read her Miranda rights to her.
Renee began sobbing, saying, “I tried to help her. I tried . . .”
Marah continued to feel sick, knowing that a family’s hard work and hopes had just been smashed. Looking at the doctor, she told him, “I need to be updated on Melissa’s condition. She’s in the custody of DFCS and I’m her worker.” At the doctor’s nod, she thanked him and left with Shayne next to her.
She walked, feeling very tired, and thinking this was one part of her job that she hated. She felt Shayne put a large hand on her shoulder. Looking up at him, she saw concern in his blue eyes.
“Let’s go get some coffee. We need to unwind,” he suggested.
Marah’s eyes widened. She had not been out with anyone for dinner, let alone coffee, since her painful divorce. After learning some facts about her ex-husband, her ability to trust the opposite gender had dropped to zero.
“I’ll only go if your offer is on a professional basis. Otherwise, I’ll just pour a cup of coffee in my office,” she said.
“Professional basis only. We’ve both been through the wringer this morning. The news isn’t good and it’s likely to get worse. You need to debrief,” Shayne said.
“Fine. Let’s go.”
***
At the coffee shop, a popular student hangout, Marah sat back and leaned her head into both hands. She began mentally steeling herself for what she knew was likely to happen – either Melissa would survive, unable to walk. Or she would die and both parents would be charged with her murder. Marah swallowed, pushing nausea back as she thought of the couple’s little boy – little more than a baby. He would be placed back into foster care and freed for adoption. Marah started as she felt, rather than heard, Shayne come back to their table.
“Here. Coffee. Muffins. Sweetener and creamer,” said Shayne quietly.
“Muffins? Take mine, please. I’m too queasy to try eating,” Marah said, holding her stomach.
“Marah, you need to eat. This morning was stressful and it’s not going to get any better for a while. You heard the doc. Eat and drink – heaven knows, you can’t afford to lose any weight.”
Marah glared at Shayne for his reference to her weight. Too damn personal! Adding sweetener and creamer to her coffee, she sipped the hot brew. She cautiously nibbled on the apple-cinnamon muffin, and was surprised when her mouth watered from hunger. After a few minutes, she tried some more of the muffin, relieved when her stomach didn’t rebel. She was just about done with her muffin when her cell phone tweeted. Looking at the unfamiliar number, she glanced at Shayne with upraised eyebrows and answered.
“Marah Wilkes. May I help you?”
“Ms. Wilkes, this is the doctor who’s been treating Melissa Jones. I hate to give you bad news. The little girl just died a few minutes ago of massive system failure. I’m here to help you and DFCS in any way I can.”
“Oh, Lord. Thank you, doctor. I’ll let the therapist know. Bye.”
“No. She died, am I right?” Shayne asked.
“You’re right. Massive system failures or something. I’m sure DFCS will be requesting a copy of the medical report for our files. You know, this means that both parents will be accused of murder.”
“I know. I’m here, if you need me.”
“I should get back to the office. I need to talk to Luke and update my case file. I’ll need to consult with Luke, too, about the direction of my case,” Marah said, feeling restless.
“I’ll take you back to your car.”
In the office, Marah met with Luke.
Chapter 2
“Shayne Michaels showed up so he could help Renee. She was able to provide a statement to the police. Apparently, what she told them didn’t jibe with what neighbors – eyewitnesses – reported. Whatever the truth is, this case is undergoing a huge change. Both parents are going to be charged with Melissa’s murder,” Marah said.
“Expect a change of permanency plan, Marah,” Luke said.
“But Luke,
Renee began sobbing, saying, “I tried to help her. I tried . . .”
Marah continued to feel sick, knowing that a family’s hard work and hopes had just been smashed. Looking at the doctor, she told him, “I need to be updated on Melissa’s condition. She’s in the custody of DFCS and I’m her worker.” At the doctor’s nod, she thanked him and left with Shayne next to her.
She walked, feeling very tired, and thinking this was one part of her job that she hated. She felt Shayne put a large hand on her shoulder. Looking up at him, she saw concern in his blue eyes.
“Let’s go get some coffee. We need to unwind,” he suggested.
Marah’s eyes widened. She had not been out with anyone for dinner, let alone coffee, since her painful divorce. After learning some facts about her ex-husband, her ability to trust the opposite gender had dropped to zero.
“I’ll only go if your offer is on a professional basis. Otherwise, I’ll just pour a cup of coffee in my office,” she said.
“Professional basis only. We’ve both been through the wringer this morning. The news isn’t good and it’s likely to get worse. You need to debrief,” Shayne said.
“Fine. Let’s go.”
***
At the coffee shop, a popular student hangout, Marah sat back and leaned her head into both hands. She began mentally steeling herself for what she knew was likely to happen – either Melissa would survive, unable to walk. Or she would die and both parents would be charged with her murder. Marah swallowed, pushing nausea back as she thought of the couple’s little boy – little more than a baby. He would be placed back into foster care and freed for adoption. Marah started as she felt, rather than heard, Shayne come back to their table.
“Here. Coffee. Muffins. Sweetener and creamer,” said Shayne quietly.
“Muffins? Take mine, please. I’m too queasy to try eating,” Marah said, holding her stomach.
“Marah, you need to eat. This morning was stressful and it’s not going to get any better for a while. You heard the doc. Eat and drink – heaven knows, you can’t afford to lose any weight.”
Marah glared at Shayne for his reference to her weight. Too damn personal! Adding sweetener and creamer to her coffee, she sipped the hot brew. She cautiously nibbled on the apple-cinnamon muffin, and was surprised when her mouth watered from hunger. After a few minutes, she tried some more of the muffin, relieved when her stomach didn’t rebel. She was just about done with her muffin when her cell phone tweeted. Looking at the unfamiliar number, she glanced at Shayne with upraised eyebrows and answered.
“Marah Wilkes. May I help you?”
“Ms. Wilkes, this is the doctor who’s been treating Melissa Jones. I hate to give you bad news. The little girl just died a few minutes ago of massive system failure. I’m here to help you and DFCS in any way I can.”
“Oh, Lord. Thank you, doctor. I’ll let the therapist know. Bye.”
“No. She died, am I right?” Shayne asked.
“You’re right. Massive system failures or something. I’m sure DFCS will be requesting a copy of the medical report for our files. You know, this means that both parents will be accused of murder.”
“I know. I’m here, if you need me.”
“I should get back to the office. I need to talk to Luke and update my case file. I’ll need to consult with Luke, too, about the direction of my case,” Marah said, feeling restless.
“I’ll take you back to your car.”
In the office, Marah met with Luke.
Chapter 2
“Shayne Michaels showed up so he could help Renee. She was able to provide a statement to the police. Apparently, what she told them didn’t jibe with what neighbors – eyewitnesses – reported. Whatever the truth is, this case is undergoing a huge change. Both parents are going to be charged with Melissa’s murder,” Marah said.
“Expect a change of permanency plan, Marah,” Luke said.
“But Luke,
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