Sorry for the delay real life has been busy and new tv shows are demanding my writing attention but I haven't forgotten this one :) Enjoy
Title: Blessing in disguise
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one
Althea balanced Melisa on her left hip as Virgil helped her with snacks and coffee. Virgil placed the four full coffee mugs with the cream and sugar containers on a tray while Althea gathered together some assorted pastries and placed them on a plate and then on the tray. They worked in silence tension running high between them all morning. Althea was sure Melisa was picking up on their moods. The little girl was quiet with occasional fussy moments. The doorbell rang and Althea glanced at the kitchen clock.
"Right on time."Althea stated quietly as she pushed through the swinging door to the living room. "Just hope Lonnie's right behind her; being late won't help."
"I told him what time."Virgil commented as he set the tray on the coffee table and moved to the door.
Althea forced a smile as her husband opened the door admitting a thirty something thin woman with short blond hair and glasses.
"I'm Cathy Benson."The child and family services advocate introduced herself. "I assume this is Melisa."
"Yes."Althea acknowledged. "I was just about to put her down for a nap."
"Of course."Cathy replied. "It was good of you to take the child in."
"It's what we do for friends."Althea stated as she turned and headed towards the steps and began to climb.
Virgil motioned to the sofa. "Have a seat, Ms. Benson. The boyfriend of the child's mother should be here shortly."
"Yes this is an unusual case, isn't it?"Benson asked sadly. "I do hope..."
The doorbell rang just as Virgil was about to sit down.
"That must be Lonnie, excuse me."Virgil stated with a smile as he straightened and walked to the door and opened it.
"Sorry hit traffic on the interstate."Lonnie apologized as he stepped into the house.
Virgil had to keep from doing a double take at his friend. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Lonnie in a suit. Today Lonnie was wearing a dark gray suit and was clean shaven. Black loafers shone slightly in the sunlight coming in the front window as Lonnie walked into the living room.
"Lonnie, this is Cathy Benson from children and family services in Jackson."Virgil introduced and Cathy and Lonnie shook hands.
"Ma'am."Lonnie greeted with a smile as he sat down in a chair next to Virgil's across from the sofa.
"To get started."Cathy began. "This is a informal case briefing to begin establishing evidence for a custody hearing."
"That's all my wife and I want."Virgil commented. "The best interest of Melisa; she's been through enough."
"Understandable as I was saying this is an unusual case but we have dealt with crime victims before."Cathy stated. "Do we know the child's father?"
"Died in prison in Kansas."Lonnie supplied. "About four months ago."
Cathy wrote down the information. "Name?"
"Sam Abbott."Lonnie replied folding his hands on his lap. "Colleen said he was a loner and a drifter not much of family to speak of."
"Still an angle to look into. See if his relatives will take the child in."Benson stated.
Lonnie knew going in this meeting was going to be a battle with his temper and emotions. Already five minutes in he was losing the one with his temper. He knew the woman was only doing her job. Pretty much doing what he would do in an investigation; gather background information track down friends and relatives. That rationalization wasn't calming Lonnie down any.
"Colleen told me that she had tracked down Abbott about four months after Melisa was born."Lonnie said tensely."She wanted him to know he had a daughter but she also wanted family health history. She found him in that jail in Fort Scott he didn't want anything to do with Colleen and even less with Melisa."
Lonnie remembered vividly that Sunday morning about six months into their relationship they were taking a walk. He still heard the hurt and anger in Colleen's voice when she talked about Abbott. Not for how he treated her but for not acknowledging Melisa at all. She'd just wanted Melisa to have some family with Colleen only having distant relatives left.
"Sadly happens quite often."Benson acknowledged writing a few more notes down the legal pad."Mr. Jamison, I understand you were involved with Melisa's mother for a year?"
"A year and three months."Lonnie confirmed sadly. "I was plannin' on asking her to marry me. We'd talked about me adopting Melisa...I still plan on doing that...fulfilling Colleen's wish."
"Unfortunately we don't have any documentation on that."Cathy responded not looking up from her notes.
Lonnie suddenly found himself on his feet. "My word isn't good enough?"
"Lonnie."Virgil warned softly and Lonnie slowly sat back down.
"As a police officer I'm sure you're aware Mr. Jamison that the court needs documented proof."Cathy stated meeting Lonnie's angry gaze.
Lonnie had to grind his teeth to keep his mouth shut. His temper wasn't going to cause Lonnie to break his promise to Colleen. She'd done everything she could to make a good life for her daughter and Lonnie was determined to continue that.
Cathy's voice softened as she continued. "I know of the circumstances surrounding Colleen Hughes's death and I understand the emotion involved. That's why it's a good thing Mr. Tibbs called my agency in we can be impartial and make the best suggestion for the court."
