Chapter 31 Child Protection Services/Grant
Outside on the porch of the administration office, unknown to the group inside, sit the Cliffhangers. Inside the administration building sits Taylor. Before her sit a child protection service worker, the district attorney and Grant's attorney. To the left of Taylor sits Peter. To her right sits Sophie.
"What are we waiting for?" Grant's attorney asks rather annoyed.
"I'm waiting on my colleague to bring the video camera." The CPS worker replies nonchalantly.
"Video camera?" Taylor tenses up. "Nobody told me there'd be a video camera."
There's a knock on the door. Peter stands and opens the door. The other CPS worker enters with the video equipment. Taylor watches as the worker starts to set up.
"Why does it have to be video taped?" Taylor becomes extremely defensive.
"So we don't misinterpret the information given."
Peter and Sophie look at each other and then to Taylor. Taylor's hands begin to shake to where she's having a hard time controlling them. Sophie gives Peter a worried look and draws his eyes to Taylor's eyes.
"Ready to begin?" The sitting CPS worker asks the one setting up.
"I'll need her to move to another place. She's the only one that can be on the tapes."
Seeing that Taylor is in no condition to move, Peter and Sophie move instinctively to other seats. The setup CPS worker gives a nod that he is ready to the sitting CPS worker. The sitting CPS worker reads off a case file number.
"I lied." Taylor blurts out. Everybody's mouth drops.
"Pardon?" The sitting CPS worker asks.
"I lied, I made everything up."
The District Attorney looks at her interestingly. Grant's attorney gets a smile of triumph on his face. Peter and Sophie look perplexed. The two CPS workers look at each other confused.
"Can I go now?" Taylor asks wiping her now sweaty hands on her pants.
Nobody speaks for a few minutes. Everyone just sits and looks at each other. Taylor refuses to make eye contact with anyone.
"May I go now? I have to use the bathroom."
"Go ahead." Peter says watching Taylor as she gets up to leave.
Taylor has her hand on the knob and is just about to turn the handle. . .
"I've seen the tapes. . ." The District Attorney says calmly.
"What tapes?" Grant's attorney asks.
Taylor stops dead in her tracks. She keeps her back to the DA.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She turns and with an angry tone says. "I told you, I lied."
"Alexandra Taylor, you are not the only one he has done this too."
"Who else?" Taylor's heart sinks.
"I can't say."
"Who else?" Taylor's voice now comes out demanding, shaking and angry.
"I truly can't say. Not till after the trial. I don't want to jeopardize the case with tampered evidence."
"Why do you need me if you supposedly have tapes?"
"I want to see these alleged tapes." Grant's attorney demands.
"We'll need to see these tapes as well." The CPS worker informs.
"The whole damn world doesn't need to know what's on those tapes." Taylor's temper is now starting to show through.
"So the tapes do exist?" The CPS worker's tone is questioning.
"Well obviously if he has them." Taylor sarcastically replies.
"There's no need to be hostile." The CPS worker says to Taylor.
"Bite me." Taylor responds back.
"Taylor." Comes Peter's gentle commanding tone. "Why don't you take a seat?"
"I have to use the bathroom."
"I'll take you." Sophie stands.
"I don't need a babysitter."
"You're a runner."
"This is stupid."
"Well do you have to go or not." "Not." Taylor sits down again in front of the camera.
"Shall we continue then?" The sitting CPS worker asks.
"Alexandra are you ready?"
"What do you think?" She glares at everyone in the room.
The CPS worker begins to ask Taylor questions. With each question asked, Taylor's body language shows that she is extremely uncomfortable and getting angry.
********* An hour later. . .
The CPS workers are gathering up their equipment. Grant's attorney looks pail as he puts his papers away. The District Attorney gathers all his papers as well.
"Can we deal?" Grant's attorney asks as they both go to leave.
"Not in this life time. I'm going to make sure that your client never gets out."
The DA and Grant's attorney leave. The CPS have finished gathering up their equipment and are about to leave.
"We'll be in touch." The CPS worker that was sitting says. "Probably tomorrow to go over Shelby Merricks case."
Peter shakes his head in acknowledgement. The CPS workers shut Peter's door and leave the three by themselves.
