Hello! This chapter is called Newton's Third Law (Brownie points to those who get the joke). I hope and am sure you'll all enjoy this chapter; I've been looking forward to this as much as all of you. The retribution isn't quite as epic as I wanted but I still think it came out quite good. Also Carole!
Please leave a Review. I broke 200 last chapter and could not be happier.
Disclaimer: I don't know why I have to keep putting these up. Obviously I don't own Glee or I wouldn't be writing this story on this site.
"We've sent some other officers to your aunt's place to bring her in. And we've called the state's social service department; the department head himself is coming to deal with this." Officer Aidez tells Kurt.
They're at the police precinct now; Kurt, the Officers Aidez and Myers, Mr. Gooden and Blaine. The officers have been making calls, working with the information and evidence, and taking care of everything for Kurt; they've given him plenty of assurances over the past hour that everything is going to be alright. They'd even let Kurt call Carole; so, she was on her way too.
All the while Kurt and Blaine sit cuddled in a chair. With only a few uncomfortable looks from some of the other people in the precinct. Nobody asks them to get off each other and there are no slurs against them. Kurt can barely believe it's all real.
The first person not an officer nor from Dalton that joins the group is a business man in his fifties with a smart look about him. Kurt recognizes him before he introduces himself to the rest of them as "Emmit Wynne, the Head of the State's Social Service Department."
Officer Myers shakes his hand and introduces himself and the other four. "Thank you for coming."
"Of course. Now tell me everything." He requests.
As he tells the story again, Kurt can't decide if it's easier or harder the second time around. He's still holding on to the fear of telling he's had for months. Then again, the relief he got from the first telling was unlike anything he's experienced hitherto now; and this telling is likely to have the same effect. These people can and are actually doing something about his plight. But, that doesn't make the words less painful.
When Kurt's finished his story Mr. Wynne asks him a few clarifying questions and then pulls his phone from his pocket. "Ms. Newton…Yes… I'm at the Westerville police precinct, I was called in for a case concerning one of the children under your care… Kurt Hummel… Nothing. It's not him that's done something, he was attacked… Yes, I need you to get over here as quickly as possible… This takes precedence. Bring his file… As quickly as you can." Mr. Wynne's voice is clipped and commanding during the phone call.
"Why are you making her come here?" Kurt asks, his lip trembling.
"To fire her." Mr. Wynne replies. "From what you've told me of her behavior over the past few months, she's broken a lot of the department's rules. More than that, she's broken quite a few laws. She's probably going to be arrested too."
"Yes. Her part in this whole situation makes her as guilty of child abuse as your aunt and uncle. She'll be arrested." Officer Aidez agrees.
Kurt stares amazed at them; because, really? Can it be that all the people responsible for his plight are going to jail? Kurt's never that lucky. This has to be some kind of good dream. What else could make this better?
Fittingly, Carole comes rushing in at that moment. Blaine helps Kurt stand and Kurt falls into her worried embrace. She fusses over the bruises on his face and neck. "I'm okay." He says in his raspy voice, which does nothing to assuage her worry.
"You sound horrible. What happened, sweetie?" she asks.
"Long story." He says.
Officer Myers interrupts them, "You are Carole? The woman Kurt called earlier?" he asks.
"Yes. Carole Hudson. I was his father's girlfriend." She shakes each of the men's hands when they introduce themselves. She hugs Blaine and then returns her hold to Kurt.
"Please have a seat." Officer Myers invites. Kurt sits back on Blaine's lap and keeps his hand clasped to Carole's as she sits in the chair next to them.
"Mrs. Hudson? You were the other person that wanted to take Kurt in after his father's death, correct?" Mr. Wynne asks.
"Yes." She replies.
"Are you still willing to?" he continues.
"Yes. Absolutely." She replies without hesitation.
"Good. He should be able to go home with you tonight."
Carole's surprise matches Kurt's own. "What of his aunt and uncle?"
Officer Aidez answers her. "He's being immediately removed from their care. We have received plenty of evidence that they've been abusing him."
Carole gasps. "They what?" She turns to Kurt, "You never told me that."
Kurt looks at her apologetically. "I didn't want to worry you; I didn't think there was anything you could do about it."
She hugs him. "Oh, Sweetie. You should have told me. It's my job to worry about you." He nods and hugs her back.
"We have a team out to arrest Mrs. Cote right now. Mr. Cote is already in our custody." Officer Myers informs her.
"How did all of this happen? If Kurt was keeping it a secret how did you all find out? And why is Kurt covered in bruises?" Carole asks.
"Mr. Cote came to Dalton this afternoon and attacked Kurt. Our security officers subdued him and saved Kurt. And when the police came to question him about it he, with a lot of encouragement from Blaine, told them about it." Mr. Gooden says.
It's a good thing they didn't go into details, because just that short summary has Carole in another fit of fussing over Kurt. Though he's not as annoyed as he would be if it were almost anyone else; it's Carole, she's like a second mother to him and she's has every right to be worried. Plus, it makes him feel loved. And that motherly love she gives him acts as a great source of comfort and strength when Ms. Newton finally does show up.
