My Brother’s Keeper - 36

Captain Thompson smiled tightly, turning to Mr. Sherman. “I gather you don’t like homosexuals.”

“Scum of the earth. They should all be killed at birth. They’re abominations. The Bible teaches that.”

“So,” the captain’s smile widened a bit as he looked at the investigating officer standing there, “You should have been killed at birth?”

The officer who had accompanied the captain into the room snorted. “If he had been, we’d have lost a man who’s won three commendations for meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty.”

Roy’s father stared at them in shock. “You let some faggot…?” he sputtered. “What the hell is this city coming to? That would never happen on my force.”

“We let a good man who does his job without prejudice join the force.” The captain shot a withering glance at Mr. Sherman. “Something yours apparently doesn’t do if you’re a representative of it.”

At that moment the door opened again. Denise came in, followed by a man in a business suit. They immediately went over to Tad and Roy, asking if they were free to leave.

“If I can get past my father we are, I think,” Roy said, glancing at the captain.

“Not until you tell me where Jerry is,” Roy’s father growled angrily. “He’s a minor and I don’t intend to leave the city until I have him with me.”

The man who had come in with Denise turned to look at Mr. Sherman. “At the moment that is not an option. Jerry is ward of the court.”

Both Roy and his father looked at the man in shock. Denise quickly and quietly told Roy it was all right and that Jerry had agreed to the plan. He gazed at her in disbelief but kept his peace.

Mr. Sherman was not as willing to do the same. “What the hell do you mean he’s a ward of the court,” he shouted angrily.

“He is under the care and control of the juvenile court,” the man replied. Then he introduced himself as Max Daniels, the lawyer in charge of Jerry’s case.

“So that’s your Max,” Tad said softly enough that only Denise and Roy heard him. She nodded yes in reply.

“I…I…” Mr. Sherman sputtered. “I’ll see you in court.” Without another word, but with an enraged glare at the entire group, he turned on his heel and left.

“Where is he?” Roy asked the moment his father was gone, panic in his voice.

“Not at Juvie if that’s what you’re worried about. He’s still at my place thanks to Max. It was his idea once he heard the full story. Now,” Denise looked at Roy, “he’s going to help you file for guardianship. However that means you’re going to have to get off the streets and become a respectable member of society.”

“I think it can be arranged,” Tad said, smiling at Roy. “Now, if everyone’s in agreement, can we get out of here?”