Page 69 of The Clover Chapel (Jamison Valley 2)
I felt sick. At any moment, the quiche in my stomach was going to come back up. What kind of horrific things had Mason seen in his short life? He was probably lucky to be alive. No wonder he kept to himself.
“This keeps getting worse,” I said. “Mason went from a terrible situation to a better one. But it still isn’t acceptable. There has got to be a better place for him.”
My voice cracked at the end of my tirade and my lip was quivering.
Nick wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.
“I talked to the county social worker,” Jess continued. “She’s been making routine visits and says every time she’s stopped by, the place checks out. Their place is old but she told me it’s been clean and Mason seems cared for. The kid was quiet but when she asked him if he liked living there, he said he did.”
“That can’t be!” I yelled. “He’s filthy most days when I see him. And he looks miserably unhappy.”
“When I showed your reports to the social worker, she was shocked,” Jess said.
“What is she going to do about it?”
“She’s going to do a random check sometime in the next week or ten days. Stop by unannounced and see what it looks like.”
“Can she do that?” Nick asked.
“Yeah. The aunt is still under probation as Mason’s guardian. Any fuckup and the kid is removed. Kira loses her bimonthly checks from the state. Not surprising that when the social worker had appointments, everything was in order. But I agree with Emmeline. Something is happening. We just need to prove it. Hopefully before the aunt gets wind that Mason’s teacher is suspicious,” Jess said.
“And if the random inspection works? What happens next?” I asked.
“He’ll go to a foster family in town.”
“And will that be better or worse than his current situation?”
Jess smirked and fought a smile while Nick’s chest started shaking against my back. Clearly I had said something funny. I just didn’t have a clue what it was.
“What?”
“Emmy, this isn’t New York. Ninety-nine percent of the families that live in Prescott are good, honest people.”
“Okay. Then foster care would be an improvement.”
“Yeah,” he replied.
“What can I do?” I asked Jess.
“Same as you have been. Send your concerns to Garcia. He’ll route them to me. Hang tight until the social worker does her check. I’ll let you two get back to your weekend.” Jess waved a hand as he turned to the front door.
“Thanks, Brick,” Nick said.
“Jess?” I called before he left. “Thank you for sending a blue coat to school with Rowen. Mason was overjoyed that he could play outside at recess without being teased.”
“I’ll pass it along to Georgia,” he said and walked out.
“Do you think Mason is going to be okay?” I asked Nick.
“With you as his teacher, it’s the best chance he’s got.”
“Fred, I appreciate your concern but I haven’t decided what to do about my divorce. Rest assured, when I do, I will inform you.”
My lawyer had called me this afternoon, wondering why he hadn’t received my signed divorce papers. Given that during our last conversation I had been frustrated at a delay on his part, a delay on mine had been unexpected.
“I must warn you, Emmeline, the longer you wait, the more probable a redraft of the decree or settlement agreement will be required. I would hate to see you incur that unnecessary cost,” he said.
“Understood. If it comes down to that, I will be happy to pay you and your team the fee to have the papers reworked.”
