The outside complaint received similar scrutiny. Martha presented the verified records showing that Colin Rusk had been retained by Michael Ventry and that his work included locating Sky and gathering information about the Iron Jaws. Rusk's statement established who paid for the investigation and what instructions were given, but it did not resolve every question about Ventry's intentions. The judge reviewed the report's factual claims against the dates of the old photographs and the current safety inspection. Several broad allegations were unsupported by the material supplied, and the judge made clear that reputational suspicion would not replace a current assessment of an individual caregiver.
The agency attorney asked whether the old rivalry between the Iron Jaws and the Steel Chains made the proposed placement dangerous. Gregory felt his pulse rise, but Martha answered before he could speak. The current safety plan prohibited exposing Sky to club disputes and included a separate residence, supervised visits, and documented contact procedures. She also requested that any new approach by Michael Ventry or his agents be reported through the agency and law enforcement rather than handled by direct confrontation. Judge Ward nodded and wrote the condition into her notes. Sky watched the exchange, realizing for the first time that being safe might involve adults agreeing not to fight someone on her behalf.
At last the judge asked to hear from Sky. Her advocate moved beside her, and the girl stood with the notebook held flat against her chest. She had practiced answers with Rachel Kim, but the sound of her own shoes on the courtroom floor scattered them. The judge spoke gently without sounding condescending.
She asked how long Sky had been staying with the Monroes, whether she attended school, and what made the garage important to her. Sky answered the first two easily. The third seemed to make the room grow bigger.
"My brother used to paint motorcycles there," Sky said. "He died when I was five. I thought if I found the people who knew him, I might find somebody who remembered me too." The judge asked whether anyone had pressured her to say she wanted to live with Gregory.
Sky shook her head. "They keep asking me what I want," she said, and the words surprised her as she spoke them. "Sometimes I get mad because I don't know. But they still ask."
"Do you feel safe with the current people helping you?" Judge Ward asked. "Yes," Sky answered. "I feel safe at Denise's house. I feel safe at school most days.