Broken Doll

 

Author: Six


Rating: R


Summary: Nick represents the best interests of a juvenile.

^^^^

Skimming the docket, Nick strolled toward the courtroom for his next
case, Laurie Solt picking up her step to keep up.

"Mr. Fallin, I really wish you would take a little more prep time
with some of our cases, instead of just playing it by ear."

He ignored her and kept scanning the cases on the list.

"Girl just delivered a baby three days ago," she supplied. "She
won't tell us anything. We're asking the judge to place her in
emergency foster care until we complete the investigation."

Eyes still on the list: "Why is she being removed from her parents?
Dad a suspect?"

"Prime."

Nick held the door for her, then they entered, seeing a well-dressed
couple seated in conference with their attorney on one side of the
courtroom; one of Laurie's coworkers sitting front-row with a child
on the opposite side.

The D.A. hadn't arrived yet; a couple of other lawyers milled about
speaking to the bailiff.

"Isn't she a little young to hear this?" Nick asked nodding toward
the youth as he flipped through the docket.

Laurie passed a brief but warm smile down to the child, then looked
back at him. "Carrie's why we're here, Mr. Fallin. She's eleven."

The docket lowered to his side, slipping a little in his hand, and
he gave the little girl a closer look.

Eleven.

Looked nine.

Big gray eyes, baby soft. White-blonde hair, as flaxen as that of
the doll she nurtured in a blanket.

Laurie's coworker sat leaned up in front of the child, blocking her
view of her parents.

A bailiff was present to reinforce the no-contact.

The bench was empty. The judge was late too.

"Excuse me, Carrie," Nick said with an awkward look down into shy,
sad eyes-but still...somehow...innocent-hidden by blond
bangs, "Laurie and I will be back in a few minutes."

He started for the door again.

Laurie's lips pursed. "Mister Fal…" She followed him, nevertheless.

Once outside in the hall, Nick drew her into the most private corner
he could find, between a flag stand and a potted tree-not an easy
task in a bustling courthouse.

"Eleven?" he whispered. "Pregnant? She's a…a baby."

"Some girls mature that early."

He studied her eyes. "You've seen this before."

"Mothers this young? Of course. Incest? Unfortunately. Cases like
Carrie's…not so much."

He kept studying her, trying to read.

"How do you do this, Laurie? Day in and day out?"

"Better question," she said starting back down the hall. "How do
they?"

This time she held the door for him. "Dad's denying it all the way.
Mom's supports him. We're waiting for the results on the DNA
testing. This will be open and shut."

He stood in the doorway she had opened for him, turning his back to
the courtroom a little. "What about the baby?"

"Pre-mature. Still in the hospital. We want custody of that one too."

THE END