Chương 8
“No,” Claire said.
“Has he ever taken one?”
“No.”
“Then we deal with evidence, not imagination.”
After the investigators left, a county social worker arrived.
Her name was Denise Hart. She wore sneakers, carried a canvas bag, and apologized for being late though no appointment had been made.
She inspected the crib, counted formula containers, checked the refrigerator, and asked Claire questions about feeding, sleep, pediatric appointments, and support.
Then she asked Ethan whether he intended to remain in the home.
“I live here.”
“That was not my question.”
Claire looked down.
Ethan understood the distinction.
“I don’t know.”
Denise nodded and wrote something.
“What happens to Nora?” he asked.
“For now, she remains in the approved temporary placement established after her mother’s death.”
“With Claire.”
“With Mrs. Cole, provided the home remains safe.”
“Am I considered unsafe?”
“You are an adult household member who was not evaluated when the arrangement began.”
“I was deployed.”
“I’m not assigning blame. I’m describing the situation.”
“Her father may be alive.”
“That will be addressed if paternity and identity are established.”
“He may be wanted.”
“That will also be addressed.”
Claire asked, “Could they remove her because Ethan came home?”
Denise capped her pen.
“They could change placement if conflict in the home becomes unsafe or if important information was withheld during the initial assessment.”
Claire’s face paled.
“You told them Daniel was alive?” Ethan asked.
“I told Maya.”
Denise looked from Claire to Ethan.
“You did not tell the hospital social worker?”
“I said the father might be alive.”
“You gave the name?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I was afraid it would reach him.”
Denise’s expression did not become harsh. That made Claire look more ashamed.
“We need accurate information to protect children,” Denise said.
“I know.”
Ethan almost told Claire not to say it. He stopped.
Denise asked to see the temporary authorization. She called Maya Chen, spoke in the hallway for ten minutes, then returned.
“Nora can remain today,” she said. “There will be a follow-up visit. You should expect background checks and separate interviews.”
“Today?” Claire repeated.
“That is what I can say today.”
After she left, Claire sat at the dining table and cried without sound.
Ethan had seen people cry after injuries, deaths, phone calls, and relief. Claire’s crying was smaller. Tears fell while she read the same sentence on the caregiving form again and again.
He filled a glass with water and placed it beside her.
She did not thank him.
At noon, Maya Chen called.
She agreed to meet them at her office that afternoon because, as she put it, “Dead parents becoming alive tends to rearrange calendars.”
Her office occupied the second floor above a dentist in a brick shopping center. Claire sat in the back seat beside Nora. Ethan drove.
They spoke only once, when Claire told him he had missed the turn.
“I know,” he said.
He had not known.
Maya was in her forties, dressed in a navy suit with running shoes. She led them into a conference room and checked Nora before greeting Ethan.
“You’re the husband.”
“I’m Ethan.”
“I know.”
She shook his hand.
On the table lay a thick envelope sealed with blue tape.
“Leah prepared documents concerning temporary care, medical decisions, and her wishes if she died,” Maya said. “Some are legally useful. Some are only statements. None automatically decides custody.”
“Did she identify the father?” Ethan asked.
“Yes.”
“As Daniel Cole?”
“Yes.”
“Did she have proof?”
“She had photographs, communications, financial records, and personal knowledge. Paternity testing between identical twin brothers can require specialized analysis. That issue is premature until your brother’s identity is confirmed.”
Claire looked at the sealed envelope.
“Is that what she left?”
“Part of it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because Leah instructed me not to release it unless Daniel returned, law enforcement confirmed his survival, or Nora’s placement was challenged.”
“All three may happen,” Ethan said.
“Yes.”
Maya folded her hands.
“Before we continue, I need to be clear. I represented Leah. I do not represent either of you.”
“Who represents Nora?” Claire asked.
“That may eventually be a court-appointed advocate. At present, child services is supervising placement.”
Ethan nodded toward the envelope. “What did Daniel do?”
“I don’t know everything.”
“What did Leah say?”
“That Daniel and Grant Voss diverted money through false transportation invoices.”
Claire inhaled.
Maya continued. “Leah processed payments. At first, she believed the irregularities were clerical. Later, she understood they were deliberate.”
“How much?” Ethan asked.
“Enough to attract attention. Not enough to make anyone rich in the way movies define rich.”
“Did Daniel take money?”
“Yes.”
Claire looked at Maya. “He said Voss framed him.”
“He may have been threatened. That does not mean he was framed.”
“What happened to Malik Stone?” Ethan asked.
Maya’s face changed slightly.
“Leah believed Malik discovered the scheme and planned to report it.”
“Daniel killed him?”
“She did not say that.”
“That isn’t a no.”
“She believed Malik died in the convoy fire.”
“And Daniel switched the tags.”
“She believed Daniel gave Malik his identification before the convoy departed.”
“Why would Malik take it?”
“She did not know.”
Ethan sat back.
Daniel had not merely survived a mistake. He had helped create it.
“Was the fire arranged?” Claire asked.
“Leah did not know. Voss claimed it was an attack. Daniel later told her the vehicle had been routed through an unsafe area because Voss wanted certain records destroyed. She did not know whether that was true.”
“What records?” Ethan asked.
“Shipping files Malik had copied.”
“Did Daniel retrieve them?”
“Possibly.”
Maya touched the envelope but did not open it.
“Leah kept copies of payment records. She gave them to me because she was afraid Daniel would take them.”
“Where are they?” Ethan asked.
“Secure.”
“Have you given them to investigators?”
“I contacted counsel experienced in federal matters after Leah died. We were determining the safest method.”
May you like
“You waited twelve days.”
“I was representing a frightened woman who had used false documents, worked inside a fraudulent company, and believed two men might want her dead. Institutions are not magical, Mr. Cole. Calling the wrong office without preparation can expose a client before anyone decides to protect her.”
