Silent Witness by Robin James

Author:Robin James [James, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robin James Books
Published: 2019-02-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Kelly Malloy took one look at Vangie and Jessa together and pulled every string she could to get her released to me temporarily. We had one thing going in our favor. Vangie was still listed as the preferred guardian in Ben and Sarah’s will. Though she was off to jail, I was the next best thing. It might not ultimately hold up in court, but it was enough for Malloy to go on today. She rightly knew it would be up to the Woodbridge County Probate Court to sort out and it would keep Jessa out of foster care for now.

Jeanie met me at the hospital the next morning. Jessa sat in the same big wheelchair. I bought her a new brown bear from the gift shop. She held it in her lap, her young face haunted and blank.

“Well, hey, there,” Jeanie said as she pulled up her pants at the knee and crouched in front of Jessa. As a family lawyer, Jeanie had decades of experience dealing with young children in emotional upheaval. She struck just the right tone.

“You must be Jessa.” Jessa looked at Jeanie, but didn’t utter a sound. She’d still said not one word since the police found her.

“Jessa,” I said. “This is Miss Mills. She’s a friend of mine. She’s going to drive us to the lake house I was telling you about.”

Jessa clutched the bear closer. The police had taken her “Tummy Bear” as evidence. One of the nurses noticed a faint blood stain on its right foot.

Kelly came down the hall. She gave me a nod. I made a quick introduction between her and Jeanie.

“Jessa?” Kelly said. “I’m going to talk to your Aunt Cass here for a few seconds. We’ll just be over there by that big fake tree. You’ll be able to see us the whole time. Miss Mills will make sure you have everything you need.”

Jessa nodded. For now, it was the only communication she was capable of. She’d wailed as the police took Vangie. For her part, Vangie had played it so much smarter and cooler than I would have predicted. Instead of fighting against the officers, she became calm. At once, my sister had become keenly aware of Jessa’s distress. She told her daughter she had to go with the police to answer some questions. She introduced me to Jessa again. She promised Jessa that I would make sure she stayed safe. Whatever bond they had, Jessa seemed to trust my sister enough to listen. I can’t say she was happy to be with me, but Jessa was resigned to it. Somehow, that broke my heart even more.

“The sooner you get out of Toledo, the better,” Kelly said. “Once you get Jessa settled at your place, you’ll need to file formal paperwork in Woodbridge County.”

“I’m aware,” I said. “And thank you. I know you’ve gone out on more than a limb with this one.”

Kelly cast a nervous glance over her shoulder at Jessa and Jeanie. Jeanie was busy tying Jessa’s shoe.

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