Part 3

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by JSMarlo

by JSMarlo

Claire waited for the police cruiser to stop behind the truck in the driveway, blocking its escape route, before she parked in the street in front of Aaron's house.

The two police officers exited their cruiser. One of them accompanied her to the door while the other stayed by the truck.

She knocked and rang the doorbell. Steps resounded from inside the house then the door opened.

A bare-chested man stepped on the snow-covered porch despite the cold temperature. "What do you want?"

"Children's Services is conducting an investigation into the welfare of Aaron Clark." Officer Chen took a threatening step toward the man. "Stand aside, Mr. Roswell."

The man hadn't introduced himself, but the officer had recognized him. The glaring battle escalated, then all of a sudden, a scuffle erupted between Roswell and Chen. She took a few steps back as the second officer intervened.

"Touch my kid and I'm gonna kill you." More unsavory threats directed at her spewed out of Roswell's mouth as the officers subdued him. "You're dead, bitch."

The belligerent man was shoved on the back seat of the cruiser. Officer Muller stayed with him while Chen stepped inside the house with her.

In an upstairs bedroom, hidden in a closet, a distraught woman hugged an emaciated child. The woman's bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils spoke of her situation as clearly as the bruises, scratches, and cigarette burns marring hers—and the young boy's—skin.

"Martha? Aaron?" With his big brown eyes, the child reminded her of her nephews. "I'm here to help you. I won't let him hurt you or Aaron anymore."

The woman recoiled into the closet, growling. "Leave us alone!"

Claire suspected fear and drugs of clouding Martha's mind. "I can't leave, Martha. You and your son are hurt. You both need help."

One arm coiled around her son's neck, she snatched a coat hanger. "Go away!"

"I can't force you to come with me, Martha, but I'm not leaving without Aaron. Let me protect your son. Please?" With a tilt of the head, Claire forewarned the officer by her side to be ready to step in while extending her hand. "Aaron? Come with me, sweetheart."

Tightening her grip on the boy, Martha brandished the coat hanger. "He's mine."

The officer caught Martha's forearm and twist it behind her back. The coat hanger fell to the floor and the child broke loose.

Claire picked him up. Shocked that he weighed nothing, she hugged Aaron close to her bleeding heart. "It will be okay, sweetheart. From now on, we'll make sure you're safe."

The erratic mother spitted and yelled at the officer, but as Chen pulled her out of the closet, she bolted away and clawed at Claire's sleeve. "I want him back! Give him back!"

Officer Chen grabbed Martha by the arm. "Ma'am, you need to let go or I'll have to arrest you."

Claire left with the little boy gripping the front of her coat.

~ * ~