Free Speed Trap by Patricia Davids

them.”
    â€œRequest them again. I’m not going to rest until I find out who left that baby to die in a burning car.”

FIVE
    G arrett was on his way out the door when the phone rang. Knowing he had a busy day ahead of him, he considered letting the machine pick up, but decided against it. It could be about Judy or about Colin.
    Oddly, he hoped the caller would be Mandy. He’d spoken to her every day for the past several days. He’d gotten to where he actually looked forward to the calls.
    There was something deeply comforting in the sound of her voice.
    This time, the female on the other end of the line wasn’t Sheriff Scott. “Mr. Bowen, this is Shari Compton. I’m Colin’s social worker.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” Here it came, the news that Judy’s baby wasn’t his son or that he wasn’t fit to raise him.
    â€œThe paternity tests results are in. The child is your biological son.”
    â€œHe’s mine?”
    The tangle of emotions that shot through Garrett took his breath away. Relief, joy, terror.
    â€œYes,” Miss Compton continued, “I’m calling to tell you that you’ve been granted supervised visitation.”
    â€œDoes that mean I can see him?” He tried not to get his hopes up.
    â€œYes.”
    His surge of happiness was followed quickly by apprehension. Things were never this easy. “When?”
    â€œToday at noon is the only time I have available. I’m sorry for the short notice.”
    He glanced at the clock. It was already a quarter of eleven. He needed to be in Junction City at the sale barn at one o’clock. He had an order for forty heads of feeder cattle that needed filling today.
    His client was new, but had the potential to give Garrett a lot of business and some much-needed referrals.
    A cattle buyer’s livelihood was directly related to his reputation. A buyer who couldn’t fulfill his contract was one who’d soon be out of work. The extra income Garrett earned was important to his plans for the ranch.
    A ranch he could hand over to his son one day.
    The idea took hold and wouldn’t let go. He didn’t have to spend his life alone. He had a son.
    Provided he could gain custody of Colin.
    Telling the social worker he was too busy to see the boy today wasn’t the place to start. “I’ll be there.”
    â€œGood. I’ll see you then. We can talk after you’ve had a chance to visit with your son.”
    An hour later, Garrett walked into Timber Wells Medical Center with sweaty hands and a pounding heart. At the front desk, he was told to wait. He took a seat on one of the chairs lined up beneath the wide window overlooking a shady stretch of lawn and fidgeted with his hat all the while wondering if getting his hopes up was a bad idea.
    What if this woman decided he wasn’t suitable? What if he couldn’t take care of a child? What if he was like his father?
    Would she be able to tell that?
    A tiny middle-aged woman in a dark gray tailored pantsuit walked up to him. He shot to his feet and wrestled down his panic.
    She held out her hand. “Mr. Bowen, I’m Miss Compton.”
    He wiped his damp palm on his jeans before taking her hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
    â€œI will be supervising your visit today. Tomorrow, I’ll be making a home visit to assess your ability to care for and house Colin.”
    â€œTomorrow?” He swallowed hard. How much of the house would she need to see?
    Concern clouded her eyes. “Is that a problem?”
    â€œNo, ma’am. Is it all right that I have a dog?”
    A small smile lightened her features. “I’m not a dog person myself. I would request that you keep him confined during the home visit, but unless he eats small children, I don’t think he will be a problem. I’m not the enemy, Mr. Bowen.”
    â€œNo, ma’am.” He wanted to trust her, but trusting people was