From the Heart: Romance, Mystery and Suspense a collection for everyone (42 page)

Chapter Forty-seven

Dressed once again in what Richard called their “court costumes”—dark suits, ties, and Maggie with heels, long skirt and makeup—they perched at the defense table with Harper. Diane and Sam sat in the gallery, the first row right behind Maggie and Richard. The court clerk announced Judge Cooper. She strode in, the long black robe fluttering behind her, and took her seat. She appeared distracted, maybe even a little tired, and didn’t glance at either side.

Maggie held her breath in the silent courtroom as the judge scribbled down some notes, her reading glasses balanced on the end of her nose. Then she cleared her voice.

“At times like this, I’m going to make someone really happy or very sad. But make no mistake, my job here is to ensure the safety and protection of young Ryley McCafferty. Has Children’s Services proven to me that Richard and Maggie McCafferty are endangering the welfare of their child? Well, they have some compelling statements, which I believe from my chat with young Master McCafferty, happened at an horrific time for the entire family.” She removed her glasses, and this time focused her entire attention on Richard and Maggie.

Maggie reached for Richard’s hand and leaned into him.

“To lose a child, a severely disabled child, the way you did, I can only imagine must have been pure hell, and as parents, would test your faith along with your ability to cope. I tried to imagine what I would do if it were my child. But I couldn’t. What I did hear, is a family who has struggled over insurmountable odds to pull their family back together. At some point, Mrs. McCafferty, you were taking prescription medication that did make you forgetful and left you detached from reality. Whether a doctor prescribes medication or not, it’s up to a parent or individual to assume responsibility. I understand you’re no longer taking these pills, and you and your husband recognized a problem, took action and are now making positive steps to rebuild your family. So no, I’ll not grant the order requested by the Children’s Services, but what I am going to do is order periodic blood and urine screening for Maggie McCafferty to ensure she remains drug free. Also, I’m appointing Jessica Shupe a court guardian. Jessica will, for the next month, monitor the situation at home with Ryley to ensure your family continues to make positive changes. A report will be filed with me at the end of that time.”

She cracked the gavel and then slipped out of the courtroom. The butterflies that butted the walls of Maggie’s stomach settled into lead when she realized what happened.

Harper stood and leaned around Richard. “Not what I expected, but this is doable.”

“Are you kidding me? They’re treating my wife like a drug addict. Blood and urine tests for prescription medication? And a guardian, what the hell is that about? Is someone going to be in my house, putting us under a microscope to scrutinize every detail of our life?” Richard made no attempt to keep his voice down.

“Just be grateful they didn’t remove him. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, judges are unpredictable, and they’re influenced. From what I’ve heard so far, I’ve got a pretty strong suspicion some pressure came down on the judge. She’s smart she played it safe for both sides. And Jessica Shupe, I know her; she has integrity. Comes from money, power, but make no mistake if she see’s something she doesn’t like she’ll report it. For the next month, you guys really need to pull it together. She’ll pick up on a show, so keep it real. And with the stress of the trial coming up, you guys need to find a way let go of the worry and anxiety, so Ryley and the guardian don’t pick it up. You’re going to be facing one of the greatest challenges of your life.”

Sam acted as the gatekeeper in his dark pants and leather jacket, scrutinizing the court clerk, the staff of DSHS and the sheriff who sat off to the side monitoring the activity inside the courtroom. He directed Harper, Maggie, Richard, and Diane out of the courtroom.

On the courthouse steps, Harper motioned them together. “I’ll call Miss Shupe when I get back to the office. I suspect she’ll want to come out right away. Go home and talk to Ryley. And Maggie? This may sound harsh, but let go of the personal hurt. Get the emotion out of the drug testing. Just think of it like visiting an unwelcome relative. This will be done soon. Don’t fight it. It may not be fair, but we need to work with what we’ve got. We’ll show them you’re clean and demand an apology in the end. Sam, can you and Diane follow me back to my office? We need to focus on a game plan for Richard’s trial. The DA sent over all their evidence, and I need you and Diane to start taking apart their evidence.”

