Psychopath (37 page)

Barton had listened to Richard O’Connor present the Department of Social Services’ position that Clevenger should be placed on indefinite probation as Billy Bishop’s guardian, pending a three-month ‘cooling off’ period during which Billy would be placed in foster care and psychologically evaluated in greater detail.  And Barton had listened to Sarah Ricciardelli present evidence suggesting Billy was actually eighteen and outside the control of both DSS and the court.

The courtroom was utterly silent.  It was time for Barton’s judgment.

"Dr. Clevenger," Barton said.  "I want to be perfectly clear with you.  I think this adoption form you filled out is, formally speaking, accurate.  But I think it’s obvious you answered the questions to comply with the letter of the law and not its spirit."

Clevenger’s heart fell.

"You have battled addiction, is that correct?"

Clevenger glanced at Sarah Ricciardelli.

"You don’t need to ask her what to say," Barton said.  "Just tell me."

"Your honor, I..." Ricciardelli began to object.

"Yes, I have," Clevenger broke in.

"And, of late, so has Billy Bishop," Barton said.

"He has."

Barton nodded.

Richard O’Connor glowed.

"And what is your position here?  That love will conquer all?"

Clevenger thought about outlining the detox program Billy had just completed, noting again that he had himself stopped using drugs the moment he decided to adopt Billy, that he had never picked up again.  But all that had been put into evidence by Ricciardelli.  "I think it goes a long way," he said.  "I..."

Ricciardelli put a hand on his elbow to stop him.

He stepped away from her, toward Billy.  "The fact is I do love him," he told Barton.  "Maybe that love has roots in what I went through as a child myself.  It probably does.  But that doesn’t change the fact that I’d go to the ends of the earth to help him.  I think he’s also ready to help himself.  And I think if we’re holding those cards, we beat almost anything."

"You a gambler, too?" Barton asked.

O’Connor chuckled.

Ricciardelli leaned forward.  "I object to that line of questioning, Your Honor."

"Noted," Barton said.

"I am a gambler," Clevenger said.  "It used to be dogs and ponies, but I’m gambling right now, telling you what I really think.  Telling you the truth.  But I think it would be a bigger risk having Billy not know how I feel about him.  About us.  That, I’m not willing to gamble."

Barton smiled.  "Indulge me, Doctor.  What do you figure the odds are of you two making it together?  Ten to one, against?"

Clevenger thought about it.  "I wouldn’t bet against us."

Barton looked at Billy, then looked over at O’Connor.

O’Connor gave him a conspiratorial wink.

"Do you have children, Counselor?" Barton asked.

"Two nephews," O’Connor said.

"I didn’t think so," Barton said.  "You should have a child.  It changes you completely."  He looked back at Billy.  "I don’t buy for a minute that you’re eighteen, my friend.  But for my money, I think your best shot at getting there is the guy standing next to you."

Whitney McCormick was waiting near the exit to the courthouse when Clevenger walked out with Billy.  A couple dozen reporters were massed outside.

"Give me one second," he told Billy.  He walked over to her.

"Congratulations," she said.

"Thanks."

"You think we could get dinner next week?" she asked.  "I mean, after I settle back in at the Bureau, and you get back in stride with Billy?"

"I don’t know, Whitney.  I don’t know if it’s a good idea."

"Right," she said, trying to look unphased.  "Well, then good—"

"I mean, it’s not a good idea this week, or next," Clevenger said.  "Let’s give it until the beginning of the month, check in, and see where we are."

"I’d like that."

"Try to stay safe, will you?"

"Sure.  You, too."

Clevenger walked back over to Billy.  Then the two of them walked down the steps of the courthouse, headed for Clevenger’s truck and the short drive home.

Table of Contents

Part One

o n e

January 23, 2003

Route 90 East, 37 Miles outside Rome, New York

t w o

Morning, January 20, 2003

Canaan, Vermont

t h r e e

f o u r

Afternoon, February 20, 2003

Chelsea, Massachusetts

f i v e

Morning, February 22, 2003

En Route to Quantico, Virginia

s i x

s e v e n

Early morning, February 23, 2003

Canaan, Vermont

e i g h t

Part Two

three weeks later

o n e

Almost Midnight, March 16, 2003

Route 45 North, Upstate Michigan

t w o

March 31, 2003

Chelsea, Massachusetts

t h r e e

April 1, 2003

Chelsea, Massachusetts

f o u r

f i v e

April 6, 2003

Leaving Utah

s i x

Morning, April 7, 2003

s e v e n

Late Afternoon, April 7, 2003

Rock Springs, Wyoming

Evening, April 7, 2003

Chelsea, Massachusetts

e i g h t

Early Morning, April 8, 2003

Rock Springs, Wyoming

n i n e

Afternoon, Tuesday, April 8, 2003

Quantico, Virginia

t e n

6:12 A.M. Wednesday, April 9, 2003

e l e v e n

t w e l v e

Part Three

the very next day

o n e

April 10, 2003

t w o

t h r e e

f o u r

f i v e

Great Falls, Montana

1:20 A.M.

s i x