Page 116 of Single Teddy
“What’s going on, Wesley?” he asked.
“I have a very strong suspicion their dad is a drug dealer,” I whispered. “At the very least, a horrible, abusive father. You should see their living conditions. Dirty, dusty. The other day, he shouted at them for going up the stairs without his approval. I don’t think they’re safe. And god knows what was in that manila envelope.”
He nodded and wrote on his clipboard.
“I mean the fact alone that they were in the middle of town unsupervised, digging through trash and talking to strangers doesn’t help the dad’s case,” he said. “I’ll call CPS. Are you okay to stay with them? I think they’ll feel more comfortable with you until they get here.”
Dakota started to walk away when I stopped him.
“Oh, is…is it okay to call my sister. I haven’t had the chance yet, and we were supposed to meet.” I waved my phone at him, and Dakota chuckled.
“Of course. You don’t have to ask.”
I shrugged.
“I don’t know what the rules are.”
“Well, you’re not under arrest, so you’re good.” He winked and walked off, and I returned to my seat in the office, opposite the kids, feeling almost relieved for doing something. I shouldn’t have listened to Wyatt and his team. I should have acted sooner. I just hoped it wasn’t too late to do something.
After a moment or two, I texted Ruby and Lexi to let them know what had happened, and they immediately responded to say they were on their way to join me.
“Hello. What do we have here?” An officer walked in and made me jump.
His badge indicated his name was Bennet, and I nodded a greeting at him.
“We’re just waiting for Detective Mitchell.”
“He’s calling CPS, right?” he asked.
I nodded.
“They’re actually here,” he said.
“Already?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Well, they were here for another case. So I told them they were needed. So you’re free to go if you want.”
I grimaced and turned to the kids, who shook their heads aggressively.
“I’d rather wait for them. I thought they wanted to talk to me.”
“They have your statement. They don’t need much else, and if they do, they have your number.”
That sounded right, but still…
“I think the boys wanted me to stay with them.”
Detective Bennet sighed and looked outside the office, placing his hands on his hips.
“Okay then, come on. Get up.”
“Huh? Where are we going?”
“We’re going to join the social workers if you don’t mind.”
“Join them?” I grimaced. “Join them where?”
“Their car. It’s outside.”