"I don't want anyone at the trial." Taylor breaks the silence.
"We want to be there for support." Sophie replies.
"Support?" Taylor gives a little smug laugh. Then her tone turns to complete anger. "What? You think those videos are home movies?"
"Of course not, but. . ."
"Taylor, We will respect your wishes." Peter interrupts Sophie. Peter looks at his watch. "Wow, it's lunch time."
"I'm not hungry."
"Do you want to talk?" Sophie asks.
"No. I want to be by myself." Taylor sees the look on Sophie's face. "I'm not going to run."
"Okay, but I expect you to be in classes after lunch."
"Fine." Taylor leaves Peter's office. Outside she runs into the Cliffhangers. Peter and Sophie are close behind her unsure as to whether or not to trust that she won't run.
"How'd everything go?" Ezra asks.
"What the hell kinda of a question is that?" Taylor's anger startles Ezra and the group.
"Sorry for caring." Ezra says standing up with the others and starts off towards the dining hall.
"Nobody asked you too." Taylor yells after them.
Taylor quickly makes her way through the group and takes off running. Sophie goes to take off after her, but Peter stops her when he sees her running towards the dorms. When Taylor arrives at the dorm, she quickly goes over to her bags. When she can't find them she quickly rips through everyone else's belongings. Her bags are nowhere to be seen.
"Where are they?"
Taylor goes over to her bed space and starts to rip through all her hiding spots. She is not finding any of her stash. She begins to go through everyone else's areas. When she is unable to find anything she becomes increasingly angry. She runs out of the dorm and takes off towards the docks. Shelby and Daisy, who were standing nearby the dorm talking, follow her. They watch as Taylor goes to the edge of the docks and stops. Taylor stands with her head up high and yells at the top of her lungs.
"Feel better?" Daisy asks. Taylor, not knowing that Daisy and Shelby are behind her, jumps.
"Screaming like that always made me feel better." Shelby says walking up behind her.
"They took everything."
"What?" Shelby looks at her confused. Taylor just glances back at her. "Oh. Did you really think they wouldn't do a check after your last little stunt?"
"Do you know where I can score?"
"You don't need that junk."
"What the hell do you know what I need?"
"I know that you don't need that junk you so desperately think you do."
"Don't go preachin' to me about not needing anything. Especially when you went lookin' in your 'need'"
"When are you going to get it through that thick head of yours?" Daisy is starting to get irritated and defends Shelby. "We are all here because everyone has given up on us. We are all here because we've made huge mistakes in our lives. We're here to get our lives back on track."
"My life has never been 'on track'." Taylor mocks. "My life has never been 'normal'."
"Normality...whatever it is.isn't so bad." Daisy meets Taylor's mocks.
"What is everyone doing down here? Everything okay?" Sophie arrives at the docks and looks at each of the girls.
"Everything's fine. We are just releasing some stress, doing one of Peter's scream exercises." Daisy answers for everyone.
"Okay. You're late for class so you better get going."
"Yes ma'am." Shelby sarcastically replies as she and Daisy begin to head back up the docks.
Taylor goes to follow them and Sophie pulls her aside.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. How should I feel?"
"I don't know, but I'm here if you really need to talk."
"I know, ya'll keep saying that."
Sophie and Taylor stand there in uncomfortable silence.
"May I go now? I don't want to be extremely late."
Sophie shakes her head yes and Taylor takes off towards where they are having class outside.
********* Later that night.
Sophie and Peter are doing dorm checks. They meet up outside of the administration building.
"Everyone asleep?" Peter asks as Sophie sits beside him on the stairs.
"All but Shelby and Taylor."
"That's not a big surprise."
A car's headlights can be seen coming down the road. The car pulls up in front of the administration building. The District Attorney prosecuting Grant steps out. He has a grim look on his face.
"Mr. & Mrs. Scarbrow, I'm sorry to bother you so late but I have urgent news."
"Please call us Peter and Sophie and go ahead and come into my office."
The three enter the administration building and go back to Peter's office.
"What is it?"
"Grant made bail."
"Oh no."
"A few hours ago he was found dead in a hotel room. There's an investigation. The detectives unsure as to whether it was suicide or homicide."
This leaves Peter and Sophie both stunned.
