Thin Ice 6 - Hangman & Socrates Read Online Free PDF Page A

Nice work,” Cartier said calmly, watching from the alley. If the young man was shocked he didn’t react. “Thanks,” Ryan said simply, putting his ill-gotten goods in his pocket. “How’s your mother,” Cartier asked casually. Again without reaction Ryan regarded him and shrugged slightly. “Who are you,” he finally asked as Cartier stood directly in front of him. The young man was almost as tall as his own 6’5” stature. “I’m Socrates, your father,” he replied calmly. This time the shock did register. “Man, stop bullshitting me, I got work to do,” Ryan replied tersely. “First of all, watch your tone,” Cartier returned, all business. “Second of all, I know who the fuck I fathered,” he added as Ryan swallowed hard. “Come ride with me, I want to talk to you,” Cartier threw out as they got into the car and began to ride.
    “ Socrates,” Quenton whispered in the dark.
    He worked for the other facility but he had friends here as well.
    “ Yeah,” Cartier replied, reeling his thoughts in.
    “ Heated in the city,” Quenton replied as Cartier voiced his understanding and the two men said nothing more.
    Sighing deeply, he closed his eyes and prayed sleep found him quickly.

4
     
    “ Make sure that door stays locked,” Roderick ordered.
    It had taken them almost two weeks but they finally found Lauren. She’d been staying at various broken down hotels in the city, the kind that only needs cash as ID. They had a foster family lined up for her. Since Dr. Ross’s death the mental hospital had immediately asked the state to transfer her to another facility known for its violent and inhumane treatment of residents. Roderick couldn’t let the child end up there. It was through no fault of her own that she found herself in this predicament. They’d gone through almost twenty families before they found one willing to take in Hangman Cisneros’s daughter. Later this afternoon they would transport her and hopefully help her start a new life away from all the madness of her father’s trial. Sighing deeply Roderick went back to his apartment and called Faatin. He needed to hear her voice and know that she and the children were all right.
    “ Hello,” she answered sweetly.
    Roderick returned her greeting and continue to converse for a few moments more before telling her had to head back, to the office for a meeting. Faatin graciously told him that was fine and to call her when he could before disconnecting.
    The soft knock on his door came almost instantaneously. Roderick walked to the door opening it without question, already knowing who was at the door.
    “ Come on in,” he told Hope sweetly, hugging her once he closed the door.
    “ Are you all right,” he asked looking into her eyes concerned.
    “ No, not really,” Hope returned going on to tell him about Lauren and the state placing her in foster care.
    Roderick fought hard to keep his face neutral seeing the hurt and hearing the pain as Hope talked.
    “ She’s my niece and I love her to death,” Hope told him, crying now. “She’s going to think I didn’t want her, that I didn’t fight for her,” she continued to lament.
    Roderick felt three inches tall, but had to remember his assignment. He’d personally screened the foster family and while they weren’t blood they were, on paper, good people. They had no complaints against them and have been fostering for the last 10 plus years.
    “ Baby, I know,” he told her, hugging her now.
    “ Damn Carlo,” she swore as Roderick continued to hold her.
    “ Do you think they would at least let me see her,” Hope asked as he sighed deeply and told her he wasn’t sure.
    “ I guess you could ask,” he told her, already knowing the answer she would receive.
    Hope stopped crying as Roderick helped her dry her tears and told her she should try the Department of Children’s services first thing in the morning. She nodded and accepted the drink he’d made for them. Sipping the liquor