Custody of the State Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I don’t think I have time to play twenty questions. When she calls back, tell her that I’m really pretty busy. Maybe we can have Todd do a preliminary interview over the phone.”
    â€œShe insisted on talking only with you.”
    Will paused. Then he said, “Okay. I’ll talk to her if she calls. But tell her I really don’t have a lot of time. Hilda, this Sudan case is going to occupy my schedule for the foreseeable future.” Then he headed into his office, and closed the door.
    He was already more than an hour into the stacks of documents from the State Department and the Gospel Missionary Alliance when his intercom buzzed. He looked on the little computer screen. The message read, “Will, this is the woman I told you about. Is calling back. I told her your schedule. Says it’s urgent.”
    After picking up the phone, Will asked who was calling.
    â€œMy name is Mary Sue Fellows.”
    â€œYour name sounds familiar. Have we talked before?”
    â€œNo—but it’s been all over the news.”
    â€œWhat’s the situation?”
    â€œChild-abuse charges. We’re in Georgia. My husband has been arrested.”
    â€œIs he a farmer?”
    â€œYes.”
    Will thought back to the news report on INN. “Yes, I heard about it. I’m sorry about your situation.”
    â€œWe need a lawyer desperately.”
    â€œI’m not sure I can help. My schedule—”
    But before Will could continue, Mary Sue interrupted. “I know. Your secretary told me. But we’re innocent. This whole thing is insane—we love our little boy. Please help us.”
    â€œI’ve got two other lawyers here in the office who might be able to talk to you—”
    â€œIt has to be you. My mother-in-law knows about you, has read about your cases—she insisted that it be you. She’s the one raising the money for our defense. From what she told us, you’re the only one—”
    But Will interrupted her. “There are a lot of good lawyers out there who could probably help you. I’m sorry. My time commitments are such that I really don’t think I could jump right into your case right now.”
    There was silence on the other end.
    â€œMrs. Fellows?” Will asked. “Are you still there?”
    â€œI’m on the run right now. The police are looking for me this very minute. My child needs medical help. But I will not turn him over to Social Services, because they have this ridiculous fantasy that I’m some kind of monster. My husband in is jail. We’ve been wrongly accused of this thing—the farm is being neglected—our lives are falling apart, Mr. Chambers.”
    Will heard her choking back tears. But before he could say anything else, Mary Sue said through her tears, “God wants you to take this case. I know it. I’ll just wait till you can see that too.”
    Then he heard the click as she hung up at the other end.
    After putting the phone down, Will swiveled his chair slightly until he could see the spire of the old St. Andrews Church across the street through his second-story window. He gazed at the Revolutionary War–era edifice for a few moments.
    â€œOh, boy,” Will sighed to himself. He rubbed his forehead, thinking about how much pain and injustice was out there. Andhow he was just one lawyer, with a small firm. He could only do so much. He decided to say a short silent prayer for the Fellows family.
    When he was done, he turned back to the tall stack of documents that lay on his desk. As he flipped each page, he jotted down notes on the legal pad in front of him.
    After a few minutes he buzzed Hilda.
    â€œDo me a favor, will you? Before you leave for the day, order some dinner in for me. You know the stuff I like. It’s going to be a long night.”
    â€œAre you kidding?” she replied.
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œYou’re supposed to be out with Fiona