Dylan’s first thought as he folded the note and handed it back to Piper was how could anyone be that selfish? But then he’d never had an addiction or had to fight really hard to survive, so he guessed that gave him no right to judge.

“You ready to see the child now, Miss Trainer?”

Piper sniffed loudly, then inhaled several times, but managed to keep the tears inside.

“Y-yes.”

“Follow me.”

Dylan led the way, holding Piper’s hand in his, and they went down a flight of stairs and into another corridor. The room they wanted had a glass insert in the top half of the door. Lieutenant Heath pushed it open, and Dylan nudged Piper through in front of him.

“Be strong now, Piper.”

She nodded, and walked inside.

A little golden-haired girl was sitting on the floor playing with a set of blocks. She looked up as Piper entered and made a noise. Almost like a squeal, but not quite. She scrambled to her feet, and was soon walking across the room as fast as her little legs could carry her. Grace hadn’t been walking long by the way she moved, and was cute enough to make his heart hurt for what she had lost. Dylan heard Piper’s sob before she dropped to her knees and took the little girl into her arms. Little arms wrapped around her neck and there they stayed while the three adults watched.

Dylan had learned early to shut emotion away, but right at this moment he could drop to his knees beside them and weep like a baby.

“I know you are the child’s legal guardian, Miss Trainer, but if you could give me a few minutes please, I have questions before I can let you take her.”

The social worker was midfifties, with short gray hair cut in an efficient bob. No child would be able to tangle their fingers in that, Dylan guessed. Dressed in a blue suit and white shirt, she looked tired, and he knew that the sights this woman saw would be enough to make anyone weary.

“As you can see, Miss Trainer is well known to the child and she is comfortable with her, Gwen,” Lieutenant Heath said.

“I cannot simply hand Grace over to her, Simon, even if she is the legal guardian.”

“Yes, God forbid we did not follow process,” he muttered. “I will leave you now, Miss Trainer, Mr. Howard. Should you need anything, please call.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant Heath.” Dylan helped Piper rise with the child still clasped in her arms.

He shook the man’s hand and then there was just the four of them in the room.