Harlequin Special Edition December 2017-- Box Set 1 of 2 by Christine Rimmer

Author:Christine Rimmer
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488029561
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

The judge looked at his clerk. “You awake there, Sue?”

Sue gave him a look.

“Just checking.” Judge Stokes looked out at them again. “All right then. I want a thorough investigation where Layla’s parents are concerned. To that end, I’m ordering genetic testing of Layla.” His expression was solemn. “Let’s get it ruled out that someone somewhere else isn’t frantically searching for their child. And—” he eyed Linc “—I’ll allow the comparison to the results you’re submitting. If anything comes of that, then we’ll be meeting here again sooner rather than later.”

“Thank you, Your Honor,” Tom said.

The judge nodded briefly. He looked toward Ray. “Meanwhile, baby Layla will require suitable shelter care until a custodian—whether Mr. Swift or another party—is named.”

Maddie sucked in a quick breath and stood. “I’m suitable.”

Even across the room she could hear her boss groan. “Maddie Templeton is presently on suspension.”

The judge sighed a little. “That internal matter, I suppose.”

“Yes.”

“If my suspension is an issue, then I’ll quit.” Her voice was husky but it was still clear.

Linc turned around and looked at her.

She kept her eyes on the judge. “I’m a qualified foster-care provider, Judge.” A fact that he knew perfectly well. “Whether I’m employed by the department or not.”

The judge tapped his thumbs together a few times. “What’s the basis for Miss Maddie’s suspension, Ray? She’s always seemed very capable to me.”

“Ignoring departmental rules.”

“With regard to what?”

“Vacation,” Maddie inserted quickly.

The judge looked pained. “Is that true, Ray?”

“Well, yes.”

“Not abuse of power. Not dereliction of duties. Not even using the office copier for her own personal use. Which is something we have all done anyway.”

“No.” Ray straightened his wrinkled tie. “If anything, Maddie is too far the opposite. She’s determined that every family finds a happy ending and you know how impossible that is. She takes cases to the extreme.”

“Sort of like taking vacation rules to the extreme?” The judge’s voice turned dry.

“She took on a case when she shouldn’t have,” Ray maintained doggedly.

“Your Honor,” Tom interrupted. “Considering my client’s desire to care for this child he believes to be his niece, he could have chosen not to notify anyone at all and none of us would be the wiser. But knowing of her expertise, he chose to reach out to Miss Templeton for assistance.”

The judge pursed his lips as he looked at Linc, who’d faced forward once again. “Why Maddie?” He lifted his hand. “Cool your jets, Tom. Let your client answer. I just want to know.”

“She’s an old friend,” Linc said evenly.

“So you didn’t contact her in an official capacity.”

“No.” He waited a beat. “She very quickly advised me of her legal obligations, though.”

The judge smiled slightly. “I’ll bet she did.” He tapped his thumbs together a few more times. “You married, Mr. Swift?”

“Not anymore.”

“Too bad. Kids?”

“No.”

“Dogs? Cats?” The judge lifted his hand. “Don’t answer that.” He looked toward Ray. “I can’t tell you what to do about your sacred vacation rule, Ray. But seems to me that you’re wound up over a whole lot of nothing.

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