Chapter 13 - The Social Worker|
At eight o'clock the next morning, a sleek black sedan pulled up the long driveway of the estate.
A woman in her late forty, wearing a sharp grey blazer and holding a thick leather binder, stepped out. She was accompanied by two uniformed Cook County sheriff deputies.
"Mr. Callahan?" she asked, walking up the front steps where I stood waiting alongside Daniel. "My name is Margaret Hayes. I am a senior investigator with Child Protective Services."
"Ms. Hayes," I said politely, stepping aside. "Welcome to my home."
"I am here under an emergency judicial warrant to inspect the living conditions of Noah, Liam, and Grace Callahan," she stated neutrally, looking around the expansive, high-tech foyer. "We received reports of severe environmental distress and medical endangerment."
"You were brought here by Victoria Vance," I said flatly as we walked up the grand staircase.
"I am brought here by court order, Mr. Callahan," Ms. Hayes corrected sternly. "I care only about the safety of those infants."
We entered the nursery. The room was bathed in soft morning sunlight. The triplets were sitting up in their playpen, babbling happily as Sarah fed them small spoonfuls of cereal.
Ms. Hayes walked over, inspecting the babies closely. She checked their skin, their eyes, and their demeanor. She noted their healthy weight and their playful interactions.
"They appear in good health," she admitted, writing notes in her binder. "However, the petition states that an illegal acoustic device was found in this room last night."
"It was found," I said, pointing to the open molding near the ceiling. "And it was removed."
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"And who installed it, Mr. Callahan?" she asked, turning her sharp gaze toward me. "My reports indicate your house manager was arrested internally for installing it."
"My house manager was framed," I replied firmly. "And I am about to prove it to you."
