Damaged

Damaged Read Free

Book: Damaged Read Free
Author: Pamela Callow
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to engage in mudslinging against a respected criminal court judge.
    She studied her client. There was an option.
    One she’d never had to invoke before. But it was an option she was legally bound to discuss with this client.
    “Mrs. MacAdam, if you are truly concerned that Lisa may be endangering herself, I have a statutory obligation to report Lisa’s case to Child Protection Services.”
    Marian MacAdam jerked back. “No. This is family business. That’s why I came to you. I want to deal with this privately.”
    “It’s not a private matter when a child’s welfare is at stake.”
    “You cannot go to Child Protection Services!” She spoke in the commanding tone of a woman used to getting her own way. But Kate could smell her desperation.
    “Then you could.”
    Dismay flashed through Marian MacAdam’s eyes. “No, I can’t.” Then she added, with a telltale bristle of defensiveness, “I’m not sure if I’m right about my suspicions.”
    Kate leaned forward. They both knew Marian MacAdam had just lied. “Why do you think you have a case for custody?”
    Marian MacAdam shifted in her chair. “I’m not sure I have a case…”
    Her client was a sharp lady. She realized she was on thin ice. If she admitted that Lisa’s self-endangerment was grounds for custody, then she knew Kate would feel compelled to involve the authorities. Kate glanced at the little silver clock by her phone. It was 6:05 p.m. The meeting was now dead. She had no doubt that any question she asked her client would be hedged with maybe and I’m not sure , rather than a frank discussion of the facts as Marian MacAdam knew them. “…I just want Hope to take my concerns seriously.”
    Bull . It was time to take the gloves off. “Mrs. MacAdam, do you have any proof that Lisa is doing drugs?”
    Marian MacAdam’s gaze fell on the photo of Kate’s dog. “No. I’ve never found any drugs or evidence of paraphernalia in her belongings. And she’s never been…‘high’ when she’s been to my house.”
    “Has she stolen money?”
    “No.”
    “Disappeared at night?”
    “I wouldn’t know. She doesn’t sleep over.”
    “What are her friends like? Are they the type to do drugs?”
    “I’m not sure. Lisa doesn’t have a gang of girlfriends.”
    “So why exactly do you suspect she’s doing drugs?”
    Marian MacAdam twisted her diamond-studded wedding band. It couldn’t move very far. Her knuckles weretoo swollen. She dropped her hands to her lap. “She doesn’t show up for supper when she’s supposed to.”
    That was hardly an earth-shattering event for a teenager. “Does she have a good reason?”
    “She claims she’s at the library or some such thing. But I just have this feeling she’s not telling the truth.”
    Kate put down her pen. “Mrs. MacAdam, you have a difficult case. First of all, the courts don’t like to take children from their mothers. Secondly, the court would be wondering why your son isn’t intervening.”
    Marian MacAdam glanced at the photo of Alaska again. Kate couldn’t tell whether the picture of her dog was a comfort or a distraction to her elderly client. Finally, Marian MacAdam said, “Can I start a proceeding for custody?”
    “You can start one, if you choose, Mrs. MacAdam. I just don’t think your chances are very good.”
    Marian MacAdam’s face tightened. “I thought you’d be able to help me. But it’s obvious you are unwilling to do so.” She picked up her purse and pushed herself to her feet. Her ankles swelled over the tight edges of her patent shoes.
    “Mrs. MacAdam, please. I would like to help you. But you don’t have a strong case unless you have proof of Lisa’s drug use. Child Protection could help you.”
    “No. I’ll find proof myself.” She turned toward the door. Kate hurried around her desk and held the door open for her. It was after-hours, so she escorted Marian MacAdam to the elevators, her client’s disappointment so palpable Kate felt a chill on her skin.

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