Bloodlines by Anna Legat

Author:Anna Legat [Legat, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Brenda Tait had called for an urgent meeting. She had news.

She arrived ten minutes ahead of time. Ray and Doug were already waiting in Ray’s office, Doug slightly fidgety, pacing to and fro, and cracking his knuckles; the man was an untamed beast, invariably struggling with enclosed spaces.

Olga ushered Mrs Tait in.

There was something new in the old woman’s face: something cold and tough. It was sheer, uncompromising determination. Her jaw was locked into a hard expression.

‘Sonya Krytchuk is dead,’ she began. ‘They found her in the same place as Tom. The same woodland. And before you ask: no, no sign of Noah. He’s still missing and the police think he’s still alive. So now, we’re looking for a three-year-old boy. I realise it’s a needle in a haystack, and I’m prepared to double your fee, Mr Walsh—’

‘That won’t be necessary,’ Doug said. ‘My fee is what it is.’

‘Okay, but you won’t stop looking?’

‘No. I’d keep looking even if you stopped. Noah has his other grandparents in Ukraine. They deserve to meet him, to get to know him – they haven’t yet had a chance to be his grandparents.’

‘Right,’ a flicker of hesitation, or doubt, crossed Brenda’s face. ‘Of course, those people … they’re his blood relations, yes. But you told me they didn’t know he existed.’

‘Aye, they didn’t, but now that they do, they—’

‘You’re right,’ she interrupted him impatiently. ‘One day, as soon as we find him, I’ll have to meet them. And Noah – he’ll want to meet them, I’m sure. I won’t stand in his way, in their way… I won’t hide him. Look where all that idiotic secrecy has taken us. My son is dead. Their daughter is dead. And our grandson is missing.’

‘Quite right,’ Ray nodded and so did Doug. They were all on the same page.

‘And on that note, I want your professional advice, Mr Thorpe. Where do I stand as Noah’s grandmother now that both his parents are gone?’ A small wobble rippled through her voice, but she held firm. ‘Once we find him – and find him we will – I want him to come and live with me. I want to make sure I have proper legal rights – custody, adoption, you name it. What’s the best way forward?’

‘Okay, so,’ Ray quickly gathered his thoughts. He was no family law expert, but he could offer some general advice, ‘so, as his closest blood relative, you’d be in a strong position to obtain legal guardianship over Noah. You’d just have to prove that you’re a fit person with the financial means, aptitude and the dedication to commit yourself to raising him. I don’t think you’d have any difficulty showing that.’

‘What about me adopting him?’

‘I don’t see why not. I can’t envisage social services or the courts standing in your way. They’ll endorse everything that’d be in Noah’s best interests, and it’d be easy to argue that the best thing for him is you.’

‘Good. That’s good.’

‘How about Candice? Doesn’t she want to fight for him?’

‘She’s broken – given up.

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