Unhooking the Moon (26 page)

‘Sure, Tommy. I'm with you.'

‘What about you, Bob?'

I could feel the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. ‘Ready when you are, Tommy.'

Tommy gripped the baseball bat. ‘Come on then, boys. Let's show these paedophiles how we do it on the West Side!'

We ran across the lawn and crouched below a window on the left of the entranceway. Tommy rose slowly and looked inside. Then he went around the side of the building and looked through another window. ‘It's a storage room,' he whispered. ‘Pass me the crowbar.'

I swapped Tommy the crowbar for the baseball bat and, sliding it beneath the window, he pushed it down. There was a lot of creaking and groaning. Then something sprang in the air and the window opened. We froze. All I could hear was my heart pounding.

Tommy breathed out. ‘Take this,' he said and handed me the crowbar. He pushed the window up carefully and went to climb inside.

‘I'll go,' whispered Joey. ‘I'm a little … younger.'

Tommy put his hand on Joey's shoulder. ‘It's all yours, kid.'

Joey climbed in the window, as nimble as a cat burglar, and disappeared into the darkness. He soon climbed out again. ‘The door's locked,' he whispered.

Then we heard voices and footsteps coming from inside.

‘Over here,' said Tommy.

We scurried to a wall and hid behind the tall shrubs that were growing in front of it. We heard keys in a lock and a light came on. It lit up the ground in front of the window but it stayed dark where we were.

The man wearing glasses entered the room. ‘Who left this window open?' He turned to the woman behind him. ‘Do a head count, and do it quick.' He came forward and looked straight ahead to where we were standing. ‘Anyone out there?'

It was like he was looking straight at me. I pushed back against the wall. He put his head out the window and looked left and right. Then slowly he closed it. The light went out and the door closed.

We stepped out from behind the shrubs.

‘You think he saw us?' said Joey.

‘I doubt it,' said Tommy. ‘But either way we're still going in.'

We followed Tommy back towards the front of the home. He checked one window and then another and then he looked inside. ‘This one opens into a hall.' He slid the crowbar into the window and pushed it down. There was the sound of wood pushing against wood and the window popped open. There wasn't much noise, but we froze all the same. Then very slowly, and carefully, Tommy pushed it up.

He took the bat from me and gave me the crowbar. ‘Listen,' he whispered. ‘What we need is stealth and surprise. We'll sneak in, grab Marie Claire, and sneak out. We'll be halfway to Canada before they know she's gone.'

Out on the road a car screeched to a halt. It was a long hard screech that echoed around the grounds. We all turned to the main gate. Slowly it crept towards the gate, its headlights lighting up the path. We watched, mesmerized by the murmur of its engine. Was this more of them? But the car reversed away and the grounds of the home grew dark. I was just about to say something when once again its tyres screeched. We heard the car roaring back towards us. Suddenly it rammed the gates with an almighty crash!

Tommy held out his hand. ‘Or we can let everyone know we're here, the way Ice has just done.'

The gates hung off their hinges while the Range Rover, steam pouring from its engine, stopped at the entrance. In all my young life I have never been so glad to see anyone! ‘Ice!'

Ice jumped out of the Range Rover and marched towards the main entrance mumbling as he went. ‘Telling me what I can and can't do! Goddamn phoneys!'

‘Be careful, Ice!' said Tommy.

‘They could be armed!' shouted Joey.

Without stopping, Ice gave the front door one hard kick. Then he kicked it again. Then stepping back he smashed it open with his shoulder. We followed him inside and walking past a dozen children's drawings we entered a large lobby, stale with that school dinners smell. There was a reception area with several computers, on the right of a wide wooden staircase, and there was a large open room on the left. The room was dark, lit only by what little moonlight came through its windows. And above the entrance were the words C
OMMON
R
OOM
.

We heard the sound of feet on floorboards and a young stocky man appeared at the top of the stairs. ‘They've rammed the gates, Mr Joshua!' he shouted, and rushed down the stairs.

The guy wearing glasses followed, pulling on his dressing gown as he came. The blonde woman came after him and they stood at the bottom of the stairs staring at us in disbelief.

When Mr Joshua got over the shock of us standing there he looked angry. ‘Call the police, Ben!'

