Fatal Consequences by Marie Force Page B

only said what I did because I don’t want you to end up heartbroken at the end of this. Trust me when I tell you that’s no fun at all.”
    “I heard everything you said. And I’ve heard everything my mother has had to say. Now I’d really appreciate it if you’d both leave me alone to live my own life.”
    “Sure thing,” she said, even as she wondered how she’d ever stand idly by and watch a woman walk all over his tender heart with stiletto heels. “I don’t know about you, but I want to see this famous sofa where the senator boffed the cleaning lady.”
    Freddie rolled his eyes at her crudeness, and Sam hoped they’d put things back on track.
     
    Gonzo sat perfectly still and tried to stay focused on what the lawyer, Andy, was saying in response to Christina’s many questions. Words flew past him: DNA tests, custody hearings, social workers. All he could think about was that dimpled chin. He didn’t need a DNA test to tell him he’d met his son earlier that day—and the child’s mother hadn’t even given him a name.
    “He can’t breathe in that house,” Gonzo said, interrupting them. He felt like he was coming out of his skin as he remembered the conditions in which his son was living. “We have to get him out of there.”
    “We’ll move as quickly as we can to file for custody,” Andy assured him. Blond and handsome, he looked every bit the Yale-educated attorney. “Of course, we can’t do a thing until we’ve confirmed paternity.”
    “He looks like me,” Gonzo said. “He has my dimple.”
    “I’m glad you were able to see a basic resemblance,” Andy said, smiling. “That’ll help you to feel confident you’re doing the right thing pursuing custody.”
    “I’d want him out of there if he was mine or not. She didn’t even give him a name.” Gonzo simply couldn’t get his head around that.
    “I know, Detective,” Andy said. “It’s inexcusable. I have a baby of my own and can’t imagine him living nameless in a smoke-infested environment. However, I have to caution you, custody cases can often be an uphill battle for fathers. Even when the father proves he can provide a better home than the mother, the courts often rule in favor of the mother.”
    Gonzo couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Even if she’s filling his little lungs with smoke?”
    “Unfortunately, it often has to be something more than that to get the court’s attention—abuse, drugs, criminal activity occurring inside the home. Smoke, on its own, won’t be enough.”
    “I’d bet my badge that smoking isn’t the only thing going on there.” Gonzo cast a wary glance at Christina. “She was quite the partier when I knew her.”
    “Any information you happen to ‘stumble upon’ that can be used against her in court would be information worth having, if you catch my drift.”
    Gonzo took in the pointed look Andy directed his way and nodded to show he understood what Andy was telling him.
    “I’ll do what I can for you, as long as you understand that the odds are stacked against you going in,” Andy said. “And these things can get very, very costly.”
    “I hate to ask this because I’ll pay whatever it takes, but, ah, how much are we talking?”
    “Tens of thousands.”
    Gonzo winced. He had some money, but not that much. No matter. He’d find a way to get what he needed to protect his son, including an appeal to his parents if it came to that.
    “Don’t worry about the money,” Christina said, casting an uncomfortable glance his way. Before Gonzo could ask what she meant, she stood and extended her hand to Andy. “Thank you so much for coming into the office on a Sunday.”
    “Any friend of the senator’s is a friend of mine.” He shook Gonzo’s hand. “I’ll call Social Services to get them over there to check on him, and I’ll get the ball rolling with the request for DNA from the baby. If she’s interested in your money, she’s apt to give up the DNA without objection.