Valerie Hansen - Threat Of Darkness

Samantha’s initial urge was to pull away from him but by the time she had taken a few brief moments in which to relish his warm, gentle touch it was too late. She’d decided to leave her hand right where it was.

“You’re just giving back some of the support you got when you needed it,” John continued. “All you can do is try your best in any given situation. The results are up to God.”

“And to a judge,” she added, smiling wistfully. “As far as I know, nobody from CASA is on the Southerland case yet but I understand what you’re saying. It’s not my job to make things right. I don’t have that power.”

“Exactly.” John leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. “So, tell me more about this Danny. When did you meet him?”

“It all started several months ago.” She closed her eyes and pictured the scene in the emergency room. “The last time was the worst. His father brought him to our E.R. because their regular doctor doesn’t work on weekends.”

“Okay. Go on.”

“I asked Mr. Southerland what the problem was and he told me Danny fell. That was his usual explanation.”

“What made you suspect abuse? Bruises?”

“Yeah.” She took a settling sip from her coffee mug, then continued. “Danny’s body language was textbook, too. He was perched on the edge of the exam table with his feet and legs dangling over the side. He wouldn’t look up but I could tell he’d been crying. He’d hunched over to cradle his left arm and was holding it tight against his stomach.”

“Was it broken?”

“No. I asked him what hurt and he nodded when I touched that arm. One area was showing signs of bruising so I told him the doctor would probably want an X-ray.

“That’s when he started to really cry, looked at his father and said, ‘It’s better. Honest,’ as if he was apologizing for getting hurt.”

“What did you do then?”

Amazed and filled with relief, Samantha realized that her story was finally being taken seriously. “I said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Danny. We’ll be very careful with your arm.’ Then I whispered, ‘How did you get hurt?’ That’s when his father started insisting he fell when he was running in the house. I wasn’t too upset until he said it served Danny right to get hurt because he was disobeying.”

Nodding, John gave a short chuckle. “I can just picture your reaction to that.”

“And you’d be right. If that man had been three times bigger and growling like a grizzly bear I’d still have given him a piece of my mind. I told him that no child deserves to be hurt. Ever.”

“What was his response?”

“Nothing. He shut up the minute Dr. Weiss came into the cubicle.”

“Did he ever threaten you?”

“No. When I got the doctor alone later, and suggested we report possible abuse, he laughed at me. It seems Weiss and Ben Southerland go to the same church. Not only that, the man is about to be appointed to the medical-center board. The doctor swears there’s no way an upstanding citizen like that would abuse his son.”

“What about his wife? Would she…?”

“I don’t know. I was told flat out that it was an accident and ordered to forget it.”

John’s brow furrowed. “Wait a second. If nobody reported him, why should the guy be mad at you?”

Knowing her cheeks were betraying embarrassment, Samantha forged ahead. “Because I went against the doctor’s orders and called in a report. I had to, you know, even if my bosses fired me over it.”

“Good for you.”

She huffed. “That’s not how the police responded. They acted like they thought I was crazy. Maybe I have been wrong a few times in the past, but not this time. I know an abused kid when I see one, even if I can’t prove it.”

“Did you ask that your identity be kept secret when you made your report?”

“Are you joking? In Serenity? Around here, the only difference between normal conversation and deep, dark secrets is how long it takes the news to travel. Besides, considering my reputation and the fact that I was working E.R. that day, there wouldn’t be much doubt where the complaint originated.”

“I suppose you’re right.” John got to his feet, carried his mug to the sink and rinsed it out. “I’d better hit the road. Are you going to be okay if I go?”

“Sure. All I have to do is figure out who wanted me to butt out of their business. Piece of cake.”

He turned and leaned against the edge of the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. “I just had a thought.”

“If it means I’ll have to quit defending kids and keep my mouth shut when I see a problem, forget it.”

“Nothing of the kind. I was just thinking about maybe keeping an eye on Danny and his family—in a casual way, of course.”

“How do you propose to do that? You don’t even know what they look like.”

“No, but you do. What church does Dr. Weiss go to these days? Seems to me I used to see him at Serenity Chapel when I still lived around here.”

It was Samantha’s turn to scowl. “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not going to coerce me into going to church again. I told you I gave that up.”

“You won’t reconsider? Not even for Danny’s sake?”

“That’s cheating, Waltham. You know I’d do just about anything to protect kids.”

“Sure do. So, is it a date or do you have to work this coming weekend?”

Disgusted at the way she’d walked right into his verbal trap, Samantha made a face. “No date. But I will consider going since I’m not on duty. For Danny’s sake.”

“Of course.”

Judging by the way John was beaming he was more than satisfied. Well, let him gloat. Even if she did give in and attend a Sunday service or two, that wouldn’t change anything between them.

It wouldn’t change anything between her and God, either, Samantha told herself. She had prayed and prayed for the Lord to intervene and keep John from abandoning her and what had happened? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. John had packed up and headed for Texas as if her feelings, her tears, hadn’t mattered to him one little bit.

Was she giving the obstinate man too much of a place in her current affairs? She did need an ally. And he was the only person who seemed to believe her. Therefore, she could not, in good conscience, dismiss his offer of assistance. What she could do, would do, was keep her emotional distance from him. Beginning now.

“If I do decide to go back to church—and I’m not saying I will—it’ll be by myself. The last thing I want is for people to think of us as a couple again. It’s taken me years to get them to stop asking how you are. As if I knew.”

“I did email and send you updates after I left,” he countered.

“For a few months.”

“You never answered me. Not once. What did you expect me to do?”

She wasn’t about to tell him that every time she’d gotten a message from him, it had sent her formerly upbeat mood sinking into a bottomless pit of despair and self-pity. In a way, it had been a relief when he’d stopped trying to communicate.

“I didn’t expect anything,” Samantha said. “You made yourself perfectly clear when you decided to leave.” Although she knew her words had an argumentative edge she didn’t seem to be able to control herself. It was as if John brought out both the best and the worst in her.

It was a definite relief when he smiled again instead of joining the quarrel and said, “Speaking of leaving…”

Samantha was instantly contrite. “Thank you for looking out for me tonight. I guess I didn’t sound grateful just now but I am. Really.”

“I know.” He paused and bent to pet Brutus who promptly plopped down and rolled over to beg for a tummy rub.

“Apparently, so is my dog,” she quipped. “I’m surprised he remembered you after such a long time.”