Cracks in the Sidewalk(62)

At nine-thirty, the first envelope arrived at the law office of Simmons and Grimm. The receptionist carried the envelope into Dudley’s office and handed it to him.

“I believe this is what you’re waiting for,” she said.

Some cases, Dudley knew, were little more than points of law to be argued, but this case was different. Charlie McDermott and Dudley were lifelong friends. They’d gone to school together, attended each other’s weddings, and welcomed new babies into their families. Dudley thought of his own daughter, two years younger than Elizabeth and a mother herself. Yes, this case meant a lot to Dudley. It meant a lot because he wanted to win, not for himself but for Elizabeth. Dudley stared at the envelope for several minutes before he garnered enough courage to slit it open.

Three times he read through Judge Brill’s decision. When he had gleaned all there was to be had from the lengthy court order, he telephoned Elizabeth. “I’ve got good news and bad news,” he told her.

Claire listened on the extension.

“What’s the good news?” Elizabeth asked.

“The good news is that Judge Brill’s order states Jeffrey has to allow all three children to visit you. He also gave us a court-appointed schedule for the visits.”

“That’s wonderful,” Elizabeth said.

“So what’s the bad news?” Claire asked apprehensively.

“I’m afraid the bad news in part involves you. Rightly or wrongly, Judge Brill has acknowledged Jeffrey’s concern that you and Charlie might give the children an unrealistic expectation with regard to Elizabeth’s condition. He’s ruled that all visits with the children must be supervised.”

“By who?” Claire asked.

“Jeffrey or a court-approved guardian.”

“JT is going to bring the children?” Elizabeth said brightly.

“He probably will. I don’t have an acknowledgement from his attorney yet,” Dudley answered. “Judge Brill’s order states that Jeffrey has to deliver all three children for a visit every Sunday morning from nine o’clock until noon. And he also has to allow you to telephone the children three times a week.”

“Starting when?” Claire asked.

“Visitation will most likely start this coming Sunday, phone calls possibly as soon as tomorrow. I’ll know more after I speak with Noreen Sarnoff.”

They spoke for a few minutes longer, but Elizabeth’s head already buzzed with excitement. Before she hung up Elizabeth cooed, “Thank you, Mister Grimm, thank you so very, very much.”



~

At nine-forty, the second envelope arrived at Noreen Sarnoff’s office. Without a moment’s hesitation she tore it open and read through Judge Brill’s decision. The words “Jeffrey Caruthers is ordered to deliver the three minor children for weekly visitation” virtually jumped off the page.

Noreen grimaced. Losing was never fun, but at least visitation was limited to once a week and she’d gotten the visits supervised, which she reasoned counted for something.

She poured herself a second cup of coffee, then sat behind her desk considering just how she would give JT the news. At ten-fifteen she reluctantly telephoned Jeffrey Caruthers.

“Good news,” she said. “Elizabeth didn’t get what she was looking for. Judge Brill limited her visitation to once a week, and he ordered that those visits be supervised either by you or a court-approved guardian.”

“Good news?!” JT screamed. “Are you nuts? I said no visitation! Did you not understand that no visitation means none? None! Zero, nada, zilch—”

“I realize that’s what you wanted,” Noreen interrupted, “but we’re lucky to come out of this with a split decision when—”

“Don’t give me that split decision crap! I paid good money because you said we’d win. A slam-dunk, that’s what you said, a slam-dunk.”

Noreen’s temper finally flared and she shouted, “Enough! If you think screaming in my ear is gonna change things, you’re sadly mistaken. You’re lucky to get what you got! Personally, I think the court went easy on you. Why, I don’t know.”

“Oh, great,” JT snarled. “Now you’re on her side!”

“No, stupid, I’m on your side. Face facts, you were a lousy witness. You came across as vindictive and ticked off at the world. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was great. She was sincere and believable, and more importantly she didn’t try to bury you, which she probably could have.”

“Look, I said no visitation and that’s what she’s getting, none. I don’t care what you say or that judge says or anybody in the entire state of New Jersey says, I’m not allowing my kids to step one foot inside that house.”

“You haven’t got a choice.”

“Oh, yes, I do! I can take the kids and—”

“Don’t say it,” Noreen warned. “Because if you tell me you’re planning to kidnap those children that’s a crime, and attorney-client privilege goes out the window when it comes to prior knowledge of a crime about to be committed.”

“I’m just saying—”

“Don’t,” Noreen warned again. “And let me give you this little piece of free advice. If you do try something stupid, you’ll end up in the slammer for a good long time and the probability is your in-laws will be the ones to raise your children. Don’t think they wouldn’t love to see that happen!”