Page 111 of Hot Stuff
Damn. That sounded so mom-like. We might fumble through the next few months, hell, probably the next few years, but we’ll make it through, and we’ll do everything in our power to make sure Micky has the best life.
One his mom and dad would have given him but can’t.
* * *
I’m looking at Judge Morgan in absolute shock. Beside me Walker isn’t as dumbstruck.
“She did what? How the hell could she do that?”
“It’s a simple process?—”
Walker waves his arm to stop the explanation. “Okay, I get that, it wasn’t really what I was asking.”
“Ah, a rhetorical question?”
“No. I mean, how could she take my name?”
“You can change your name to whatever you want.”
“Well, sure, I guess I get that but…”
His words trail off. Which is when I interject. “So she can change her name to Mrs. Kristina Alcott and tell people she’s his wife?”
“Yes, and no. The name change, yes, the second no, and the paperwork that she had confirming that is fraudulent.”
“Of course, it is! I didn’t marry the woman!”
I place a hand on Walker’s arm. “Calm down, we all know that.” Facing the judge again I ask, “Can we press charges for anything she’s done?”
“Yes. The fake marriage certificate is fraud and the fact she took the child and dropped him off in the foyer of your building is child endangerment I would think. I’m not sure about that—it’s not my area of expertise.”
“Okay, so we should get the police involved?”
“Yes. I can have someone call them for you. I think I saw Detective Alvarez in the hallway before you arrived. Give me a second.”
He picks up the phone on his desk and talks quietly into it.
Turning to Walker, I lower my voice and say, “We’re okay to take Micky home. I’ll get us on a plane as soon as we leave here.”
“We might need to stay and talk to the police.”
“No. They can call us after we file the complaint.” I think about that. “If that’s even what we do. I don’t know but I’m sure they will let us take him home. He’s been through so much.”
“Whatever we need to do to keep Micky safe.”
“At least we know no one can take him away from you.”
“True.” He scrubs a hand through his hair. “I just wish I’d known about him when Michael was killed. Hell, I wish I’d known before that. Shelby and I would have helped him with Micky.”
“You’re here now and you’re helping in a way your cousin would be eternally grateful for.”
“I need to know everything. Where Michael lived, what is left of his things… the bag of clothes Micky had with him can’t be the only ones he has.”
“No. I’m sure they’re not. I’ve got Amos on that.”
I called the PI before we left the apartment to come here. He was already on the way to talk to Sara, and I asked him to find out everything he could from the woman.
Leaning over, Walker presses his mouth to mine. “I love you,” he says against my lips.
