The Pledge by Kathleen Kent

Author:Kathleen Kent [Kent, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781803284217
Publisher: Head of Zeus

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Jackie finally looks up at me. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about going to see Turner,” she says, her voice carefully modulated. But there are bright red blotches on each cheek to signal her displeasure. She hardly ever yells, or even raises her voice to me. And therein lies the problem. It makes it difficult for me to maintain my self-righteous posturing.

“I’m sorry, Jackie. I just thought it would be to our advantage to get the lay of the land.”

“And you didn’t think I’d be able to make a reasonable judgment about the situation?”

“The man’s a nasty piece of work. I just wanted to spare you the—”

“The what—the inconvenience? Or did you think my attachment to Elizabeth would make me too emotional? Did it occur to you that if we do decide to file for custody, you’ve given him ammunition to build a case against us? And you took Manny Ortega out there with you?” She shakes her head and drains her glass of wine.

I reach for her hand and squeeze it. “What do you want to do?”

She looks at me for a long moment and then asks, “Where is the number for the attorney that Peg Bartles gave you?”

I hand her the piece of paper. When Jackie reads the name, she nods and says, “I know Keri McCall. I’ve testified for her in court during a few custody cases. She’s a good lawyer.”

She grabs her phone from her bag and dials, putting the phone on speaker mode.

While it’s ringing, she says to me, “All of this is pointless if we don’t even know what our chances are of gaining custody.”

With a flash of guilt, I wonder if I should be more forthcoming with Jackie about my conflicted feelings where Elizabeth is concerned.

A woman finally answers.

“Hi, Keri,” Jackie says. “This is Dr. Jackie Nesbitt.”

“Hey, Jackie,” Keri answers. “It’s been a while. Everything okay?”

“Actually, I really need your help. It’s kind of urgent. Is there any way my partner and I could see you tomorrow? It’s about a child that may be in danger.”

“For you, absolutely. I’ll put you to work in the greenhouse. Come by around one o’clock. Oh,” she says, laughing, “and be sure and wear your rubbers.”

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