“How did he not understand what was going on?” Max demanded. “He must’ve known of the legal matters my grandmother instigated.”
“Your grandfather said he had other business interests he was taking care of, and he’d had to take a business trip to Paris. He’d been away for a week, which was when everything unraveled for your grandmother.”
“What happens next?” Sasha stood by him and placed her hand on his shoulder in silent commiseration.
Jerome must’ve caught her question because he said, “The cops have dropped the charges, but I believe the Family Court judge wants to see you and Noel. I think the judge wants to reassure himself of Noel’s safety and happiness.”
“What do I need to do?”
“I checked your mailbox. There is mail there that looks as if it’s from the court.”
“Open it,” Max said decisively.
Paper rustled, and a few minutes later, Jerome spoke. “They’ve made an appointment for next week. A social worker will interview you at your house. She wants to see you and Noel together and separately. Once she completes her report, the judge will see you the following week.”
“That’s quick,” Max muttered.
“It says here that since a young child is part of this mess, they want it sorted as soon as possible or words to that effect.”
“I see,” Max said. “Are you certain I won’t get arrested once I arrive at home?”
“The police became concerned when you didn’t show up with Noel as ordered, but once I gave them the evidence, I’d collected two days later, they understood. The judge may reprimand you, but I doubt they’ll remove Noel from your custody.”
“But there is always that possibility,” Max said in a dark voice. “My grandmother manipulated me into taking that job in Edinburgh. How do I know the judge isn’t in her pocket too?”
“Didn’t I mention the police arrested your grandmother?” Jerome said. “She’s in jail, and they refused to give her bail.”
“Hell,” Max said, startled by the revelation. “All right. I’ll think about this. Email your bill, and I’ll pay you straight away. I owe you more than I can say. Noel is happy with me. My grandmother made him stressed.”
“Because kids can sense when adults are going through the motions,” Jerome said.
“Thanks,” Max said.
“Catch ya later.” An instant later, Jerome disconnected the call.
“What are you going to do?” Sasha asked.
“Jerome is right. I have to take the risk this will turn out all right, and the judge will award me full custody. If something goes wrong, we can always disappear again. You are our secret weapon.”
“Ooh,”her dragon said, entering the conversation for the first time.“I’m going to be a spy lady.”
“Only if we need to. It’s the last resort,” Sasha said.
“We’d better retrieve Noel from Leo and Liza, and ask if we can borrow a car to get to the mainland. It’s best if we don’t fly this time.”
“Agreed,” Sasha said.
Three days later, they were back at Max’s house, close to the town of Bamburgh.
“What does one wear to meet a social worker?” Sasha asked.
Max smiled, but it appeared forced. This social worker wielded power with the court and the judge. They had to make a favorable impression. “Wear something smart. A skirt and a nice blouse.”
“We have the right clothes,”Sasha’s dragon informed him.“Don’t worry. If the social worker is horrid, we’ll throw flames at them.”
Max groaned.
“That was easy,” Sasha said with a chuckle. “We’re teasing. We will be on our best behavior. I’ve made cookies and will make tea. Noel is busy drawing pictures.”
