by Kathryn Shay
“I don’t know. I’m so tired of doin’ my best and getting shit on.”
“You’d quit trying to get Marcy and Juan?”
“Hell no. I could grab them from the Craigs easy, and run away with them. I got money saved.”
Just then his phone buzzed to indicate another call. From Julianne. He couldn’t leave this boy hanging. Though he was desperate to hear if Anabelle got permission for her plan, he let it go to voicemail.
“Johnny no, please don’t do that. Are you at home?”
“I’m at work.”
“I can come there. We can talk.”
“I’m off at six. There’s no place here to talk. I could come to your office, I guess.”
“I want your word on that.”
“The OCFS believes my word doesn’t mean much.”
“To me it does. Promise me you’ll come here, and that you won’t get the kids and disappear.”
“All right, I promise to come there. Once more.”
Really worried about the boy, he clicked off and checked a message Jules had left. “Hi, honey. It’s Julianne. Anabelle got the okay. I’ll explain the details when I see you. Don’t worry, I’m going to be fine.”
Chapter 7
* * *
Seth opened his front door. Once again, his brother Gideon stood in front of him. “I’m gonna start charging you rent, big brother.”
“Funny.”
“You know about tonight?”
“Yeah. I had to drag it out of her, but Sanders told me everything. I came to make sure you aren’t gonna do anything stupid.”
“You said you didn’t want to be my keeper.”
“I don’t.” His tone was grumpy. “Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t come. Let me in.”
Seth stepped in and allowed Gideon into his apartment. “I don’t feel much like talking.”
“We’ll watch ESPN, then.”
“Yeah.”
“Get beer.”
He liked being with someone who talked in one-or-two-word sentences. He liked not wallowing in his guilt over Julianne dating online. He liked that his brother was here.
Part way into the game, Seth muted the TV. “How will it go down?”
“Hopefully, fast. Anabelle and Julianne will go in and several plain-clothes cops will be there eating. Another will be the maître d’ and one the bartender.”
“So the only people in jeopardy are the cops and Julianne.”
Gideon pivoted to face Seth directly. He wasn’t much of a toucher but he squeezed Seth’s shoulder. “I know, I don’t like it either. If she was my girl, I’d be tearing my hair out.”
“Would you have suggested something like this?”
“If it didn’t include my future sister-in-law, I would. The plan is good policing.”
Seth unmuted the TV. Somehow, that made him feel better. And he was glad to have a chaperone. After the promise he’d made…
“Seth, don’t come to the Hidden Cove Inn to help. Trained personnel have to do this.”
“And you.”
“Yes. I mean it. If you come, I’m not sure we’ll make it as a couple.”
“I know, love. I’m not going to interfere. I promise.”
“I’ll call you when it’s over.”
“I’ll wait. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“You either…”
Seth couldn’t focus on the game so he pulled out his phone. Reread Johnny’s email.
Thanks for meeting me last night. I’ll do what you say, go through the fair hearing. But I don’t have alotta hope.
I have enough hope for both of us.
I don’t get you, Seth. How can you be so sure this’ll shake out right? Be so optimistic?
Ha, if the guy only knew. Still he answered.
I have faith in the system. I believe that the OCFS officer can’t say no after he talks to the kids.
Okay. Be in touch.
Man, Seth prayed this would work out for Johnny. He prayed he didn’t give the kid false hope.
He closed his phone.
Man, it felt like nothing was going his way.
* * *
When Julianne opened the door to Anabelle’s car, the staid cop whistled. “Wow. You look like a million bucks.”
Julianne slid onto the leather seat. “This is what full body spanks will do.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. You?”
“Nope. What’s under my dress is my somewhat heavy body.”
“You’re in great shape. I need to work on that.”
“I’ll help you out after this is all over.” It seemed a spontaneous offer.
Julianne sniffed. “Did you put on perfume?”
“Yeah, in deference to my female side. I can’t usually do girly things in my life.”
They made small talk about Anabelle’s shimmery silver dress and Jules’ gold sequined one. They discussed how women were taught to care about their appearances.
And finally, how to trap a predator.
Anabelle said, "Let’s go over what we’ll do one last time.”
“That might calm my nerves.”
“We go in and sit at the bar as if we’re looking to pick up guys. The Inn agreed to allow no other patrons inside. If after an hour, Jason doesn’t come, we cancel the operation. And try again in a few days.”
“I hope we can get this over tonight.”
“That may happen, Julianne. But it might not. We’ve been watching the Inn and he hasn’t showed up this weekend. As I said, what we have so far isn’t enough to put him in jail and we’ll have to keep trying. But in the end, if this doesn’t work, we’ll pick him up even if he isn’t going to go to prison.”
“I understand.”
“So, we’re hoping you’ll be approached. And hassled. I’ll stop it when we have enough of a case for aggravated assault.” She drove into the parking lot where cops kept vigil in cars to make sure they got inside safely.
“It’s normal for civilians to be nervous.” Reaching over Anabelle gave her hand a squeeze. “But know that I’m not and I’ll control the scene.”
