The Wayward Gifted - Broken Point (35 page)

“Yes.”

“You drive?” Sam asked.

“When the need arises. Yes, I do. I’m a
capable and experienced driver.” Toriah reached into his pocket and removed his
wallet. “I’m even licensed here.”

“What good will it do for us to rent a
car?” Sam asked. “Are we planning to follow the family that wants Steuart? How
will we get him away from them?”

“No. That’s not the plan. You’re
getting ahead of things,” Toriah cleared his throat. “This is much simpler. We
plan to go inside The Minor Protection Agency offices pretending to be the
family coming for Steuart.”

“Will that work?” Sam asked.

“I believe it will. However, we’re
looking at a time sensitive situation. The most important thing is that we
arrive first.”

“Are you sure? Do you believe this will
work?”

“Absolutely, as long as we move swiftly
and create enough confusion, everything should be fine. We’ll have your brother
home in short order.” Toriah cleared his throat. “I’d be dishonest if I didn’t
tell you that this will be tricky.”

Ed looked at Sam, “Remember the three
rules.”

Sam nodded.

Toriah continued, “We each have an
important job. This depends on all of us doing our part and working together as
a team.” He pulled a folded paper from his coat.

“What’s that?” Ed asked

“Important information. This folder
contains the name of the family coming for Steuart. The man’s name is Sal
Sebby. His appointment is scheduled for three-thirty this afternoon.”

“Today?” Sam asked.

 
Toriah nodded, “Today.”

“We need to go now,” Sam insisted.

Ed put his finger to his mouth in an
effort to calm Sam. “Listen to Toriah. First, we need to go over the plan.”

“The four of us will ride over
together. Ed, we’ll drop you off first. Sam, we’ll drop you off after that. Ed
will walk from the corner to The Minor Protection Agency. He will enter the
building first and make contact with the clerk. She’s a rather tall, thin woman
with short red hair and black frame glasses. Her name is Prim Tate. My research
tells me that she’s a helpful person, but also meticulous about her work.”

“By the book, obsessive?” Ed asked.

Toriah nodded, “Ed, do you remember the
Metro Cup affair?”

“Only our finest hour. How could I
forget? That’s what you have in mind?”

“That is precisely what I have in mind.
It worked beautifully last time and I see no reason that it won’t work equally
well for us today.”

“Any special changes?”

“None.”

“You’ve done this before?” Sam asked.

“Something similar,” Ed said.

“Similar,” Toriah nodded.

Ed turned to Sam, “This is a solid
plan. It’s simple. It should work.”

“As long as we focus and work as a
team.” Toriah continued, “Ed will be followed by Miss Caples and myself. We
will enter the building together.”

“What about me?” Sam asked.

“You have an important job. It sounds
simple, but timing is key. You’ll walk into the office behind Miss Caples and
me. I suggest that you wait about four minutes before coming inside. The
situation will be chaotic, but I need you to ignore the confusion because it’s
a big part of the plan. Pay no attention to anything you hear. Instead, we want
you to walk down this hall,” Toriah produced a map showing Sam the layout of
the building, “Turn to the left and continue to room number twelve. This is
where you’ll find your brother. You’ll quickly explain to Steuart that we’ve
come to take him home. At that point, the two of you will quickly and quietly
retrace your steps and walk through the front door where you’ll go straight to
the car. Open the door, get inside and wait for us. We’ll follow behind
shortly.”

“Won’t the clerk say something when she
sees Steuart leaving with me?”

“Dear girl, please believe me when I
tell you that the clerk will not see either of you.”

Ed, Toriah, Dotsie and Sam practiced
the plan several times before piling into the car and leaving for The Minor
Protection Agency.

Sam looked at Dotsie, “This has to
work.”

* * *

“I’m
nervous,” Sam said.

Ed put his hand on her shoulder, “You
can do this. Believe in yourself.”

“What if something goes wrong?” Dotsie
asked.

