Back on schedule, although I'm still very busy. Here's the next one.

Chapter 51.

Cameron hoped for a few moments between patients Saturday morning so she could call Anna or Pamela, but she never found the time. Just as she'd resigned herself to wait until she stopped for the day at lunchtime, her phone rang. It was Pamela.

"Allison, we need to set-up some appearances for you to speak and garner support for your election to the board."

Cameron had almost forgotten she was running. It was only the occasional sign in a store window or on a lawn that reminded her. "Did you have a suggestion of time and place?"

"I know you're busy with patients during the week. Don't tell me you're working this morning as well."

"Okay, I won't." She chuckled. "Seriously, how do these things work? I've never run for office before, you know."

"I thought you might want to talk to some of the groups I'm in, rally the women, and men too, of course, to your cause."

"When do they meet?" Cameron was already calling up her calendar on her computer. "In the evenings, I hope."

"Yes, most do. There's a DAR meeting on Monday night," Pamela said.

Cameron wasn't surprised that Pamela belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution, just as she wasn't surprised she was involved in an organization to help children. "I can make that. You're a member of the Children's Services League too, aren't you?"

"Why, yes. How did you know that?" Pamela's voice turned inquisitive.

"I was looking at what the League does. There's a teenager, a classmate of your granddaughter's, who might need help."

"Oh, dear. Well, the next League meeting is...Thursday...at Anna's house, in fact."

"I can speak there, too, but I'd like to talk to you and Anna about the girl and her family before that."

"Why don't you come for an early tea this afternoon. Say two or two thirty. I'll arrange for Anna to be here, too."

"Thanks, Pamela." After she'd ended the call she felt much better. She called House, who was spending the day with Pete. She told him about her two speaking engagements and also that afternoon's meeting with Anna and Pamela.

"I'd say that's all good news."

"How's Pete?" she asked.

"We're getting in some fishing while the weather stays warm enough." He didn't have to say 'before Pete gets his diagnosis or needs further treatment.' "Let me know what you learn from the ladies today."

"Of course. And you, have fun." As she ended the call she heard him guffaw.

She finished with her last two patients, sent Carol on her way, and realized the jeans and sweater she wore weren't quite right for tea. With plenty of time before then, she returned home to shower and change into navy slacks and a silk blouse. She stopped to speak to Edna for a few minutes before heading out again, armed with a list of questions for Anna and Pamela. The drive to Pamela's took less than twenty minutes. Cameron sat in her car for a few minutes, collecting her thoughts, before walking up the path and ringing the bell.

"Come right in." Pamela greeted her with a broad smile. "Anna will be here in a few minutes. We can sit in the dining room."

"Can I help you get anything ready?" Cameron asked. Her opinion of Pamela had taken a hundred and sixty degree turn since she first met her.

"Oh, no. It's all ready. Have a seat and I'll go get the tray."

Cameron was pleased at how well Pamela had recovered from her ordeal not that long ago.

The bell rang. When her hostess returned, she carried a laden tray and was accompanied by Anna. The three women relaxed a bit with their tea, sandwich triangles, and small pastries before beginning to talk.

"The women are excited to hear you speak," Pamela said. "I've sent out announcements to both groups. Of course, they already support you, so you won't be winning over new voters, but they'll be even more enthusiastic about your campaign and spread the word."

"Thanks, Pamela, although I sometimes wonder whether I'm the right person for the board, whether I'll have enough time to devote to it."

Anna patted her hand. "We were all somewhat skeptical whether we could make a difference when we joined the town board. Weren't we?" She smiled at Pamela.

Cameron could never imagine Pamela ever having any self-doubt. Even during her recent problems she was always in control. "As long as you both realize I'll lean on you whenever I'm in doubt." She hadn't always seen eye-to-eye with Pamela Bradford, but now considered her a friend and someone who did all she could for the people of Shelby. "I also need to talk to you both about the Children's Welfare League."

Pamela nodded. "You mentioned that on the phone. What is it you wish to know?"

"When and how does the League become involved with suspected child abuse?"

"Why? Have you seen evidence of such?" Pamela centered her cup on her saucer. "As a doctor you must see things others don't."

"I'm concerned about someone, not a patient, but a teenager I've been trying to mentor."

"Yes, you mentioned she was in Rachel's year at the high school."

Cameron nodded. "Her name is Hannah Briggs." She couldn't help noticing the look exchanged between the two older women. "Has the name Briggs come up before?"

"Matthew Briggs. He's a preacher, or claims to be. Very strict in his teachings." Pamela wiped her lips and then placed her cloth napkin back on her lap. "We've had occasional reports from those who've left his church, but no one is ready to bring charges against him."

"So it isn't only his own children." Cameron sighed deeply. "Hannah tends to wear long sleeves, even in hot weather, as well as long skirts. Of course, that can be the dress prescribed by her religion, but I believe they hide bruises."

Anna and Pamela's heads bobbed up and down and they had the same grim look on their faces.

