Sheriff Dancy shifts slightly, but he doesn’t interrupt.
“I’ve already had my attorneys send the relevant court documents to your office,” I go on.“Kelly has been granted sole custody pending the hearing.”
Principal Jameson nods again.
“Yes, Mr.Lawrence?—”
“That means,” I cut in, my voice dropping a notch, “no one is authorized to take or remove Evan from this campus unless my wife personally says so.”
I lean forward slightly, planting my hands on the desk.
“Written permission.Verbal confirmation.Direct from her.”
The man swallows.
“If you don’t hear it from Kelly herself, it’s not happening.”
“Of course,” he says quickly.“We always comply with custody agreements.”
His words are polite.Professional.And completely meaningless.
Because someone already tried.
I straighten again.“In the meantime,” I continue, “I’ll be placing a private security detail in the area.”
The principal blinks.“Security?”
“They won’t interfere with the kids,” I say.“They’ll keep their distance.No uniforms.No disruption.”
His mouth tightens.“I don’t think we can have private security operating on campus?—”
I don’t even look at him.
My eyes shift to Sheriff Dancy.
“Sheriff,” I say calmly, “you got an issue with that?”
The sheriff studies me for a moment.He knows exactly who I am.And more importantly, he knows exactly how serious I am right now.
“No, Mr.Lawrence,” he says finally.“As long as they don’t step onto school grounds without cause.”
“Fair.”
“And as long as they identify themselves to the Sheriff’s Department and we will notify the school’s front office first.”
“That’ll happen.”
He nods once.
“Then we won’t have a problem, Mr.Lawrence.”
“Good.”
The room goes quiet.
The principal exhales like he’s been holding his breath this entire conversation.
I don’t bother saying anything else.There’s nothing left to discuss.Because right now my priorities are simple.
