Random Acts of Greed: Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries, Book 4 by Barritt Christy

Author:Barritt, Christy [Barritt, Christy]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: River Heights
Published: 2016-07-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

I was trying to occupy myself by making homemade baby food while Jonah took a nap. It was a bit hit–and-miss, since I’d never done anything like this before, but I was determined to see it through to completion.

I tried a sample of apple and carrot and made a face.

This stuff tasted terrible. Just terrible. How could anyone eat this stuff?

When my doorbell rang, I welcomed the interruption. I wiped my hands on a kitchen towel, smoothed my apron, and went to answer it.

A man wearing a suit stood on the other side, which instantly put me on alert. I’d never seen him before. His affable smile put me a little more at ease.

“Holly Paladin?”

I nodded, keeping the door open only a crack. “Yes?”

“I’m Jim Dawson with Children’s Services.”

I studied him a moment but didn’t recognize him. The man was fortyish with light-brown hair in a buzz cut. He was tall and thick, and his inexpensive suit made him appear authentic—social workers were vastly underpaid.

But still . . . “I’ve never seen you before.”

“I was working in Elder Protection with Kent Williamson until about three months ago. Then I moved over to the Children’s Services Division with Doris.”

I recognized those names, which made me feel a little better. “Okay . . .”

“Bethany Ellis sent me over here because she’s on another case right now. We have good news. We’ve located the child’s aunt. She lives up near Cleveland, and she’s on her way down to take custody of Jonah.”

My heart leapt into my throat, nearly choking me. Mentally, I’d already begun reeling, trying desperately to find solid ground to hold onto. “I thought there weren’t any other relatives?”

“It took us a while to locate her. Doris didn’t call and let you know?”

I’d just looked on my phone and hadn’t seen any missed calls. “No, she didn’t.”

He frowned and shifted his briefcase from one hand to another. “I’m sorry about that. I know she had a workshop to go to. Maybe she was going to call you afterward.”

This was the time of year when there were lots of local and state conferences on social work. Doris very well could be at one of those.

I eyed Jim again, trying to comprehend all of this, yet, at the same time, not wanting to. “So why are you here?”

“I know this is difficult Ms. Paladin, but I’m here to take Jonah to the office and hand over custody to the aunt.”

Something inside of me threw on the brakes. Was it because I’d become too attached and didn’t want to give Jonah up? Was that the reason for my caution?

Or was it something else?

“Please, Ms. Paladin. Can I come in? Let’s not make this harder than it has to be.”

I eyeballed the man still. Sure, he knew some names and departments. He could have gotten them online, though.

Trust no one.

Did that include social workers?

“As a former social worker yourself, you know this was a possible—and likely—outcome,” Jim continued, some of his empathy waning and replaced with impatience.

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