Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [44]
“As we decided, I contacted Child Protective Services for the state of California on your behalf,” Doug Alder continued.
“You didn’t mention where Axel was, did you?” Bob demanded.
Merrily’s eyes flared wide.
“No…no. I did exactly as we agreed. You tell Merrily I kept my promise to her.”
“I will,” Bob said, relieved. He’d wanted this to be another conference call, had wanted to include his wife in the meeting, but she’d refused. The first call had ended abruptly, with her nearly in hysterics. Bob had felt trapped—between Doug’s recommendation and Merrily’s need for comfort and reassurance. He didn’t know how she’d cope if they lost Axel.
“I explained the situation,” Doug went on, “but it’s messy. Merrily not only took Axel, she drove him across state lines. That’s a federal kidnapping charge, a serious offense.”
Bob realized that if they weren’t careful, his wife could end up serving jail time. He wouldn’t be exempt from charges himself. His hand tightened around the receiver. “I know there are…problems.”
“It doesn’t help matters that she didn’t get in touch with the authorities when she learned Axel’s father intended to sell him.”
“She doesn’t trust the so-called authorities!” Bob shouted, losing his patience. “Besides, Merrily did report what was happening. She called Child Protective Services, but by the time they arrived the bruises were gone. Merrily tried to tell them, and the woman took a report, but nothing ever came of it.” If anything, her reporting the abuse had made matters worse. Shortly afterward, Axel’s parents had decided to sell him to the highest bidder.
“It’s understandable, considering her history.” Doug sighed. “Merrily’s drug conviction could hurt our case.”
Bob’s eyes flew to his wife. “I know.” He could barely choke out the words. She had a drug conviction—and she’d kept it hidden from him! Throughout the entire ordeal, Bob had been nothing but forthright and honest with Merrily. He’d risked everything for her and the boy, and she hadn’t trusted him enough to reveal the truth about her background.
“That’s not all.”
A hard knot formed in Bob’s chest. “There’s more?”
His question was followed by another heavy sigh. “In the time you’ve had Axel, his father’s landed in prison on a drug charge.”
This was good news as far as Bob could see. After the way the bastard had abused his own child, prison was exactly where he belonged.
“He has a twenty-year sentence, but he’s already been in trouble—fighting with other inmates. It doesn’t look like he’s going to be paroled any year soon.”
“Good.”
Merrily watched him the way an animal does its prey, pacing back and forth, from the far edge of hope to the brink of despair, frantic to know what was being said, yet afraid to listen herself.
“About Axel’s mother—”
“Don’t know her, but Merrily does.”
“Did,” the attorney corrected. “She died of an overdose.”
Bob suffered no regret on her account, either. The woman wasn’t fit to be called a mother. From what Merrily had told him, she’d willingly agreed to sell Axel and she’d made no effort to end the abuse.
“This has to be good news, right?” Bob asked. “For us, I mean. Axel has bonded with Merrily and me. We’re the only family he knows.”
“It would be good news if Merrily hadn’t stolen the boy.”
“She was protecting him,” Bob cried. Anyone with half a brain would see that she’d taken the only possible course of action. The child was being physically and psychologically abused. Merrily had contacted the authorities and—because of circumstances, perhaps because of her own lack of credibility—that hadn’t resulted in a damn thing. But if she hadn’t taken Axel when she did, there was no telling what would’ve happened to the boy.
“Now listen,” Doug said, “I know this is going to be difficult, but I want you to trust me.”
Bob could feel it coming. He sensed it the same way he did an approaching storm.
Doug Alder waited as if giving Bob time to