“Wanna make some cash?” I ask.
∞∞∞
Less than an hour later, I have Austin in my care. The relief is so tangible I’m sure it must be shimmering off me in waves. Oblivious to what must have been an ordeal, Austin is sitting beside me in Cory’s Beemer. My agent was the first person I called when it occurred to me that I couldn’t go searching on foot. I’ll admit, it’s handy to have him at my beck and call – though God knows I pay enough for the privilege.
Austin has a deck of cards in his hands and is shuffling them back and forth, back and forth. The motion seems to soothe him, which is useful because I’d have no idea what to do if he had any kind of meltdown. He’s a cute child but I don’t have any experience with the kind of care he must need. It occurs to me that Arielle’s life must be infinitely more complex than she’s ever let on.
“Oh, my God, Sam! Thank you!” Arielle almost screams when I call her. She’s already had her police buddy Tim call out half the police force to go on a hunt for the boy, but my little network of homeless kids saved the day. It feels like a strange little victory for some reason. Tim’s around a whole hell of a lot, in my opinion.
From all accounts, the kid climbed onto a bus near their home along with a group of tourists. He got off when they did and caused some confusion when it became clear he didn’t belong to any of them. My little beggars – and I use the term affectionately – picked up on the trail through some freaky bush telegraph that is probably only known to those who roam in their world.
“Got your kiddo,” Slippery Fingers told me. He’s one of the kids who’d eaten the meal I brought out...I haven’t asked how he got the nickname, but I can guess. “Old Sal across the park found him sitting on a bench, quiet as you please. Would you believe it?” He was flipping through a wad of dollars as he spoke to me. “Wasn’t that hard to find him actually – he’d caused a bit of a fuss with a bunch of out-o-towners. Seemed someone tried to touch him. I think he don’t like to be touched.”
I nod and Fingers sticks his jaw out. “I don’t like to be touched neither,” he says, and I nod again. He goes back to counting his dollars. I imagine he’ll be tucking them in a safe place before long. Not smart to flash cash around in the world he inhabits. Or my world either, come to think of it. I’m just relieved we have Austin back. It’s cost me a couple of grand, but I couldn’t care less. A part of me wants to ruffle his hair but I think better of it. I go back to my call with Arielle.
“Are you home yet?” I ask. “I can bring him round to you.”
“Shit,” she replies. “I’m actually halfway across town. I was tracking down the bus route I got from the depot. Tim had some of the guys on it too...” she trails off.
“Don’t sweat it,” I try to calm her. I can hear that she’s not in a state to think clearly. “I’m around the corner from my place. I’ll take him back there. You can pick him up from me. And don’t panic.”
She exhales and I can tell she’s pulling herself together. “Okay, thank you, Sam,” her voice is calmer now. “I’m stuck downtown and need to turn back round. Give me a few minutes and I’ll call you back.”
“No problem, be safe,” I’m still trying to reassure her. “He’s in good hands.”
As Cory pulls up outside the front entrance to my house, I dash up the stairs and open the door.
Inside, it’s as if nothing ever happened, aside from a picture on the wall that’s hanging slightly askew.
Thank God.
I don’t pay that security company enough.
I go back to the car to collect Austin and guide him into the house. His mother is going to get here in minutes.
