Lily Bell

Child services had sent a woman with kind shoes and cruel paperwork.

Her name was Maribel Ortiz. She looked exhausted before Claire started shouting, which made Elise trust her more than anyone fresh.

"I am not removing June tonight unless there is immediate danger," Maribel said.

"Her house burned," Martin said from the station lobby. "Her mother signed false documents. Her aunt is under identity investigation. Her uncle was found tied up at a marina."

June sat behind Roslyn's desk with both hands around a paper cup. "You forgot you grabbed me at school."

Martin's smile did not break. "June is confused."

"June is recording," June said.

He stopped smiling.

Elise moved between him and the desk. "What is the legal basis?"

Maribel held up the file. "An emergency petition claims Claire Hart's adoption order is void because the notary signature was fraudulent."

"Mara Kline," Roslyn said.

Maribel nodded. "The petition also claims June's school fund was created from misappropriated foundation money."

Claire gripped the back of a chair. "June is my daughter."

"Is the adoption valid?" Elise asked.

Claire looked at Martin.

There was the answer.

June saw it. Her face went still in a way no sixteen-year-old face should.

"Mom."

Claire knelt in front of her. "I signed what Vivian gave me. She said your birth mother wanted privacy. She said everything was legal."

"Who is my birth mother?"

Claire began to cry. "I do not know."

Martin spoke softly. "This is why I tried to handle it privately."

Elise turned. "You filed the petition."

"I protected a minor from unstable adults."

Roslyn stepped close enough that Martin had to look at her. "You are very interested in protecting one witness."

Martin's phone rang. He ignored it.

June's cracked phone buzzed on Roslyn's desk.

A text appeared from Vivian's old number.

Ask Ruby what she gave up sixteen years ago.