The mere sight of her instigates all the negative feelings of hatred and fear in Kurt. Much to his relief he doesn't have to say anything to her and she doesn't get the chance to greet him as Mr. Wynne gets straight down to business and confronts her. He takes the file on Kurt she'd brought from her and flips through the pages, scanning each one. When he's finished he looks up at her with a stare so hard she stiffens and makes a clear effort to be as professional and respectful as she can. "Yes, sir? Is something wrong?"
"Yes. It appears that everything is exactly as Mr. Hummel described. Which means there is quite a lot that is wrong. However, it will all be sorted out shortly. Starting with this: You're Fired." He replies plainly.
"E-excuse me?" She balks.
"You're fired. You don't work for the state anymore and never will again. Your office will be cleaned out and your things turned over to the police for you to deal with when you get out of prison in…" he looks to the officers.
"… likely a few months. Depending on the severity of her involvement, up to a few years." Officer Myers answers.
"Um- Clarification please. My involvement in what?" Ms. Newton demands.
"The Cote's abuses towards Kurt." Officer Aidez says.
"The what?" She asks looking frightened; which greatly lightens Kurt's spirits. She knows what they're talking about and also knows she's been caught in her negligence to the fact.
"The abuse that Kurt was subjected to under the care of the Cotes; of which we know you were fully aware, as Kurt's testimony and your own notes provide ample evidence that you were given the information on multiple occasions." Mr. Wynne says. "You're fired for your failure to properly document the things you were told and your failure to investigate the home and fostering couple more thoroughly. It was your job to make sure Kurt was safe and cared for in that house. You are supposed to have those interviews with him and take these notes to get an understanding and documentation of how he was doing in the home. But, you only really got the Cotes' perspectives on things. No one abusing a child would ever tell you about it; they'd want you to think everything was alright. By failing to do your job correctly, especially in the case of the child telling you of such things happening, you've made yourself guilty of Child Abuse."
"I've never abused him or any other child! I would never!" Ms. Newtons argues.
"Child abuse is a crime that encompasses a variety of behaviors involving any kind of mistreatment or neglect upon a child. State child abuse laws define child abuse as any purposeful act, or failure to act, that results in imminent risk or serious harm to a child's health and welfare. In failing to act to protect Mr. Hummel from his abusers while having the knowledge of the abuse you have committed Child Abuse and are therefore going to face the criminal trial and charges thus due." Officer Aidez says. "Now. Ms. Newton, if you'd please come with me we can get this settled more easily."
It's an unusual type of soothing for Kurt to see the fear on Ms. Newton's face as the officers read her her rights and escort her away. For his wrongs to be avenged so quickly and simply. Not even the angry glare she sends his way right before she disappears can ruin it for him.
He breathes a loud sigh of relief. Everyone else turns to look at him and smiles at the relief painted all over his face. Blaine hugs him tightly and presses kisses to the back of his neck. He leans his head backwards onto Blaine's shoulder. Carole squeezes his hands. He draws them close to himself. It's incredible; being with his loved ones while his tormentors are being taken away.
"What do we do now?" Blaine asks.
"We'll wait for our team to bring Mrs. Cote into custody before we let Kurt leave." Officer Myers says. "And Mr. Wynne, I imagine, will take care of the custody situation to get Kurt placed with Mrs. Hudson."
The words he speaks reminded Kurt of their prior conversation. "So, I get to live with Carole now?" Kurt asks.
"Yes. I'll personally see that you're put in her care." Mr. Wynne promises.
"But Ms. Newton said she wasn't even eligible to be a foster parent." Kurt questions confused and not entirely trusting that this can be true.
"Why wouldn't she be?" Mr. Wynne asks. "You have a good job, don't you Mrs. Hudson?"
"Yes. I'm a nurse at St. Rita's Medical center in Lima." She says.
"You don't have a criminal background." He pursues.
"No."
"And you want to take him in?"
"Yes"
"Then there's nothing that can disqualify you. Mr. and Mrs. Cote had priority because of blood and marital relations to Kurt. The higher pay and the fact they're married would have been advantages as well; but, those things aren't requirements. And that Kurt wants to live with you makes you a far better choice than looking for a married couple with more money. We just need to run a background check and take a look at your house to ensure its safety. Kurt is as good as yours. You can even adopt him if you'd like."
She smiles and pulls him to herself tightly in delight. Kurt hugs her back; inwardly jumping for joy. Outwardly, trembling with dripping eyes as the long-time pent-up fear is released. Carole and Blaine hold him and the realization that everything is falling into place hits him.
It's unbelievable. All his problems righted in one day? All the bad stopped just like that and flipped into the best possibility imaginable? That can't be possible.
Whether the universe is agreeing with him or punishing him for having those pessimistic thoughts, the punch line comes quickly thereafter. The team of police sent to arrest Laurette show up, empty handed. "She wasn't there. It seems she left the place in a rush. Must have known she'd been exposed and ran."
Kurt's heart stops. Blaine pulls him close. "You didn't get her?" he asks.
"No." The officer says. "But we will. We've already got people out looking for her."
"B-but she's still out there? She could be coming for me?"
"We're not going to let her get to you. We'll protect you, Kurt. You'll be okay." Officer Aidez promises. "Go home with Carole for the night. We'll have an officer stationed outside the house. Nothing is going to happen. Your aunt is not going to get to you."
