The Ballerina's Stand. Angel Smits

then to the girl and finally to Dylan. The foster parents kept sharing glances of approval, then a flash of fear at Tina’s defiance.

      “I don’t know why Dylan came and got me that night.” Tina met Chloe’s gaze with a glare. “You’ll have to ask him.”

      Chloe didn’t miss a beat. “I’ve already heard his story. Let’s try this again.” She pulled out a copy of the police report.

      Jason watched her closely. This female shark in the beautiful suit homed in on the girl’s attitude. He admired Chloe’s skill, but she scared the crap out of him.

      “Tell me where you were when Dylan showed up.”

      “At the park.”

      “Who were you with?”

      “My friends.”

      “Which friends?”

      This was like pulling teeth. Jason wanted to push Tina on her behavior, but he held his tongue, waiting for Chloe’s next move. This was her case now, and she knew how to handle it.

      “Just friends.”

      “Can you give us their names?”

      The girl just glared.

      “Okay. No problem.” Chloe wrote on the notepad in front of her for a long minute. “We’ll just have the court locate them.” She met Tina’s stare. “I’d probably be prepared if I were you.”

      “What for?”

      “The backlash when your friends are picked up in a squad car at their homes. Their names are in this report. I’m simply confirming them. I’m not sure they’ll be thrilled at having you for a friend after this.”

      Scare tactics worked great on kids. Jason remembered his mother being quite adept at wielding that particular tool. He almost laughed as Tina started naming names and Chloe checked them off the list. But she only gave the girls’ names.

      “And the boys?” Chloe sat with pen poised over the list.

      “Boys?” Rhonda Hancock gasped.

      Tina swallowed. She reluctantly gave the boys’ names, too. They’d get a statement from each one of them. Hopefully they would confirm Dylan’s version of the truth.

      Now that the battle was nearly over, Jason turned his attention to Lauren. She was tense, her shoulders tight.

      He’d scooted over next to her after handing her the paper. This way he was directly across from Anne, hoping to learn more about reading sign, as well as see things from Lauren’s view.

      It was nuts trying to focus on the woman’s hands and the person talking. At least he could hear the words. What the hell did Lauren do?

      He tried and finally gave up. He’d need to learn a lot more sign. He’d missed half the conversation.

      An hour later, they wound things up. Anne breathed a sigh as she flexed her fingers in an absent-minded exercise.

      “Thank you,” he said to her and smiled.

      “You’re welcome.” She continued to sign, though he couldn’t tell if it was to be polite to Dylan and Lauren, or habit. She and Lauren headed to the door, their hands engaged in what he assumed was the small talk that Jason normally exchanged as he escorted clients out. It was strange to watch, and not participate.

      The room quickly cleared. The Hancocks ushered both Dylan and Tina out, as if they couldn’t leave fast enough. Jason’s radar went up. Something wasn’t right there, but he couldn’t tell if it was just their unhappiness with the trouble both kids were in, or if there was something deeper. He’d talk to Chloe about it later.

      Or maybe he should ask Lauren now. Hastily, he moved to catch the women before they climbed into the elevator.

      “Lauren.” He called her name as he slowly spelled it. Anne tapped her on the shoulder and pointed at him. Lauren turned around. Her hair swung against her shoulders, and the smile that brightened her face was stronger than anyone else’s. He didn’t understand, but let himself enjoy it.

      “Can I ask you a few questions?”

      Lauren nodded.

      “Do you want me to stay?” Anne asked him, signing for Lauren.

      “No.” Jason waved her offer away. “If Lauren will come to my office, we can use the computer. It’ll only take a couple of minutes.”

      Lauren nodded, obviously remembering how they’d communicated before. Then she signed to Dylan, “Meet you at the studio.” The boy left with a thumbs-up sign.

      “She says that’s fine. She doesn’t have to be back at the studio just yet.”

      The elevator arrived, and Anne disappeared inside. Jason extended his hand to indicate Lauren precede him. She’d been to his office before, so he didn’t have to lead the way.

      Once she sat down, Jason hesitated in the doorway. He always closed the office door for a meeting, but the room suddenly felt small, close...intimate. Slowly, he shut the door.

      Shaking his head, Jason gathered his thoughts and settled beside her. He turned the monitor, pulled the keyboard forward then typed a simple question. How well do you know the Hancock family?

      Lauren sat for a minute, a frown between her eyes. She began typing. They’ve been Dylan’s foster family for about six months. I didn’t know them before that.

      He sat back and thought before typing. Do you think the kids are in a good place?

      She didn’t immediately respond. He liked that she gave it some thought. I think so. She hesitated in between typing. They live very busy lives. Tina is a handful.

      He laughed. “I got that,” he said aloud. Then went to type it.

      She touched his arm and smiled. She typed, I read your lips.

      “Can you do that?” He faced her. Of course, she could read lips. He should at least try to make it easier for her.

      With her hand, she made the nodding gesture, then typed. Yes, if you face me, it’s easier. Once I get to know you and your speech patterns better, I’m pretty good at understanding.

      He nodded. “I am still lousy at understanding you,” he admitted.

      She smiled. Keep practicing. She typed it, then made the sign, rubbing her fist back and forth along the side of her index finger on her flattened hand.

      Jason copied her gesture. “That means practice, right?”

      She nodded, and for the first time, he realized he understood her. Without writing it down on paper or typing it or having someone else interpret. He understood her. It was a beginning.

      Their eyes met. And held. So much was going on behind those pretty eyes, in her bright mind. Suddenly, he wanted to ask her a million questions and get to know the woman sitting beside him.

      He turned back to the screen. Typing was still easier for them both. I got some strange vibes where Tina was concerned. Is she normally that reserved and quiet?

      Lauren barely paused. No. She rummaged around in her purse for her phone, sliding her fingers quickly over the screen. Finally, she turned the bright blue phone to face him. The image of a young girl, her shirt open well past appropriate, wearing a very short skirt, with another group of kids, filled the screen.

      He cursed. That’s what he was afraid of. “Can you send that picture to me?” If that was who Dylan had been dragging home, versus the prim and proper girl in the meeting, that could make a huge difference in his case.

      Lauren nodded. He typed his phone number and heard his phone beep, indicating he’d received the text. He confirmed it and smiled at her. “Thank you.” He said it and made the gesture.

      She smiled back, and once again their gazes locked. He couldn’t