"I should tell you that House and I went out to the Briggs house yesterday evening to talk to Mr. Briggs, but he refused to speak with us. When Hannah was at the clinic yesterday, she became very upset about a case of two battered children, as if..."

"She wondered whether she would eventually be in their condition?" Anna asked.

Cameron nodded. "Yes, either she herself or one of her siblings."

"I know you can't tell us about the case she saw, but what was the result of the beatings?"

"The children were toddlers. They had broken bones that might never heal correctly and other injuries that might be permanent. Both are in the hospital now with teams of doctors working on them."

"And Hannah fears the same might happen to her?" Anna asked.

"Yes. She left long before her session with me was over, obviously distraught."

"Has anyone else noticed anything with her or her brother or sister?"

"Perhaps one of their teachers, but I haven't talked to any of them yet, don't even know which teachers they have. I wanted to know how much evidence the League needs to investigate a family." The food on her plate was forgotten.

"Unfortunately, Allison, we need substantial and specific evidence, and reports or complaints from a number of people." Pamela sighed. "We've never done anything about the rumors and unsubstantiated claims we've heard before."

"Still, with the mounting number, I think we can at least seek more," Anna said. "Tell me, has Mrs. Briggs ever brought any of the children in to you to be treated?"

"No. They don't believe in inoculations. I expect they've used their religion to avoid the shots necessary to satisfy the schools. Hannah's understanding of medicine, how it works and when it's needed are indications that they avoid doctors as much as possible." Cameron looked at her hands. "I worry that by the time something happens that will send one of the children to an emergency room, it'll be too late."

Anna nodded and rubbed her forehead. "If you can only convince Hannah to come forward."

Cameron shook her head. "It won't be easy. Chrissy and Rachel haven't been able to get close to her, either. I thought she might confide in her peers, but she's been so brainwashed by her upbringing – I think she realizes their values are different from hers and she's reluctant to talk to them, or any other kids."

"Do you think Hannah's ashamed about what's happening to her?" Anna asked.

"I don't even know that, although it would explain why she's been so reticent. She's not sure how any revelations will be received by others." Cameron shut her eyes and opened them again. "Perhaps someone who is also in her situation could talk to her. Has the League helped anyone recently that you can recommend?"

Pamela shook her head, then held a palm to the side of her face. "We have a woman psychologist who sometimes works with the kids and families the League has identified. She seems to have a knack for gaining their trust so they talk to her even when they don't talk to anyone else."

"Could you have her call me? I'd love to meet her and talk about how we should approach Hannah. Everything I've tried hasn't worked." She looked down. "I only hope our visit last night hasn't made the situation worse for Hannah."

"Of course. The psychologist's name is Naomi Winters. I'll give her a call later, at least find out whether she'll work with you."

Anna raised an eyebrow. "What does Dr. House think?"

"You know, he's strangely interested, but I think that's because he sees parallels between Hannah's situation and his own when he was in his teens. I wouldn't talk about it, but I know he's confided in both of you about his father, and the way John House treated him."

"Yes, he did tell us." Anna tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "He might be just the person to talk to Hannah."

Cameron's shoulder's slumped. "If she'll even talk to a man who isn't her father."

Anna's eyes shot open. "Yes, I can see that would be a problem."

Pamela shook her head. "How did she ever think she'd become a doctor if she has all of these prohibitions drummed into her?"

"I've asked her that, but she never had an answer. I'm sure she has a reason." A connection formed in Cameron's brain. "Her brother and sister. She's afraid they'll be sick or hurt and she'll have to care for them. That's why the twins' file was so traumatic for her. Maybe that's the angle I have to play."

"You think she's worried about them?"

"I'm certain of it. Maybe I can convince her to bring them in for an examination. If they've been abused, it will show." Cameron finally felt some hope for helping Hannah and her family. She drank the last of her tea and stood. "Pamela, thanks for inviting me over today." She held out a hand.

"You're not leaving, are you? So soon?"

"I...I guess there's nothing I can do right now." She sat again.

"We have to talk about what you'll say at the meetings next week."

"What I'll say." Cameron had no idea how to sell herself to the population of Shelby, perhaps especially to the most prominent women in town. "Any suggestions?"

Anna chuckled. "Just be yourself. I don't think you can say anything wrong. The women you'll meet, even those you've never met before, already feel positively toward you."

"That's what I'm afraid of. What if I alienate them somehow? Maybe it's better if I don't say anything." She rubbed her hands on her thighs. "Maybe I should smile and nod at whatever they say to me and keep my mouth shut."

"Allison, you have to take positive actions, not neutral ones. Why don't you talk about what you're trying to do for Hannah? That will solidify their opinion of you as a caring woman."

"I guess I can do that. At least it's something I'm passionate about."

"Exactly. Now, what else would you like to see happen in Shelby?" With that prompt from Anna and some from Pamela, Cameron thoughts began to crystallize. By the time she left Pamela's home, she had a clear picture of what she should say at the two meetings that week.