Page 131 of The Long Game

“Great,” Daphne said like she hadn’t beenperfectlyawareof this. “Why don’t you call your Child Welfare contact and see if they can join us?”

“They let you have kids?” Grady’s father asked, his voice dripping with disdain.

Grady looked at his father like he was an idiot. “Do you live under a rock? They’re like the most famous foster parents in the country.”

Christian giggled and Callum, still grinning, pulled him in with an arm around his shoulders.

“I don’t want any trouble with those welfare people,” Donovan complained. “She’s my kid.”

“And that does give you rights,” Daphne conceded. Donavan’s confidence rebounded at this. “So, if you want to avoid involving the authorities, I can suggest that you sign an agreement assigning custodial rights to Sergeant Grady McDonnough until a more permanent arrangement can be put into place.”

Donovan blinked.

Jack almost laughed at how neatly Daphne had backed Donovan into a corner. Whatever Grady was paying her, she was worth every dime.

René, who had been watching the scene like a particularly good performance at the opera, leaned closer to Jack and observed, “It’s a shame she’s not a criminal defense attorney.”

Daphne met René’s gaze. “I’ll take that as a compliment coming from you, Monsieur Gauthier.”

René nodded regally and Jack had to suppress a fond smile.

Grady’s father threw up his hands. “Have you people all lost your goddamn minds? That man is a criminal. He’s been wanted in connection with dozens, possiblyhundredsof crimes.” He glared at Grady. “You ought to be arresting him, not cozying up. And this one.” He flicked a dismissive hand at Jack. “Do you think the courts are going to give you custody when you’re…what? Shacking up with a man who is friends with criminals?”

“Jack is none of your concern.”

“He will be yours when we use your unnatural relationship with him to get Hannah and Colton back.”

Jack glared. “You’re not going to use me as leverage to hurt these children. I’ll leave before I give you that satisfaction.”

Grady, Colton, and Sam all started to object, loudly.

René stepped forward to face Grady’s family, not hiding his disgust, and touched Jack’s shoulder. “Easy,mon loup. I have this.” He commanded attention with his confident air, complemented with distinguished silver hair and a perfectly tailored suit that probably cost more than Jack’s entire wardrobe. “Gentlemen, you may wish to check your facts. I notified the investigators in Toronto yesterday that Hannah was with me and that I would be delivering her to Sergeant McDonnough here.” He gestured to Grady. “They agreed not to make this public knowledge, as in the course of my search for her, I uncovered disturbing information about some…shall we saybusiness enterprisesthat engage in the sort of trafficking I don’t like to see in my cities or province.”

If anyone thought it was strange René had just laid claim to all of Quebec, they didn’t mention it.

“In any case, we’ve come to an agreement whereby I have shared my findings with the RCMP and will continue to do so. You will also find any criminal convictions are more than a decade in the past. I don’t live here in Moncton but in Montreal, primarily, and this is the first time I’ve seen Jack in person in years. While he and I do, indeed, exchange holiday cards, our association has never been with relation to any criminal activity or enterprise.”

Grady’s father glared at René. “You’re wanted for questioning in a number of cases!”

“I believe you will find, as of this morning, that is no longer the case. Those questions have been answered, and no charges are pending.”

All five of the RCMP members appeared nonplussed. Only Grady smiled, though.

Jack grinned at René.

Daphne pressed this advantage and stepped forward to hand Hannah’s father and Colton’s brother her card, suggesting they come see her Monday morning in her office so they could see about resolving “any outstanding questions and paperwork around the transfer of custody of the minor children into the care of their new guardian.” She took down the numbers they offered as she escorted them out the door, then ended with, “In the meantime, you agree and understand that Hannah will remain here with her cousins, correct?”

And to Jack’s absolute astonishment, a befuddled Donovan agreed.

Then the Assholes of Alberta were gone with little more than a growl and a whimper, leaving everyone else standing, dumbstruck, in the midst of packing crates and partially assembled furniture.

“What just happened?” Grady asked.

René eyed Daphne speculatively as she came back into the apartment, shutting and locking the door behind her before leaning against it. “Your attorney just danced circles around everyone. Are you sure, madam, that you might not consider coming to work for me?”

Daphne smiled at the compliment. “Do you get involved in many custody disputes?”

“Hmmm…I have to admit this is the first.”

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