"What about foster care until the court hearing?"Virgil asked.
"I've already submitted Melisa into our system and will let you know as soon as we have someone available."Cathy stated as she put away her legal pad in her bag. "If you and Mrs. Tibbs no longer wish to look after Melisa I can..."
"What about me?"Lonnie inquired. "I can take leave and take care of Melisa full time. I'm all she knows, Ma'am."
Cathy looked from Lonnie to Virgil and back again and then stood ."I can't make that decision alone, Mr. Jamison. I will take it up with my superiors as soon as possible. In the mean time Mr. Tibbs are you willing to still look after the child?"
Virgil stood and saw Lonnie do the same. "Yes, it'd be our pleasure."
Cathy smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. I'll get back to both of you as soon as I hear anything."
"Thank you for coming."Virgil stated as he walked the agent to the door. "Feel free to call if you have any more questions."
"Of course."Benson acknowledged as she stepped outside.
Lonnie followed Cathy Benson down the sidewalk to her car. He knew he was pressing his luck but he had to plead his case one more time. He caught up to the children and family services agent just as she reached the driver's side.
"Mr. Jamison is there something else?"Benson inquired politely as she put her bag on the passenger seat.
"Colleen and I may have only been involved for a short time."Lonnie began after taking a deep breath."But she and Melisa were everything to me. I love Melisa like my own...even though it wasn't official yet they were my family."
Cathy smiled gently. "I understand Mr. Jamison and we'll do everything we can to help Melisa."
All Lonnie could do was stand aside as the children and family services agent got in her car and drove away.
"He's in so much pain, Virgil."Althea stated sadly as they watched Lonnie drive away.
"I know."Virgil agreed as he wrapped his left arm around his wife's shoulders's drawing her close. "I really am trying to do what's best for both of them."
"Just so you know I'm rooting for Lonnie."Althea replied quietly. "I think he can handle it."
"It's out of our hands now."Virgil responded.
"Maybe."Althea commented as she pulled away.
"Althea."Virgil warned. "I told you what Ms. Benson said."
"I know."Althea replied. "But it can't hurt to put in a good word on his behalf."
An excited Wilson Sweet knocked on Gillespie's open office door. The older man glanced up from the file he was reading and took off his glasses waving him in.
"Sweet."Gillespie greeted.
"Chief, did some digging on Colleen's ex and think I've got a solid lead on one of his ex cellmates."Wilson stated excitedly.
"Really?"The chief asked. "Where is he?"
"Clarksville, Tennessee."Sweet replied.
"Good work. Get going and take Dee with you."Gillespie ordered.
"Yes, Sir."Sweet replied happily and left the office.
After leaving the Tibbs's Lonnie went home and started making phone calls. He had given the lead of the motorcycle to Bubba earlier that morning but Lonnie wanted to work his own contacts. It made him feel like he was doing something; still a part of the investigation. By early evening Lonnie had gone through his list of contacts and informants. Now it was in their hands
Standing Lonnie left the living room and went into the small kitchen of his apartment. He'd done some grocery shopping that day too but the apartment still didn't feel like home. It felt cold and lonely;like it's renter. Lonnie had known how much a part of his life Colleen and Melisa had become. However the void formed by her death was much larger than he ever anticipated. He missed everything about her. Shaking off the dark thoughts with an effort Lonnie left the kitchen and grabbed his jacket and car keys. He needed the real estate listings. While he couldn't afford much but Lonnie needed to show CF&S that he was serious about planning for Melisa's future. That started with a home.
The shrill of the telephone woke Chief Gillespie. He blinked and squinted at the alarm clock as his dog barked. The clock read two forty five. He raised himself up on his right elbow and picked up the reciever of the phone that was next to the alarm clock.
"Hello?"Gillespie greeted.
"Sorry to wake you, Chief."Parker replied anxiously.
"Parker,skip the apologies please. What's going on?"Gillespie asked.
"Right, sorry...we got a call from Sparta fire department and Bubba's at the scene now but it's not good."Parker replied sadly. "Somebody torched Colleen's place...Bubba says it's a total loss."
"Damn."Gillespie swore as he sat up and turned on the light. "Wake everyone up that Bubba needs. Start canvasing the neighborhood again. Did the fire get to the neighbors?"
"No, Sir. Fire department got it under control in time."Parker reported grimly.
"Alright, I'll be in shortly."Gillespie stated.
"Yes,Sir."Parker replied as he hung up.
Gillespie sighed as he absently scratched his dog's head. What could've been in that house that they missed? And what could've been so important to the killer that they burned the entire house? Knowing the answers awaited elsewhere Bill got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to shower and dress; it was going to be a long day.