“Shouldn’t I be there, too?” Richard stuck his hands in his dress pants’ pockets. Maggie knew this was difficult for him to allow others to have control over his problems.

“Your time will come soon enough, Richard. But first I need to get Sam and Diane to go through the evidence. We’ll meet up with you either later today or tomorrow. In the meantime you need to be home with your wife and Ryley. Also don’t forget: the monitoring station needs to be advised where you’re going and when. We only alerted them to court this morning, not my office. The last thing we need is for you to end up sitting in an eight by ten cell for the entire trial.”

“Harper’s right, Richard. Go home with Maggie. Tell Marcie, I’ll be by later this afternoon to pick her up.” Sam shoved on his dark glasses. Marcie had stayed at Richard and Maggie’s with Kyla and Ryley.

The walk to Richard’s truck gave Maggie a quiet moment to digest the outcome of the morning hearing. Did she deserve to be tarnished this harshly? She couldn’t help but feel like a failure to her child—an outcast. If it hadn’t been for Richard, she’d still be downing those pills morning and night. How many other women out there survived year after year on pills for depression and stress, to aid them in coping with harsh realities of this world? And none of them had Children’s Services trying to take their kids away.

Maggie couldn’t shake the feeling this felt like some personal payback from Sandra and Dan—but that was crazy. Wasn’t it? When she looked over at Richard as they drove in silence, she wondered if he too thought the same thing.

“Richard, this can’t be a coincidence. If Mrs. Johnson dated Dan and is still friends with Sandra and is related to Fred White and then add to that Fred White’s daughter calling me a junkie and you a thief, there is just
far
too much here to be a coincidence.”

Richard glanced at her from behind dark shades. She couldn’t see his eyes, but from the look on his face, she could tell he too had his suspicions.

“That’s one angle Sam’s investigating. One, what Fred White is really up to, and two, this Mrs. Johnson, if she’s still friends with Sandra and carries a torch for Dan, she’s most likely neck deep in whatever shenanigans they’ve still got going on.”

“Richard, DSHS knows Sandra’s a dealer, and they know about her illegal activity. For God’s sake, a kid died on her watch. She had bags of marijuana in her house, dumped around these disabled kids. Yet they give her a contract. What the hell is Children’s Services doing?” She swallowed the bile that rose just thinking of how the special needs kids’ rights were violated.

“Maggie, you and I both know DSHS is not about protecting the rights of the special needs. It’s so deeply entrenched with predators who know how to work the system and are in it for money. They know exactly the right words to say to parents, politicians, everyone. We knew with Lily, long before Sandra came on the scene. Anyone affiliated with the government was likely corrupt and not in the game for the true purpose of helping our kids. The government throws out money to their friends, and no one ever knows what really goes on behind the scenes. Because people out there just don’t give a shit…” He paused as he gripped the wheel so hard she wondered if it would bend in two. “I mean, I know there are some in the system who do truly care. But you know what? They know what’s going on. They know about these pedophiles, predators, abusers of the system, and they won’t say anything to rock the boat. Sam already spoke with someone with DSHS, and they told him quote,
‘We know there is something illegal going on, but we don’t want to know.’
Nice huh?”

“So what now?” Maggie said. Richard turned off the truck, the screen door burst open, and Daisy bounded down the stairs with Ryley tagging along. Marcie carried Kyla on her hip, her long hair fluttering in the breeze as she stood on the porch waiting.

Richard slid his arm over the back of the seat and faced Maggie. “We need to destroy the case the DA has against me and find out who really killed Dan. My equity has dried up, and I can’t sell the remaining houses, and the big bad wolf—the bank—is knocking on the door. We’ve a lot to do… I don’t know about you, but I think it’s time we start fighting back.” Richard leaned over and kissed Maggie before sliding out of the truck and catching Ryley as he flew into his arms.

