Page 52 of Forbidden Secrets
He turned on Sawyer.“What’d you say to her?”
“Gage, he didn’t say anything.He was so serious I thought something had happened to Addy.I jumped to conclusions and it’s not his fault.”
Sawyer closed the slider and returned to his seat.“Again, I’m sorry.Can I get you tea or water or something?”
“No, thanks.I’d rather you tell me why you’re here.”
Gage pulled a chair to sit next to her.He took her hand in his.Maybe he thought she’d collapse onto the floor without his support.She hated looking weak.
Sawyer sighed.“Look, I’ll level with you, Mel.There’s been an anonymous complaint against you.”
Melanie shook her head, not sure she’d heard right.“A complaint?About what?I moved in two weeks ago.I can’t imagine what anyone would have to complain about.”
His gaze remained steady.“Child neglect.”
She sucked in a breath and tried to speak, but what felt like an iron fist had gripped her lungs so she couldn’t get her breath.
“Addy’s not being neglected,” Gage growled.“What’s going on, Sawyer?”
“We have to investigate if a complaint’s been filed.Children’s Services got the complaint.They called the sheriff’s office to ask someone to do a check.I know Melanie so I volunteered.”
Finally able to breathe, Mel spoke.“What was in the complaint?”
“That you’re mentally unstable and the child is neglected and living in unsafe conditions.”
Shock was still there, but now there was anger.The words came out rapid-fire when she spoke, though her voice shook.“Addy is healthy and loved and cared for.I don’t know how anyone could think otherwise.And I amnotmentally unstable.Talk to her teacher, talk to my mom and stepdad.Talk to Addy’s father if you want.I’ll give you the number of my therapist in Stockton.No one will tell you any different.I’m a good mother and my daughter is thriving.”
“The complaint is bullshit, Sawyer.”Gage glared at the other man.“Melanie is as steady as they come, and that kid is happy.You were here the other day.Use your goddammed eyes.”He waved his hand toward the kitchen.“This place is clean and feels like a home.I looked in Addy’s bedroom when I searched the house.The kid’s got a bed and clothing and toys and every damn thing she needs.Open the fucking refrigerator and you’ll find the leftover soup her mom made last night.”
Sawyer held up his hands in a placating gesture.“I believe you.”He sighed.“Like I said, if someone makes a complaint, it has to be investigated.Addy’s at school.”
It didn’t sound like a question.“She is.”Melanie struggled to gain her composure.“The bus will bring her home in about an hour.Poke around my house if you need to, Sawyer, but I’d like you to be gone by the time my daughter gets home.”
“Fair enough, but full disclosure, another officer has gone to the school.They’ll pull Adelyn from class to talk with her.”
Melanie made a supreme effort to contain the rage that was building before it could erupt in a scream of defiance.Some nameless, faceless person had made a false accusation and now the cops were questioning her daughter and searching their home.Gage had moved his hand to her back.She focused on the movement of his thumb as he stroked her neck.
“I don’t want my child scared.”Her voice firmed.“I don’t want some person in a uniform pulling her from class and scaring her.”
“We don’t want her scared either.Deputy Beth Guerrero went in plain clothes, and she’ll make sure Adelyn is comfortable.”Sawyer rose to his feet.“I need to take a look around so I can fill out the report.”
She nodded numbly.
“While I do that, give some thought to why someone would call in a bogus complaint of child neglect.”
Gage shadowed Sawyer as he moved through the house.Their voices carried from the back rooms.Melanie stayed at the table, arms crossed in front of her, the hard knot in her belly making her queasy.Returning to the kitchen, Sawyer opened cupboards and the refrigerator.Gage returned to sit next to her, his arm resting across the back of her chair.
Sawyer sat again.“Sorry about all this, Mel.Gage confirms Adelyn is a normal, happy kid and everything I’m seeing here supports that.Once we get Beth’s report, we should be able to close the case.”He frowned, his expression thoughtful.“You’re trying to find the person who assaulted you.”
“I am.You think this complaint has something to do with that?”
“I don’t know, but it’s a possibility.Whoever attacked you all those years ago could still be in Sisters.Finding out you’ve moved back could have him spooked.Add on that you’re asking questions, and he’s got an incentive to try to drive you from town.”
“By having me questioned about child neglect?No one who takes one look at Addy would think I’m neglecting her.”
“It’s harassment,” Gage growled.“Fucker is trying to rattle you.”
“He succeeded.”
