The phone on Emilie’s desk rang, but she ignored it as she scrolled through the guts of her legal argument. She’d made good progress outlining the need for a temporary change in custody and an emergency protective order. She still didn’t have the 911 call, and left a message for Detective Gaines asking if he could let her listen to it.
If she could get that call, it might give life to the story. The judge had to see the Adams family as Emilie and Reid had understood them. But without Kaylene and Kaydence here to testify, all she had was hearsay. Robert’s attorney would have a fit and raise all kinds of arguments about the unfairness of allowing testimony that couldn’t be rebutted. Then the attorney would launch into arguments where Robert could testify. But if Emilie had the call, she might not need Kinley to testify.
The thought stopped her cold as her phone started ringing again.
Would she really consider putting a ten-year-old on the stand? There had to be a better way.
The phone continued to ring, stopped, and then started again.
“Fine.” Emilie turned toward her door. “Taylor, do you know who’s calling?”
Her assistant came to stand in the doorway. “Sorry, the calls aren’t coming through me.”
“Can you grab it?”
“Every time I pick up, whoever it is hangs up.”
Emilie twisted her grandmother’s ring around her finger, then puffed out a sigh as the phone started again. “All right. Let’s see who’s so determined.”
After the next ring, Emilie picked up the phone and hit the line. “Emilie Wesley.”
There was silence, and she took a deep breath as her right hand fisted on top of the desk. Something clicked inside. She was tired of feeling on edge all the time. Tired of the sense someone was always watching but never talking.
“Hello? You have one second to talk or I’m hanging up.”
“Really, Miss Wesley?”
“Who is this?”
“Darlene Wright. Robert Adams has hired me as his attorney. We’ve filed an emergency motion that should be waiting on your fax machine. The judge wants to see us in an hour.”
Emilie’s thoughts scrambled. What kind of motion could the attorney be referencing? “I don’t understand. Why would you contact me about something related to Mr. Adams?”
“Have your assistant check the fax. See you in an hour.”
The phone clicked in her ear, and Emilie hung up as her spine slackened. “Taylor, can you check the fax?”
“Everything okay?”
“I don’t know, but supposedly the judge wants to see me in an hour.” Sweat trickled down the small of her back and the room felt overly warm.
Taylor scurried from the doorway and returned a couple minutes later, scanning as she walked. “You’re not going to like this.”
“The bullet’s coming from Wright—of course I’m not going to like it.”
“Here.” Taylor handed over a thin stack of paper, then turned to the set she retained. Emilie sped-read as Taylor continued. “She’s requesting a protective order against you.”
Emilie reread the language. “A protective order for harassment? Against me? That’s crazy!”
“And brilliant. If she wins, you have to leave Robert Adams alone, which means he gets Kinley, no questions.”
“Or Reid finds a different attorney.” It was breathtaking legal finagling. She’d almost gotten the protective order against him filed, but not in time to save Kaylene. Now it felt poetically wrong for Darlene Wright to use that strategy against her. How had they known today was the perfect day to file, and how had they known to file against her?
Emilie turned to Taylor. “Call the court and see what the clerk can tell you.”
“On it.” Taylor spun out of the doorway, and in a few minutes Emilie could hear her quietly talking.
Emilie turned her attention back to the petition for a protective order, something niggling at her mind as she read it more slowly, without the shock of being its target. She knew this law as well as anyone. As she read the facts, she knew the order wouldn’t be granted.
There was no way Robert Adams could effectively argue she had done anything involving an act of violent force or threat that resulted in an injury to him. Neither could he have a fear that she would do something leading to death or bodily injury.
That was the legal standard. Why file a petition destined to fail?
She glanced at the calendar, tried to think like Wright. Darlene was a good attorney. One who had earned her bulldog reputation. What was Wright really trying to accomplish by filing this? Wright wouldn’t risk angering the judge by wasting her time if there wasn’t a goal to be achieved. What was it?
Emilie leaned back and closed her eyes.
She didn’t have time to waste. Not if there really was a hearing in forty-five minutes.
“The clerk says the judge isn’t happy, but there is a hearing.”
Emilie sat up and looked at Taylor. “Why not wait for motion hour?”
“Wright pushed hard for an emergency.”
“What’s the emergency? What’s happening that I’m missing?” Her thoughts raced as she tried to focus them.
Taylor sank onto the edge of a chair. “What’s happening with Kinley?”
“Haven’t heard from Reid today.” Emilie reached for the phone and a minute later had Reid. “Anything changed with Kinley?”
“The doctors are getting ready to step her out of intensive care with the goal of getting her home early next week. What Melanie Rogers told me yesterday is holding.” His rich voice brought her comfort. “Why?”
“Adams has an attorney, a good one, who is trying some tricks. Did you say anything to Robert that would alert him to our plans?”
“No.” His answer was immediate. “But he may have mentioned you.”
Emilie pinched the bridge of her nose. “Okay. How did you learn about the step down?”
“Rogers called me an hour ago with the update.”
“Good to know.” She thought a moment. “Have you talked to Robert?”
“Not since the last time he kicked me out of her room and threatened me. Do you want me to try?”
“No, but I need you to meet me at Alexandria District Court in thirty minutes.”
“It’ll be close, but I’ll do my best.”
“Thanks.” Emilie hung up, surprised he hadn’t asked any questions. Would he really try to come, or was he just telling her what he thought she wanted to hear? She had to keep plowing forward. She turned to Taylor. “I need a copy of the protective order statute. I think I know what Wright is up to.”