All About Zane (Travis County Legal Book 1) Read online

  All About Zane

  Travis County Legal: Book One

  Copyright © 2017 Avery J. Moon

  All rights reserved. Please do not reproduce, copy, or distribute this work in any form without express written permission from the author.

  Cover Image: Please note that this is a work of fiction. All characters contained within these pages are fictional and have no connection to the models on the cover.

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE: Colin's Homecoming

  CHAPTER TWO: Battle of Two Fathers

  CHAPTER THREE: In the Judge's Chambers (Gabe)

  CHAPTER FOUR: The Conditions (Colin)

  CHAPTER FIVE: Zane's Homecoming (Colin)

  CHAPTER SIX: Finding a Nanny (Colin)

  CHAPTER SEVEN: Becca's Case File (Colin)

  CHAPTER EIGHT: The Shallow Grave (Gabe)

  CHAPTER NINE: Chasing Clues (Colin)

  CHAPTER TEN: A Trace of Evidence (Colin)

  CHAPTER ELEVEN: Becca's Clue (Colin)

  CHAPTER TWELVE: Bringing Becca Home (Gabe)

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Chain of Custody (Colin)

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Dakota's Homecoming (Colin)

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN: The Funeral (Colin)

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Marina Surveillance (Colin)

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Garage Fire (Colin)

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: Disappearing Act (Colin)

  CHAPTER NINETEEN: The Bunker (Colin)

  CHAPTER TWENTY: Picking Up the Pieces (Colin)

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: The Rainbow Horizon (Colin)

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: Hot Shower (Colin)

  Epilogue: Five Months Later

  Note from Avery J Moon

  Other Books by Avery J. Moon (Complete with Amazon Links)

  CHAPTER ONE: Colin's Homecoming

  If I became a father, it wouldn't be through the conventional way most men accomplish that feat. No delivery room, no loving wife, no supportive family for me. If I became a father, it would be in a courtroom. If I became a father, it would be tomorrow.

  I'm not quite sure how long I sat in the car just looking at the house, dreading going in. I hadn't been there in over six months. A lifetime in more ways than one.

  My sister and I had at one time lived in separate apartments. When she learned that she was pregnant, she asked me to go in with her to buy a house. A place to raise a family.

  She wanted her baby more than anything in the world, but the thought of raising it alone scared her. In my opinion raising a child alone in this world would scare any sane person, including me. So I was recruited as a live-in father substitute.

  Any doubts I may have had about the arrangement vanished the second I laid eyes on Zane. It would not have been possible to love him more even if he truly were my own son.

  The house we bought was nice enough. My sister had always wanted a Cape Cod home, so that was indeed what she got. The front of the house was bordered by a covered front porch, complete with swing, two rocking chairs and a convenient table for drinks and snacks. The perfect place to sit and sip a soda, talk about the day, and just unwind.

  I smiled remembering some of the conversations we had had sitting in that swing. And later, after Zane was born, how we'd had to switch out the swing for a larger one so that all of us could fit comfortably. It had been worth it.

  Zane loved that swing. At night, he didn't want his bedtime story read in bed. That would have been too sleep-inducing. So instead, we would head out to the swing with a pillow and blanket, and I would read his book of choice. It usually involved pirates, ships, and horrible (but ultimately friendly) sea monsters.

  Finally, sitting there was no longer an option. I had to move or my stiffened body would lead to my great embarrassment when I had to call for help. I glanced around to see if anyone was watching, as my leaving the car after such a length of time was bound to be quite a show, but the street was empty. I'd timed my arrival well.

  It was mid-morning. The school buses had all come and gone, and the commuters had left for work. The lucky women who were full-time housewives were probably sitting down for a much needed rest after their hustle and bustle of getting everyone off for the day. That meant a little privacy for me.

  I grabbed my cane from the passenger side floorboard and pushed my door fully open. Turning in the seat, I placed one foot firmly on the ground, then the other. With my cane in my left hand and grasping the car with my right, I leveraged myself into a standing position. It wasn't nearly as easy as it sounded.

