Chapter 10 Damsel in Distress #2
She turned her attention to him for the first time since they’d sat down. She was barely holding it together. He recognized panic and fear creeping in.
“She wants to live with me. I don’t even know if that’s something I can legally do,” she said.
Katherine reached over and took Abby’s hand. “Okay, back up. What about her mother?”
“She died about six months ago. Olivia went to live with her mom’s half-sister and her husband.
She didn’t share all the details, but I got the sense there was some neglect, maybe even abuse.
That’s what made me think of calling you.
I don’t know if this is something you can help with, but I didn’t know where else to start. ”
“Do you have some paper and a pen?” Katherine asked.
“Of course.” Abby stood and went down the hall, returning quickly with a notebook and pen.
“Let’s move to the dining room,” Katherine said. “Tinker, make yourself useful and get us some water.”
He frowned at Katherine, but did as she directed, finding glasses in the cabinet next to the sink and filtered water in the fridge.
Abby gave him a small smile when he set the glass in front of her.
“Okay. Let’s start at the beginning,” Katherine said. “What’s the daughter’s name?”
“Olivia Holder,” Abby said.
“Her mother’s name?”
“Gayle Holder. G-A-Y-L-E,” a voice said from the hallway Abby had gone down.
A young girl with shoulder-length brown hair stood at the edge of the room, holding a blue folder.
“Olivia, do you want to join us?” Abby asked. “This is Katherine, the woman I told you about. This is Tinker, he works with Katherine.”
A pang hit deep in his chest, like someone had shoved a knife under his rib cage. It cut deep that she didn’t acknowledge their relationship—however new and tenuous it was.
Olivia nodded and sat next to Abby. “My name is Olivia. I’m twelve. I’ll be thirteen in September. My mom was Gayle Holder. She died October twentieth. I haven’t seen my father since I was four and he gave up his parental rights.”
She sounded like she was reciting a speech. He had no doubt she’d rehearsed what to say, either to Abby, the cops, or anyone else that asked.
“I have my birth certificate and social security card. My mom made sure I had copies before she died. I know sometimes kids have a say in where they want to live. I don’t want to go back to that house.” Her voice rose in panic.
He knew that tone. Had heard it from too many kids. The panic was based on fear. The fear based on something that had already happened or something they knew would happen. That deep well of anger creaked open, and he swiftly slammed the lid back down on it.
Abby covered Olivia’s hand with hers. “It’s okay. We’re going to figure this out.”
“Olivia, can I ask why you came to Abby? Do you have any other family? Grandparents or other aunts or uncles?” Katherine asked.
“There’s no one else. My mom told me to find Abby if I needed to,” Olivia said.
“What?” Abby asked. “When?”
Olivia opened the folder and pulled out a sheet of paper, handing it to Abby.
She took it and glanced at it. “Can I read it out loud?”
Olivia nodded and looked down at her lap.
“Dear Livie,
I’m so sorry I’m not there anymore and that you have no one to count on. I wish things could have been different, that I had made different choices, but if I had, I wouldn’t have you, my beautiful girl.
I don’t know how things will be with Edith. We weren’t close growing up, but I hope she will take care of you and protect you. If things get bad, call Abigail Day. She was your father’s second wife. Everything I’ve found out about her makes me believe she is a good person and will help you.
I hope it doesn’t come to that. I hope you live a happy, wonderful life.
Always remember I love you.
Mom.”
Olivia sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her hand as Abby set the letter back down.
He had to know. “Olivia? What did your mom think your aunt had to protect you from?”
Her shoulders hunched in and her hair fell forward over her face, making her appear smaller. He wasn’t sure she would answer and looked to Katherine for help.
“He started coming into my room,” Olivia whispered.
“Who did, sweetie?” Abby asked. “Your uncle?”
Olivia nodded.
“Did he hurt you, Olivia?” Katherine asked.
She shook her head. “He would stand next to my bed. He touched himself…there. A few nights ago, he tried to lift my T-shirt, but I pretended to be asleep and rolled over. I ran away the next day.”
“Where does your aunt live?” Abby asked.
“Kentucky.”
“How did you get here?” Katherine asked.
“Greyhound part of the way, train the rest.”
He caught the stark look of terror on Abby’s face when she glanced at Katherine.
“You said you have your birth certificate?” Katherine asked.
Olivia nodded and pulled it from the folder.
“Okay. I’m going to take pictures of these and reach out to some of my contacts. I’ll wait until Monday when all the offices are open, okay? Abby, how does your schedule look next week?”
“It’s spring break. I have the entire week off.”
“Okay. I’ll make some calls and set up appointments for next week.”
Abby looked at Olivia. “Okay?”
Olivia nodded and Abby looked back at Katherine. “Okay.”
That was the signal for them to stand.
“I’ll be right back,” Abby told Olivia.
Tink grabbed his jacket and followed Katherine outside. Abby closed the door behind them.
“Jesus.” She covered her face with her hands before scraping her hands over her scalp and grabbing the back of her neck. “Anything could have happened to her.”
“She’s safe,” Katherine said. “The important thing now is to make sure she stays that way.”
Abby nodded and blew out a breath.
“Is her father an option?” Katherine asked.
“I doubt it,” Abby said. “I wouldn’t know how to get a hold of him anyway.”
“We’ll keep that option as a last resort,” Katherine said.
“You good with me bringing Angie in on this?” he asked Abby.
“Why?”
“Need to check for any police reports or Amber alerts.”
“Oh, shit. Will they come for her?”
“They won’t know about her until we report it through the courts,” Katherine said. “But first, I’m going to consult with a lawyer and a social worker friend of mine.”
Tinker gathered Abby in his arms, grateful she didn’t fight or pull away. “We’ll take care of her, Abby.”
He wasn’t going anywhere.