Thank you for coming. Margaret sat down across from him with her own cup. I saw you ride past, she said. It didn't seem like the situation called for me to stay in bed. He looked at her.
You stayed with her for 2 hours. Yes, you were supposed to come here tonight to do an assessment. She looked at him evenly. I'm aware. The assessments.
The assessment is done. Margaret said, "I don't need a clipboard to do an assessment. " He was quiet. She turned her cup in her hands. "I came here," she said slowly, "like someone working out what they want to say as they say it, because the county sent me to determine whether these children are in a suitable situation. That is my official function. " She paused.
"Over the last 6 weeks, I have also come here because," another pause, "longer. I have a daughter," she said. "She lives in the eastern part of the territory now. I have a son who died 11 years ago. She said it without looking for sympathy, just stating it.
His name was Thomas. He was 4 years old. Called her said nothing. I'm not telling you that. So feel sorry for me, Margaret said.
I'm telling you because you should understand that when I sat with that little girl tonight, I was I was not entirely objective. Nobody asked you to be objective. Caldera said, I'm supposed to be. You came here in a storm at midnight, Margaret. Nobody thinks you came for objectivity.
She looked at him. It was the first time he'd used her first name. She didn't correct him. I'm going to withdraw my observation report, she said. He went still.
I'm going to tell Prescott that the situation is no longer under formal observation, that the placement is appropriate and that further review is an unnecessary use of county resources. She looked at her coffee cup. I will recommend that the formal placement papers be finalized. Calder was quiet for a long moment. Why?