“Hold tight for a minute,” he told his client. “What’s up?” Moose greeted Christian.
“Hey, Moose!” Tiara greeted him. “I’m hungry.”
“Go check the fridge. It’s some snacks in there.” He nodded over his shoulder.
“Okay.” Tiara gave Christian a hug before pulling back and looking up at him. “Thank you for picking me up.”
“I will always be there if you need me, Titi.” He reached out and plucked her chin with somberness behind his eyes.
Tiara stopped long enough to give Moose a quick hug before skipping down the hall to the break room.
“What you doing here?” He scowled at the prosecutor. “Thought you was in the wind.”
“The school called when Tulla didn’t pick her up.”
“The fuck you mean she ain’t pick her up?”
Christian shrugged. “I called her cell, the house, and her office. Tulla is gone.”
“How? The fuck is going on?”
“All I know is internal affairs got involved. Once they heard she had a baby by you, they started investigating every case she ever had. Discovered tampered evidence, false statements, and a slew of other shit she swept under the rug.”
“The fuck?” Moose muttered. “So, she’s just gone?”
“Until they find her.” Christian went into his pocket for a set of keys and handed them to Moose. “Looks like you just been awarded sole primary custody. The house has been seized, but I talked them into giving you a day to go get anything Tiara might need or want. You have until Thursday.”
Moose stared down at the key in his hand. Never in a million years did he see shit playing out like this. Christian could tell the news shook him as he looked around his shop.
“Take care of her. I might not be her biological father, but she will always hold a spot in my heart as my daughter. I just want her to be good.”
Speechless, Moose bobbed his head before looking up at him.
“No doubt. A muhfucka gotta come through a whole army to get to her.”
“If she ever needs anything… I’m sure you know how to find me.” Christian turned to go, and Moose hoped it never came to that as he watched him exit.
Swiping his beard, he took a breath after Christian was gone. His mind spinning, he fished his cell phone from his pocket and texted Inari.
Moose:I need you.
Baby:On my way!
Turning on his heel, he went to check on Tiara in the break room. She grabbed one of the chicken salad sandwiches with a bag of plain Ruffles to eat. With her backpack beside her in a chair, she kicked her legs and took a bite of her sandwich. She sat there for a moment looking at it. Moose lingered in the doorway because he’d never seen her this sad. As much as he hated Tulla, she wasn’t a bad mother. Tiara adored her.
“What’s up, kid? How you feeling?” He pulled out an empty chair and sat down beside her.
She shrugged but didn’t look up as she shoved a chip in her mouth and chewed slowly.
“Daddy, I mean Christian…” she corrected herself.
“Hey.” Moose reached for her little hand, and her warm chestnut eyes pierced his. “That’s okay if you call him that. For eight years, that’s who you thought he was to you. Me and you, we’re just getting started on our relationship.”
“I know he’s not my daddy. I just have to get used to it. I’m sad about my mama, though. Does that make you mad?” she questioned.
“Why would that make me mad?” Moose checked with her.
“Because you and Mama don’t like each other,” Tiara voiced.
