Page 35 of Brokered Betrayals
“Don’t even think about offering to get a wheelchair,” Kelsey told her husband.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Andrew replied with a wink at Sawyer.
They promised to stop by again before Kelsey got discharged and shuffled out the door. Sawyer checked the feeding schedule and saw they were only thirty minutes from their next attempt. He decided to snuggle Darla until then, so he eased down to the sofa so Royce could join him. It was funny how still his husband could be when it came time to admire the littlest Locke.
Sawyer’s phone vibrated on the table with an incoming call, and his pulse kicked up a notch when he saw the caller ID. “It’s Charlie. Can you grab that?”
Royce stretched forward and answered the call, switching to speakerphone. “Thanks for getting back to us,” he said.
“Sorry it took me so long, guys. This one is…complicated.”
“No chance it was an accidental hit-and-run?” Sawyer asked.
“Oh, hell no,” Charlie replied. “Do you remember the famous case from years ago where the wife ran over her husband in a hotel parking lot after she caught him cheating, and then circled the building to hit him again and again?”
Nausea rose swiftly, and Sawyer thought he was going to be sick.
“Christ,” Royce said. “It was that bad?”
“Let’s just say Ned Owens’ killer made sure he was dead.” Charlie’s exhaustion was evident in the heavy sigh that followed. “You know how complicated homicide cases are when the victim is an attorney and the suspect is likely one of their clients. There’s all that privileged information shit to contend with.”
Sawyer sat taller. “So you have a suspect in mind already?”
“Yeah. The partners and associates at Owens’ firm are cooperating as much as they can without committing ethics violations, but our primary suspect has a solid alibi.”
“They’ve enlisted help,” Sawyer said. “Someone close that they can rely on.”
“And we’re leaving no stone unturned. I promise. Congratulations, by the way,” Charlie said. “I can’t believe I didn’t lead with that. I’m such an asshole.”
Sawyer chuckled. “No, you’ve got a lot on your plate right now. I hate to press you, but is there any information you can share with us? Our attorney has informed us that our adoption process will probably get delayed because of Ned Owens’ death and the dire allegations that might go public. I just want to know what we’re dealing with.”
“For anyone else, the answer would be hell no. This is going to be a high-profile case, and my professional reputation is at stake, but I know you’d have my back if the situation were reversed.”
“Hell yes, I would,” Sawyer said. “This stays between the three of us. Well, four if you count Darla, but she’s sound asleep, and her communication skills are limited.”
Charlie chuckled. “Fair enough. Here’s what I know so far. A young lady recently reached out to Ned Owens and alleged that she hadn’t wanted to give up her baby for adoption. She claimed she was coerced.”
“How is that possible?” Sawyer asked. “Didn’t she hire his agency to assist her?”
“Not exactly,” Charlie said. “There’s a local agency that connects prospective families with pregnant mothers who’ve chosen to place their babies for adoption. The mother gets to meet the parents and choose who gets to adopt their baby. The adoptive parents pay a steep sum to cover all the legal fees plus the mother’s healthcare expenses during pregnancy and recovery. They pay for housing, clothing, and food, depending on the expectant mother’s circumstances and needs, so the amounts are never the same. The agency is supposed to retain a fee for its services.”
“And this agency hired our law firm to oversee the adoptions?” Royce asked.
“Affirmative.”
“A fucking baby broker?” Sawyer snarled. “I can’t believe it.”
“Baby brokers are illegal in Georgia,” Charlie replied in a slow, feminine drawl. “This woman runs a bona fide adoption agency.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re quoting her?” Sawyer asked.
Charlie snorted. “Because you know me very well, partner. The whistleblower also claimed that Miss Bona Fide kept most of the money owed to her, and she claims there are others who are willing to testify to the same coercion and neglect.”
Royce and Sawyer looked at one another and mouthed, “Fuck.”
“It’s a mess,” Charlie agreed. “Ned has been in touch with Miss Bona Fide, who allegedly threatened him. I can’t verify the claim until I get a judge to approve warrants for records, but that’s always hard sorting through what’s privileged and fair game. Like I said, I’ll keep you posted as I learn things. I hope this doesn’t make things harder for you guys.”
“Same,” Royce said. “Thanks, Charlie.”