The powerful bond between father and son was a beautiful thing to watch. Maggie climbed out and walked around truck, placed her hand on the hood, and paused. Marcie kept her distance, standing so proud and silent. The way she watched Maggie, for the first time, she saw the hurt erected like a wall between them. And it was entirely her doing. Maggie shivered. Her head was clearer, and she could remember all the hateful words she spewed at Marcie.
“You don’t deserve a child! It’s your fault Lily’s dead. You brought this trouble into our life with your selfish lust for Dan. Wanting some predator we all saw was worthless and screwed everybody. Damn you to hell!”
She’d said it the day they’d buried Lily.

That emptiness in her stomach changed from a burning lump to a tight knot. Would Marcie ever forgive her?

Chapter Forty-eight

“What do you make of that judge’s decision?” Sam asked as he and Diane joined Harper in his large, richly furnished office. Valuable oil paintings adorned the walls, and a palatial well-organized desk with rich black leather chairs took up a large portion of the room.

Harper loosened his blood red tie before heaving himself into his executive black leather chair. He let out a heavy sigh and swiveled to face the floor-to-ceiling plate glass window overlooking the ocean.

Sam was intrigued with Harper, a hard man to read. When he was with the DEA he hated Harper, a shrewd lawyer with the ability to get any scumbag off who could pay his fee.

Wasn’t it funny?
he thought.
When the tables are turned, and you are the one on the wrong side of the law, you need this exceptional man’s help.
Maybe that’s why Sam was seeing a side of this man he didn’t know existed. A brilliant flawed man who did his job well, and maybe, after all, he did have a conscience. Maybe when this was all over, he’d sit Harper down and find out why he defended and helped guilty sons of bitches get off.

Harper continued to gaze out the window while he spoke. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Let’s be frank: Ativan is one of the most widely prescribed medications in the U.S., sleeping pills too. I bet the judge herself has taken them a time or two. To paint Maggie as they have, as an addict, is unfair. In one breath, a doctor prescribes them to help you, but we have a congressman who appears to have used his influence to tar and feather Maggie. If something like this went to the state supreme court, they’d reverse this judge’s decision. The state’s trying to say she abused these prescription drugs. But they have nothing to back it up. Maggie, Richard, and Ryley suffered a tragedy. For each of them to get up in the morning and keep going, I applaud them for pulling together their family after losing Lily… they deserve a medal. Any fool can see how much they love Ryley. I don’t get it. For the state to single out the McCafferty’s the way they have, makes no sense. There are children in this area alone left with parents who aren’t fit. Parents who go out for the night and leave kids alone, so they can get high, get drunk, and party with friends. Kids who can’t have friends over because Mom and Dad are doing something no one can find out about—growing, cooking, or drying whatever drug of choice they’re doing and selling. Then there are those parents so doped up or drunk, they can’t look after themselves, let alone a child.”

Harper swung around, and in a fraction of a second, Sam saw something reflected from this hard man that had him liking Harper in an odd, kindred way. Then it was gone, and the shrewd lawyer was back.

Harper gave his full attention to both Sam and Diane as he continued. “No, I have to say the judge was pressured. My guess is from the Congressman. But no way will she ever admit it. She didn’t rule for the state, so I guarantee Mr. White is most likely kicking down her door as we speak. She covered herself, made it look like she was supporting the state with these ridiculous restrictions. Smart lady, knows there’s no ethical way she could remove Ryley. Anyway, we got work to do. The ruling, we’re going to have to live with. Ryley stays at home, Maggie will have to pee into a cup a few times this month, which I’m certain won’t be an issue. Will it?”

Sam and Diane both looked at each other. “Maggie’s a strong lady. She’s my friend, and she walked through hell. She’ll do it, and she won’t fail any drug test, I’ll make sure of it.” Diane spoke with such certainty, the tiny worry that flickered on Harper’s face slipped away.

