Chapter 11 - A Father’s Second Chance
Jake wanted to throw the phone through the wall.
Instead, he gave it to Dana.
“You heard him.”
“I heard.”
“Find him.”
“We’re trying.”
Ray drove Jake back to the halfway house before curfew. Neither man spoke for most of the ride.
Finally Ray said, “You know what makes a man dangerous?”
Jake looked over.
“Not anger. Everybody gets angry. It’s believing anger gives you permission.”
Jake stared out the window.
“That’s how I got locked up.”
Ray nodded. “Then don’t let the same thing take your kid twice.”
At the halfway house, Ms. Patel was waiting.
“Your parole officer wants to see you at seven tomorrow.”
Jake’s stomach dropped.
“Why?”
“Todd Mercer filed a complaint. He says you have been harassing him and encouraging Ben to run away.”
Jake laughed once, bitterly.
“Of course he did.”
The next morning, Officer Grant listened to everything without expression.
Then he held up Todd’s complaint.
“He says you threatened him at the school.”
“I did not.”
“He says you called his home repeatedly.”
“I called my son.”
“He says you tried to interfere with his guardianship.”
“I found documents showing the guardianship may be fraudulent.”
Officer Grant leaned back.
“Do you understand how this looks?”
“Yes.”
“No, Mr. Carter. Do you understand how easy it would be for you to make one angry decision and end up back inside?”
Jake looked at his hands.
“I understand exactly.”
Grant studied him for a long moment.
“Then here is what you’re going to do. You’re going to work. You’re going to counseling. You’re going to answer your phone. And if your son calls, you are going to pass every location detail to law enforcement.”
Jake nodded.
“I already have.”
Grant slid Todd’s complaint aside.
“That matters.”
When Jake stood to leave, Grant said, “One more thing.”
Jake turned.
“The detective assigned to the financial case found something in the county recorder’s system.”
“What?”
“Todd has a closing scheduled tomorrow morning.”
“For the house?”
“Yes.”
“He can’t sell it.”
“He may have forged enough documents to make someone think he can.”
Jake felt the old anger spark.
Then Grant added, “And the title company says Todd planned to sign remotely from a motel.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed.
“Do they know which motel?”
Grant slid a printed email across the desk.
At the bottom was a location.
May you like
Bluebird Motor Lodge.
Room 17.
