Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 122242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
"I've been able to locate Ms. Donovan's school records to confirm her mother's name," Franklin says. "Her mother is listed on her birth certificate as Carmen Narváez-Donovan, but aside from a police report she filed about a break-in in 2002, I've got nothing substantial on her historically either. And before you ask, no father was listed on the birth certificate."
"Can you get me a copy of Faith's school records?"
Franklin shoots me a questioning look.
"She wants to get her GED." Before Tarasova kidnapped her, she was pulling straight A's in advanced placement classes. Even though she wasn't enrolled in school after he got his hands on her, she completed homework for some of the Tarasova's men's kids. Getting a GED won't be a problem for her. I doubt getting her into college will be either. She's smart as hell.
Captain Franklin purses his lips, studying me with a sharp, hawkish gleam in his eyes. He's been quiet since the incident at the theater, but I can see the storm brewing behind his eyes. He knows something is up with me and Faith. He opens his mouth to say something.
"I'll look into Jackson." I cut him off before he can remind me that she's a witness and this isn't supposed to be personal. It's far too late for that, and I don't particularly want to tell him that she stopped being simply a witness to me weeks ago, if she ever was that at all. Telling him that won't win me any favors. Hell, I'll be lucky if it doesn't get me suspended or worse. I'm juggling fire by being with her and I know it.
I just don't fucking care. If administration needs to punish me for being with her, I'll accept it, even if that means they fire me. I'm not asking for their forgiveness or understanding. I know the rules. I'll accept responsibility for breaking them. I just want time to make sure she's safe before they dole out whatever punishment is coming to me.
"I know you want to bring them down, but be smart about it, Hernandez," Franklin warns me, climbing to his feet. "We can't afford to lose you right now."
"I know."
"Be careful."
"Always am," I mutter.
He sighs heavily and then shakes his head instead of pushing for a confession we both know he doesn't want to deal with right now. "I'll keep digging."
"Thanks, Cap."
He ducks out of my office, pulling the door closed behind him. I skim through the articles until I come to the printout with Jackson's mother's information on it. Franklin jotted the number for the rest home and her name on a sheet of paper. I pick up my desk phone and dial.
"Thank you for calling Harmony Grove Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, how can I help you?"
"This is Detective Octavio Hernandez with the Los Angeles Police Department. I'm trying to reach someone in reference to a Eudora Jackson. I understand she's a resident at your facility. I have some questions about her."
"Oh, um…yes, sir. Let me get you to our Director. One moment."
"Thanks."
I lean back in my office chair, drumming my fingers on my desk as the receptionist puts me on hold. She leaves me on hold for a good two minutes before she picks up again and lets me know she's transferring me to their director, Layla Carlisle. The phone rings twice and then a woman picks up.
"This is Layla Carlisle. How can I help you, Detective Hernandez?"
"I'm looking for some information on a Eudora Jackson," I murmur into the phone, setting the articles on the desk in front of me. "I understand she's a resident there."
"Yes, sir, but unfortunately, I can't release any information to you," she explains. "We have strict rules in place to protect patient privacy."
"I understand that, and I wouldn't ask you to violate your policies or the law," I assure her. "But I've recently come into some information and believe a young woman here in Los Angeles may be her granddaughter. I understand her son was named Theodore Jackson."
"I believe that's correct, but he passed over a decade ago, sir."
"Right, fifteen years ago. Does Ms. Jackson have any surviving family, Ms. Carlisle?"
"Ah, not to our knowledge, sir. Her daughter passed away a couple of years ago."
"Has she ever mentioned a granddaughter?"
"Not that I recall."
"Anyone named Faith?"
"Not that I'm aware, Detective." Layla sighs. "To be quite honest, Ms. Jackson doesn't say much at all. It's the progression of the disease, I'm afraid. Even if she does have a granddaughter, she likely wouldn't remember her."
"Mierda," I curse, though I didn't expect much different. Alzheimer's isn't kind to its victims. If this woman is Faith's grandmother, she isn't going to be able to help me fill in any blanks. I don't want to give Faith false hope until I can confirm whether or not Theo Jackson is her father. I don't know how I'm going to do that when he's dead and his only remaining relative isn't able to tell us anything or consent to DNA testing, but I'm not ready to give up yet either.