Dark Guardian (Black Hoods MC #3) - Avelyn Paige Page 0,12
a seat.”
Settling into the open seat next to Miss Crabtree, I open up my case file on my lap and retrieve the images I had found from the other two cases and my tape recorder. Both of the women eye it suspiciously.
“Is that necessary?” Miss Crabtree questions.
“In child investigations, I’m required by law to record all conversations with the children. If you both consent, I’d like to also record your observations should I need additional evidence to get a court order if I deem it necessary.”
“Of course,” the superintendent agrees. “Miss Crabtree?”
“I suppose that’s all right.”
Setting the recorder down on the desk in front of me, I click the record button. “Case number 204678. Natalie and Kevin Tucker. Interview with school staff.” I look up at the women. “I have two photographs I’d like to show you.” Handing over the two images to Miss Crabtree, I allow her a few seconds to study them. “Do you recognize these children?” A part of me hopes these aren’t the same kids, but the flash of recognition in her eyes douses that hope.
“She looks like the girl. A little younger, maybe, but she’s got the same dark hair and sad eyes.”
“And the boy?”
“I mean, he could be the same boy, but I’m not sure.” She peers at it closely, but shakes her head. “Are these the Tucker kids?”
It’s not implausible that Kevin had changed in the years since these photos were taken, but the resemblance of the girl means that, unfortunately, they’re more than likely the same two kids who’ve already been in the system. A shame, really. The hope that their lives had improved for the better since their last stint in foster care is heartbreaking.
“I was hoping I was wrong, but I believe they are. What can you tell me about the man who came with them on registration day?”
Pulling out a pad of paper and a pen from my briefcase, I place them both on top of the file on my lap.
“He was older,” she remarks. “I guess late forties? Big beard.” Her hands begin at her chin and move downward. “About to here, I think.”
I jot down her observations. “Is there anything else you can tell me about him?”
“He was very rude when I called him about the enrollment paperwork and their previous records. Even more so when he came into the office about the matter.”
“Could you go a little more into detail about that?”
“I believe he said, and I apologize for the language, ‘Since when the fuck do you have to have shot records for kids?’ He fought with me for several minutes before he said he’d bring me the paperwork later. He left after that.”
“And did he provide that paperwork?” Records like this could be crucial in retracing the steps of both kids. We’d have more avenues of information gathering to pursue, at least. The principal clears her throat, and we both shift to look in her direction.
“When the IT department pulled the records on file for the kids with the registration paperwork you requested, these were in the system with it.” She slides over a thin stack of papers to me.
“I thought you said he didn’t bring you the paperwork?” I question Miss Crabtree, who shrinks back into her chair beside me. “If it’s in the school’s system, he would’ve had to bring it into the office. Am I correct?”
“He didn’t. At least, I didn’t see him again, but he might have brought them in while I was at lunch.”
“I’d check with our normal administrative assistant, but she’s been out sick this week. I’m assuming he left it with her.” Ms. Pyle shrugs her shoulders. “Nevertheless, it’s all in order.”
I thumb through the top copy and find several pages of transfer records, and even a short medical record history for both children. The last page draws my interest the most, which has their guardian’s name written in broad strokes: Eugene Grant. The address is a little harder to read, but the street couldn’t be that far away from the school.
“I think this will do for now. I’ll need to keep a copy of this paperwork for our records.”
“It’s all yours. We have the originals digitally held in our cloud storage.”
“If that’s all you need from me, I had the guidance counselor pull them from class under the guise of a new student orientation meeting. If you’ll follow me, I’ll introduce you.”
“Will you please privately notify the counselor that I will be recording my interaction with the