*********
Outside on the porch of the administration office, unknown to the group inside, sit the Cliffhangers. Inside the administration building sits Taylor. Before her sit a child protection service worker, the district attorney and Grant's attorney. To the left of Taylor sits Peter. To her right sits Sophie.
"What are we waiting for?" Grant's attorney asks rather annoyed.
"I'm waiting on my colleague to bring the video camera." The CPS worker replies nonchalantly.
"Video camera?" Taylor tenses up. "Nobody told me there'd be a video camera."
There's a knock on the door. Peter stands and opens the door. The other CPS worker enters with the video equipment. Taylor watches as the worker starts to set up.
"Why does it have to be video taped?" Taylor becomes extremely defensive.
"So we don't misinterpret the information given."
Peter and Sophie look at each other and then to Taylor. Taylor's hands begin to shake to where she's having a hard time controlling them. Sophie gives Peter a worried look and draws his eyes to Taylor's eyes.
"Ready to begin?" The sitting CPS worker asks the one setting up.
"I'll need her to move to another place. She's the only one that can be on the tapes."
Seeing that Taylor is in no condition to move, Peter and Sophie move instinctively to other seats. The setup CPS worker gives a nod that he is ready to the sitting CPS worker. The sitting CPS worker reads off a case file number.
"I lied." Taylor blurts out. Everybody's mouth drops.
"Pardon?" The sitting CPS worker asks.
"I lied, I made everything up."
The District Attorney looks at her interestingly. Grant's attorney gets a smile of triumph on his face. Peter and Sophie look perplexed. The two CPS workers look at each other confused.
"Can I go now?" Taylor asks wiping her now sweaty hands on her pants.
Nobody speaks for a few minutes. Everyone just sits and looks at each other. Taylor refuses to make eye contact with anyone.
"May I go now? I have to use the bathroom."
"Go ahead." Peter says watching Taylor as she gets up to leave.
Taylor has her hand on the knob and is just about to turn the handle. . .
"I've seen the tapes. . ." The District Attorney says calmly.
"What tapes?" Grant's attorney asks.
Taylor stops dead in her tracks. She keeps her back to the DA.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She turns and with an angry tone says. "I told you, I lied."
"Alexandra Taylor, you are not the only one he has done this too."
"Who else?" Taylor's heart sinks.
"I can't say."
"Who else?" Taylor's voice now comes out demanding, shaking and angry.
"I truly can't say. Not till after the trial. I don't want to jeopardize the case with tampered evidence."
"Why do you need me if you supposedly have tapes?"
"I want to see these alleged tapes." Grant's attorney demands.
"We'll need to see these tapes as well." The CPS worker informs.
"The whole damn world doesn't need to know what's on those tapes." Taylor's temper is now starting to show through.
"So the tapes do exist?" The CPS worker's tone is questioning.
"Well obviously if he has them." Taylor sarcastically replies.
"There's no need to be hostile." The CPS worker says to Taylor.
"Bite me." Taylor responds back.
"Taylor." Comes Peter's gentle commanding tone. "Why don't you take a seat?"
"I have to use the bathroom."
"I'll take you." Sophie stands.
"I don't need a babysitter."
"You're a runner."
"This is stupid."
"Well do you have to go or not." "Not." Taylor sits down again in front of the camera.
"Shall we continue then?" The sitting CPS worker asks.
"Alexandra are you ready?"
"What do you think?" She glares at everyone in the room.
The CPS worker begins to ask Taylor questions. With each question asked, Taylor's body language shows that she is extremely uncomfortable and getting angry.
********* An hour later. . .
The CPS workers are gathering up their equipment. Grant's attorney looks pail as he puts his papers away. The District Attorney gathers all his papers as well.
"Can we deal?" Grant's attorney asks as they both go to leave.
"Not in this life time. I'm going to make sure that your client never gets out."
The DA and Grant's attorney leave. The CPS have finished gathering up their equipment and are about to leave.
"We'll be in touch." The CPS worker that was sitting says. "Probably tomorrow to go over Shelby Merricks case."
Peter shakes his head in acknowledgement. The CPS workers shut Peter's door and leave the three by themselves.
"I don't want anyone at the trial." Taylor breaks the silence.
