Chapter 6 – The Information

Satisifed, Amanda slid the large metal drawer back into its slot with a thwump and closed the door behind it. Turning away, she moved back to her desk and signed her name to the end of the report. It always gave her a huge sense of satisfaction when she was able to pinpoint the cause of death, especially when she knew that it would aid the police in finding a killer. Looking at her watch, Amanda decided that she deserved a coffee break and, locking her lab door behind her, made her way to the doctor's lounge. Unusually, there was no-one there and so she was able to sit for a while enjoying the peace and quiet.

Gazing out through the glass partition Amanda saw the elevator doors open. Steve exited through them and began walking towards her. Recognising the expression on her friend's face she stood and, by the time he had reached the door, she had poured out a mug of coffee and had it held at the ready.  Steve took it with grateful smile and subsided into the nearest chair.

Amanda remained on her feet looking down at him and said, "Okay, Steve I know that look, what's up?"

Taking a large draught from the mug in his hands Steve replied, "I want to know how I can find my son."

Taking a seat next to her friend, Amanda answered, "Well, the best thing for you to do is to contact the people that dealt with your son's case. Whoever handled the adoption, in this case an agency, may arrange contact between and adoptee and a birth parent. It requires that both must sign a Consent for Contact form. Once both parties have signed this form, the agency can disclose the names and last known addresses so that direct contact can be made."

"So my son could have signed one of these consent form things years ago and be wondering why I haven't?"

"It's possible, Steve," Amanda admitted, "however, it could also be that he hadn't contacted the agency. Unfortunately, if that is the case, then they won't be able to do anything."

"I couldn't leave it at that, Amanda," Steve protested.

"You would have to, Steve." Amanda said, "You need to be prepared for the fact that your son may not want to make contact. I know it's a hard thing to think about, but you need to prepare yourself for that eventuality."

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

Later that day Steve was sat at the large desk in his father's office, staring intently at the screen in front of him. He had been logged onto the Internet for half an hour and had just found a link which took him to the Consent for Contact form.  He printed it off and completed it, in a time which would have impressed and surprised Captain Newman who was convinced that Steve had an allergy to paperwork. After attaching a copy of Amy's letter to the form, he placed everything in an envelope and left it on the hall table ready for mailing.

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

Steve wasn't on duty the next day but he was due for a shift at Bob's so, after getting ready, he left the house. Placing the letter in the mail on his way there he arrived at Bob's, his emotions doing a rollercoaster between hope and despondency.

The lunchtime crowd did much to calm Steve's emotions and by the time Cheryl arrived at the tail end of the rush, he was able to greet her with a smile.

 "Hi Steve," she said, "how's things?"

"Not too bad," he replied.

"Hmm," Cheryl didn't sound convinced, she had been his partner for too long to be fooled by his nonchalant attitude, "are you ready to tell me what's been going on with you recently?"

Steve looked at Cheryl and with a sigh sat down next to her.