Chapter 7 - Unraveling the Truth
Jasper’s posture hardened instantly. He gently guided Maya toward the kitchen nook. “Stay here with Noah. Keep away from the windows.”
“Is it the bad man?” she whispered, terror instantly returning to her face.
“He can’t hurt you in this house,” Jasper said, his voice dropping into a cold, dangerous register. “I’ll be right back.”
Jasper walked to the front entrance, picking up his satellite phone and pressing speed dial.
“Marcus, they’re at the gate. The sheriff himself.”
“I’m already ahead of you, Jasper,” Marcus replied quickly. “I just obtained an emergency injunction signed by a High Court Judge staying any custody enforcement due to severe weather conditions and lack of due process. I also filed a formal complaint against Sheriff Vance and Deputy Miller for conflict of interest and illegal seizure of property.”
“Send the documents directly to my secure printer in the office,” Jasper said. “And call the State Police.”
“They’re already en route with a snowplow escort,” Marcus assured him. “They’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
Jasper walked to the heavy front door, pulled it open, and stepped out onto the porch. The storm had left three feet of fresh snow, but two heavy police vehicles were idling near his gate. Sheriff Vance—a tall, thick-set man with an arrogant posture—was standing beside Deputy Miller, holding a rolled-up piece of paper.
“Blackwood!” Sheriff Vance shouted over the idle of the engines. “You’re interfering with a state law enforcement action! Hand over those kids or I’ll arrest you for harboring fugitives!”
Jasper walked down the stone steps, taking his time, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his dark winter coat. He stopped ten feet from the sheriff, looking at the two men with absolute disdain.
“You’re off your jurisdiction, Sheriff,” Jasper said calmly. “And you’re trespassing.”
“I have a signed custody order from County Magistrate Hall!” Vance sneered, waving the paper. “These kids are wards of the county now. Their mother abandoned them!”
“Their mother was taken to the hospital in an ambulance after your brother-in-law threw them out of their home illegally,” Jasper countered, his voice cutting through the cold air. “And as for your custody order, it’s currently invalid.”
Jasper pulled a paper from his coat pocket—the injunction that had just printed in his office—and held it up.
“This is an emergency injunction issued by the State Supreme Court,” Jasper announced. “It revokes your authority over the children, places them under temporary legal guardianship of my estate, and orders an immediate investigation into your real estate holdings and police conduct.”
May you like
Sheriff Vance’s face turned deep purple. “You think your money gives you the right to walk into my town and tell me how to run things?”
“I don’t think my money gives me the right,” Jasper replied, stepping closer until he was standing toe-to-toe with the sheriff. “I know it does. I just purchased the mortgage on your home, Sheriff. I purchased the debt on your brother-in-law’s business. If you take one step past that gate, I will ruin both of you before the sun sets today.”
