Unhooking the Moon (25 page)

Turns out they knew a lot of the same people but they disagreed over the stories that surround them, mostly because Tommy was older than Joey and had been around a lot more. And he let Joey know this in a not-so-subtle way. Joey slapped the cards on the table and came towards me. ‘I'm going to the store. That guy gets on my goddamn nerves!' And, jumping in his car, he sped away.

I took a seat at the table and watched Tommy play solitaire. ‘Youth, they know nothing but make out they know everything. But not you, Bob. You are wise beyond your years.'

‘I'm worried, Tommy.'

‘It ain't time to worry yet. I'll let you know when it is.'

The sun was almost setting and she still hadn't contacted me. I was just about to suggest we go to the cops when my phone gave out a high-pitched beep.

‘Told cops nothing. In Don Children's Home. Don't know address. The kids here are very quiet. Guys who
run it seem strange. Don't leave me here, brother!'

‘The Don Children's home is in New Jersey off the New Jersey Turnpike,' said Tommy. ‘They keep a lot of the immigrant kids there.'

Joey made his way into the trailer. ‘Text her back, Bob. Tell her we're on our way.' When he came out he was carrying a crowbar.

‘What's the plan, Joe?' asked Tommy.

‘When we get there we text Marie Claire telling her we're outside. She gives us a signal like flashing a light on and off. We crack open a window or a door,' said Joey holding up the crowbar. ‘We get Marie Claire and head for the border.'

Tommy stood up. ‘Head to the George Washington Bridge. We'll cross from there.'

Joey looked surprised. ‘You want in on this?'

‘You're not the only one who stands by his friends.'

We piled into the car and, driving up the dirt road, we headed out on to the main road. I was so happy I found myself smiling. I could already see her telling us the story of how she got caught. And I could see her asleep in the car as we drove back to Canada. I didn't know what would happen after that. But I was so glad we'd met Tommy and Joey. They were great guys and I'd never forget them for helping us.

But as we neared the George Washington Bridge my phone beeped again.

‘They're paedophiles, Bob. Kids are really small and they're hurting them. One of them has a gun. I've seen it. Don't come alone. Bring Ice.'

I could feel the fear sink into my soul.

‘Let's get the cops!' said Joey. ‘Let's get them right now!'

‘It's too late for that!' said Tommy. ‘The cops are too slow. They'll send a couple of rookies to investigate what's no more than an allegation. They'll talk to whoever's in charge, make a report, and send it to Social Services. In a few days, if we're lucky, they'll send someone to investigate. It's a slow process, believe me. And I've dealt with these goddamn paedophiles before. You don't know how slippery they can be!'

‘What are we going to do?' asked Joey.

‘Head to Fifth Avenue. We'll pick up Ice.'

‘You think Ice will come?' I asked.

‘Of course he'll come! The kid's in trouble!' Tommy took a pen from his pocket and wrote on a piece of paper. ‘I'm writing down the address of the home and I'm telling Ice what's happened. If he's out, we'll leave it with the doorman.'

The car weaved in and out of the traffic like a video game played to the max. Joey ran red lights and took corners so fast I slid in my seat. Then, when we were held up in traffic, he banged on the steering wheel. He kept his hand on the horn for large parts of the journey and he cursed the other drivers for being in his way. How he never got pulled over I'll never know, but we soon reached Ice's building.

‘Just here!' I said.

The car screeched to a halt. Me and Tommy jumped out and ran inside.

‘Can I help you, gentlemen?' asked the doorman.

‘We need to see Ice!' I said.

The doorman picked up a phone. ‘What's your name?'

‘Bob.'

‘He's having a party and Miss Moore said there should be no uninvited guests. But I remember seeing you with him … We have a gentleman here by the name of Bob. He has a friend with him … Very good, sir. OK, you can go up.'

I tapped on the button until the elevator came. When we reached Ice's floor I saw the door open and people standing outside.

I rushed into the apartment. There was music playing
and there were smartly dressed people drinking in the hallway. I made my way into the packed living room, which was noisy with loud talk, and laughter, and the clinking of cocktails. Then I saw Ice and Mia. I pushed through the partiers, knocking past a fat man smoking a cigar and a waitress serving snacks. ‘Ice, you have to help us! My sister's in trouble!'

