think I was nine or ten…'
'Sympathetic?'
'I think so. Maybe. I was too defensive to judge. I was angry at Mom and the whole world.'
'Then you may have trouble bonding with her tonight.'
'I don’t have to bond with her. I just have to convince her to open those files and help us find that child. There’s no time.'
'Easy.' His hand covered hers on the table. 'One way or the other, we’ll get the records tonight.'
She tried to smile. 'I suppose if she won’t help, you’ll pull a Watergate at the welfare office?'
'Possibly.'
He meant it. Her smile faded. 'No, Joe. I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
“Hey, if you’re good, you don’t get caught. You don’t get caught, you’re not in trouble.'
'Simplistic.'
'The whole world should be so simple. I’d say the life of a kid is worth a little risk. If you’re persuasive enough, it may not be necessary for me to turn burglar. Who knows, Barbara Eisley may not be as tough as Mark claims. She could be a pussycat.'
“Hell, no,' Barbara Eisley said. 'I don’t open those records for anyone. I’m up for my pension next year and I’m not taking any chances.'
The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
Page 91 of 286
Barbara Eisley was definitely no pussycat, Eve thought in discouragement. From the moment Grunard had introduced them, she avoided talking about the files. When Joe finally pinned her down after dessert, she responded with the bluntness of a hammer blow.
'Now, Barbara.' Grunard smiled at her. 'You know that no one is going to jerk your pension for a little infringement involving a child’s life. Besides, you’ve been with the department too long.'
'Bull. I’m not diplomatic enough for the mayor or city council. They’re just waiting for a reason to bounce me out of my job. The only reason I’ve lasted this long is that I know where a couple of political bodies are buried.' She stared accusingly at Mark. 'And you quoted me on that child abuse case two years ago. It made my department look negligent.'
'But it caused extensive reform. That’s what you wanted.”
“And put my ass in hot water. I should have kept my mouth shut. I don’t take risks like that anymore. I do everything by the book. I help you do this today, and tomorrow they find a way to use it against me. I’m not going to end up without a pension. I’ve visited too many old people in public housing trying to survive. That’s not going to be me.'
'Then why did you accept Mark’s invitation?' Joe asked.
'Free dinner.' She shrugged. 'And I was curious.' She turned to Eve. 'I’ve read about you, but the media is sometimes full of hot air. I wanted to see for myself how you’d turned out. Do you remember me?'
'I think so. But you’ve changed.'
'So have you.' She studied Eve’s face. 'You were a tough little kid. I remember I tried to talk to you once and you just stared at me. I thought you’d be hooking or dealing by the time you were fourteen. I would have liked to have made another try with you, but I had too many cases.' She added wearily, 'There are always too many cases. Too many kids. And most of the time we can’t help them. We take them away and the court gives them right back to their parents.'
'But you try.'
'Because I’m too stupid to give up hope. You’d think after all these years I’d learn, wouldn’t you? You turned out all right, but it was nothing I did.'
'You must make a difference sometimes.'
'I guess so.'
'You could make a difference this time. You could save a little girl.”
“Get a court order. If it’s that important, there should be no problem.” The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
Page 92 of 286
“We can’t do that. I’ve told you I can’t go through channels.' Barbara Eisley was silent.
'Okay, you won’t give us the records, but maybe you remember something about this child,'
Joe said.
An undefinable expression crossed her face. 'I don’t handle casework any longer. I have too much paperwork.'
Eve leaned forward. 'But you do remember something.'
She was silent a moment. 'I had to authorize taking a little girl out of a foster home two years ago. The couple who was caring for her claimed she was disruptive and disobedient. I had to bring the child in and interview her. She wouldn’t talk to me, but she was covered with bruises.
I checked her medical record and she’d been taken to Grady Hospital twice with broken bones during the last year. I gave permission for her to be removed from the home. I also removed the foster parents from our rolls.' She