They walked into the restaurant entrance. No Jason. They went to the front and sat at the bar and sipped fake martinis. Julianne wished hers was real.
After fifteen minutes, Jason strolled inside. He wore khaki pants, a light blue shirt and a navy sports coat. His whole face brightened when he saw her and he covered the distance between them. “Julianne, You’re here! I had a feeling you might be.” He glanced dismissively at Anabelle, who was also watching him. Can I talk to you alone?”
“I don’t think so. Not after Saturday night. Annie’s going to stay.”
“I wanted to apologize for my behavior last week. I was shocked to see you with someone else.” He frowned. “I thought we had something special.”
She swiveled around to face him. “I’m sorry you feel that way. But I’m serious about Seth.”
“No, no you’re not.” His eyes flashed with an eerie kind of anger. “You just need to get to know me better.” He reached out before she or Anabelle could stop him and yanked her by the arm off the stool. She stumbled on the high heels—and went down on her side.
Plain clothes police converged on them. They yanked Jason away before he could even bend over. “Goddamn, son of a bitch! What’s all this about?” he asked as they cuffed him.
Anabelle bolted off the chair. “Assault, and maybe more, you fucker.” She spat out the words and knelt down beside Julianne. The other cops dragged him away.
“Are you hurt?” Anabelle asked.
“I don’t know.” Julianne pushed herself to a seated position and pain streaked through her. “My right shoulder’s sore.”
“Can you stand?”
“Uh-huh.” She kicked off the horrible high heels. Anabelle offered her a hand and Julianne was able to stand.
Closer now, she could see Anabelle’s usually neutral face had flushed and her eyes were wide and agitated. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t qui
ck enough to intervene.”
“You told me not to swivel around to face him and I forgot. So, he had more access.”
“We got him, Julianne. And I’ll bet my badge his prints or DNA will match the evidence we found at the scene.”
“I hope so.”
“At least we have him for assault, now. Add to that harassment of texts and calls and the scene he created Saturday and he’ll get five to seven years imprisonment. You’ll have to press charges.”
“I will. The piece of shit.”
Another man approached them. “Hello, Ms. Ford. I’m Mark Lewiston. Detective Sanders’ supervisor.”
Anabelle stiffened. “I apologize for not reacting more quickly, sir.”
“None needed, Sanders. We can’t control everything about the scene. You got your guy.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
“Are you hurt, Ms. Ford?”
“My shoulder’s sore,” Julianne said, touching it gingerly. “I landed on it. It’ll be fine, though.”
“We’ll take you to the hospital.”
“No, no. I want to go home.”
“I’m sorry. Law enforcement policy. But we know the doctors at Memorial and we’ll get you in and out quickly.”
“Can I call somebody first?”
“In the car on the way.” He nodded to Anabelle. “Please drive her, Detective.”
“Of course.”
* * *
When he heard the key turn in the lock, Seth bounded off the couch. Julianne had called, said they caught whatever-the- fucker’s-name and he’d been taken into custody. But she’d fallen during the squabble and her shoulder was sore, so the cops insisted they take her the hospital to get checked out.
Now she was here.
At the door, he hugged her gently because her arm was in a sling. She leaned her face onto his chest and nosed in. “I’m so glad to be home.”
“Same here, love.”
Anabelle followed her inside and closed the door. He saw Gideon stand and do a double take on her.
“I can’t believe it’s over.” Julianne drew away. “Finally.”
“Not quite yet.” Gideon still sounded concerned. “Right Sanders?”
“If he’s the perpetrator, it’s over enough for Julianne.”
“What about the car keying?” Gid asked.
“Sure, we’ll try to get him on that, too. You know, don’t you, it could have been kids in the neighborhood defacing property?”
“But you’ll check it out, right?” Gideon again.
She snapped, “I said I would, Casella. Now back off.”
Seth was irked at the byplay. “I’d like to get Julianne to bed, if you two don’t mind.”
Julianne turned to Anabelle and hugged her. “Thanks for everything. I hope I see you soon.”
Anabelle hugged back. “You’re welcome. I’ll be in touch.”
Gideon came over and patted Julianne’s back. “Glad you’re okay, kiddo.” To Anabelle, “I’ll walk you out, Sanders.”
When they left, Seth led Julianne to the couch. Briefly she described what went down.
Though his heart beat at a clip for what she’d been through, he needed to keep it together for her. He grasped both her hands. “You must have been so scared.”
“In the car going over I was, but once he came in and didn’t get his way, he got pissed and so did I.”
Her hair was curled and fluffy and some fell into her eyes. He tucked it back. “What’s going on with your shoulder?”
“I think I fell on it. I need a sling for a few days. It was wrenched, not separated or dislocated.”
He was pissed about that, too, but wouldn’t let her know how he really felt. “I’m glad it isn’t any worse.”
“They gave me medicine for the pain, so I’m starting to get loopy.”
“Do you want to sleep?”
“With you.” They made their way to the bedroom.
Julianne glanced down. “Shit, I can’t get these clothes off by myself.”
