest, “Why do they all call her Sissy?”
The woman whispered as we heard Luce telling each
girl goodnight in the other room. “They all see Luce as their big sister since they haven't one of their own. For how brash the girl is, she's tha biggest heart.” The woman smirked at a little girl's giggling until she squealed out, “Ok ok, I'll go ta bed.” And she whispered to us, “And Bri is her enforcer. Those two are thick as thieves.”
I smiled wistfully at that as the girls snuck back into the hall and put hands next to their faces as they scurried past the workers like they wouldn't see them that way. I snorted then winked at the woman and we followed Luce back into the room.
We watched as she tucked each girl in, kissed the tops of their heads, then sighed like it took a herculean effort to finish out the night. Bri smiled at us, waved, then slipped into her own bed and we followed Luce to hers.
She slipped under her covers and I sat on the edge of the bed and said, “G'night little goose. We'll be back tomorrow.” It hurt a little that she looked so skeptical as she nodded slowly. I bent and kissed the top of her head as I tucked her in. “Sleep tight. We've a big day in front of us tomorrow.”
She smiled sleepily, and Jane just held out a fist, and Luce beamed as she gave it a fist bump. I stood and said, “Love you, lady, see ya soon.”
She yawned and said in a groggy voice, “Love you Finnegan, Jane, Sir Calvin.” She yawned hugely and I'm pretty sure she was out before her head hit the pillow.
Chapter 8 – Mortal Enemies
Morning couldn't come fast enough for me. I'm pretty sure my detective was wondering about the best way to smother me with my pillow and make it look like some sort of freak accidental marshmallow inhalation death, since I kept babbling about Luce, and Bri. I kept pointing out how they had structured their own ever-changing family unit with the other girls as some were adopted.
She had nodded with her coppish smirk again, relaying that, “Yes, I was there, pipsqueak.”
“You're trying to figure out the best way to silence me so you can sleep and leave no evidence, aren't you?”
Jane chuckled and said as she pulled me into the little spoon position to try to lull me to sleep with snuggles as Cal snored where he lay across our feet on the bed. “No, I just have never seen you so... animated about anything that didn't involve leashes before, and I happen to agree.” She added as she kissed the top of my head, “And I could totally stage it as an accident.”
I nodded then I sighed and deflated a little as I thought of what we had witnessed, she said, “What is it?”
That got me muttering, “Oh no, did someone call the cops? I feel an interrogation in the works.”
She snorted and twapped the top of my head with a flick of her fingers. “No, I just know your distressed sounds, and they sound like that.”
I shrugged and snuggle my back in closer to her and pulled the hand around my waist tighter. “Is it wrong that I feel a little guilty? I mean, I want this more than about anything, but is it selfish? She has built a system and family around her, and I think as much as she wants to have parents, it could be devastating to her to be pulled away from Bri and the others. Are we doing the right thing?”
“Stop overanalyzing everything, love. Change is a part of life, and it is coming to her faster than she realizes even without us. Her one constant, the girl she sees as a sister is just months from aging out of the system. She'd have to adjust and adapt to that like anything else, then she herself will age out in a few years.”
I twisted back so I could see her face as she continued, “She'll be without her best friend and without a family she can call her own then. We can give her a family, a seriously weird-ass family with Jess and Ker in the picture, but a happy family surrounded by people who love her. So I think that we are her best shot at longterm happiness, and I have to admit that I kind of love the little one even more today than just the day before.”
My heart fluttered and I nodded, and pushed my hair from my face, then furrowed my brow. “What had upset you today? I know you think you can hide your emotions away like you do on the job, but when you try to fool my Findar, you pretty much suck.”
She beamed at that and repeated, “Findar?” Then sighed herself and said, “You'll find out yourself when you go through her file like I know you will.” Ok, she was starting to worry me as she pursed her lips into a thin line and exhaled through her nose before continuing, “We aren't the first.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Not the first? Not the first to meet with her? I know that there were around three dozen over the ten years she has been there. Those short-sighted people couldn't see the rare gem that is Luce O'Conner. We can see how that has scarred her, the way even now she has to push aside the skepticism I can see in her eyes.”
Jane studied me and started stroking her thumb on the back of my hand where she gripped it around my waist. “No... we're not the first to decide to adopt her. Two years ago there was a couple, the Kavanaghs, an upper-class couple who were looking to adopt.”
