All for Acceptance II

By: Rod
(© 2010-2017 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Rod@tickiestories.us

Ricky moved out of the car and took his position.  He had already picked a place where he couldn’t be seen by someone looking out of the windows of the carriage house and he figured he could get Paul back to his car quick enough that no one from the home would notice either, until it was too late.  Now all he had to do was wait.  Any time now, Paul should come out that door and he would grab him.  Once he did his problems would be over.  He could handle that little kid.  He wasn’t stupid as the other jerk who had thrown Paul out of his Mother’s house that day.  He had searched and searched to no avail when he found out what had happened.  Unfortunately it wasn’t until they heard from Child and Family Services did he find out where Paul had gone and then it was too late for him to get him back.  Picking him up from school and providing him to his customers had been so easy, and profitable.  It would be again.  He just had to wait for Paul to come back out of the building.  “Hurry up kid, it’s getting cold out here,” he thought as he shifted from foot to foot trying to stay warm while he waited.  “Come on kid, move your butt so I can take you home with me!”

Chapter 11

“Dad,” yelled Jeffrey as he vaulted down the stairs. “There is some guy hanging around close to the main building and he had been sitting in a car but got out just after Paul went over.  I got a funny feeling something isn’t right!”

“I’ll call over and have Paul stay inside till we can figure things out,” replied James as he turned to pick up the phone.  “Hello, Tony? James here, can you catch Paul and ask him to stay there with you until I let you know otherwise?  There is someone outside and I’m afraid something might be amiss.”

“Jeffrey, how did you know someone was out there?” asked James.

“I was looking through one of the telescopes and noticed a car sitting along the street.  Each time I checked back it was still there with a guy inside.  I thought it was kind of funny for someone to be sitting outside in a car in this weather and then when Paul left the house to go over to the home I noticed the guy was getting out of the car and heading to a place where it looked like he was hiding, but could still see if someone came out of the home.”

“Ok, I think I’ll give Officer Ted Burke a call and see what he thinks.”

“Ted, James Townsend here. I’m a little concerned.  It seems a car has been parked near the grounds for a while with a man sitting in it.  When Paul went over to the home a little bit ago to get a book he needed, the man got out of the car and took a position of hiding close to the building.  I called over and asked for Paul to stay in the building with Tony until I told him otherwise.  Do you think we should do something else, say to check on what may be about to happen?”

“Well, it has come to our attention that no one has been able to locate Ricky, Paul’s mother’s old boyfriend and there are some rather curious circumstances surrounding his disappearance. Let me head over that way and I’ll call in to see if we should send anyone else as well.  In the mean time, be sure Paul stays inside.”

“Not a problem, I’ll be here at the carriage house waiting for you.”

“Good I’ll see you shortly.”

“Detective Jones, this is Officer Ted Burke.  I just got a call from James Townsend with a possible prowler on the homes grounds.  There seems a guy was parked along the street by the home for a while this evening and when Paul walked over to the home this guy got out and took a position near the building.  James is concerned that Paul might be in danger.  Do you know of any concerns?  I know Ricky, the boyfriend of Paul’s Mom was abusing the boy, and wasn’t too happy when another boyfriend kicked him out and we placed him in the home. I’m heading there now, any suggestions?”

“Thanks for the call.  It has been a concern just where Ricky had disappeared to.  We need to check it out and see if it is Ricky who is on the grounds.  If so, it could be a danger to Paul.  I’ll arrange for more backup and head there myself.”

Ricky continued to do his little dance trying to keep warm and cussing to himself that Paul had not come back out of the building yet.  It was cold out but for whatever the discomfort he needed that boy back. 

Detective Jones and Officer Burke arrived at about the same time being careful to approach the estate in such a way as to not be noticed.  Officer Burke saw a lone car and called in to run the plates.  Surprise, the plate did come back registered to Ricky.  Little did Ricky know that just that morning Professor Saunders had slipped and brought up Ricky’s displeasure when he had refused to go through with the deal to pay off him and Paul’s mother when it come to be found out that she had signed over custody to DCFS. Ricky had been a very unhappy camper expecting a windfall of money for the task of providing Paul to Professor Saunders.  The entire department had discussed the case and was more concerned that Ricky may have been involved in the woman’s disappearance.  Everyone was reminded to be on the lookout for Ricky.

After conferring with James Townsend it was decided that they would have Paul exit the building.  Detective Jones, Officer Burke and several other officers were stationed at various points around the grounds waiting and watching what was about to unfold. 

“You’re going with me you little bastard!” said Ricky as he grabbed Paul.

“I don’t think he be going anywhere with you,” shouted Detective Jones as he and several other men surrounded Ricky and Paul.

“You are under arrest for the attempted kidnapping of Paul Murphy-Townsend and a number of other charges we will enumerate once we get to the station.

“Paul, are you OK? Did he hurt you in any way?” asked James as he ran to the boy. 

“No Dad I’m fine, even better that they are taking him away.  I hope I never have to see him again.”

“Let’s get you in where it’s warm.  Do you have your book?”

“In all the excitement I left it in the office.”

“We’ll both walk in and get it.  Afterwards let’s get home and have some hot chocolate.”

“Yeah that sounds good to me!”

It was nearly eleven o’clock by the time they could escort Ricky to a jail cell.  Unfortunately he would not be alone.  Even though it was getting late his cellmate seemed to be the talkative type and kept enticing Ricky to expound upon his exploits.  The more Ricky talked about, the more his cell mate tried to one up him in his tales of dirty deeds.  It seemed they were quite the pair.  By one in the morning it was hard to tell which one was the worse crime wave to hit the area in a number of years.  Ricky had to continually boast and finally got his cellmate to capitulate to his superiority when Ricky detailed how he had repaid his old girl friend when she had crossed him.  At eight o’clock the next morning Ricky’s cellmate had been escorted out of the cell.  At eight thirty Officer Julius Beck was in the DA’s office discussing the recording between him and Ricky from the cell the previous night. Officer Beck was a recent graduate from the academy and due to a few years of pretty tough life before having his aha moment and deciding to straighten out and join the force, he had achieved an appearance and demeanor that had enabled him to be so convincing in his earlier performance.  Of course the deeds to which he claimed to be complicit were in all actuality that of cases he had studied, most certainly not ones in which he had participated.

On the other hand the bragging of Ricky would keep several agencies busy for a while investigating.  In time there may be more than enough evidence to put Ricky away long enough that he would never be a threat to Paul or any other young boy again.

*******

The day had finally come and Rory arrived in the office of James Townsend.  It would be his first day at the home and hopefully the beginning of his career.  Bill, James Phillip and Tony all met to get more acquainted with the newbie.  Considering Rory’s involvement with Jeffrey he was already accepted by the crew and looked upon warmly.  It was discussed just how he would fit into the realm of things, what would be expected of him and what he could expect of them.  He had just gotten settled into his office when it became time for lunch.  Upon entering the dining room he was spotted by Jeffrey who immediately ran to him and gave him a crushing hug.  Jeffrey was almost to tears as he expressed his gratitude in Rory’s assistance getting him away from Professor Saunders and the University into first, the safety of Rory’s relatives and then, back into DCFS custody where he was transferred to the home and then adopted.  It was with the widest of smiles that he introduced his brothers, especially his blood related brother.   Rory was touched by the love evident with all the boys and became more determined to do whatever he could to serve not only the boys in the facility but the men who had hired him.

To be continued...

Comments encouraged and appreciated

Rod

Posted: 04/14/17