Chapter 14

"Michaela!"

Sully's urgent cry woke her instantly. Believing that something was wrong with one of the little girls, she rushed out of her bedroom without caring what she wore. Only when she saw the gathering at the entrance, did she turn back and grab her robe. As she passed the living room door, Katie poked her head out and Michaela quietly but determinedly advised, "You both stay in there, Sweetheart. Only open the door when I tell you, alright?"

Katie nodded, recognizing by her mother's tone that this was serious. Michaela waited until the door had clicked shut and then hurried to find out what the commotion at the entrance was about.

Her mind was still somewhat fuzzy and she couldn't think of a reason why a strange woman standing before her apartment was glaring at Sully. However, seeing the cops she assumed they had come to talk about the accident again. Yet Sully informed her with his voice cracking, "They wanna take Hannah with them."

Michaela instantly replied, looking back and forth between the young officers, "That's out of the question."

"And I'd say that's not your business," Miss Chambers snapped, looking at her in disgust.

Michaela was only momentarily puzzled but then she read the young woman's thoughts. Disregarding the rude tone she proffered her hand introducing herself, "I'm Dr. Quinn. I was working last night and so I slept in this morning."

The cops who hadn't said one word until now, glanced at each other before they looked back at Michaela and the older one of them asked, "Are ya the one from Wasson Park? Five victims, two killed and three injured?"

"Yes, I am. I thought that is why you're here?" In bewilderment, Michaela looked up at Sully.

Only now did she see the desperation on his face. "What's wrong?" she wondered, touching his arm.

Louise Chambers didn't like that her presence was being so easily dismissed and thus she chimed in. "I think that's enough small talk. It's better for everyone if you just bring the girl out here at once, or the officers will have to go in and..."

"I beg your pardon?" Michaela didn't dare believe her ears. Incredulously, she gazed at the woman across from her. "No one will enter my apartment without my permission."

"Well, we won't ask you since we have every reason to suspect a case of neglect and emotional abuse here. Mr. Bray informed our office this morning that the girl's life was even put in danger yesterday and she had to spend the night at the hospital." Miss Chambers looked at Michaela triumphantly, thinking she had played the trump card.

"That's ridiculous," Sully exclaimed, "she was there because of the accident!"

For the first time, Miss Chambers' self-confidence seemed to momentarily crumble, all the more so as the older policeman turned to her and added, "You said you needed support in a case of a child that is the victim of physical abuse. Having a car accident doesn't cover such a charge."

"Well," the young social worker wasn't one that gave up easily although she silently admitted that things looked somewhat different now. However, she took her job very seriously and they had orders to act immediately when a case of physical violence was reported. "As long as the treating doctor from the hospital doesn't affirm this fact, we have to assume…"

Michaela, worried that the little girls might eavesdrop, grew impatient, "Well, I was Hannah's doctor last night and I still am. She is suffering from a mild concussion as a result of hitting her head on the back of the seat in front of her when the van crashed into my BMW. She stayed at the hospital last night so I could monitor her and react quickly in case her condition deteriorated."

Her eyes were flashing an angry fire by now yet Miss Chambers continued, still undeterred, "As I said, as long as I don't have any proof of that, I will follow the instructions and assume the worst. Not to forget that there is still the accusation of neglect and emotional abuse that forces us to act."

Michaela had fought with a social worker before and it had only been the medical facts that kept the woman from taking a little boy with her back then. She knew that all they could do was play for time and try to clear up the situation. Sensing that Sully would lose control any moment, she stepped between him and Miss Chambers starting to speak, "I suggest that you send one of your officers to the hospital to have a look Hannah's chart and talk to one of my colleagues there. Then you will have the proof you need."

When the social worker was about to start protesting, Michaela went on, "Or would you rather risk doing further damage to the girl's health? You can be sure that this wouldn't go on without consequences for you and your office."

Louise Chambers could tell that this wasn't a hollow threat. The doctor before her had the expression of someone who knew that she was in the right. Being sued was the last thing the office needed. It couldn't hurt to accept this suggestion; in the end she would get the child out of here anyway.

Michaela was torn; she didn't know what to do first. She needed to make sure that the children were alright and she had to dress. But this would mean leaving Sully alone with this woman and the officer. She wasn't sure whether she could do so, fearing that he, as upset as he was, might do or say something that would break the fragile truce they had just gained. As she turned and looked up at him, his strained features told her that he was having a hard time keeping his emotions in check. Reaching for his hands she felt his icy fingers tremble. Squeezing them softly, she locked her eyes with his. Mutely she implored him not to make things worse and then she decided to opt for the lesser of two evils; to keep the social worker away from the children. "Sully," she asked him calmly, not loosening her grip on his hands yet, "Would you please take Miss Chambers and the officer to the kitchen and offer them something to drink? I'll look after our daughters, get dressed and then I will join you."

Sully slowly nodded. He felt as if he was caught in a nightmare and all he wanted was to wake up from it. For a split second he wished he had his old life back, the quiet one that only consisted of him and his daughter. No one had ever disturbed their peace; they'd had everything they wanted. Yet then he felt Michaela's fingers gently pressing his, and he knew that he was fooling himself. This woman and her daughter had been the best that had ever happened to his small family. Now he ran the risk of losing his daughter because of the grudge that Loren still held against him. As mad as he was at the old man, Sully realized that the only way to solve this situation was to talk to him.

"Sully?" he heard Michaela repeat his name and as he found his way back to reality, he nodded again, "Alright."

