Long Ride (Riding with Honor) by Rebecca Avery Read Free Book Online Page A

kids, my co-worker’s caseload of kids, to finally stand a chance of their wishes being considered or at least heard… then you can bet your sweet ass I do ,” Carmen said with a nod of her head.  “Did it ever occur to you that we often have to follow the law at the expense of our own judgment or morals?”
    She could actually feel the fire and conviction behind Carmen’s words.  This woman would face her in court because she had to… because the law and the state demanded it.  However, that didn’t keep her from hoping that she would lose for the sake of a child.  Carmen was looking for someone willing and able to take on the department and potentially win.  The woman viewed a win by her as a win for a child for whom she or her coworkers represented.
    It was underhanded and could possibly cost Carmen her job… and she felt herself smiling at the woman’s audacity.  If the department found out she was consorting with the enemy or at the very least encouraging Becca to bring about more lawsuits against the department, they would fire her. 
    A new respect for Carmen settled in her stomach… if the woman was serious and she didn’t live in New York, she might actually consider it.  Money was no longer an issue as she got commission on all cases handled through her firm.  She could do work that meant something to her and not have to worry about the next big payday case.
    “Give me a synopsis of this case.  I’m not agreeing to it mind you, but I will consider it,” she finally replied.
    “Two girls over the age of ten were recently removed from their parents care when the parents were charged, convicted and sent to jail on drug charges.  The two stand a good chance of being split up and placed in separate foster homes,” Carmen said, eyeing her thoughtfully. 
    “ The girls were often cared for by an older neighbor man who is single.  The girls want to stay with the neighbor man who is not a licensed foster parent.  Even if he were a licensed foster parent, the likelihood of two young girls being placed with a single male foster parent is unlikely… regardless of the girls’ wishes and regardless of the fact that if not for this man, their situation would have been even worse than it was,” Carmen finished explaining.
    “Is the man willing to take the girls?” Becca asked.
    “The evening the girls were removed from the parent’s home, he offered to keep them then.  So yes, I would assume that he is.  The point I am trying to make is there is no sense in asking the man since the chances of them being placed with him are next to nil,” Carmen said with a sigh.  “Essentially these two girls will be split up when they need each other the most and placed God knows where because the neighbor is a single male .  If he were a single female or married we would not be having this conversation,” Carmen continued, handing her a manila file folder.
    “Now if someone were to step forward and advocate for the wishes of the girls I might be willing to call him and see if he is in fact interested and capable of caring for them,” Carmen finished.
    The story left her little choice on whether or not to take the case.  Of course she would and somehow Carmen had known that.  It felt like some invisible hand was pulling her back and holding her in this state more so than any stalker keeping her out of New York. 
    What had started out to be a favor for Greg was turning into a potential career, lifestyle and location change.  She actually had as many potential cases down here as she did at home.  Though the pay was significantly different.
    “Make your phone call.  I will draft something up and have it ready by next Monday.  Let me know should the man decline caring for the girls,” she said with a smile taking the folder from Carmen’s hand.
    “I appreciate this and I hope that you get what you are after regarding Mr. Reynolds’ case … and may I give you some personal advice?” Carmen