Chapter 2 - The Social Worker's Ultimatum
At precisely three in the afternoon, three black SUVs pulled into the circular driveway of the Whitaker Manor. Four armed Federal Marshals stepped out, flanking a stern-faced woman holding a thick manila folder. Her badge read Evelyn Reed, Department of Children and Families.
I met them at the front doors, flanked only by my attorney, Jonathan Vance—no relation to Marcus, though the irony was not lost on me.
"Andrew Whitaker," Evelyn Reed said, stepping forward with zero hesitation despite the guards posted along the perimeter. "I have an emergency custody order signed by a circuit judge. You are holding three minors without legal guardianship, inside a property under active federal surveillance."
Jonathan stepped forward, extending a stack of legal stays. "Ms. Reed, Mr. Whitaker has power of attorney granted by Hannah Carter prior to her hospitalization. Furthermore, we have filed a formal petition for temporary foster guardianship pending Ms. Carter’s recovery."
"Your petition is void," Reed fired back, slapping a document onto my chest. "Hannah Carter's medical records show traces of heavy-metal toxicity. Someone was slowly poisoning her over six months. And given your... colorful history in this city, Mr. Whitaker, the state views you as the primary suspect."
My jaw clenched. Poison. Hannah hadn't been sick from natural causes—she had been systematically incapacitated. Marcus hadn't just used the children to find me; he had engineered Hannah's illness to force Sophie out into the world to seek help.
"If you attempt to cross that threshold," I said, my tone dropping to a whisper that made the two Marshals behind her rest their hands on their holsters, "you will be doing so without legal authority, as my attorneys filed a stay with the State Supreme Court twenty minutes ago. Search the database."
Reed pulled out her official tablet, her fingers trembling slightly as she checked the system. A dark scowl crossed her face as the system updated—a temporary 48-hour freeze had been placed on the removal order.
May you like
"You have two days, Whitaker," Reed snarled, stepping back. "Two days to prove you aren't poisoning that woman and keeping her kids as human shields."
As her convoy backed down the driveway, Victor stepped out from the doorway, holding a secure satellite phone. "Boss. Hospital just called. Hannah Carter just woke up from her coma. And she's asking for you."