Louise Chambers watched Mr. Sully pace restlessly before the kitchen window while he waited for the water to boil. Now and then he ran his hand through his hair as if to brush it away from his face although it didn't cover his brow. He had only spoken when he had asked whether they preferred coffee or tea. She didn't like that she was condemned to idleness and decided to at least start an interview. Maybe she could make this man lose his temper and then no one would ask if Hannah Sully was sick or not; she and the officer would just get her out of a violent father's reach. Determined, she lifted her bag on her lap, opened it and took out a form.

"Mr. Sully," she began, "I need to know some things about the child's mother. When did she die and why?"

Jolting around, Sully stared at her in disbelief; this was the last question he had expected. He had already opened his mouth to reply that this wasn't her business at all when out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of bright red. It came from the picture on the refrigerator which the little girls had painted to welcome him home. He had to be strong for them and stay calm, he reminded himself. If he lost Hannah he wouldn't know how to go on. That was why he straightened and responded in a non-committal tone, "My wife died giving birth to Hannah. The doctors at the hospital weren't able to stop her from bleeding out."

This was news to Louise Chambers; she had understood from Mr. Bray's report that Mr. Sully had been involved in her death. Surprised, she looked up meeting his gaze. Maybe he had taken his wife there too late…

Sully, however, recognized the doubt on the social worker's face and added, "If ya don't believe me, call his colleague." He pointed with his head in the cop's direction. "It happened at the same hospital. I'm sure they still have the chart there."

For once, Michaela was glad that German architects had planned the house and a door closed every room from the corridor. This way nothing of what was spoken in the kitchen could be heard in the living room and their daughters hadn't learnt what all the commotion was about. Hannah had fallen asleep on the floor, lying with her upper body on a large pillow and covered by a soft blanket and Katie was satisfied with her Mommy's explanation that all the people had come because of the accident. The little girl was occupied with watching the third rerun of The Little Mermaid and was waiting for her favorite scene to come.

Michaela's mind had been racing all the time, looking for a solution to this dilemma. The best would be to ask Mr. Bray to come over and explain himself but she feared that a loud confrontation between him and Sully couldn't be avoided, and she didn't want their daughters to be witnesses to a heated discussion, let alone Miss Chambers. Thus she simply joined the others in the kitchen, catching Sully's last words.

"What chart?" she wondered, growing instantly concerned upon seeing his expression. As calm as his voice was, his features were equally strained so she strode over to stand close to him, wanting him to feel her support.

"Abigail's," he choked out and took in a labored breath, looking at her like an animal caught in a trap.

"What for?" Michaela was puzzled.

"We need to investigate Mr. Sully's character," Louise said sternly, "And for that we need to know under what circumstances Mrs. Sully died."

It rarely happened but this reply made Michaela momentarily speechless. Only when Sully made a strange sound next to her and started to growl, "I'll tell ya the circumstances. She…" did she catch herself.

Pulling out a chair for her fiancé, she quietly advised, "Sit down, Sully, please. I'll make you a tea." Gently urging him to take a seat, she started to speak as if reading from a paper, "When Mrs. Abigail Sully arrived at the hospital, the first examination didn't hint at any complications. Yet then suddenly the blood pressure shot up and after further examinations it became obvious that this was a case of pre-eclampsia: Mrs. Sully was instantly taken to the operating theatre where a Caesarian was performed. This way the baby survived yet despite all efforts Mrs. Sully's life couldn't be saved. If you think you have to know more," her eyes shot angry daggers at the social worker now, "You will need a court order to take a look at the chart. There you will find reported every medicine that was administered including the times when every intervention was performed. But I assure you that you won't find Mr. Sully's name in this chart. And if you think someone can cause pre-eclampsia, then I'd suggest you take some medical classes. Any more questions?"

All the while as she spoke Michaela was busy making tea. With her last words it was done and she put the filled cup on the table before Sully. Seeing his astonished gaze, she blushed but didn't explain yet how she knew all these facts.

Much to her relief, Miss Chambers' cell phone started ringing. The young woman silently listened and when she finished the one-sided conversation, she looked at Michaela. "Dr. Cassidy didn't let Officer White take a look at the chart." As if hoping that the doctor before her would break down at this news, she paused dramatically. Gaining no reaction though she continued, "But he affirmed everything you said."

Michaela simply raised an eyebrow knowing that it wasn't over yet. And in fact, the social worker went on, "Before I make a decision I demand to see the child."

The response came instantly, "Only if you guarantee that you won't wake her. She fell asleep, and sleep is the best medicine for her right now."

Louise Chambers considered the doctor for a moment. She knew that she might have lost this battle and she couldn't afford to make a bad impression at the office again. Her boss had criticized her only recently, calling her actions too strict. It couldn't hurt to give in now, but if she spotted the tiniest shred of evidence that the girl was in danger, she would get her out of here.

Pushing the chair back she straightened to her feet, looking at the young cop, "I need you as a witness."

Wordlessly, the man rose as well. Michaela, however, stood in the doorway, her arms crossed before her chest. Her body language spoke volumes and Miss Chambers eventually said, "Alright, I won't wake her."

Only then did Michaela turn to Sully who didn't budge, promising softly, "We'll be right back."

And so they were: it didn't even take a minute until Miss Chambers appeared on the threshold again, saying in a threatening tone, "This time you were lucky that the child can't be moved. But this case isn't closed. I'll be back."