Page 44 of Tex's Angel

“The police report ruled it accidental death. Likely they got a hold of uncut product, and she shot up before her husband, leading to her death.”

“That’s a damn shame,” Rigs says.

“It is,” Cleo agreed. “Unfortunately, the father signed over full custody to the state, so we’ve been looking for a good foster home for him. He’s blown one placement already by refusing to comply with any request they made and demanding to see his dad nonstop.”

“Oh, wow, this poor kid needs all the support he can get right now. Robbie was always such a nice kid. I honestly can’t remember him acting out all,” Clara says.

Mattie chimes in, “That’s often the case with kids who are being severely neglected. They’re polite and quiet because they don’t want anyone to know what’s going on at home because they fear they’ll get taken away.”

“Maybe I should start running a breakfast club, or a food pantry for my students, so they’ll always have something to eat when they’re not at school?”

Cleo perks up. “I’ve actually heard of teachers doing that before. You can ask for donations and set up a little pantry in one of the closets.”

Mattie gives each of us what she calls a hot sheet. “This has all the information we have on both kids. Our supervisor wants visits done on both children. When I mentioned that you were Robbie’s teacher and had built up a rapport with him, they think it might help if you speak with him. They feel you mightbe able to serve as link between their old lives and their new placements.”

Clara agrees right away. “I’d be happy to set a time and visit with them. I’ll make it a special point to encourage them to work with their social workers and therapists.”

Mattie’s shoulders finally relax. “It would be great if we could get them turned around and moving in the right direction. They’ve been through so much and deserve something good to happen in their young lives.”

Rigs gets to his feet. “Of course we’ll do everything we can.”

“Great, I’ll alert their residential providers that you’re coming and instruct them to prioritize your visit.”

“Is there anything else we need to know?” I ask.

Mattie shakes her head. “Not that I can think of. Too many of these cases end up with the kids not being able to reconcile with their families.”

Rigs drops a kiss on her forehead and tells her, “We’ll get right on this case and keep you in the loop on our progress. I know you have a busy schedule today, so we’ll leave you to it.”

She smiles up at him. “I’ll see you this evening, babe.”

***

We meet in the parking lot where our bikes are parked. I ask, “Which one do you want to start with, Rigs?”

“I like the junkie for this shit. He lost his wife and his kid. I’m betting he’s bitter, he’s probably still strung out half the timeand looking for some payback for all he’s suffered. What do you think?”

I glance at Clara, and she reluctantly nods. “I think we should start with Robbie first. I want to check on him and let him know that I’m still thinking about him and hope he’s talking with his therapist about all this.”

Rigs agrees, “Losing your mom at such an early age can cause long lasting trauma to kids.”

We enter the address of the group home he’s currently living at into our GPS and head there.

Chapter 19

Clara

Inotice that neither Rigs nor Tex are wearing their Savage Legion cuts this morning. I’m guessing that they don’t want to draw attention to themselves. Whatever the reason, it’s going to make our home visits go a lot smoother today.

We pull up in front of a large two-story house that has an institutional feel about it. Looking more closely, I realize it’s because there are metal bars over the windows and double steel doors, like a hospital.

We ring the bell, and I’m surprised to see Robbie and an older woman answer the door. “Are you from CPS? Mattie told us you were coming,” the older woman says with a smile.

Robbie races out and flings his arms around me. “Miss Clara!”

“I wondered what happened to you, so I decided to check it out and come visit with you,” I tell him brightly.

The older woman reaches out her hand. “My name is Ellen Ayers. My husband and I run this group home.”

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