  Just that little exertion left me gasping. But as I was out of the car and still standing, I counted that as a win.

  After a minute to catch my breath, I maneuvered myself out from behind the car door, leaning heavily on my cane. Eventually, I'd be able to upgrade to a nice, cool-looking walking stick. Maybe one with a dragon's head and a hidden dagger. But for now, I was stuck with function over appearance. So my cane was plain black with four little rubber tips at the bottom. An old man's cane.

  I paused again at the gate, then pushed it open and went through and up onto the porch. Not able to resist the call of the swing, I sat for a while. At least that's what I told myself. If I was more truthful with myself, I might have admitted to really, really not wanting to open that door to a home my sister no longer lived in.

  Some people, fools mostly, thought my sister was still alive. That she had simply picked up and left, abandoning her son as well as her home. I knew differently. There were some ties that twins shared that were just too hard to explain. I had known the instant that Becca died.

  In a weird twist of fate, I'd been free-falling from the sky at the exact same moment. But while I had managed to trick Death this one time, Becca hadn't been so lucky. Maybe, in the end, I would turn out to be the unlucky one after all.

  Eventually, the call of nature made entering the house a necessity, and I sorted out the front door key from my ring and took the three steps to the screen door. Within seconds, the front door swung open and the eerie stillness of an empty house settled over me.

  The furniture remained untouched, sitting exactly where I remembered it. I had to swallow past the lump in my throat and force my steps to the small half-bath under the living room stairway. Other than the layer of dust covering everything, it looked as though Becca had only left moments before. The guest towel was hanging on the back of the door, and the toilet paper roll was still half-full. Lucky for me.

  Finished with my nature's call, I stepped back out into the main room. The house featured an open room design, Becca's preference. The stairs were to the left of the front door, the living room to the front and right. Past the living room was a half wall before the kitchen area. Two tall bar stools were pushed under the wall's counter area. To the right of the kitchen was the dining table, sitting directly in front of two large glass French doors that led out to the back patio.

  The three bedrooms were all upstairs, a fact I now regretted to no end. Those stairs would be a bear for the next few months. Of course, if I lost in court tomorrow, there would be no reason for me to remain here.

  I could head anywhere I wanted. Live anywhere I wanted.

  Heaven help me, but I was starting to think that didn't sound so bad. After all, surely my step-brother had changed in the past eighteen years. Maybe he and his wife would do a better job of raising Zane than I could, being single and all. I was trying hard not to even think about the whole invalid aspect of my parenting skills.

  Then something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. There in the corner of the room, at the bottom of the stairs near the front door lay a soft pile of fluff. I swallowed again as I recognized that fluff as Mr
. Cuddles, Zane's prized stuffed bunny. No way would he have willingly left his best friend behind.

  I hobbled over and lowered myself slowly to the floor, laying my cane beside me and picking up the rabbit. Holding it close to my chest, I felt the tears coming and didn't even try to stop them.

  Sometimes, grown men cry.

  I'm sorry, Zane. So very, very sorry.

  CHAPTER TWO: Battle of Two Fathers

  Our appointed court time was nine o’clock, as we had somehow managed to be the first on the judge's docket for the day. I had spent the better part of my arrival day cleaning, but as slow and awkward as I moved, not a lot actually got accomplished. At least the living room was dusted and swept and the few crusted dishes I had found in the kitchen sink had been dealt with too.

  Even that little bit of housework about did me in, and in the end I simply couldn't face the prospect of climbing those stairs. Luckily I had a pair of dress pants and a button up shirt in my garment bag, so I wouldn't need to trudge up them this morning either.

  I wouldn't exactly say I'd slept on the couch, but at least I had given it a shot. Thoughts of Zane and the discarded bunny made my night a fitful one at best. So when the antique grandfather clock by the small fireplace chimed six, I gave up and started getting ready for the day ahead.