She growled out, “From the sounds of the side notes scribbled on the case it sounds as if Sydenham suspected they were wanting to adopt a 'troubled child' to show how magnanimous their hearts were to gain more status in the upper crust. They went through the entire process and had taken Luce home for the thirteen-week trial placement period... just to back out and return her to the girls home twelve weeks later when the realities of taking care of a child as special as Luce hit them.”
I heard the hoarse rasp in her tone when she said as my eyes widened in horror, “They returned her like unwanted pair of shoes back to where they got them. Just a week before Luce thought she would finally have a family of her own... parents who loved her.”
I could feel my horror morphing into something I don't like, something I avoid, it stuck in my gut like a stone... hot anger and hate. Something like that would be enough to break someone like Luce, who had a hard time trusting and processing emotions, especially her own. To have hope and think you were finally wanted, just to be tossed out.
I couldn't let the anger consume me, so I just hugged her arm to me tighter as I nodded, then finally forced myself to sleep after I consoled myself with her whispered, “That sort of thing is frowned upon by the Adoption Authority of Ireland and can be irreparably emotionally traumatic to a child. The file indicated that the Kavanaghs were blacklisted in the system.”
A few hours later and I was hopping up and down on the bed in the morning, Calvin doing the same as he yipped in joy at my silliness as I was chirping out to Jane who had a pillow pulled tightly over her head, “Get up, get up, get up! It's morning and time for a new Luce adventure! Come on, Luce is waiting, copper!”
I gleeped when a blanket wing caught me and pulled me down to her as she smirked from under the pillow as I squealed while she tickled me. I squirmed to try to get away, but alas, my wife is too strong and too tricksy for me. Calvin, the traitor, helped her, by corn nibbling my back, adding to the tickle torture.
I was gasping out, “Stop... stop... I'm gonna pee.”
She stopped and said, “Good, that's what you get for being so chipper in the morning, runt.”
I... took the high road and simply stuck my tongue out at her, which she mock snapped at before lightly biting it between her teeth, turning it into a sigh-worthy good morning kiss. Then I gleeped when she gave my butt a spank. “If you're this awake, then you best get ready and take poor Cal out for his walk before he bursts, so we can go have a day of fun with our future daughter.”
She checked her cell and sighed as I nodded and rolled off the bed to get into action. The faster I got ready, the faster we could go see Luce. I groaned when I looked at my cell on the way to the bathroom, like a gajillion text messages from everyone, asking how it was going.
I got an idea and set up a facetime conference for noon our time. If the impatient McImpatients really wanted an update, they could hear it from Luce herself while we were out about town. I gave the phone an evil grin knowing seven AM their time was going to kill my two besties on a weekend. They usually didn't surfa
ce until at least noon since they generally went out dancing on Friday nights.
I had to snort at pictures Jess and Ker they sent, of themselves back home eating fast food in the living room. How did they even survive before me if all they ate was junk before I started making their meals and making sure they ate right?
My left eye started twitching when I noted a french fry on the throw rug under the coffee table. The snots likely placed it there strategically and made sure it was in the picture so I would start obsessing over it. But the joke is on them. I'm not that OCD, so ha.
Oh, by the swishing tail and lolling tongue! I broke and sent a quick death threat stating if that french fry was still there when we got back or if there were crumbs on the couch, there would be hell to pay. Shut up.
I added three heart emojis to let them know I still loved their slobbish asses.
When Cal and I got back from our walk after I got ready, Jane was STILL on the phone. She held a finger up when we stepped in and she was nodding and grunting affirmative platitudes. Then said, “Great, I'll be there. Thank you. Bye.” She hung up and sighed.
I read into Jane’s mood. “Got the liaison visit set up?”
She nodded and made grabby motions in the air at me. I'm not stupid when a sexy woman who looks like she just stepped out of an action thriller wants hugs, I hug her. I inhaled deeply as she gave me a silly side to side hug. Her intoxicating scent always did so many naughty things to me, leather, lilacs, and gun oil. It was so... Jane. Le sigh.
“Yup, looks like it is going to be all you tomorrow with Luce. Their Commander has a whole tour set up of the Belfast branch of the Northern Ireland Police Service. Then they want me to do a talk on police procedures in the States. So I won't be able to rejoin you two until later that afternoon.”
I shrugged and rose my chin and said regally, “Fine, we'll just take Bri with us tomorrow. She's less likely to arrest me than you anyway.”
Her cocky smirk spoke volumes and I rolled my eyes at her and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Shall we?”
Unleashed- Case of the Hound About Town Page 7
