Page 20 of Until Posey

“Sounds great,” Gail said. “See you when you arrive.”

I ended the call, then shut off my car and went into my house, needing to change and make myself look good, but like warmed over shit, too. Which shouldn’t be hard to accomplish before heading back out. I’d have to wait until later to pick up where I left off in that juicy paranormal book I was reading. By the time I looked at my appearance in the bathroom mirror, I was happy with how my makeup turned out.At least you’re having a good hair day.Seemed I didn’t sleep as well as I thought if the dark circles the size of craters under my eyes were any indication.Score one for me.

Grabbing my purse, keys, and my tea, I hurried back out the door and piled back into my car. On the drive to the donut shop, I wondered what case Gail wanted to talk about. We all knew the general basics of all the families in our system, but we never knew the specifics unless cases crossed, which would surprise people how often it occurred. As far as I knew, we all had the same workload, so what had I missed?

Once I had secured breakfast for everyone, I headed into work. Right about now, I wished I would have turned talk radio on for the metro area. Because the incident at the hospital was worse than I could ever imagine. The pit in my stomach threatened to swallow me whole as I sat down at my desk after delivering the confectionary treats and pure caffeine.

“At a little after two am this morning, police officers, along with members of S.W.A.T. breached the labor and delivery floor doors and apprehend the suspect. Currently, there are two victims. One has minor injuries while the other is in surgery and listed in critical but stable condition. We are not releasing their names pending family notification. As for the suspect, they have transported him to Nashville Metropolitan Police Department, where he is currently being booked.” I glanced up at the screen as the scene switched back to the studio instead of the makeshift podium outside the hospital.

“You are a lifesaver,” Gail said as her features fell into a frown of concern, “and you look like death warmed over. Girl, you should have stayed home.”

“I’m good. I promise.” I held up my tea. “Sticking with the soothing method. No food for this stomach.” I didn’t even have to fake feeling pukey. My shame was doing the heavy lifting. “That sounded terrible.” I lifted my chin toward the flatscreen TV. “What the hell did I miss?”

Gail sighed, shaking her head. “You’re right. It’s horrible, Posey. I’m not sure I’m the woman for this assignment. According to what we’re being advised of this morning, the father is being charged with some hefty federal crimes, including two counts of felony assault.”

Well, a person couldn’t hold hostages in a hospital and hope to make it out with just a slap on the wrist. I leaned closer, lowering my voice. “Can you tell me anything?”

Gail pursed her lips. “Well, since I need your help, I should probably tell you something.” She took another sip of her coffee, then ate a bit more of her glazed donut. “Did you hear about the wreck on I-24 yesterday afternoon?”

If I had, it was probably in passing. “Why am I already not liking where this is going?”

“Because it’s hellaciously tragic.” Gail dusted her hands off before going to her cubical beside mine then returned carrying a folder.

“If this is another death case, I’m good,” I said. “I think I made my quota for the next ten years.”

“Haven’t we all,” she said, sitting beside me. “No, this is the case I need you to take over. Darcy already approved the switch when the I-24 accident happened.” She tapped the top of the binder. “The Miller family. I’m not sure when I’ll be done with baby Doe.”

The air rushed out of me. So, this wasn’t about the hospital case if she was calling the baby Doe? Did something else happen while I slagged off work?This should be a lesson to you. Never lie to get out of work ever again.“Sure, not a problem. I’ll take the file for you.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you. I swear if you didn’t have the Veracruz/Banks case, I would have told Darcy this was a better fit for you.” It wasn’t like Gail to feel overwhelmed or not feel as if she could handle the job. This was a different side of her.

“Tell me what you can,” I prodded.

“The I-24 case connects with the hospital hostage situation. I can’t say much, but the father is the suspect, and the hospital isn’t sure the baby will make it after his traumatic birth.” Just then, I glanced up at the news scrolling across the screen and saw the footage from the day before. There was nothing left of the sedan that was hit head-on by a large truck. My heart sank in an instant.

“Poor baby,” I whispered. “I’m assuming mother was the fatality?”

Gail nodded. “This little boy is going to need tons of support if he’s going to survive. Even pushing through the tar of disquiet surrounding his birth, I’m not sure he’s going to make it. The odds aren’t in his favor. I think it’s why dad lost his mind.”

“He hurt people, though,” I said. “One is in critical condition and the other had minor injuries. None of this makes sense.” When I first saw the breaking news, I’d been so preoccupied with Hunter’s plea to help him and the fact a family member had been in that hospital working, I never suspected the reason was because of an accident.

“I can’t say any more than I have,” Gail muttered while watching the footage from the night before. “It’ll all start coming out in the next few days.”

“I’m sure. Can’t sweep this incident under the rug, that’s for sure.” I finished my tea and threw the cup away. “So, what do I need to know about the Miller case?”

The Miller family were frequent fliers with us. Father was an abusive drunk. Mother was trying to get them out of a dangerous situation, but good ol dad kept stealing the money Mom was making on the side. The last I’d heard, the three youngest had gone into foster care while the eldest two went to their grandparents in South Carolina. I hadn’t heard about any of the kids going back home, though.

“Vickie and Jeramiah went home six months ago,” Gail said. “Upon the first inspection back in the home, the husband battered Mom and Vickie, Jeramiah, and a newborn baby who’d had their arm broken.”

I wanted to gag.

“There is a court hearing in a week’s time,” Gail said. “The judge will determine the termination of parental rights in an upcoming hearing. We’re trying to make arrangements with grandma and grandpa in South Carolina. The newborn will go into the system and will eventually go up for adoption, fingers crossed, by a loving family. If the grandparents can take the three youngest.”

“What is Mom saying?” I pressed. I needed all the information; not just what Gail’s feelings were. I’d dealt with Tiffany Miller. She was too soft. Too submissive and gullible. She wanted to believe the best in people, including her alcoholic husband.

“She said her husband has made it impossible to leave. He takes the keys to the home and her car keys with him when he goes to work. She eats what he gives her. Same for the children. After the first attempt to break away from him, he’s become more determined to hold her against her will. Unfortunately for Mom, this last time when baby girl was brought in for the broken arm, police did a drug and urine test on Tiffany. She came back a few weeks pregnant and had meth in her system. She claims she never took it, but...”

“Husband did it,” I said, without batting an eye. “He’s trapped her. When is this newest baby due?”

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