  My friend, and sometimes partner, Joshua Penbrook was due to pick me up at seven-thirty. We planned to be at the courthouse early just in case my bully of a stepbrother decided to try something we hadn't been forewarned about. Of course, knowing Michael, he was probably sure he would win anyway.

  Taking a look at myself in the mirror, I was afraid to admit that he just might. Becca's wishes to the contrary or no. Was I kidding myself that I could take care of an energetic five-year-old boy? It had only been a week since I'd been able to take care of myself.

  Then I glanced over at Mr. Cuddles sitting on the couch I'd abandoned earlier and knew that I was definitely going to give it my best shot. I had always been good in crisis situations. Which is one reason I would never forgive myself for not being there when Becca had needed me the most.

  But for Zane? I'd damn well make it work. Now all I had to do was convince the judge.

  I debated leaving my cane behind but decided against it. Better to be seen walking and functioning with a cane than to be seen making a fool of myself without its support.

  Joshua was punctual as always. I had already locked the front door behind me and was halfway down the porch steps when he pulled into the short drive in front of the garage.

  His car door flew open and he came barreling up to greet me, throwing his arms around me and knocking me a bit off balance. It was a very good thing I'd decided to rely on the cane.

  "It's so good to see you, Colin," he said, his head resting on my shoulder.

  I reached up with my free hand and patted his back. "The feeling's mutual, Josh." I hesitated. "I really appreciate you doing this."

  He pulled back, putting a hand on each of my shoulders. "And just who else could you trust this to?"

  I smiled. "No one. But I appreciate it all the same."

  Joshua Penbrook was the Travis County Prosecuting Attorney and a very big name in the town. Having him take a day off from his important job to represent me in my plea for the right to adopt Zane meant a lot to me.

  My step-brother, Michael Lawson, had decided to represent himself. In my mind, proving the old adage that anyone who represents themselves in court has a fool for an attorney. I was really hoping that it would make a difference.

  It was almost unheard of for two different people to petition to adopt the same child. Usually, one case would be dealt with at a time, but things had gotten a bit mixed up as I wasn't in Travis County at the time I put in my petition.

  Josh was looking past me to the bag I'd laid by the front door. "Does that go too?"

  I nodded and he scooped it up, then hesitated. I gave a short laugh. "I'm okay, I can make it to the car."

  He stowed the bag in the trunk and went around to open the passenger side door for me, then stood there awkwardly as I made my slow and somewhat painful way to him.

  With my slow moving, it was a good thing we'd given ourselves extra time. As it was, by the time we got sat down at the table in the courtroom we had only minutes to spare. Precious minutes at that. I needed some time to gather my strength.

  Glancing around the room, I saw Gabriel Green sitting beside the court reporter. He looked good in his freshly pressed sheriff’s uniform. Though I did wonder what his presence might mean. Then again, it probably didn’t have anything to do my case. Likely he was here for the next one up after our hearing.

  Gabe and Michael had run in the same circle of friends all through high school. Of all the members of that circle, he had been the only one I had any kind of respect for. I had always thought he was an honorable man, as well as a very good-looking one. A lot of men let themselves go after high school. From the fit of Gabe’s uniform, that wasn’t true of the sheriff.

  Just before nine, the courtroom started filling up with onlookers. Smiling, I noted a fair number of old friends in attendance. They nodded to me and all of a sudden I didn't feel quite so alone anymore. Then I saw my mom and step-dad.

  Lawrence just stared at me and shook his head, as if disappointed that I was making them go through this. Mother wouldn't even meet my eyes.

  I turned back to face the front again, taking a deep breath as the door to the judge's chamber opened and Judge Freeman stepped into court.

  "All rise."

  Gripping my cane in a strong grip, I shook off Josh's offer of his hand. Now wasn't the time to show weakness. At least no more than I had to.

