Page 16 of Out Of A Fix

“Washington. Didn’t you read your goddamn email this morning?” Unlike the kids, him I could yell and swear at. I didn’t have to think before I spoke.

“Not on a Sunday,” he groused.

“I need you to activate the guardianship waiver so I can get this kid out of police custody.”

It took him a second to process. “What?”

“Kid. In custody. Need waiver.”

“Fuck off.”

“I need it now. Owen would’ve already had this done, and I wouldn’t have had to explain the why.”

“Shit,” he muttered. “What’s he in jail for?”

“Not in jail,” I corrected him. “In police custody.”

“You know what I—what’s he in custody for?”

“Public intoxication.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Why would I be kidding?”

“How old is this kid?”

“Sixteen.”

“What the hell, and why’re you all pissy?”

“Oh, I dunno, maybe because a kid I’m supposed to be watching is in police custody?”

“Yeah, but he’s sixteen. How bad could it be?”

“I have no idea, but either he’s in a cell and the cops are gonna be assholes about letting him out, or he’s in someone’s office, sawing logs.”

“That’s insane.”

“Can you hurry, please? I’m at the fuckin’ door.”

“I—wait, on my schedule this job doesn’t start until tomorrow.”

“Which has what to do with what I’m asking you?” I grumbled.

“Yeah, I…okay. Just let me get to the—here.”

Here? “What the hell are you⁠—”

“Hello?” It was Benji.

“Hey,” I greeted Shaw’s better half, who was also a psychiatrist, which made me think of something to ask. “Tell me, is it okay to give a sixteen-year-old an edible so he can sleep if he has insomnia?”

“No.”

“No?”

“If you’re asking for my professional opinion, then no.”