The stocky guy went behind the reception desk and picked up the phone.

‘Go ahead. Call the police,' said Joey. ‘Goddamn paedophiles.'

Mr Joshua looked absolutely bewildered. ‘What did you say?'

‘You heard me.'

‘I heard you. But I don't understand.'

‘We're friends of Marie Claire's,' said Tommy.

Mr Joshua looked hurt. ‘Is that what she told you? And you came here with baseball bats?' He turned to the woman. ‘Do you believe this?'

‘I don't care what she believes. I wanna see my sister!'

The woman came towards me. She had eyes as big and as blue as the Rat's. ‘I think I understand. You thought Marie Claire was in danger and you were frightened for her.' She smiled. ‘She missed you, that's all. I think she was scared she wouldn't see you again.
You're Bob, right?'

I never said anything. She touched my shoulder. ‘I have three girls of my own, Bob. I would never allow anyone to harm a child!'

Mr Joshua looked at the woman. ‘This is the girl who was brought in last night? She spent the whole day running around. And then she taught the smaller kids how to play soccer. I've never seen a happier kid!'

‘No,' said the woman. ‘I think she was a little sad towards the end of the day. Is that when she called you?'

I looked at Mr Joshua's hand. What we had thought was a gun was an old-fashioned phone. But the Rat had got us so wound up.

The woman smiled warmly. ‘Don't worry,' she said. ‘I've worked in childcare for fifteen years and I know a good kid when I see one. She must have got lonely, that's all.'

Could the Rat have made up the whole thing? The woman seemed really nice. And I couldn't imagine these guys hurting kids. I didn't know what to believe.

I turned to Ice and Joey. Ice looked embarrassed and Joey was edging toward the door. It was like they'd already made up their minds.

But when I turned to Tommy he didn't look happy. ‘Can we see her?' he asked.

The woman frowned. ‘Well, the children are in bed now.' Then she had a think. ‘I know. Why don't you come back in the morning? You can have breakfast with her if you like. And then we can sort things out.'

‘What shall I do, Mr Joshua?' said the stocky guy from behind the reception desk. He still had the phone in his hand.

The woman looked at Mr Joshua. ‘I don't think we want the police here this time of night. Do we?'

Mr Joshua looked undecided. ‘What about the gate? It's going to need repairing.'

‘I'll pay for it,' said Ice.

‘We might not see you again. You might not even have the money.'

The young stocky guy came from behind the reception desk. ‘I think he's good for it, Mr Joshua. Right, Ice?'

Mr Joshua looked more amazed. ‘Ben, you know this guy?'

‘This is Ice, the latest star of rap. Love your music, Ice.' Ben shook hands heartily. ‘If you're coming for breakfast, Ice, you could sign some autographs for the kids.'

‘I'd be more impressed if he'd sign a cheque for the gate.'

‘Sure he will,' said Ben.

‘OK,' said Mr Joshua. ‘As long as he comes back in the morning there'll be no need to call the police. But if you don't turn up—'

‘I'll be here. First thing.'

‘When you come tomorrow don't be too hard on her,' said the woman. ‘She's only young.'

And so that was it. We all started heading toward the entrance. Ice looked like he couldn't wait to get away. I couldn't blame him after what the Rat had done. I'd punch her in her pointy ears when I saw her. But as we neared the door I started to feel bad. I didn't want to leave her there. And I knew she'd want to see me. And she wasn't a liar, not really. And she'd never told a lie as big as that … No. I wanna see my sister! Even if they have to wake her up. I turned to Tommy.

As I did so Mr Joshua looked in the Common Room. It happened so quickly but I thought I saw him wink. I tried to see inside but it was too dark. But the moon must have moved from behind a cloud because the room became brighter. And there, lurking by the window, was the silhouette of a man.

‘Tommy.'

‘I see him,' said Tommy. ‘Come out of there,' he shouted.

There was a short pause and a guy came out of the darkness. He was pale and wide-eyed, and he was shaking like a junkie. Then I saw the glow of a cigarette light up someone's lips. ‘There's someone else in there!' I said. ‘They're sitting in a chair.'

‘Come on out,' said Joey.

But whoever it was just calmly smoked their cigarette.