“Everything will be fine,” Toriah
cautiously drove towards the office. He stopped at the corner and looked at Sam
in the rearview mirror, “Are you ready young lady?”

“Ready,” Sam opened the car door and
stepped out onto the curb.

“We can do this,” Ed looked at Sam.
“Pretend this is a game. I’ll see you in a few minutes kid-oh.”

Sam felt her heart beating fast. She
stood on the corner and took several deep breaths before walking in the
direction of the office building.

Toriah stopped at the next corner. Ed
exited the car, “Good luck Toriah. Good luck, Dotsie.”

Ed put his hands in his pockets and
began whistling as he walked towards the office building. He opened the front
door, strolled inside, walked to the front counter and slapped the service bell,
whistling as he waited.

A woman emerged from the back and stood
behind the counter, “Good afternoon, may I help you?”

“Prim!” Ed laughed loudly.

“Yes,” the woman nodded, “I’m Prim
Tate. You are?”

“Prim Tate, as I live and breathe. Wow.
It’s so great to see you. As they say, longtime, no see. How great,” Ed laughed,
coughed, and then rubbed his nose with the palm of his hand before reaching out
for a handshake.

The woman declined.

Ed continued, “I’m impressed.” He
winked and then raised and lowered his eyebrows, “Looking good baby.”

“Excuse me…?”

“No need,” Ed waved his hand and shook
his head. His speech became rapid. “Please, don’t say that you’ve forgotten me.”
He threw his hand over his heart, “I’ll be destroyed. I know I should have
called. Hey, we both should have done something, but I lost your number, time
passed and well, life got in the way. But after that magical night there were
so many things going on. Like I said, you could have made contact.” Ed coughed
again.

Prim looked confused, “I am afraid
that...”

Ed interrupted, “No need to be afraid.
I’m fine with things. There’s no need to be embarrassed. It was a natural
thing. There are beginnings, there are endings, and there is the in-between.”

The woman frowned, shook her head and
tried to speak, “You must be...”

“Delighted. That’s what I am. I am
delighted to see you.” Ed leaned in across the counter, “You don’t have to say
a thing. Your expression is priceless.”

“Sir, are you playing some sort of game
with me?”

“How could you even think that?” Ed
threw his hands in the air. “With our history ... It’s been a long time, but
some people are extra special .... Life happens ... we move on to other things
and we find happiness, but we rarely forget that magic. You’re a big girl. You
understand that these things happen.”

“What?” Prim shook her head, “I don’t
understand. What are you trying to say to me?”

“That’s not why I’m here. Hey, I had no
idea that you worked here.” Ed stopped and took a deep breath. “Sorry, I was so
shocked to see you that I temporarily forgot my reason for visiting.”

“And that is?”

“I got a call that my nephew’s here.”

“Your nephew?”

“Yeah, I’m here to pick the kid up and
take him home.”

“Your nephew?”

The door opened. Toriah and Dotsie
walked quietly into the room and stood at the opposite end of the counter. Prim
glanced at Toriah, “Sir, I’ll be right with you.”

“Thank you, Ma’am,” Toriah nodded.

Prim turned her attention to Ed. “Sir,
who are you here for?”

“Mossy Gibin, that’s his name. We never
know where that little guy will end up. He’s a busy kid. Where’ve you got him?
You can tell him that I’m here.” Ed reached in his pocket and took out a
wrapped peppermint. Prim watched as he unwrapped the candy, popped it in his
mouth and bit down.

“Oh, gosh,” Ed stopped. “I apologize, I
only had one. I didn’t think that you might want a bite.” He opened his mouth,
pulled the candy out and offered it to Prim.”

“No, thank you. Please put your candy
back in your mouth.”

“I’m trying to be polite.” Ed rubbed
his nose again, “I don’t want to pressure you, but I need to get going. Can you
please get the kid so we can be on our way?”

“Sir,” Prim hesitated, “There is no one
here by that name. Do you know who contacted you?”

