Free The Rapture of Omega by Stacy Dittrich

with Lola.” Her voice was low and quiet.
    My pulse now soared. “What kind of a problem?”
    Lori took a deep breath while I held mine.
    “CeeCee, she has an aunt—a great aunt, in Austin, Texas. We just found out about it. We’d have never known, but this woman actually called us. I don’t know how she found out about Lola’s mother, but she even knew that you had her. She said she knows who you are because she’s seen you on crime documentaries and read your book…” She stopped.
    A lot of my cases had been featured in the national media, which produced a book deal on a serial child killer I investigated a while back. I wasn’t quite sure where Lori was going with this, but it was making me nervous.
    “Lori, tell me exactly what the problem is.” I feared the worst.
    “She wants Lola, CeeCee. She’s here in Mansfield right now. She’s already had an attorney file paperwork seeking temporary custody, and they’ve set a hearing on the matter for two o’clock this afternoon.”
    My heart sank. My worst fear was coming true. I felt the tears surge up in my eyes as Lori handed me the paperwork informing us of the motion to seek custody. The aunt’s name was Paula Terman. Trying to read the paperwork through the steady stream of tears, I saw my hands were trembling as well.
    “Oh, madre de Dios… ” Rena whispered while she shook her head slightly.
    “Does she even know Lola?” My voice sounded hoarse.
    “I don’t think so. Look, CeeCee, I know you’re upset, but don’t fall apart just yet. Lola has adapted well here, and I fully intend on letting the judge know that. Nowadays, judges realize that just because people are related, that doesn’t always mean it’s the most suitable environment.”
    “Who’s the judge hearing the case?” I wiped my eyes.
    “It’s Lanahan.”
    I knew him, a fellow Irishman. I didn’t know him well, though. At least not well enough to pick up the phone and start offering bribes like I was now, irrationally, thinking of doing.
    “He’s reasonable,” Lori continued. “Lucky for us it’s not Judge Cramer. He’s a real asshole. He’ll keep a baby with its crackhead mother just to keep it with a family member. He’s all about preserving the family bond.”
    I sat down in the closest chair and sobbed. It was only a few seconds later that I heard someone coming down the steps—Michael.
    He would be just as devastated as I was. Like the rest of us, he had become emotionally attached to Lola. I could only imagine what this news would do to Selina, Isabelle, and Sean. I knew I should listen to Lori and keep my wits together, but as soon as Michael walked into the room, I began to cry harder.
    “CeeCee? What’s wrong? What’s going on?” He swung his head back and forth between Lori and me, waiting for an answer.
    I pulled myself together as best as I could, long enough to tell him. He sat down on the couch and let out a loud sigh.
    “I was hoping after this long no one would turn up. You say the hearing is at two today?”
    Lori nodded.
    “That was mighty nice of them to give us some notice! How are we supposed to get an attorney by two?”
    “I’ll call Henry Wakefield right now.” I stood up and headed for the phone.
    Henry Wakefield was the best, and fiercest, family-law attorney in town. I remember countless officers going against him during their divorces and each one would cringe when they heard his name.
    My morning grew substantially worse when Henry’s secretary told me he was in court. Sensing I had no time to waste, I started for the stairs.
    “What are you doing?” Michael was now standing in the foyer. “Did you get a hold of him?”
    “No, he’s in court. His secretary said he’d be done in half an hour and that she would give him the message, but you know how that goes. I’m going to domestic-relations court now and wait for him to come out.” I felt panicked.
    “Now just hold on.” Michael put his hands on my shoulders. “By the