John looked across the truck’s cab as he drove. “Aren’t you going to answer that?”
She shook herself from her doldrums and pawed through the shoulder bag she’d picked up to replace the stolen one. “Oops. I didn’t recognize that new music. Hello?”
Listening, her heart began to pound and her hand trembled. “Okay. I’ll be right there.”
“Is it Brutus?” John asked. “Did somebody find him?”
“No. The social worker I work with, Brenda Connors, wants me to meet her at the hospital ASAP. She just heard that Danny’s father is trying to check him out against the doctor’s orders.”
“What can you do?”
“I don’t know. Maybe talk him down or at least stall long enough for Brenda to get there, too. Thankfully, we’re only minutes away.”
She eyed her companion’s uniform. “Brenda said she called the police, but even they can’t stop a parent from taking a child home unless there’s been a court order preventing it. Maybe you can bluff him.”
“Okay. Whatever you need.”
“It might cause you trouble with your chief,” she warned. “It’s not technically legal.”
“But it’s the right thing to do.” John smiled as he increased his speed. “As an old friend of mine likes to say, ‘Do the right thing no matter what.’”
“Who? Me?” In spite of her anxiousness she appreciated the compliment. John did see her reasoning and understand her motives. That made him more than a friend, it made him a valuable ally. They were in a war for the well-being of children and every skirmish was one more step toward the ultimate goal of rescue. She knew she couldn’t save them all but she was determined to do everything in her power to help those few kids whose lives touched hers.
All across the country, other volunteers were doing the same things, fighting the same kinds of battles and defending the innocents, one court date at a time.
Samantha clenched her jaw. If she let herself think about all the children who had no advocates, no one to speak on their behalf, the burden was almost overwhelming.
Father, get us to the hospital in time to help Danny, she prayed silently. Please, please, please!
* * *
John chose the closest parking place and skidded to a stop. They both jumped out of the truck, hurrying toward the glassed front entrance.
“No black-and-whites yet,” John remarked. “Looks like we beat the reinforcements.”
“We don’t have to wait for backup, do we?”
“No. Just let me go in first,” he said, surprised to see her fall back at the door so he could pass. Apparently, she did have some sense when it came to self-preservation, although he sure hadn’t seen much sign of it before now.
“I’ll go check our computers to see if we’ve gotten a legal hold order yet,” Sam said. Veering off toward the office area she called over her shoulder, “Danny’s down the south hall, room one-ten. Meet you there in a few minutes.”
“Got it.”
John was just short of breaking into a run. Keeping his impatience under control wasn’t easy. He shortened his strides, then slowed even more. One-oh-six, one-oh-eight… There it was. One-ten.
The door was closed but a thin, pale, young nurse was standing in the hallway, wringing her hands and looking upset enough that it caused him to hesitate and ask, “What’s going on?”
“It’s awful.” She eyed his uniform, her frightened gaze lingering on his badge. “I’m so glad you’re here. Dr. Weiss is arguing with a parent. He sent me out of the room and told me to call Social Services. When I came back they were yelling so loud I was afraid to interrupt.”
“Okay. I’ll take over. You go outside and wait for the other deputies so you can direct them to the right place.”
“Yes, sir. Gladly.”
John paused barely long enough for the panicky nurse to make herself scarce, then knocked. Without waiting for an invitation to enter, he pushed open the door and placed himself squarely in the doorway. “Evening, folks. Is there a problem?”
Ben Southerland turned from confronting Dr. Weiss, rounded on John and shook his fist. “Go away. We don’t need the cops. There wouldn’t be any problem if these bureaucrats would stop insisting on useless red tape. If they don’t get their act together in the next few minutes I’m going to take my son and leave, with or without permission.”
“I’m sure the hospital has the boy’s best interests at heart,” John said calmly.