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“I did not,” he said, a wave of nausea flowing over him. He bent over, grasping his knees, out of breath. “She’s not supposed to have any contact with the baby without my permission, and then only supervised at my attorney’s office.”
Ashlie kicked the car door from the inside, screaming. “You lying bastard! You said I could take her.”
“I never did, Sheriff. I was at the school. I never even saw her today. I swear to you. I tried to get a restraining order and the judge wouldn’t issue one.”
“He might do so now,” the sheriff said. “Your baby’s inside.” He nodded toward the day care.
Adam ignored Ashlie’s verbal attack and ran to the door. Calista was inside, crying.
“Adam, I’m so sorry,” she cried, unlocking the door to let him in.
“You’re fine,” he said, putting an arm around her. “Where’s the baby?”
“She’s safe, in back.”
Two officers were there, taking a statement from Calista. “Get your baby, and then we can take your information,” one of them said.
He followed Calista to the back where the children were with their caregivers. Missy and Sheryl had the baby, both of them upset. Adelaide was still buckled in her car seat, having fallen back to sleep. Adam got her out and cradled her, trying to keep from getting emotional. If he broke down, where would it lead? He needed to stay focused.
“I didn’t know or I would have never let her inside,” Sheryl said. “It didn’t feel right the minute she opened her mouth, and then she grabbed Adelaide’s car seat.”
“Sheryl blocked the way and wouldn’t let her out of the building,” Calista said. “Ashlie was ready to get violent, too.”
“Thank you for protecting her,” Adam said.
That Ashlie had risked being jailed to kidnap Adelaide hit him. She was desperate.
“I’ll go talk to the officers,” he said.
He told them the entire story of Ashlie giving up custody and they wrote down what he said. “If you can stop by the station so we can record your statement, that would be helpful.”
“I don’t want to run into the mother again,” Adam said.
“If you follow us in, we’ll make sure you won’t.”
“My car is at Saint Anthony’s,” he said. “I ran over.”
“We’ll give you a lift.”
Calista followed him out with the bag, still upset.
“I’ll call you when I get home,” he said, and then he hugged her with one arm. “It’s okay. The girls did good. Tell them, okay?”
“I will,” she said, sniffing. “Thank you.”
At three p.m., both baby bottles empty, Adam left the station.
By the time he got home, the media had gone wild with the story, somehow getting the details of the custody battle, so his phone blew up with calls and texts from friends and family.
Katy had landed safely in San Diego and she just sent him a text that she was safe. He replied,It feels like you left a month ago. I’ll call you later. I need to get Adelaide settled because we’re just getting home. Calista can give you the full story of what happened today if you don’t want to wait for me. Love you!
“Poor baby,” he said, the full impact of what had happened just hitting him.
He bathed her and changed her, and when he sat down to feed her, he called his attorney to give him the details.
“Um, you’ll most likely get your restraining order now,” he said. “That judge should be squirming.”
“Why would I need a restraining order? Isn’t she going to be in jail?”