He went for humor. “I think I’m pretty good at undressing you.” She turned her back so he could pull down the zipper. “You have to take your arm out of the sling.”
When she did, she hissed in pain, and he quickly got her back into the stretchy cotton. She stood before him, barefoot wearing…something that looked like it came out of a horror film. “What on earth is that?” he asked.
“Um…A bodysuit to make me slimmer.”
“You need to be slimmer?”
“Seth, I’m fifteen pounds heavier than I was when we were last together. Didn’t you notice?”
“I did and I like it. You used to be kind of fragile. Now you’re sturdy.” He gave a sly smile. “That fits into our new agreement to let you take care of yourself.”
“You’re absolutely right. Now, please get this off!”
As he eased the tight material down, inch by inch, he shook his head. “I can’t believe this thing.” When she could finally kick it off, he grabbed hold of it, walked to the dresser and held it over the wastebasket. “Shall I?”
“Yeah.” She laughed. “Can I have a T-shirt.”
“Sure.” After he got her a gray one and she slipped it on, he added, “Sit down for a minute, would you?” He went to the dresser drawer and pulled on the handle. Took out an oblong red velvet box and handed it to her. “I want you to wear this tonight.”
“It must be pretty skimpy,” she teased.
This time, he didn’t break a smile. She opened the box. A beautiful white gold chain gleamed out at her, especially shiny at the end.
Because a gorgeous emerald set like an engagement ring, with diamonds studded around it, looped over the end. She peered up with a questioning expression on her face.
“I want to marry you, Jules. I want to have babies with you. But I need to go to therapy before you can wear my ring. What happened tonight made me not want to wait to give this to you. Like we said at the World Trade Center Memorial, we don’t know how much time we have left in our lives. I don’t want to squander anymore.”
“I agree. And I will wait to wear it. But put the chain over my head so I can keep the ring close my heart,”
“You’re on.” When he slipped the chain on, he whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
* * *
When Seth left the office of Dr. Christina Bell, he was stirred up. The first therapy session was unexpectedly hard. He’d come from a caring family, and he knew he was dearly loved, but some things had gone awry in his brain.
Questions about his past, how he felt about early-life events made him sad, especially when he recounted his father’s death, then his uncle’s. Also, Mama had gotten a bad case of influenza, and Seth had been terrified. He’d forgotten much of the fear and sadness he felt then. But he did remember how his dad sent him over to the Ford’s house to stay a few days, and he and Julianne had slept in the same bed. They were only five and she held his hand every night before they went to sleep.
This counseling thing was going to be hard!
But he needed to shrug these emotions off. He needed to be at the OCFS in twenty minutes. Their Fair Hearing finally got scheduled.
Johnny was pacing in the lobby when Seth got there. He wore a dark blue shirt and khaki pants, and he’d gotten a haircut. When the boy got close, he smelled aftershave. “Nervous?”
“Enough to pee my pants.”
“I don’t think that would help you get the kids.” He held up his briefcase. “But I know what will.” Seth had been allowed to review the evidence in the case, which wasn’t much. But he’d found some questionable documentation in the OCFS.
“I’m tryin’ to have faith.”
Minutes later they were called into a modest room, with big windows that let in some fresh air.
A woman sitting behind a table stood. “Good morning, I’m Gretchen Lucas, your Fair Hearing officer. I’m not a judge, but I am an attorney.” She looked to Johnny. “You must be Jo
hn Cordello, the appellant. Please sit at the table on the left.”
Another man entered the room and introduced himself as Tom Anderson, the OCFS attorney. He greeted the hearing officer, Seth and Johnny, then took a chair at a table on the right.
Ms. Lucas sat again and gave them a nod. “Let’s begin. We’re here today to address the challenge Mr. John Cordello has made to The Office of Children and Family Services for rejecting him as a foster parent. We’ll follow the rules of the court, but much more informally and I will be the only decision maker. Understand?”
All three men nodded.
“Mr. Casella, attorney for the appellant, you go first. And no need to stand.”
“John Cordello is the perfect candidate for the two minor children, Juan and Marcella Torres. In the past, as their next-door neighbor, he’s essentially parented them.”
Seth explained that situation in depth.
Anderson interrupted. “I’m afraid our report doesn’t include that.”
“Which is one reason why we challenged the office’s decision to reject John.
“Another is John’s living situation. The home is already set up for the children. And it’s a loving atmosphere. His grandmother, Dorothy, is in relatively good shape, given her hip surgery.”
“She’s not very spry,” the OCFS administrator put in again. “Our home visit determined that.”
Johnny burst out, “She was less spry before her surgery and we had the kids most days and alotta nights. They know how to deal with her.”
Ms. Lucas said gently, “Let your representative speak for you, John.”
Seth went through other rebuttals to the report. He knew he was winning the argument.
When Anderson stood to present the OCFS’s side, he slid out a page out of the report. “Ms. Lucas, Mr. Cordello’s own parents don’t see him as fit to care for children. When I interviewed them, they didn’t think his lack of Christian moral character would be good for the minors.”
