43 Suffolk County Courthouse, 10 03 PM

“Your Honor,” Alex was saying. “I’d like to request temporary custody of both of the Miller children.” He was standing in the chambers of the Honorable James Warren. He was petitioning for temporary custody of the girls.

“On what grounds, Sargent?” Judge Warren asked.

“Based on information that we’ve received from one of the girls,” Alex consulted his notepad. “We believe that the girls may have been targeted for human trafficking. Samantha, the older of the two girls, overheard their captor, a Lee Winston, now deceased, talking about airports and jets. It is our belief that the girls were to be flown out of the country. We also believe that whoever is the next person in line will be looking for the girls and I think that having them completely out of the area would be the safest action.” Alex watched as Judge Warren leaned back in his chair and looked at Alex.

“Why not have them remanded into the juvenile detainment center?” Judge Warren sat back upright in his chair.

“Your Honor, these girls have recently lost both their parents as well as their home,” Alex said, the compassion coming out full force. He felt a need to protect these girls at all costs. “In addition, the younger sibling still has some issues that she’s not outgrown, and I personally think that staying into the juvenile detention center would be detrimental to their recovery from this ordeal.” Judge Warren pursed his lips and thought for a few moments before speaking.

“Sargent,” He said, picking up a pen. “I’m granting you custody until your investigation is over, At that point you will have to petition the court for full custody if you wish to seek it.” Judge Warren signed the papers in front of him, picked up a stamp and then stamped the document. Sitting the stamp back down, he stood, causing Alex to do the same. “I’ve been following your case as I’ve had time. Keep the kids safe.”

“Yes, Your honor,” Alex said as the Judge handed him the documents. “I will, Your Honor.”