Veil of Justice: A Legal Thriller (Brad Madison Legal Thriller Series Book 5) by J.J. Miller

Author:J.J. Miller [Miller, J.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Innkeeper Publishing
Published: 2022-05-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Bella had her arms full with her iPad and all the books she’d brought with her to my place, so I carried her two pieces of luggage as we headed up the path to the side door of Claire’s house. Bella’s emotions were split between lamenting about having to leave me and the excitement of being back home with her mother. I was glad I hadn’t told her about the conversation I’d had with Claire about her spending more time with me if she wanted. That was before the scene at the hospital, and I was sure Claire now had no intention of following through on that offer.

Claire had been back two days. Her broken ankle was still in a cast but she was able to move herself around using one of those four-wheeled scooters on which she could rest her knee.

Bella knocked on the door and a few seconds later Claire’s new assistant came to the door, a young guy named Tyson. As Tyson and I became acquainted, Bella swept through. The big smile Tyson wore was clearly shielding a degree of awkwardness. God knows what Claire had told him. I handed him Bella’s bags. I could hear Bella and Claire greet each other warmly. I was happy for Bella, despite everything that was going on between me and her mother. I called out a goodbye to her and then turned to leave. Bella came running back and gave me a big hug and told me she loved me. I did the same as I kissed her cheek.

“See you soon, darling,” I said and headed to my car.

I’d gotten a few steps away when I heard Claire call my name. I stopped and began making my way back to see Claire standing alone in the doorway gripping the handlebar of her mobility scooter.

“Next Saturday,” she said matter-of-factly, projecting contained scorn. She wasn’t inclined to elaborate on her words and she didn’t have to. Today was Sunday. That meant I wouldn’t see Bella for nearly two weeks. She was making it loud and clear that there’d be no change to the custody arrangement. It would stay right where it was, with me getting Bella every other weekend.

“Fine,” I said, and walked away.

When I got behind the wheel, I found myself feeling somewhat aimless. With Bella gone, the day ahead was all my own and I had nothing to do with it. In a reflex response, I decided I’d go to the office. It was a decision made with barely a thought. The emptiness in my gut was ugly. I knew the sensation well—the loneliness and isolation, the feeling of having all the worst thoughts about myself pressed up against a door that was right in my face, so close I could feel the uncomfortable heat of their presence. I had an urge to open that door and drown in the self-hatred that would pour over and through me. It was all so tempting but I knew if I did, all that remorse and darkness would lead me to drink.

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