Chapter 8 - The Shadow of the Past

Despite the legal victory, one final obstacle remained before the custody hearing.

Because Emma’s biological parents had abandoned her when she was an infant, state procedure required a mandatory sixty-day public notice to locate any potential biological relatives before parental rights could be permanently terminated and full adoption proceedings could begin.

Three days before the final hearing, a woman named Beverly Keller appeared at Miranda’s downtown law office.

Beverly was thirty-five, wearing expensive clothes, carrying a brand-new designer handbag, and accompanied by an aggressive, young family law attorney. She claimed to be Emma’s biological aunt—the estranged sister of Emma’s late mother.

Miranda sat behind her desk, her hands folded calmly over a fresh case file. "Ms. Keller. You haven't made contact with the state regarding Emma in seven years. Why now?"

Beverly’s attorney spoke up immediately. "My client was unaware that her sister had passed away or that Emma was in state care. Now that the situation has come to light—and given the high-profile nature of the victim restitution fund established by the federal court—Ms. Keller wishes to assume her rightful family responsibility."

Miranda’s eyes turned to ice. Victim restitution fund.

Because of the federal asset forfeiture from Vance Development, a trust fund of nearly one million dollars had been set up specifically for the victims of the fraudulent foster system, with Emma listed as the primary beneficiary.

"I see," Miranda said softly. "You want to protect your niece."

"Family belongs with family, Ms. Hayes," Beverly said, putting on a faint, practiced expression of sympathy. "Not with a group of aging bikers in the mountains."

Miranda leaned back in her chair. "Ms. Keller, are you aware that as part of a biological custody petition, the court requires a comprehensive background check, including six years of tax returns, substance screening, and a full deposition under oath regarding your whereabouts for the last decade?"

Beverly’s attorney frowned. "That is standard procedure, but given the circumstances—"

"Given the circumstances," Miranda interrupted, reaching into her desk drawer and pulling out a blue folder, "I had my private investigator run a preliminary check the moment your attorney filed the appearance yesterday morning."

Miranda opened the folder. "In 2019, you signed a waiver relinquishing all familial interest in your sister’s estate in exchange for a cash settlement from her life insurance policy. In 2022, you were listed as a co-signatory on a bank account tied to Richard Vance’s commercial real estate holding company."

Beverly’s face went pale.

"You weren't unaware of Emma's situation," Miranda said, her voice dropping into a lethal, quiet tone. "You were paid five thousand dollars by Richard Vance five years ago to stay quiet and never claim custody so they could keep Emma in Mrs. Bell’s unregistered foster rotation."

Beverly stood up so fast her chair screeched against the floorboards. "This is harassment!"

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"This is federal wire fraud and conspiracy," Miranda corrected, standing up to face her. "If you step into Judge Thorne’s courtroom on Monday, there will be two FBI agents standing at the back of the room waiting to arrest you the moment you take the oath. Do you still wish to pursue your 'family responsibility'?"

Beverly looked at her attorney, whose eyes were wide with panic. Without saying another word, Beverly grabbed her designer bag and sprinted out of the office, her heels clicking frantically down the hallway.