“Dylan, what happened?” I yell out, and they all turn towards us.
Dylan looks both upset and confused.
“I was helping set up for the party,” he whispers while looking through me. “It was so perfect, Riss. The theme was wolves, and we had Sly’s backyard all decked out. The brothers got him a little Harley tricycle and a huge stuffed wolf, and I bought thebiggest wooden backyard playset that the store had, and it was all…”
He never finishes that sentence. After staring at the wall for a while, he shakes his head as if to remove the cobwebs that are affecting his vision. “I did everything. She only had to drive him there. Nothing else.”
Hawk and I exchange a confused look.
He then addresses the cops. “This is Marissa Johnson, Dylan Junior’s mother. I’m Randy Hawkins, former detective for the Violent Crimes Bureau with the Phoenix PD,” he says as he shakes hands with them before stepping back and putting his arm around my waist.
I lean into him for support, since my legs feel like jelly.
“I’m Officer Cummings, this is my partner Officer Williams. And this is Charlene Richards from Arizona Child Protective Services.”
I look at Hawk, panicked. Why is CPS here? What is going on?
The taller cop tells him, “I know Sergeant Morales from Bias Crimes.”
“I’ve worked with her many times. She’s tough,” Hawk says, and the cop nods his agreement. “Can you please bring us up to speed on what’s happened here and where my girlfriend’s son is?”
“Mrs. Barnes, the child’s stepmother, ran a red light and hit another vehicle while transporting your son,” the shorter officer says. “When first responders arrived at the scene, they immediately tended to the child, who appeared uninjured. When they examined Mrs. Barnes, however, they noted her dilated pupils, uncoordinated movements, and generally suspicious demeanor, so they suspected intoxication. My partner and I searched her vehicle, and we found a clear plastic bag filledwith white powder and another one filled with small blue pills, alongside smoking paraphernalia, so Mrs. Barnes was placed under arrest, and CPS was called.”
“Bullshit, there’s no way,” Dylan spits at them, but the officer simply puts his hand up to silence him.
“Sir, your wife's blood and urine are being tested as we speak. This is not a matter of opinion, be it mine or yours. The tests don’t lie.”
“Besides,” the partner chimes in, “she already admitted to using, although she insisted it was only recreational smoking and that she wasn’t an addict.”
Hawk huffs like he’s heard that one before, and the cop makes a face that says, You know how it is.
“What happens now? When can we see DJ?” I ask.
“Ma’am, we understand the two of you share legal custody of the child, but you’re the custodial parent?” Charlene Richards asks me.
I nod. “I have primary physical custody, and his father has him on the weekends.”
“The child will be released into the mother’s custody once he’s medically cleared. The father’s custody will be revoked pending the results of the investigation. Until its completion, he will only have supervised access to the boy,” Ms. Richards says.
Dylan clutches his hair with both hands and closes his eyes. It looks like he’s trying to wake himself up from what he believes is a nightmare.
“Thanks,” Hawk tells the cops as they leave, accompanied by Ms. Richards, after telling us they need to finish up some paperwork.
“Are you Dylan Junior Barnes’s parents?” The doctor approaches, and I nod, eager to hear news of my baby. “I’m Doctor Matthews.”
“I’m his mom. Is DJ okay?”
“He's made it through the accident unharmed. They’re finishing up an ultrasound of his abdomen to be sure. A nurse will be here to take you to his room in a few minutes.”
“Thank God,” I say through relieved tears.
Hawk rubs my back in silent support.
“What about my wife?” Dylan asks. “Rebel Barnes.”
The Doctor leafs through the papers in his hands. “Let’s see. Rebel Barnes, room 304. She has a broken clavicle, and they’re currently evaluating whether she needs surgery.” He frowns as he continues reading. “Oh, looks like we’re going to be releasing her into police custody.”
We thank the Doctor, and he leaves.
