The Advocate (The Advocate Series) Read Online Free Page A

phone and heard a pleasant voice say, “Atlanta Police Department, how may I direct your call?” She gave her name and briefly explained what she needed. “One moment please, I’ll connect you to Detective Carriage. Have a pleasant day, ma’am.”
    “Thank you,” Sabre responded, amused at being called “ma’am.” She heard the phone ring and then a deep, southern voice came on the voice mail. “This is Detective Joe Carriage. Please leave a message, and I’ll get back to you just as soon as I return.”

4
     
     
    R ing, ring. Sabre bolted upright in her bed early on Saturday morning, too early for light to be shining through the window. Ring, ring. The bright red numbers on her clock read 5:32 a.m.
    “Hello.” She cleared her throat.
    “Good morning, ma’am. May I please speak to Ms. Brown?”
    “This is Sabre,” she said, trying to sound awake. “Who is this?”
    “Oh, ma’am, I’m so sorry. Did I wake you? I just realized how early it is in California. I’m calling from Atlanta, Georgia, and it’s 8:30 here. I was returning my phone calls and this one came up next. I’m so sorry. Go back to sleep, ma’am. I’ll call you later. Oh, this is Detective Carriage, Joe Carriage. I’m sorry, ma’am,” the smooth, southern voice continued.
    “No, no. It’s fine. It’s time to get up. It’s a good thing you called,” she fibbed. “I called you about a case I’m working on here in juvenile court. I’m a defense attorney, and I represent the children in a dependency case.”
    “And how do I fit in?”
    “The family is from Atlanta and I need some background checks. I know the Department of Social Services has asked for them, but I wanted to take it a step further. We need the information very soon. I don’t want to keep those children out of the home if they’re not at risk.”
    “I’ll see what I can do. I’ll be delighted to follow up on the background checks to see what the holdup is. I’ll need a little information, names, etc.”
    “The names of the adults are Gaylord Murdock and . . . .”
    “Did you say Murdock?”
    “Yes. Why? Do you know him?”
    “Murdock is a well-respected name in these parts. They’ve been around for years, practically built this city. I apologize, ma’am. I didn’t let you finish. Who else is involved?”
    Sabre provided him with an overview of the case and gave him the details he needed to run a check on both Peggy Smith and Gaylord Murdock.
    “Sounds like a simple domestic violence case. Do you know something you haven’t told me?” Detective Carriage inquired.
    “Just some things Alexis said made me uneasy. It may be nothing.”
    “You said you wanted more than a background check. Is there anything in particular you want me to be on the lookout for?”
    “The usual stuff – criminal history, drug involvement, family background. If you wouldn’t mind, would you see what you can find out about Alexis’ mother? She left the picture approximately five years ago, and Alexis hasn’t seen her since. Her folks may be still living there. Perhaps they can shed some light on the situation. I sure would appreciate any help I can get.”
    “My pleasure, ma’am. I owe you one, just for waking you up at 5:30 in the morning. I’ll sure see what I can find out. I have to run, but I’ll get to this as soon as I can.”
    “Thanks, Detective.”
    Sabre hung up the phone and leaned back on the propped-up pillows. She needed to plan her day so it didn’t slip away, but first she reached into her nightstand and pulled out a little red, tattered notebook. She held it as one might a precious piece of artwork. She brushed her hand across the top of it and pulled it close to her heart. She thought about how her eight-year-old brother Ron had saved his nickels intended for the church collection plate. Instead, he had bought her the notebook for her sixth birthday. So, at six years and two days old, Sabre started to create a list of things she planned to