Custody of the State Read Online Free PDF Page B

cases take a long time to develop. We don’t know which way this case is going to turn,” the producer said.
    â€œI’m not thinking of this as a criminal case—not exactly,” Banes said. “That would not be the real hook. The hook would be…” And with that she paused a minute to think about it.
    â€œThe hook,” she continued, “would be to locate this mother who’s on the run . To get to her before the cops get to her. Talk about a scoop!”
    â€œWhat if she doesn’t want to talk?” the writer asked.
    â€œHey, give me a break. Everybody wants their fifteen minutes—especially on Inside Source, ” Banes said. “Besides, who says that we need to get her permission to find her? Let’s track her down. Get the scoop. Stick a camera in her face before the authorities can even locate her.”
    â€œThis is going to be expensive,” the producer chimed in. “We may have to get some extra budget approval.”
    â€œThen do it,” Banes said. “Go. Go. Whatever you have to do. I think I like this. I’m going to track down the poison mom on the run with her little baby boy. Spike, get your equipment ready. The rest of you talk to research immediately. I want background.The names of the lawyers involved. They always want to blab if we promise them face time. Get names of relatives of the mom. Any leads on folks who may know other folks who just may know where she is.”
    As the crew started rising, Banes was still talking.
    â€œI’m gonna locate this lady…” she said, glaring at the memo she held in her hand. It spelled out dismal news about the ratings of Inside Source . “Hey, little mommy,” she said, seeming to address the air, “I’m coming to find you!”

6
    F IONA C AMERON WAS SLOWLY rotating her water glass between her hands, clinking the ice slightly. Will could see that she was tired. In the candlelight of the corner table at Churchill’s, their favorite restaurant, he saw the fatigue in her eyes, which were drooping. Her face, usually bright and electric with enthusiasm, was drawn—and a little pale.
    â€œThis concert tour really wore me out,” Fiona said.
    â€œYou do look tired,” Will responded. “Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to take you out tonight.”
    â€œOh, no,” Fiona countered, brightening up. “I’m glad you did. The concerts went well. The Lord really blessed us. Wonderful crowds—receptive and warm.”
    There was a pause—and then she added, “I missed you.”
    â€œI missed you like crazy,” Will said. “I kept telling myself that when you came off this tour you wouldn’t have to travel for a while. Then we could start spending more time together.”
    Fiona looked down at the starched white tablecloth.
    â€œYes—before you went on tour my schedule was super heavy. That trial went on a week longer than any of us had planned. And, well…”
    â€œAnd you missed the dinner we had scheduled…”
    â€œI am so sorry,” Will said, his voice dropping.
    â€œIn fact, you were supposed to take me out here.”
    â€œWhich is why I brought you here tonight.”
    â€œYour apology is accepted,” Fiona said, trying to smile again. “It’s no big deal. I understand that your schedule gets harriedwhen you’re in trial. I guess the thing that hurt the most was having to leave on tour without so much as a goodbye from you.”
    â€œLook,” Will said, reaching over and taking both of her hands in his, “this is an important stage for us. I feel that. I hope you do too. You are incredibly busy. And so am I. But somehow we need to find a way to cut through the busyness. To focus on the really important things. You and me. Us. Where we are going in our relationship.”
    Will paused for a second, and then he added, “Fiona, I don’t want to lose