Ed became serious. The pace of his
speech picked up, “Of course I know who called me. It was you.” Ed glanced at
Toriah and back at Prim. “What kind of joke are you trying to pull on me? I’m
here to pick up the kid and take him home to my sister. She just had an
operation. She’s in no position to be down here, so I said
don’t worry sis—you can count on your brother.
That’s what a
good brother’s for. Am I right?” Ed nodded and leaned in towards the counter,
“Of course she’ll owe me for this one, but that’s not such a bad thing. Where’s
Mossy?” Ed began drumming on the counter and winked at Prim. “We need to get
out of here. I’ve got places to be. I have a busy night ahead.”

“Sir, we do not have a child here with
that name. Perhaps someone is playing a prank. I’ve not contacted you. I cannot
be of any help.”

“Can’t, or won’t help me? Prim? Mossy
may have given you an alias. He’s a sly kid, sort of like his uncle.”

“Sir,” Prim took a deep breath, “I am
at a loss for words.”

“I don’t remember words being your true
talent.”

“What?”

“Get the kid, please. He’s a busy one.
I’m sure he’s going nuts back there. You know what they say about nuts and
trees don’t you?”

“I’m certain that I don’t. Sir, I cannot
help you. I can’t. I don’t know what else to say to you. Now, please excuse
me.” Prim turned towards Toriah, “I’m sorry for making you wait. Sir, what can
I do for you?”

Ed interrupted, “Excuse me sir, Miss
Tate was helping me first.”

Prim looked at Ed, “We are finished. There
is nothing that I can do for you. We do not have a child here by that name.”
She looked at Toriah, “I’m sorry sir. How may I help you?”

Toriah glared at Ed and shook his head,
“No problem. I’m Sal Sebby.”

“Mr. Sebby, I didn’t recognize your
voice. How nice to meet you. I’m not quite finished with your paperwork. Things
have been hectic. I need a few minutes to finish up and then we can send you all
on your way.”

“Take your time. We’re a little early.”

“Take
your time,
” Ed mocked Toriah
and then looked at Prim. “You’ll help him and you won’t help me. What’s going
on here?”

Prim looked at Ed, “Sir,
what’s going on
is that I cannot help
you. I’m asking you to leave. The child you are looking for is not here.” Prim
turned towards Toriah. She let out a big sigh.

Ed continued ranting, “I want my
nephew! I’m calling the authorities. I’m going to report you. I demand that you
produce my boy.” He slapped his hand on the counter. “Where is my nephew?”

Toriah looked at Ed. “Sir, did you hear
the lady? She cannot produce a child who is not on the premises. Surely you
understand.”

“Understand?” Ed stuck his nose in the
air, “Ohhhh, hoity, toity listen to you. No, I do not understand! What have you
done with little Mossy?”

“Sir, please calm down.”

“This isn’t about my nephew. This is because
you’ve never forgiven me.” Ed looked closely at Prim, “I get it. I understand. You’re
not happy with me and now you want to take it all out on sweet little Mossy.”

The argument continued to escalate
between Toriah, Ed and Prim. Dotsie stood quietly beside Toriah and held his
hand. She pulled on his coat sleeve, “Daddy, where’s Steuart?”

No one noticed Sam as she entered
through the front door, walked along the hallway, turned and then found room
twelve.

The clerk tried to talk with Toriah and
Dotsie. Ed continued creating chaos. “This is ridiculous! I want my nephew, now!
Do you understand me? Where is Mossy? I insist that you help me—this
instant!”

“Sir! How many times do I need to tell
you that I cannot produce a child who is not in the building?”

“If he isn’t here, where is he? Where’s
Mossy?”

“Not with me.”

Prim turned towards Toriah as she tried
ignoring Ed, “Mr. Sebby, let’s get a few forms signed and I’ll have you and
Steuart on your way.” She took a deep breath.

“What’s wrong here?” Ed’s voice
continued to grow louder. “You are willing to help this enormous, big, giant,
irritating, bag o’ wind, but you are refusing to help me? Discrimination! This
is discrimination!”