“I gave my first interview to Vinson,” Reuben said. “No one else.”
It was Cory Vinson, the current DA, that should be accused of witness tampering and so much more. Drew said, “That’s what we’d like you to say at my hearing.”
“And if I don’t agree to do that, what happens then?” Reuben asked.
“We’d like you to sign an official statement. An affidavit, like you did for Van,” Molly explained. “Of course, we can’t make you do anything. But you should know Drew’s livelihood is at stake. He could lose everything at his hearing if he’s declared guilty. I’m trying to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
Drew remained still and held the older gentleman’s gaze. Reuben’s eyes held wisdom and experience.
“Lorrie believes you’re one of the good ones.” Reuben rubbed his chin.
“Drew Harrington is one of the good ones.” Molly set her hand on top of Reuben’s arm. “Drew has built his career on trying to uphold justice. He’s never faltered. Never deviated. Now he deserves justice too.”
Molly’s words gave him comfort. He added, “I want to keep doing my job.”
“World needs more good ones,” Reuben offered. “I want to help.”
The tension in Drew disappeared. He smiled. “Thank you.”
“I’ll need to make arrangements. I want to do this in person.” Reuben set his chair back to its slow rocking motion. “Though traveling is not like it used to be. Now I have doctors and a daughter who monitor every hour of every one of my days.”
“We can arrange to return to video your witness statement,” Drew suggested. “In case traveling is not approved.”
“Don’t you worry, son.” Reuben shook his finger at Drew. “I’m going to be telling them where we’re going, not asking.”
“We appreciate this.” Molly reached out and grasped Reuben’s hand.
“I’m the grateful one.” Reuben patted the top of her hand. “You’re relieving an old man’s weary, guilty soul. I haven’t had a good night’s rest in entirely too long. And my aching bones aren’t to blame.”
“Maybe tonight that will change,” Molly said.
“That’s the hope. Now my Trina isn’t here, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten her ways.” Reuben lifted his gaze to Drew and waved him closer. “Listen well, son. You’d best not let this lovely lady get away.”
Molly jumped from the ottoman, her cheeks tinged an appealing shade of pink. Her words tumbled out. “Oh, we’re just friends. Coworkers of sorts. Peers only.”
Reuben chuckled and shifted his gaze back and forth between Molly and Drew. “Are you certain that’s all there is between you two?”
Drew avoided looking at Molly and avoided answering Reuben’s question. “We’ll leave our contact information with your daughter. Call us if you need anything.”
Molly retreated from the bedroom and offered a rushed parting statement. “I’ll be in touch about the hearing date and arrangements for a notarized statement.”
“And now you know my mailing address, don’t forget to send me an invitation to the wedding when it’s time.” Reuben’s laughter followed them down the hallway.
Business cards were handed out and goodbye hugs shared with Lorrie. Drew climbed into his truck and waited for Molly to buckle her seat belt. Hazel was fast asleep in her car seat—the same as she’d been in Lorrie’s arms when they’d left Reuben’s bedroom.
“That went well.” Molly kept her voice on the low side to not disturb Hazel.
That was her habit. Once he started the truck and the engine became Hazel’s white-noise machine, Molly’s voice returned to normal.
Drew steered away from the curb of the Cote house. “This time I really want to celebrate.”
Even more, he wanted to kiss Molly. And then celebrate. That was not the withdrawal he’d decided on. He wanted to blame Reuben for insinuating there was more between Molly and himself, but Reuben had only seen what Drew wanted to deny. What Drew would continue to deny. It was for everyone’s own good. He spoke again, before Molly could respond and cancel his plans for celebration. “I know, I know. I can’t get ahead of myself.”
“But it’s all coming together.” Excitement came through in her voice.
“It is.” He grinned and told himself he was still in his lane. He wanted to kiss Molly, but he hadn’t acted on it. “We might need a small celebration. To take the edge off.”
Molly reached into the diaper bag and pulled out her phone. “What did you have in mind?”
A much longer kiss.
The silence vibrated around him. Drew gripped the steering wheel. Had he spoken that outrageous suggestion out loud? Slowly he asked, “Something wrong?”
More silence.
Worry was all he felt now. He stopped at a red light and touched Molly’s arm. “Molly?”
She clutched her phone and stared at the screen. Her mouth open, her face ashen. Finally she pressed a button and slowly turned toward him. She slipped her earbuds from her ears. “A social worker is coming to the apartment for a site visit to make sure I’m providing a stable and safe environment for Hazel.”
“Why?” Drew asked. She’d never mentioned a social worker visit at the park yesterday as part of the normal custody procedure.
“It seems my ex has sudden qualms about agreeing to give me full custody. Why would he do this?” Molly dropped her phone on her lap and scrubbed her palms over her face.
“When is this site visit?”
“Tomorrow.” Molly spoke through her fingers. “Judge Reilly ordered an in-person hearing. She never mentioned a site visit. Derrick obviously pulled strings to make it happen.”
And clearly her ex wanted to pull more than the rug out from under Molly. Drew frowned. “What happens now?” And how could Drew make it better for her?
“Well, the apartment isn’t ready for a site visit.” Molly rubbed her forehead. “I haven’t done the laundry. Vacuumed. Gone to the grocery store.”
“Grocery store?” Drew pulled onto the freeway on-ramp that would take them back to the city.
“I should have food in the cabinets and refrigerator, right?” Molly drummed her fingers on her leg. “To show I’m providing adequate room and board for Hazel. What are the parameters
