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“What?” Doug went ballistic. “Did you report those threats to the police?”
“No,” Pixie sighed, but in her defense, she gave him her reasoning. “I was afraid if I did, they’d go talk to him, then he’d either escalate, or more likely take it out on Jason.”
There was a short silence from Doug, and she could tell he was attempting to calm down.
“So, what happened today.”
She was happy he’d changed the subject, but…
Tears filled Pixie’s eyes. Seeing the pain inflicted on Jason was one thing, but validating it to Doug made it seem even more horrendous. “Jason… He came into the classroom this morning, walking gingerly. He was also favoring his left side, and when I went to speak with him, I saw down his shirt, and… Geezus Doug. He was bruised. All purple and blue, and,” she took a huge breath, “there was a hickey on his neck.”
Doug swore, long and low. “You’re sure, Pix?” he asked.
“I’m positive,” she answered.
“Will you sign a statement to that effect? I’ll need it in order to get an emergency warrant.”
“I’ll sign anything, Doug.” Just last week she would have balked at getting involved, especially with a wildcard like Mr. Zablov involved. But as much as he made her nervous, she was feeling much stronger, and there was no way she was backing down.
“Okay. I’m calling my boss Maria, at MECASA. Is it okay if I give her your number so she can text over the required documents?”
“Absolutely.” Pixie committed. It was the right thing to do. “How long will this take, Doug?”
“It depends on how quickly Maria can get ahold of the judge, but we’ll try to make it happen today.”
“I think ithasto happen today,” Pixie told him. “Whatever’s been going on in his home, it’s escalating.”
“I hear you, Pix. Let me get off the phone so I can phone this in. I’ll call you as soon as everything is in order.”
Pixie breathed out a sigh. “Thanks, Doug. And…I’m sorry to bother you with this.”
“No, Pixie. I’m glad you did. This is just the type of situation MECASA deals with. I’ll speak with you soon.”
Pixie stared at the phone in her hand, clutching it long after Doug had disconnected.
Had she done the right thing? She certainly hoped so.
Two hours later,after receiving the documents, e-signing, and returning them, Pixie’s nerves were nearly shot by the time her phone finally rang.
“Boys and girls,” she spoke quickly, with her feet already moving toward the door. “Finish up your reading packet, then if you complete that, turn to page fifty-two, and answer the questions. I’ll be right back.”
She hurried and let herself out into the hallway.
“Doug,” she answered breathlessly after punching the button to connect.
“Everything’s in place, Pixie,” he came back immediately. “The judge gave his approval, and I’ll be there with a team—which, by the way, will include your sisterandthe local police. What time do you want us?”
“Talia’s coming?” Pixie gasped.
“Yeah. Maria is tied up on a case in court, and your sister, just last week, signed on with MECASA to deal with any kids who might have a problem being around a male figure. It sounds like this situation merits that kind of caution, so I called her in.”
Pixie’s trepidation settled a little. She’d have Doug here,andTalia. If Mr. Zablov got…combative, she knew they could take care of it.
Pixie chewed her lip, going back to Doug’s question. What time should they arrive?
Mr. Zablov always came at the same time as the other parents who retrieved children not riding the bus. It was one of the reasons she’d had a hard time pinning him down. Making a scene in front of Jason’s fellow classmates and their families was not something she ever wanted to do. Today was no exception.
Pixie thought fast. She could ask Mrs. Hensley in the adjoining classroom if she could leave their connecting door open, and if the woman’s aid—whom she always had in her room—could watch over Pixie’s afternoon pick-up time. That would free Pixie up. She’d be able to take Jason to one of the conference rooms, before having the resource officer, Sergeant Kimbley, direct Mr. Zablov there. She’d talk to the man until, eventually, he could be confronted by Doug’s team.
