Chapter Twelve
Jedidiah’s heart wentout to the boy. He looked so defiant, yet at the same time, so lost. And so heartbreakingly young. She wished she’d been more shocked when Ricky showed them his back. But she’d had first-hand experience with evil people. Some of the things the Devil’s Squad had done were truly horrific. Still, to beat a child as Ricky’s foster father had…more than once… In fact, it looked like he’d done it regularly. She wanted his license pulled so he could never hurt another child. Hell, she wanted him thrown in jail. Forever. Thank God Trevor had come over when she called. Not that she was surprised. Trevor was one of the good ones.
At the moment Ricky was arguing with Trevor about child protective services. Ricky feared they would put him right back with the same foster parents. Trevor tried to reassure him that he wouldn’t let that happen. “You will probably have to show them your bruises,” Trevor said, “but I know some of the people who work there and I guarantee they won’t let that happen.”
“What if you’re wrong?”
That was Jedidiah’s fear too. “What will they do with him?”
Trevor frowned at her but she knew Ricky must be wondering too. “They’ll probably send him back to the group home until something else can be arranged.” He turned to Ricky. “Would that be okay with you?”
He shrugged. “It’s better than they are. But no one wants me. Before, I waited and waited and no one else ever picked me.”
“Ricky,” Trevor said, “I can’t guarantee that someone else will foster you. I wish I could. But I do know a lot of people, many who are foster parents. I’m going to try my best to make sure you land in a good foster home. Okay?”
“What iftheywant me back? Because of the money?”
“They’re going to be in a lot of trouble for mistreating you.” Trevor studied him for a long moment before he sighed and said, “I know you don’t trust cops—”
“No! No cops!”
Trevor ignored him and continued. “I know a policewoman named Officer Clayborne. She works with a lot of kids. We really need to bring the police into this in order to make sure that your foster parents are punished for what they did. If you’ll let me call her, once she sees your bruises, she can arrest your foster father.”
Jedidiah watched as Trevor convinced the boy to allow him to call the police. She suspected Ricky would have to go to court to testify against the man—or the man and his wife, depending on what Ricky told them. But Trevor had told her one of the things BFK did was go with children to court when they had to face their abusers. She didn’t doubt he’d do his best to make sure Ricky wasn’t alone.
Trevor pulled out his cell and started calling people. He had obviously convinced Ricky to allow him to call the authorities while Jedidiah had been lost in thought. A short while later he said to them, “Officer Clayborne and my friend from CPS, Annie Brewster, are coming over. Annie asked that you not talk to the police until she gets here, Ricky. There’s someone else I’d like to call too. Johnny Gamble is a lawyer here and I know he’s taken some cases like yours before, Ricky.”
“I don’t get it. What does that mean?” Ricky said.
“It means he could represent you if this case goes to court.”
“Court?” Ricky asked.
At the same time Jedidiah asked, “You mean it might not? Surely they’ll arrest that man.”
“I’m sure if at all possible Ginny will. But what happens after that I don’t know.”
“Would you like to watch TV?” Jedidiah asked Ricky.
His eyes lit up. “Can I?”
“Sure.” She turned on the TV and handed him the remote, hoping he would choose something appropriate so she wouldn’t have to fight him. Eventually he settled onScooby-Doo.
Satisfied Ricky was taken care of until Annie Brewster and Ginny Clayborne arrived she turned to Trevor. “Trevor? Do you have any kids?”
Trevor had been watching Ricky but at her question he turned to her. “No. Why?”
“You’re obviously close to Andy. He calls you Uncle Trevor but he’s not actually related is he?”
“I’m his godfather but no, we’re not blood relatives.”
“You’re so good with Andy and the kids from BFK. Now seeing you with Ricky, I just wondered if you had kids of your own.”
“Nope. No kids. Never been married. Never had kids. What about you?”
“Same. Do you ever think about it?”
“Having kids some day? Sure. Do you?”
