Speed Trap. Patricia Davids

attorney replied, “Certainly.”

      Mandy shot Garrett a sharp look. “Mr. Victor, did Judy ever tell you that she had spoken to Mr. Bowen?”

      “She never got the chance to talk to me,” Garrett stated sharply. He didn’t like the sheriff’s new tone.

      Her doubt was plain. “So you claim.”

      “You think I’d rather see them both dead?”

      “I’ve known it to happen,” she retorted.

      Why wouldn’t she believe him? “I never saw Judy. I didn’t know about my son until this morning.”

      The attorney cleared his throat, pulling Garrett’s attention away from Mandy’s intense eyes. “Mrs. Bowen named you as the child’s father on his birth certificate which makes you his legal guardian unless your paternity is contested. I hope you will consider fulfilling Judy’s wishes.”

      He pushed a sheet of paper across the desk toward Garrett. “I can assure you that our clients are well-screened. He will have a wonderful life with two loving parents.”

      Garrett took the paper the man was offering. “What’s this?”

      “Parental rights relinquishment form.”

      Garrett stared down at the legal document. Now he knew why Judy had been coming to see him. She wanted his consent to let strangers raise their child.

      Children needed tenderness and caring, things he’d never known. His childhood had been a series of beatings and worse. He wasn’t fit to be a father.

      Mr. Victor pushed the paper closer. “It was Judy’s dying wish.”

      Garrett looked from the man’s florid face to the paper in front of him. Judy’s dying wish.

      To honor it, all Garrett had to do was sign his name.

      FOUR

      Mandy stared at Garrett’s stiff back as he shoved open the agency doors and exited the building. She called after him. “Signing those adoption papers is the best thing you could do for him.”

      She knew he’d heard her. He simply didn’t bother to reply.