Chapter 13 - The Pickup Window
Carol met the detective the next morning.
By noon, we had the complete instructions.
If Emily became distressed, staff were told to describe the trip as a visit.
If she asked for me, they were told I was traveling.
If Ruth intervened, staff were told she was confused and had no decision-making role.
None of it gave anyone lawful authority.
All of it had been written as though authority was a matter of sounding certain.
Nora read the last page twice.
“There’s another contact.”
Patricia.
Rebecca’s mother had provided the backup address and promised to help if I became difficult.
The detective contacted her.
Within an hour, she called me fourteen times.
I didn’t answer.
Then the messages began.
You are destroying her life.
She tried to help you.
Emily needs discipline, not all this attention.
I forwarded everything.
That afternoon, Nora prepared me for the hearing on Rebecca’s petition.
“Answer the question you’re asked.
Don’t argue with her.
Don’t look to her for an explanation.”
“I’m past that.”
“You may feel differently when she starts crying.”
I looked through the glass wall of her office.
Emily was sitting with Ruth, coloring a dog purple.
“She can cry.”
The hearing was scheduled for the following morning.
At four, the detective called.
Rebecca had been asked to surrender her devices through her attorney while investigators sought the necessary records.
She had not agreed.
That didn’t surprise me.
What came next did.
“Mr. Mercer, does your daughter attend Oak Hill Elementary?”
“Yes.”
“Is she there today?”
“No.”
“Good.
Keep her with you.”
I stood.
“What happened?”
“The school reported Rebecca called asking whether Emily would attend tomorrow.”
My throat went dry.
“She’s been removed from the pickup list.”
“We know.
The office handled it correctly.”
I looked toward my daughter.
She was laughing at something Ruth had said.
The sound seemed unbearably fragile.
That evening, Luke drove us back to his house.
A gray sedan was parked across the street.
Patricia sat behind the wheel.
When Luke slowed, she started the engine.
Then Rebecca stepped out from behind the car.
May you like
She was holding the torn ear from Emily’s rabbit.
And she called my daughter’s name.