"We want to be there for support." Sophie replies.
"Support?" Taylor gives a little smug laugh. Then her tone turns to complete anger. "What? You think those videos are home movies?"
"Of course not, but. . ."
"Taylor, We will respect your wishes." Peter interrupts Sophie. Peter looks at his watch. "Wow, it's lunch time."
"I'm not hungry."
"Do you want to talk?" Sophie asks.
"No. I want to be by myself." Taylor sees the look on Sophie's face. "I'm not going to run."
"Okay, but I expect you to be in classes after lunch."
"Fine." Taylor leaves Peter's office. Outside she runs into the Cliffhangers. Peter and Sophie are close behind her unsure as to whether or not to trust that she won't run.
"How'd everything go?" Ezra asks.
"What the hell kinda of a question is that?" Taylor's anger startles Ezra and the group.
"Sorry for caring." Ezra says standing up with the others and starts off towards the dining hall.
"Nobody asked you too." Taylor yells after them.
Taylor quickly makes her way through the group and takes off running. Sophie goes to take off after her, but Peter stops her when he sees her running towards the dorms. When Taylor arrives at the dorm, she quickly goes over to her bags. When she can't find them she quickly rips through everyone else's belongings. Her bags are nowhere to be seen.
"Where are they?"
Taylor goes over to her bed space and starts to rip through all her hiding spots. She is not finding any of her stash. She begins to go through everyone else's areas. When she is unable to find anything she becomes increasingly angry. She runs out of the dorm and takes off towards the docks. Shelby and Daisy, who were standing nearby the dorm talking, follow her. They watch as Taylor goes to the edge of the docks and stops. Taylor stands with her head up high and yells at the top of her lungs.
"Feel better?" Daisy asks. Taylor, not knowing that Daisy and Shelby are behind her, jumps.
"Screaming like that always made me feel better." Shelby says walking up behind her.
"They took everything."
"What?" Shelby looks at her confused. Taylor just glances back at her. "Oh. Did you really think they wouldn't do a check after your last little stunt?"
"Do you know where I can score?"
"You don't need that junk."
"What the hell do you know what I need?"
"I know that you don't need that junk you so desperately think you do."
"Don't go preachin' to me about not needing anything. Especially when you went lookin' in your 'need'"
"When are you going to get it through that thick head of yours?" Daisy is starting to get irritated and defends Shelby. "We are all here because everyone has given up on us. We are all here because we've made huge mistakes in our lives. We're here to get our lives back on track."
"My life has never been 'on track'." Taylor mocks. "My life has never been 'normal'."
"Normality...whatever it is.isn't so bad." Daisy meets Taylor's mocks.
"What is everyone doing down here? Everything okay?" Sophie arrives at the docks and looks at each of the girls.
"Everything's fine. We are just releasing some stress, doing one of Peter's scream exercises." Daisy answers for everyone.
"Okay. You're late for class so you better get going."
"Yes ma'am." Shelby sarcastically replies as she and Daisy begin to head back up the docks.
Taylor goes to follow them and Sophie pulls her aside.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. How should I feel?"
"I don't know, but I'm here if you really need to talk."
"I know, ya'll keep saying that."
Sophie and Taylor stand there in uncomfortable silence.
"May I go now? I don't want to be extremely late."
Sophie shakes her head yes and Taylor takes off towards where they are having class outside.
********* Later that night.
Sophie and Peter are doing dorm checks. They meet up outside of the administration building.
"Everyone asleep?" Peter asks as Sophie sits beside him on the stairs.
"All but Shelby and Taylor."
"That's not a big surprise."
A car's headlights can be seen coming down the road. The car pulls up in front of the administration building. The District Attorney prosecuting Grant steps out. He has a grim look on his face.
"Mr. & Mrs. Scarbrow, I'm sorry to bother you so late but I have urgent news."
"Please call us Peter and Sophie and go ahead and come into my office."
The three enter the administration building and go back to Peter's office.
"What is it?"
"Grant made bail."
"Oh no."
"A few hours ago he was found dead in a hotel room. There's an investigation. The detectives unsure as to whether it was suicide or homicide."
This leaves Peter and Sophie both stunned.
*********