‘Who is that?' said Tommy.

Mr Joshua looked at the floor. ‘I don't know.'

Tommy looked amazed. ‘You run this place and you don't know who that is?'

Joey looked angry. ‘What the hell's going on here?'

I looked at the woman. She stared at me with this cold blank stare. Then I turned to see Ben with his back to a wall. His fists were clenched like he was ready to fight.

The rage took my breath away at first. Then I found my voice. ‘Where's my goddamn sister?' I screamed.

Before I knew it Ice had pulled two silver Berettas from their side holsters. He aimed them at Mr Joshua. ‘Tell him. Or you won't believe what happens next!'

The life drained from Mr Joshua's face and he
swallowed hard. ‘I'm sorry but she ran away,' he said almost choking on his words. ‘I didn't want to tell you in case you got upset.'

‘You honestly expect us to believe that?' said Tommy.

I turned to Ice. ‘She's here, Ice. I know she is.'

Ice cocked the Berettas. Once again he aimed the guns at Mr Joshua. ‘Where is she?'

He looked scared but he tried to smile. ‘You're not going to shoot.'

‘Don't be so sure!' said Ice. Then he aimed his guns at the junkie. ‘Where is she?'

‘Think about the consequences, Ice,' said the woman in a harsh tone. ‘If that gun goes off you could be looking at life.'

‘I won't ask you again!' said Ice.

The junkie's shaking got worse.

Ice's face hardened. There was a loud bang and a bullet exploded in the banister. The junkie cried out and covered his head.

The woman cringed and covered her ears. Mr Joshua looked faint. And when I turned to see Ben his hands were almost raised.

‘We didn't do anything to her,' said the woman lowering her hands. ‘She caused trouble and so we
locked her in a cupboard. That's all.'

I felt so relieved, my eyes closed. If the Rat had caused trouble, she must be OK. And if she was locked in a cupboard, she was out of harm's way.

‘OK,' said Mr Joshua breathing heavily. ‘She's upstairs. You can take her. We'll just say she ran away.'

Ice glared at Mr Joshua. ‘If she's been hurt, there'll be hell to pay! And you're the one who'll pay it! … Go get her, boys.'

‘I'll call the cops,' said Joey.

Tommy followed me up the stairs. But he stopped by Mr Joshua who was staring shamefaced at the floor. ‘I don't like you!' he said showing him the baseball bat. ‘And if she's not up there, I'm going to like you a lot less!' He followed me up the stairs, which led into two separate wings. ‘You go that way, Bob, and I'll go this. Shout if you need me.'

I shook with fear and rage as I walked down the corridor. My palms were sweating but I raised the crowbar and opened the first door I came to. The room was empty. I opened another – that was empty too. But when I opened the third door there were all these little kids standing in the dark. They were fully dressed, some of them holding small suitcases. They
looked really scared.

‘Is Ice here?' asked a little girl. ‘Marie Claire said Ice was coming to rescue us!'

‘He's here! Go down the stairs, he's waiting!' They ran down the corridor towards the stairs. I opened another door and there were more little kids dressed and ready to go. ‘Quick, down the stairs!' I said. Before I got to the next door, the kids were coming out.

Then I heard someone banging and kicking at the far end of the corridor. I ran towards the door it was coming from. ‘Is that you?'

‘What kept you, brother?' shouted the Rat from the other side.

I slotted the crowbar into the door and pushed. But it wouldn't budge.

‘Come on, Bob! You're taking all beeping day!'

I moved the crowbar by the lock and pushed with all my strength. Suddenly it cracked open and there was the Rat. ‘Free at last!'

‘Are you OK? Did they hurt you?'

‘Are you kidding? I told them goddamn paedophiles I had friends downtown who were on their way. Then they took my cell and locked me in this goddamn cupboard!'

I laughed and went to hug her but she pushed past me.

‘Where are you going? Ice is here! We have to leave!'

‘First we have to rescue Felicia.'

I grabbed hold of her. ‘Felicia's dead! You know that!'

The Rat gave me a look. ‘There's more than one Felicia in the world, Bob.' And then she ran off down the corridor.

I felt stupid then, and annoyed, and glad I never hugged her.