DECEPTIONS

By Spense

NOTE: This story follows 'Who's In Trouble Now' and 'Hornet's Nest'. This chapter refers loosely to the events in those stories. Other chapters will refer more specifically to the previous stories.

CHAPTER THREE

Schaeffer Bradley met with Jeff Tracy in the billionaire's office at the top of Tracy Tower. He was not looking forward to this meeting at all. Jeff Tracy was not only his employer, but he was a very good friend, and had been for nearly twenty years. Aside from Lucille's death, he hadn't ever seen anything devastate the ex-astronaut as much as this set of circumstances had.

"The state is placing Alan in foster care," he began without preamble. He winced at the look on Jeff Tracy's face. Jeff sat back, exhaled heavily, paled, and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Why? What is their reasoning?" Jeff asked with a calmness that Schaeffer knew masked deep feelings.

The attorney grimaced. "Well, for one, they want Alan out of the line of fire, so to speak, while they are investigating the original accusation, and wherever else it leads them."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jeff asked warily.

Schaeffer chose his words carefully. "Jeff, you know as well as I do how things like this work. Once CPS begins looking into an accusation, they have full rein to investigate and dig as much as they'd like. That's why they want to speak to all of your sons, not just Gordon."

Jeff looked at Schaeffer suspiciously. "What aren't you telling me?"

Schaeffer heaved a sigh. "That after a cursory glance at Alan's medical records, CPS is considering that there may be a pattern of abuse. That's why the restraining order against you – they aren't taking any chances. Additionally, they indicated that the decision to place Alan in foster care is also to observe how Alan interacts under a normal family situation," he continued, only to be cut off by Jeff's explosion.

"What the . . . ? What do they consider my home to be!" He asked, shooting to his feet and beginning to pace.

"Jeff, calm down. I'm just relating to you their decision. Neither one of us likes it," Schaeffer stated.

"Well, I'm certain that Alan's not real happy about it either, and I can't even talk to him about it!" Jeff shot back. He made an effort to control himself and retuned to his seat. "I'm sorry, Schaeffer, I know you're on my side. Please go on."

Schaeffer waited a moment until Jeff collected himself. His heart went out to the man. He had two children of his own, and he couldn't even imagine how he would handle this. The media was in a feeding frenzy, and with all the things that had happened to Alan this year, they were crucifying Jeff.

"The state also wants to have controlled meetings between Alan and his brothers. They want these to be unexpected and unannounced to Alan, in order to observe his reactions to them." Schaeffer paused at the look of pain on Jeff's face, but then continued at his friend's nod. "I also requested specifics on the foster family."

"Good. When is this move going to happen? I'd at least like to get Scott at least into see him again before they move him."

"Too late, I'm afraid. The move has already taken place," Schaeffer told Jeff. He really wished he could give good news for a change.

Jeff just put his head in his hands for a moment, absorbing the latest blow. Looking up again at Schaeffer, he drew a deep breath. "Ok. Tell me about the family."

At least this was something they could both be happy about, Schaeffer thought. "It's a home upstate, in farming country. The father is a doctor, the mother stays at home. However, she is a child psychologist. They have taken in numerous high risk foster kids. That's why she doesn't work – they prefer to put their time into at-risk kids."

Jeff exploded. "My son is not an at-risk kid!"

"I know, I know, Jeff. But think about the state's point of view," Schaeffer said soothingly. "Remember, this is a very high profile case with a great deal of media attention, so they are going to use the very best they have available for Alan. And all the information I've been given about these people show me that this is a perfect situation. Otherwise I would have fought it – you know that."

"Yes, Schaeffer, I do know. My apologies. Go on."

After a careful look at Jeff to make sure he was ready to hear more, Schaeffer continued. "They have three children. One son, age twenty-six, married with a small child. He lives about 100 miles away, and they visit frequently. There are two daughters, both in college. One is twenty-two, the other nineteen. They are both home for Christmas break right now."

Jeff interrupted. "Schaeffer, what are the chances of getting this wrapped up by Christmas? Or at least allowing Alan home for Christmas?"

Schaeffer thinned his lips. "No chance of having Alan on leave over the holiday, I'm afraid. The case has attracted far too much attention. As for having everything finished by Christmas, well, from what I've seen, they are being extremely careful and thorough. I seriously doubt it."

Jeff absorbed this latest news without comment. He turned to stare out the window, looking at the falling snow. Christmas was two weeks away. What a year. He turned back to his friend. "Okay. So, what about the meeting with Gordon this morning? Gordon wasn't very happy about it when I talked with him. He felt they put the worst possible slant on everything he said."

Schaeffer tipped his head thoughtfully. "Well, yes, but that is their job. They are trying to get to the bottom of a situation and protect the child involved."

"Gordon didn't hit Alan on purpose!"

"I know that. But Gordon did hit him, and hit him very, very hard. That's why the investigation started. Gordon did just fine."

Jeff looked frustrated. "John will be in tomorrow night for his meeting day after tomorrow."

"Good," Schaeffer said with a calmness he didn't feel. Gordon had been hiding something. He knew it, and the investigators had known it as well. A tendril of fear slid down the attorney's spine. He had a feeling that Jeff knew it too. All he could do was hope that the meeting with John and the investigators went better than today's with Gordon had. For all of their sakes – especially Alan's.