The party people looked us up and down like we were peasants.

Ice looked embarrassed. ‘We'll talk outside.'

We followed him out into the hallway while Mia apologized for our behaviour.

‘Can I have a minute?' said Ice. The hallway guests drifted back into the apartment. ‘What's the problem, Bob?'

‘The Rat – my sister – has been put in a home and it's run by paedophiles!'

‘How do you know this?' said Ice.

‘She sent me a text message.'

‘I like Marie Claire, she's a really nice kid. But she has a strange imagination.'

‘What are you saying, Ice?'

‘Come on, Ice, we've got a car outside! Let's go!' said Tommy.

‘Ice isn't going anywhere!' said Mia. ‘I don't know
what your game is but you're not playing it here!'

‘It's not a game,' I said. ‘One of them has a gun!'

‘Sure he does, little boy,' said Mia. ‘Ice, they've probably got a TV crew waiting around the corner. It sounds like a set-up to me.'

Ice's manager, Barry, came out into the hall. ‘What's going on, Ice? The head of the company is asking for you.'

‘Some white-trash kids that Ice befriended have got themselves in trouble, or so they say.'

‘Don't call them that, Mia!'

‘OK, Ice. But remember, I'm a little older than you and—'

‘You're a lot older than me, Mia. Now shut up!'

‘You have to help her, Ice!' I said.

Ice looked torn to the point of pain. ‘It's not a good time for me, Bob.'

‘When
would
be a good time?' said Tommy. ‘When they find her body?'

Everyone froze with those words. And my mind froze with the image.

‘Ice!'

He looked away from me.

Tommy looked disgusted. ‘What? Your fancy party means more to you than a child in trouble?'

‘Marie Claire could be lying.'

‘She could,' said Tommy. ‘But my instinct tells me different. Either way I'm not willing to take the chance. Are you?'

Ice just stood there looking uncomfortable.

‘I think you people should leave,' said Mia. ‘Now.'

‘Give me the address, Tommy.' He gave me the address and I threw it at Ice's feet. ‘In case you change your mind. Come on, Tommy. Let's go.'

Tommy stepped towards Ice. ‘I'm a lousy hustler, but I'll never be as low as you!'

‘Tommy, come on!'

We dropped down to the street and went outside. Joey flicked his cigarette away and jumped in the car. ‘Where's Ice?'

‘He's not coming,' said Tommy. ‘It's just us.'

I jumped in the back and Joey started the engine.

‘Take the Lincoln Tunnel to Jersey,' said Tommy. ‘I'll direct you once we get to the other side.'

The car screeched away.

I was sick about Ice. He was the Rat's hero and I thought he cared about her. But I was wrong and Tommy was right. Ice only cared about his career. And I hated him for it.

Joey cut through Central Park, screeched around
a roundabout, and headed downtown at high speed. We were lucky with the lights all the way to the Lincoln Tunnel. But once there we got held up in traffic. Tommy rattled his fingers on the side of the door while Joey put his hand on the horn.

‘That won't do any good,' said Tommy.

Joey cursed under his breath.

I wound down the window and had a look. We were way deep in traffic and more was piling up behind us. I felt like yelling. I felt like getting out the car and running as fast as I could. But I didn't. I sank down in the seat and started to feel sick. It was like we were never going to make it. Like we were already too late.

We rolled through the tunnel and, following the road to the other side, we spiralled upwards. The sun had sunk by then and the night was on its way. I watched the West Side of New York slide into view, twice, and then slide away as the car headed off into New Jersey. Then Joey went back to driving crazy. Tommy gave him directions while steadying himself in his seat, but he never told Joey to slow down. As far as I was concerned he couldn't drive fast enough.

‘Oh no,' said Joey looking at a dial on the dashboard. ‘We're way into the red. I think we'll make it but I can't be sure.'

‘There's a gas station up ahead,' said Tommy.

Joey looked in the rear-view mirror. ‘Your call, Bob.'

My mind went blank.

