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I placed both hands on the table and leaned forward. “Are you covering for him?”
“He’s just a kid.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
“If I were, would I have just said his name?” The vein in his neck throbbed.
“I have no idea, but I need to know everything you’re hiding.”
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Marlow
“She’s systematically tryingto take us down.”
My father stared at the carpet, unmoving in his chair.
I slapped the papers down on the coffee table in front of him. “Child Protective Services sent me this.”
Forty-eight hours. That was all it took for her to take action.
“I didn’t do anything to Blake. Since when is a picture of pushing another adult grounds for a home check?”
If it weren’t for the rise and fall of Dad’s chest, I’d have thought he was dead he was so still.
“Does Mrs. Quinn know anything about how to deal with this?”
He lifted his eyes up, pain and irritation in them.
“I’m sorry things are rough between you two right now, but Daddy I need all the help I can get.”
“Phone’s on the nightstand.” His voice was scratchy, like he hadn’t spoken for days.
I retrieved it and a glass of water, thrusting it in his hand. He held it, but didn’t drink.
My heart twisted. Mrs. Quinn’s number was stored as a favorite along with the rest of our family, Patrick included. All I knew was Dad had been gone overnight andshesaid they spent the night together.
I didn’t blame Mrs. Quinn for being upset, but she needed to give my father the benefit of the doubt. Seeing him so torn up over her was killing me.
Don’t blow up. Don’t blow up.
I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to get my brain and mouth on the same page.
“It’s Marlow,” I said as soon as she answered.
“If you’re calling about Mills—”
“I got a letter from Child Protective Services. She’s coming after Blake. Can you help?” My voice broke and I sank down onto the sofa.
“Where are you?”
“Dad’s.”
There was a long pause. “Give me half an hour.”
I greetedher at the door, letter in hand. I thrust it into her palm before she’d crossed the threshold.
She scanned it in the foyer, earning a little bit of my respect. The woman understood the urgency and set aside her own pain to help me out. Because she was definitely in pain.
