The next morning, I walk into work and I have a note on my desk to speak with Mr. Wallis. That’s unusual and rather worrying.
Dropping my jacket, purse and phone in my office, I quickly make my way to Mr. Wallis’ office and tap on the door.
“Come in, Maylee.”
“Morning, Mr. Wallis.” I see a man sitting in front of his desk, but I don’t recognize him.
“Take a seat, Maylee. This is my P.I., Sterling Masters. The foster parents and the social worker are known to Sterling. He’s investigating them already for another client.” Mr. Wallis gives me a serious look.
Turning to look at Sterling I can tell by his facial expression he is not happy about what he’d found. “What do you know?” I tentatively ask.
“Let’s start with the social worker. Miss Forsyth has been working in the same department for sixteen years. She has overseen a lot of foster kids in that time. What I have found is that she takes particular notice of the kids that have any type of inheritance. Those kids are pushed to half adozen foster parents, who then adopt those kids. Once they have the kids integrated, they brainwash them into handing over the inheritance once they come of age. Sometimes it’s when the kids hit eighteen and then feel obligated to hand it over for the food, clothing and roof over their heads.” Sterling snorts at the last part. “What clothing they have that is. It’s a well set up scam, and I have enough to take this bitch down, and her six sets of foster parents with her. Katherine’s foster parents are one of the six, of course.”
“Oh my…oh, my.” It is all I can manage, because honestly who would have thought people could be so evil. I look at Sterling, and then Mr. Wallis. “But Katherine has a father who is doing his best to get her back.”
“Oh, he’ll get her back. I’m taking this case over Maylee, because it may get messy, and I have friends in higher places that can sort this out the way we want it to. I’ll contact Mr. Grosvenor, and I’ll be speaking to a few high authorities who will be arresting some people soon. I’ll keep you informed Maylee and thank you for bringing this to my attention.” Mr. Wallis stands, and I stand as well. I can see he wants me to leave, so I place the folder on his desk. I give Sterling a small smile and leave the office.
Sitting behind my desk, I’m not sure if I’m upset about losing the case, or happy that it’s with someone else who has longer arms than I do. But I do know that whatever gets the result we need I’m okay with.
Leaning against Myles in bed much later that night I relay all that happened with the case for Katherine. He nods and gives small comments along the way.
“So, are you okay with handing over the case to Mr. Wallis?” Myles asks and I turn my head giving him my full attention.
“Actually, now I’ve had time to think about it, I am. I didn’t originally want to take the case on because it looked complicated. But it is far worse than my first glance showed. Mr. Wallis has friends who are judges, and high up the scale police officers, so he’ll be able to get things moving far faster and probably easier than I would have.”
Myles kisses the top of my head, keeping his arms around me. I’m leaning on his chest and turn to cuddle into him.
“Do you want a shower?” I ask.
“Already had one, muffin,” Myles smirks.
“Oh, okay.” I jump out of bed, and look at him over my shoulder as I walk toward the bathroom. “You’ll not want one with me then!”
Yeah, you are right. He was out of that bed and with me before I even got the shower turned on. I can’t help thinking who needs a stress ball when you have a Myles.
Chapter 13
Myles
At lunchtime Dan, Clem and I are sitting with a steaming coffee from the magic machine, as Dan has started to call it, and a BLT from the local deli.
“Oh, I have a rough plan for remodeling the apartment. Synthia thought it was great and said, ‘The boys will have to find somewhere to stay now’, but she laughed when she said it.” Dan smirks as he speaks, and mimics his wife's voice too.
“Why would she be happy about that?” I ask.
“Well, they make a hell of a mess when they come home. Bringing bags of dirty laundry with them, and I have to admit they make the place messy and noisy. I don’t mind it, but I’m not the one following them around, and getting them organized to go off again.” Taking a bite of his BLT and swallowing before continuing. “They are trained to betidy and organized, yet come home and turn into ten-year-olds again, mentally that is.”
I laugh because I can imagine the sweet Synthia saying that. The few times I have met her she came across as a real darling, and her eyes followed Dan wherever he moved. It’s easy to see how much she loves the man, but he’s just the same and touches her whenever he gets the opportunity. With a hand on her back, flicking her hair out of her face, taking her elbow, it’s easy to see the care they both show each other.
Leaning forward, I look at the plan drawn out and can see that the two bedrooms have been kept apart. “I thought it was suggested that the bedrooms be made into one?”
“Well, yeah, it was suggested. Synthia said that although she thought the boys, as she calls them, would come home at times she didn’t want them to think we didn’t care or want them. It totally went against her other comment mind you. But she said that’s a woman’s prerogative, and you know I’m not stupid enough to argue with that. She also said a guest room would be handy, so I went with it.” Dan rubs his hands over the back of his neck and gives Clem and I a serious look. “You want good marriages, or any relationship, you listen and learn. The woman you are with is the most important being on the planet. Yeah, kids are next, but they grow up and leave. That leaves you with your woman, andshe’s still the center of your life. Learn the lesson early, and you’ll never regret it.”
I nod with some understanding of what he’s saying. I know that Maylee is the place I rotate around. Oren is still solid in my heart and always will be, but Dan’s right he will grow up and get a life of his own.
“This plan will not make many changes from what we’ve seen. Can you modernize it up a bit, Dan?” Clem asks.
“Do you think you have to be careful, Dan? Because we’d rather you do the place well, and really enjoy living in the place, then do it as minimally as you have.” I pass the plan back to Dan.