  As the judge settled into his chair and the bailiff read the case announcements, everyone sat back down. I heard the door at the back of the courtroom open and didn't even bother to look. Michael always did like to make an entrance. Trust him to try to upstage even the judge.

  It was hard not to grin when I noticed Judge Freeman give my step-brother an evil glare. "Nice of you to join us, Mr. Lawson." Then he nodded to Joan. "Mrs. Lawson."

  Michael gave him a big grin, all the confidence in the world. "Sorry we're late your honor. Construction held us up a bit." Then he turned to me and gave me a small smirk as he sat down, not even bothering to pull out Joan's chair for her.

  The judge took a few minutes to review the papers before him. While Josh and I sat and patiently waited, Michael began drumming his fingers against his table.

  Judge Freeman looked over his glasses at Mike and raised an eyebrow. "Are we keeping you from something more important, Mr. Lawson?"

  Again, Michael answered with a big grin. "Actually, yes, I've got a noon tee-off time at the country club and I'd hate to miss it. But I'm sure this won't take long." He threw a pointed glance at my cane. "It looks pretty cut and dry to me who will be able to give Zane the best home."

  Joan elbowed him and whispered something in his ear, and Mike looked back up to the judge. "Not that golf is more important than this, your honor. I surely didn't mean to imply that."

  No, you didn't mean to imply that, you moron, I thought. You outright said it.

  Judge Freeman gave him another glare, then continued his review. When he raised his head again, it was to look me directly in the eyes. "First of all, the court and I would like to offer deepest condolences to the family of Rebecca Shepard. It is our sincerest wish that she be brought home to you safely."

  "Thank you, your honor," I said gruffly. There was so much more I wanted to say, but I left it at that.

  He lifted a sheaf of papers. "These are the documents that Rebecca Shepard signed, notarized, and put through the proper channels a few years back." Adjusting his glasses, he peered closely at the page on top. "Actually, it would appear these were processed even before Zane was born."

  "They were, your honor," I said quietly. "She didn't want to take any chances that her baby would fall into the wrong hands." As much as I wanted to glance
over at my overly smug step-brother, I didn't. I was doing my best to take the high road as hard as that was.

  "And yet here we are," Freeman said gravely. "Due in part to your absence of the past six months. Would you mind sharing with the court exactly where you were?"

  Gripping my cane, I stood to face the judge. "I've been in the hospital and undergoing extensive physical therapy, sir. During the time my sister disappeared, I was undergoing re-qualification for my reserve Seal team. While doing a routine jump, my parachute malfunctioned, and I free fell quite a distance." I swallowed past the big lump in my throat. "The day she went missing was the day of my fall. Otherwise, I would have been here." My eyes met his.

  He nodded. "I'm sure you would have been, Mr. Shepard." The judge gave a sigh. "Which I gather brings us to the real reason why we are here. While the paperwork documenting your sister's wishes is all very clear and concrete, at the time she processed it, you were hale and healthy." He looked at me sadly over his glasses. "This does not seem to be the case today. Raising a five-year-old requires a certain amount of strength. Do you truly believe yourself capable?"

  I heard Michael's snort of laughter and gritted my teeth. This high road of mine wasn't getting any easier.

  "With all due respect, sir, six months ago I should have died. I didn't. The doctors said I'd never walk again. I did. Yes, it's taken me six months to get to this point. But every day I grow stronger, and Zane needs me now."

  Michael couldn't take the attention on me any longer. "He doesn't need you. Not now, not ever. He has a home now. With a mother and father. He's better off now than he ever has been."

  To hell with the high road. Injuries or no, I took a step toward Michael. If Joshua hadn't physically detained me, I'd have probably been charged with assault. Right there in front of the judge and everyone.

  "Mr. Lawson, the court would very much appreciate you keeping your opinions of your fine parenting skills to yourself." Once again he gave Mike an over the glasses glare. "As the court is certain you didn't mean to imply that the child is better off without his own mother."