We're Still Standing...Book 5

Stressful Times

Julian POV 

I woke up around five to go meet with Sean, my contact in the military who also is a friend of mine. He used our contacts in the military to get as much information as we could about Shane's dad. The documents he has gathered are a lot he told me so when I meet with him today I will get the originals and he will take copies in case anything were to happen, we have a backup. I had also contacted a therapist to observe Shane when we would be out, I would contact her ahead of time to let her know where we were going and what time so she could go ahead of us so no one would be none the wiser. She told me she knew of Shane from his teachers contacting her throughout the years so she thankfully had notes on his behavior and how he looked, things like that. I didn't know she knew of him so when she told me she did, I about kissed the ground, I was so relieved and happy. I told her I'm making a case to adopt Shane as my son and needed help in showing the court I am capable of taking care of him and show that he is safer and happier with me than in that prison he grew up in. I have a meeting with her at the same time as I'm meeting Sean and Alex, the detective at seven.

I looked in the kid's rooms to check on them before leaving, I left a note for them to let them know I'm going out and will be back in a few hours. I truly hope this morning will go in my favor, I meant what I said, I will not leave this state without Shane, no matter how long it takes. 

"Julian, it's good to see you again." Sean greeted me when I entered the diner we decided to meet at. Alex was sitting at the booth with a lot of papers in front of him.

"You as well, hello Alex." I said and sat down in front of him, Sean sitting beside me.

"Hello Julian, how are things going with you and Shane?" He asked looking up at me. 

"Well I think, he is talking more, doing more with us, offering to help do things, but he still has night terrors and gets jumpy once in a while and goes back to being closed off but it doesn't last too long." I said and he wrote it down. 

"Julian, this is what David was able to dig up." Sean said and gave me a file. I opened it and started reading it, details about the abuse with pictures of Shane's body, from head to toe and in between, making me feel sick to my stomach. There was even a report on his mom's death, showing only a half fingerprint on her necklace, no way to make a match since it was such a messed up print. 

"So what can be done to prove that his dad killed his mom and sister?" I asked once I was finished reading the report.

"The only thing is him confessing to it or we exhume her body, to do another autopsy to see if there was anything that was missed. It was a long time ago so I don't know what good that will do, there may only be bones by now." Alex said and I sighed.

"I need to know so please get a warrant for it and let them check, there may be something in the coffin he put before she was buried, maybe to hide the evidence I don't know but please, do it." 

"I will, with what we have so far though Julian, the odds are in your favor." 

"That may be true but I want that son of a bitch to pay for all he's done to Shane and for killing my son's mom. I will do anything I can to make that happen.” I said and he nodded, writing something down again.

“Hello, sorry I’m late, traffic is horrible this morning.” I heard a voice and looked up and saw a woman in her early forties I believe.

“Hello, it’s ok. Since I have been here the traffic is always horrible. It’s nice to meet you, I’m Julian Lancaster.” I said and stood up to shake her hand.

“You as well, I’m Lisa Nelson, I wish we didn’t have to meet like this though.” She said and sat down beside Alex when he offered her a seat.