“What about this guardian? You said you know her?” Sam asked.

“Are you asking if she’s in the judge’s pocket or the states?” Harper leaned on his forearms, his black silk jacket now draped across the back of his chair.

“Well yes, I guess I’d like to know if she’s dirty or can be bought. All of it. And what exactly is she going to be doing? How much of Richard’s and Maggie’s privacy does she get to invade? Lines of impropriety?” If there was one thing Sam had learned the hard way, is not to leave things to chance. Cover your bases, know where everyone’s coming from.

“She’s going to spend time with Ryley and talk to him. Find out how he’s feeling and get a good idea from him what’s going on in the home. She’ll observe Maggie and Richard when she’s there. How they respond and interact with Ryley. She’ll probably speak to friends, teachers. In essence she’s going to write a report on the parenting skills of Richard and Maggie McCafferty.”

For the first time since Sam had known Diane, she appeared to be thrown. As her eyes widened, she shifted her bottom in the dark leather chair. She turned to Sam, her eyebrows furrowed deeply, creating wide lines at the bridge of her nose. “Could anyone pass? Seriously?” Irritation colored Diane’s tone.

Harper blinked his eyes and simply shook his head. “This is not an ideal situation. But from what I’ve heard in the past about Jessica Shupe, she’s ethical and independent; she doesn’t work for an agency. She truly does care for children. We need to hope for the best. I’m pretty sure Fred White’s reach doesn’t include Jessica, but let’s keep an eye out for any problems.”

He clapped his hands together. Then he picked up his pen and pointed at Diane. “Let’s move on, we have a lot to do and very little time. Go talk to Ryley’s principal at school. Hammer him on what Fred White’s daughter said to Ryley about Richard being a thief and Maggie a drug addict. Find out his take on it, and if he’s spoken directly with Fred White. We need to show a link; I suspect Fred White is somehow behind this agenda to discredit Maggie as a witness. So find out why.”

He wielded his pen like a staph, pointing the tip straight at Sam. “You need to dig and find out everything about Fred White and what connection he has in all this.”

Sam interrupted. “And we also need to focus on finding out what Dan was involved in. He was into so many fraudulent land deals, and always had some link to drugs. He’s got Richard over a barrel financially, one step from bankruptcy, and Richard has no life insurance on Dan, so Richard has no financial motive in that regard. His only chance to get the money Dan owes him is if Dan stays alive. But on the other hand, with Dan dead, it’ll be easier to get whoever Dan appointed as executor, to agree to sell the property… maybe.”

“Who’s the executor?” Diane asked.

“Dan’s mom.” Sam needed to talk with Marcie to get a feel for the woman. Someone who created this monster? He could only imagine what she was like. “I’m going to poke around. Find out what all Dan had his hands into. What he was really doing. And I think what may happen is we’ll find out who really killed Dan.”

Harper pressed back into his chair manipulating the pen between his fingers. Then waved his hand at Sam to dismiss all he’d said. “That would helpful if time was on our side. But our course of action is time sensitive, and we need to focus on destroying all the state’s evidence, as shaky as it is. You’re going to do it my way.”

Sam’s cell phone interrupted what he realized was about to become a tense standoff with someone who had his own ideas of how the investigation should run. And it irritated the hell out of him, so much so that it took a second to register in his brain the number displayed and who was calling. “Hey, Frank, what’ve you got?”

“Sam, there’s something you need to see on the videotape you gave me. How soon can you be here?”

“I’m in a meeting. Can you give me a heads up on what you found?”

Sam could feel his pulse rise by the slight hesitation on the other end. “Yah, the video’s been altered.”

His gut twisted as he gripped the chair with his other hand, and glanced at Diane and then Harper. “I’m on my way.”

As he punched the button to end the call, his eyes remained glued with Harper. “That was Frank Gerrard, a friend of mine and videographer I brought in from the FBI crime lab in Seattle this morning. He found something on the tape. It’s been altered.”