‘Stop for gas,' said Tommy. ‘Best to be safe.'

We pulled into the gas station. All the pumps were
taken and the driver in front of us was talking on her phone.

‘Goddamn New Jersey drivers.' Joey pushed the horn. ‘Come on, either fill up or move on!'

‘Don't be so rude!' said the woman looking back. And carried on talking.

Joey revved the engine and came as close to her as he could. ‘Move your car or I'll ram you off the road!'

The flustered woman moved on and we took her place. Joey jumped out and stuck the pump in the tank. I watched the digits crawl higher, the smell of gasoline seeping through the window. When it reached $20 Joey got back in the car and started the engine.

He screeched out of the gas station like a Ferrari from a pit stop. No one said anything about not paying. Paying wasn't important.

The car jerked as Joey changed gears. We were soon flying and everything whizzed past us in a blur. Tommy looked uncomfortable, but I felt better for being at speed.

I went back to staring at my phone. An hour had past since we had arrived at the tunnel. Eleven minutes since we'd left the gas station. But no messages had come.

Tommy sat forward. ‘Slow down. We're gonna turn soon.'

The car slowed.

‘Take the next right.'

We drove off the turnpike and down a side road.

‘At the end of this road take a left … Now take a right.'

We drove into a long wide road lined with huge houses set in their own grounds.

‘Slow down,' said Tommy. ‘I think this is it.'

The car ran alongside a stone wall and, pulling up by some iron-barred gates, we looked inside. A long driveway wound up towards a big stone mansion. It had rows of square windows that were three deep and a dozen wide. And at the top was a crow's nest. How we were going to find her in there I did not know.

‘Send her a message, Bob. Tell her the cavalry's here,' said Tommy. He got out the car and pushed the gates. ‘Locked.' Then he got back in. ‘Drive away from the gate. We'll climb over the wall.'

Joey drove away from the gate and, parking the car, he switched off the engine. We all sat in silence and stared at my phone. I was desperate for it to beep, but no message came back.

‘That's it,' said Tommy. ‘We're going in.'

As we got out the car, I could feel the butterflies fluttering.

Joey opened the trunk, taking out the crowbar and two aluminium baseball bats. ‘We might need these.'

‘We might at that,' said Tommy.

For an old man with bad legs, Tommy moved quickly. He climbed up on the wall and taking the bats from Joey he dropped them on the other side. We heard a soft clunk. Then he disappeared over the wall.

With a short leap I gripped the top of the wall and I was up and over. I dropped into the darkness and crouched next to Tommy. Then Joey knelt next to me and handed me the crowbar. I've never been a violent kid but I felt violent then. We peered over a flowerbed, watching the home and waiting.

‘What are we waiting for, Tommy?' I asked.

He looked at me and then back at the home. Most of the upstairs lights were out, and only a few of the ground-floor lights were on. He was just about to speak when a car horn sounded at the gate. A light shone from the entranceway and a slim blonde woman came out of the home. She walked down the driveway and opened the gates. A car crept inside and two large men got out.

‘If they knew we were coming they could have sent for back-up,' said Joey.

‘How could they know we were coming?' said Tommy.

Locking the gates she greeted the men and they talked together in excited whispers. Then the light from the doorway darkened and another man appeared. The others stopped talking. They walked towards the entranceway and, passing him without a word, they made their way inside. The man came forward. It was too dark to see his face, but I could see he was wearing glasses. And he had something in his hand. His head turned left and right as he scanned the grounds. Then he went inside, closed the door, and the light disappeared.

‘That guy looked like he had a gun. Suppose it was a gun?' asked Joey in a jittery voice.

‘Then he's gonna have to shoot me,' said Tommy. ‘Because I'm going in there to get her out.'

‘Maybe we should call the cops.'

Tommy spoke softly. ‘It's too late for that, Joe. I know you're scared, me too. But you don't want to let Marie Claire down now, do you? Come on, Joey! We're Italians from the old neighbourhoods. I bet you've slugged a few guys in your day, right? Because
you know there's a time when you have to stand up and fight. And for me and you, kid, now is one of those times. Are you with me, Joe?'