Into the Future: A Callahan Novel Read Free Page B

husband alleges that you’re neglecting your children by putting your job first.  There are times you have forgotten to pick them up, and you’re not adhering to the visitation schedule as prescribed by the court.  Now, according to Mrs. Hargrave, you stated that your husband had arranged with you to pick them up and failed.  Mr. Hall says he has no recollection of such an event.  Care to elaborate?”
    Lizzy stared at the young woman.  “Each time was a time that he’d ask to pick up the kids, and I agreed.”
    “Do you have that in writing?”
    “Of course not.  Normally, it was a phone call or maybe a text.”  Her cell phone!  Thank goodness, she elected not to buy another phone just yet. She reached inside her purse and pulled out her phone.  “I might have a few text messages from him.”
    “Oh, really?  A text message seems so casual being that it concerned your children,” Mrs. Allen said.
    Lizzy tapped her phone screen to retrieve her messages.   “He’s their father, not a stranger.”  She looked from her phone to Tristan, who was also looking at her screen.  “Yes, I have several messages from him.  I’ll have to check the dates Mrs. Hargrave has to see if these are the same dates.”
    The older woman pushed a sheet of paper toward her.  Tristan reached for the paper and handed it to her.  She checked out the dates and three of the six dates matched.  She looked at the principal.  “Yes, some of the dates match.  So yes, I have proof that he has set up the dates and failed to pick them up.”
    Mrs. Hargrave cleared her throat. “That’s all fine and well.  I’m concerned going forward.  Who will pick up your children?”
    “It will be me or my mother.  Paul is no longer allowed to pick up the children for any reason.”  She reached inside her briefcase and extracted a typed piece of paper and pushed it across the table.  “As you can see, it has been notarized.  Paul should be receiving his copy this morning by messenger.  So this kind of incident will not be happening again.”
    Mrs. Hargrave nodded.  “Good.  PJ and Tatum are very good students and I would hate to think their home life influencing their school life and their grades were the victim.”
    “I can assure that their home life is just fine,” Lizzy replied.  “My children always come first.  Besides, they don’t know their father has failed to pick them up.”
    “Well that’s comforting to know, Mrs. Hall.  I’m glad we could get all that cleared up.”  Mrs. Hargrave rose and extended her hand to Lizzy.  “I appreciate you taking the time to come in.”
    “As I said, my kids come first.  I also understand that you must investigate any unusual family events. Now that I have satisfied all your concerns, will there be anything else?” Lizzy shook her hand. 
    “No, we’re good. I’ll place this in their file.”  Mrs. Hargrave motioned for Lizzy and Tristan to exit the conference room.  “Thank you again, for coming in.”
    “Sure.”  Lizzy left the office with Tristan silently in tow. 
     
    Once they were outside, Lizzy finally spoke.  “I don’t like it.  I feel like Paul has a mole somewhere in that office. Or worse, someone in the CPS office.”
     
    “Who do you think it is?” Tristan stood directly in front of her.  “Normally, this kind of meeting would have been reserved for extreme measures.  Like there should have been several letters, phones calls, etc., before all this went down.”
    Lizzy laughed.  “You sound so funny saying that.  I agree with you, but time will tell.  Paul will show his hand.  I’m not really sure who it is, but I’ll find out soon.”
    Tristan took her hand in his.  “Look baby, I know I did the coward thing and I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have bolted.”
    “Tristan, forget it.”
    “No, I can’t.  I shouldn’t have let that jerk determine my place in your life.”
    Lizzy stared at him.  “Are we really going to have