Part 6: The Poisoned Well
The victory in court was short-lived. Two days after the hearing, Emma received a frantic phone call from the director of Lily’s private trauma therapy clinic.
"Mrs. Carter, you need to get down here immediately," the director said, her voice shaking. "There are social workers here from the State Department of Child Services. They have an emergency removal order for Lily."
Emma’s world spun. She drove across the city like a woman possessed, her heart hammering against her ribs. When she burst into the clinic, she found Victoria already there, standing like a shield between Lily and two stern-looking state employees.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Emma screamed, pulling Lily behind her back.
The lead social worker, a woman named Agent Miller, held up a document. "Mrs. Carter, an anonymous report was filed with our hotline yesterday, backed by medical records from St. Jude’s Hospital. The report alleges that you have a severe, unmanaged prescription drug dependency that led to the altercation in your home. It claims you took an overdose of heavy sedatives, became violent, and that your husband was merely trying to prevent you from harming your child."
"That’s a lie!" Emma shouted, tears of pure fury blinding her. "I don't take drugs! I was beaten by my husband! You saw the police reports!"
"We have a signed medical chart from a resident doctor at St. Jude’s," Agent Miller said coldly. "Showing a positive toxicology screen for high levels of oxycodone on the night you were admitted. Until an independent state investigation can be completed, the child must be placed in temporary foster care—specifically, under the supervision of her paternal uncle, Thomas Carter."
Emma felt the room go cold. Thomas had forged her medical records. He had used his influence at the hospital, or paid off a vulnerable resident, to insert a fake drug test into her file. They were using the system to rip her daughter away from her, to put Lily into the house of the very people who had protected her abuser.
Victoria stepped forward, her voice like ice. "Agent Miller, you are executing an order based on unverified, disputed medical data. I am filing an emergency injunction with the appellate court within the hour. If you touch that child before the judge reviews this, I will sue you, your department, and the state for civil rights violations that will cost you your career."
Miller hesitated, looking at the fierce determination in Victoria's eyes, then at the terrified little girl clinging to Emma’s legs. "You have until 5:00 PM to secure a stay of execution from an appellate judge, Counselor. If you don't have it by then, we will return with state troopers."
As the social workers walked out, Emma collapsed onto a chair, her head in her hands. "They’re going to win, Victoria. Thomas owns the city. He can change medical records with a phone call. How do we fight someone who can rewrite reality?"
May you like
David Thorne, who had followed them to the clinic, stepped into the room, holding his phone. "He can only rewrite reality if no one is looking at the ink, Emma. I just tracked the doctor who signed that toxicology report. A Dr. Robert Cole. He received a wire transfer of fifty thousand dollars into his personal account this morning from a construction equipment supplier. A supplier owned entirely by… Carter Construction."
Victoria looked up, a fierce, predatory smile appearing on her face. "The snake just showed us exactly where its head is. David, get that documentation to the District Attorney's office. Emma, hold onto Lily. We’re not running anymore. We’re going to war."
