❝— In the way of descriptions, that is the official — well, definition. However, I locate individuals either missing, or suspected of a major crime… Considering you’re here, I’ll hope for myself it isn’t the latter.❞
[ awkwardly brushes cards aside. ]
❝How can I help? — If — it’s help you want.❞
“Considering your expertise lies in the process of doing so, it would entail familiarity with thwarting such intentions, no? I suppose, perhaps, you would spare me counsel on how one remains hidden from those with the notion of exposing them.”
❝… With all due respect, Miss — Helping you cuts out of business hours, I’m not sure how well my — coworkers would… handle—❞
❝You said they directed you to me? …❞
[ sits forward in chair. ]
❝As I’ve said before, and as I’m sure you gather from my position and the — well, building we’re in, I function under the assumption all of my clients are in, or have witnessed some level of danger to their person or someone they know. Are you being — pursued? Harassed?❞
"With all due respect, sir, I doubt they would be pleased knowing that you spend your supposed business hours tending to your frivolous card games.”
"They did. I’m afraid this is a pressing situation.”
Raja’s teeth drew to the bruised bow of her mouth, straining against the poignant title cradled at her tongue.
“I am. It would seem that my mother remains under the assumption that the sole circumstance of our familial bond entitles her to custody of myself and my younger sister. However, after years of neglect at her hand, I’ve found I’m far more suitable in the task of childrearing.”
Scrupulous eyes waded over the splash of spilled cards over his desk. HIs breath exited his nose in an understanding huff, and his teeth nudged outward to gnaw on partially chapped lips. ❝Down time provides extra room for –❞
❝You’re right. My mistake.❞
No use saving this, she was adamant… And, not to mention, far from pleasantly forgiving. Both brows pinched and met in the middle with a thoughtful furrow, and he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, successfully allowing anxious fingers to lace.
❝Seems like it.❞ Emphasizing his point, and practically without his mind’s discretion, his right hand inched outward to embody his thoughts are they were being processed, ❝See, when a person feels as if they under gratuitous pressure, from either an outside force or themselves – they tend to grow apprehensive, and lash out at those in their nearby proximity. Usually involved in conversation, but strangers are known to –❞
Doing it again. [ You’re doing it again. ]
Mother? A toxic word for more and more, what he figured to be a growing number. Parents, through both devices of their own construct, or absolutely no fault of their own, tended to wane in reliability with the passage of time.
❝Parents have a habit of forming attachments to their children, even when, and sometimes especially if, abuse of some form is in the picture… Being given power, only to have it taken away from people supposedly meant to listen to every word they say is a little more than – perplexing to them.❞
❝Do you mean to say your sister is no longer in her custody?❞ Curiosity gnawed electrically through his veins, ❝With physical evidence, or enough key witnesses, of they actual neglect, there’s a good chance we could incarcerate her–❞
❝– – Childrearing? Are own children involved somehow?❞
