Take a Chance on Me(80)

Sometimes, could still feel the fear curling through her body as they deposited her in a new home, with foreign smells and too many people, too much noise.

“I’ll look at it right away.”

“With the weekend upon us, we have no time to waste,” Diane said. She handed over the file. “The child is currently with his grandparents, but I’m not sure how long that will be the situation. I’m suggesting we issue an emergency removal, place the child temporarily with his grandparents, issue a no-contact with the father, and then proceed with a home study and review of his case.”

“Sounds about right. I’ll review the case, and if it warrants it, I’ll write up a report and issue an emergency removal request immediately.”

“Good.”

She expected Diane to get up, but the woman just sat there. As if waiting.

Hmm. Ivy took the folder, opened it.

No . . . Her breath stopped. She reached for her reading glasses, pulled them on. Tried not to let her hand shake.

“There are three complaints in total, all filed over the past two months. She also took pictures for each complaint. They’re in the file.”

Indeed, pictures of Tiger betrayed a rather brutal story. With the injuries on his face, he looked positively abused.

“And there are two accounts of an altercation Darek had last night.” Diane pressed her hands together, reaching out to Ivy with her eyes. “Listen, we all know that it’s a little tough on Darek with all that’s been going on. But Nan has raised real concerns, and we at CPS take every report seriously.”

Ivy wanted to throw the entire file against the wall. These were not the situations that needed intervention. No, kids sleeping in cars and in flophouses and begging on the street for food—now there might be a case deserving an emergency status.

Still, her head told her that, had she not known Darek and the circumstances, she might be equally concerned.

And that was the problem. She did know Darek.

Worse, as she looked up, she had the sense that Diane knew that.

Ivy took a breath and came out with the truth. “I can’t fairly evaluate this report. I . . . I have personal knowledge about this situation, and I can tell you that—”

“You have personal knowledge, which means you’ll have to recuse yourself from this evaluation.”

“Agreed, but again, I know Darek—”

“It doesn’t matter. The facts are the facts.”

“But that’s what I’m saying: the facts are wrong.”

“You’re not impartial.” Diane sighed, something of compassion crossing her face. “Listen, I know Darek too. And I don’t necessarily believe these allegations. But they are strong enough that we have to take a closer look. Here’s the problem: if you dismiss them and Nan pushes, she can say you had prejudice against the report, refused to protect the child, and suddenly Darek’s being looked at by the state, not just the county. Then Theo gets taken from his home and Nan’s home, gets put in foster care in Duluth, and it becomes a nightmare for everyone.”

“But I can’t issue an emergency removal order if I know there isn’t a reason.”

“Then pass the case to someone else. How about Jodi? She’ll review it and write a recommendation for you.”

Which Ivy would have to obey or, again, look as if she had prejudice against the report.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I’m not uncaring here. I’ve known Darek for years, and despite a few wild escapades in high school, he seems like a good father. But people change when they’re under the stress Darek’s been under, and we have to act in the child’s best interest.”

“It is not in Tiger’s best interest to be taken from his father.”

“You want to believe that. But it’s not your decision. If we don’t follow the letter of the law on this, Nan will press it. Who knows but Darek could lose custody of his child.”

“Why is Nan doing this?”

Diane got up. “I probably shouldn’t say this because Nan and I are friends, but the fact is, Nan is angry. She still blames Darek for stealing her daughter’s heart away from the man Nan wanted her to marry.”

Ivy stared at her. “Who?”

“Jensen Atwood, of course. They were dating when Darek came home and got Felicity pregnant. Nan’s never forgiven him for that.”

“It seems to me that Felicity made her choice.” Oh, shoot, did she really say that? So much for impartial.

“Depends on who you talk to. But the minute Felicity died on that terrible night, this town took sides. And Nan is on the side against Darek. If you want to help him, you have to stand back and trust the system.”