Erica shuffled through some papers on her desk. “Well, after speaking with you on the phone and doing some background checks to verify employment, residence, and the like, I’ve got to tell you, Derrick—”
“Bear,” the Kid said from behind me.
She arched an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
I pulled on my tie. It was choking the life out of me.
“His real name is Derrick, but everyone calls him Bear,” the Kid explained, having all the time in the world.
Erica nodded. “Well, then, Bear, I’ve got to tell you that I think I can help you. You said you’ve been watching him for how long now?”
“Uh, the last three years.”
“And your mother is… gone?” Her voice raised slightly on the last word.
“She took off to parts unknown,” I said, as if that would explain everything.
“Uh-huh
, I see. Do you know where?”
I shook my head. I felt them all doing the same behind me.
She pressed a button on her phone. “Josh?”
“Yes, Miz Sharp?”
“I need you to have a skip-trace run on a”—she looked down at her notes—“a Julie McKenna. M-C-K-E-N-N-A. Bear, what is her date of birth?”
I told her, and she informed the Josh in the machine.
“And Tyson’s father?” she asked me.
“His father was never in the picture. Why are you asking for my mom’s birthday? What’s a skip trace?”
She leaned forward. “Well, your mother will need to be found and notified of these proceedings.”
“What!” I exploded. How the fuck dare she! I started to stand, planning on taking the Kid by the hand and storming out, when I felt four different sets of hands on my shoulders, holding me down. That only made me angrier. “You can’t bring her back!” I hissed. “She’ll do everything she can to fuck this up!”
Erica eyed me evenly. No doubt she’s used to people yelling at her. After all, she is a lawyer. “Technically, she is still his mother and listed guardian. From what you’ve told me, the power of attorney you have was not correctly handled, especially since it deals with a minor. We are required to notify her, to give her an opportunity to respond. The same with his father if he was still a part of Tyson’s life. But if what you say is true, and if she has been gone for the last three years without a social visit, a phone call, or a dime, then I think she will have no ground to stand on.”
I groaned. “Damn.”
“Something I should know, Derrick?”
“His name is Bear,” all four voices chorused behind me.
“Uh, shit.” I rubbed my hands over my face. “She came back suddenly, a few days ago. And, uh.”
“And what?”
“She just showed up out of nowhere!” Anna snapped.
“Like she hadn’t been gone at all,” Creed growled.
“It was really quite a nightmare,” Mrs. Paquinn said, sniffing.
“And she threatened him!” the Kid exclaimed.