Derailed (16 page)

Ryder had been asleep since the incident. Fiona suddenly felt guilty for the way she’d treated him. She hated being short with her son, but in that moment all she could focus on was the pain in her chest. She walked to his room and climbed into the double bed next to him.

When they finally got up on that dreaded Friday morning Fiona and Ryder were moving slowly so he was an hour late for school. She dropped him off in a hurry and went in to work at the studio. She checked the schedule—a few piercings, one touchup, and a new client at six o’clock. Inventory was due, but Quinn was coming in at eleven to help with that.

She texted Maura. She was hoping they could get breakfast.

Hey, I need a friend. You available?

I’m coming. Bringing donuts and tea. You at the studio?

Yes. Thank you
.

Everett left this morning to fly back to Boston. I’m sorry
.

Just as Fiona was finishing up a nasal piercing, Maura walked through the door. A frequent visitor to the shop, she made herself at home behind the counter.

“Keep it clean. Call me if you have any problems.” Fiona handed Amy her business card and several alcohol preps. Once she’d exited the building, Fiona plopped down on a chair next to Maura and placed her head on the counter. “I can’t believe he left,” she mumbled.

“He was a torn man when he did. I don’t think he wanted to leave things as they were.”

“Did he say anything?”

“No. He was somber and not in the mood to talk.”

“He proposed.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, I tried to reason with him, but he was insistent that we make a life in Boston. The whole conversation was a nightmare.”

“I’m sorry.”

***

Around three o’clock, Fiona left the studio to go and pick up Ryder. She pulled her SUV into the receiving line and waited for the bell. As she did so, her thumb slid over the glass screen of her phone. It had been so long since they’d made contact with one another. Her body desired to reach him. Her fingers itched to send a text, but she didn’t.

The bell rang and the students began to file out of the building. Fiona searched for Ryder, as she always did.

Five minutes later she was still searching.

Ten minutes later had her parking her car in the lot and walking toward Sister Hawthorne. Maybe Ryder had detention for being tardy, Fiona thought.

“Sister Hawthorne, do you know where Ryder is?”

“Ms. Miller.” Sister Hawthorne’s forehead furrowed in confusion. “Ryder was not in school today.”

“I dropped him off an hour late. I do apologize. However, I did send him with a note.”

Fiona followed Sister Hawthorne into the school’s office. She punched buttons on a computer screen, eventually turning it toward Fiona. She pointed out the absence in homeroom that was to be expected. However, the absence in P.E. and music were not.

“Additionally, the school attempted to telephone you. Left one message at your home and it looks like your cell number has been disconnected.” Sister Hawthorne pointed at the screen.

“That’s an old number.” Fiona felt her body begin to shake. Tears fell. Her head floated. “Where is he? I dropped him off an hour after the bell.”

“Did you escort him inside?”

“No.” Maura squeaked through the tears. “We were late, I dropped him at the door with a note.” She was getting hysterical when Sister Monroe joined them in the office.

“Is something wrong?”

“Ryder Miller is missing. Call for a search of the grounds. I’ll contact the police and social services.”

Fiona’s legs gave out and she collapsed to the ground. She came to on a couch in Sister Hawthorne’s office who was speaking with Bishop Archer of the Baton Rouge Diocese. Sister Monroe was also present.

“Did you search the band hall?” Sister Hawthorne asked.

“Yes, and the athletic buildings.”

When they saw that Fiona had come to they all three turned in her direction. “Ms. Miller, can I get you coffee, water, or juice?”

“You can’t find him?”

Sister Monroe and Bishop Archer looked down at the floor. Sister Hawthorne held her gaze with intensity, “We will find him. You’re not alone in this. We’ll find him together. Have faith.”

Her words comforted Fiona and she nodded, and then her cry escaped on a gasp. Sister Monroe sat beside her on the couch and took her hands in hers, comforting. Fiona wished she’d attended Mass a little more regularly. She suspected her and Ryder’s record was about fifty percent.

Jay Roberts, a police officer that she’d done major artwork on walked into the office, followed by an attractive woman.

“I’m Sister Hawthorne, this is Bishop Archer.” She walked to Fiona and clasped a hand on her shoulder. “This is Ms. Miller and Sister Monroe.”

“Hey, Fiona.”

“You know each other?” Sister Hawthorne asked.

“We do.” He’d asked her out several times, teasing that he would let Ryder quiz him to assess if he was a worthy date for Fiona.

His hand on her shoulder he said, “Fiona, I’m going to find him. I swear it.”

Fiona believed him. His confidence was welcomed. “This is Theresa Krupp, Director of the Office of Social Services.”

Fiona nodded. Her head felt like a balloon. Theresa sat in the chair across from her and opened a laptop. “Ms. Miller, I’m going to do everything possible to help locate your son. I’ll need you to answer a few preliminary questions.”

“Please call me Fiona.” What else could she say? She wanted the ground to suck her down, ending her conscious thought and thereby her suffering.

“I was told you dropped Ryder off this morning, an hour late. Did you watch him walk into the building?”

“I dropped him at the front. He got out and walked up the steps.”

“So you can confirm he walked inside the building?”

“I … I …” She pressed her palm into her forehead. “I think so. I don’t know. We were both rushing.”

“Can you tell me a little bit about that. Why were you rushing?”

“Ryder was up late last night and so I let him sleep a little longer to make up for it. We both slept in, but once we got up I knew we needed to get moving.”

“Has Ryder mentioned any kind of bullying when he’s at school?”

“Bullying?”

“From other kids his age or older?”

“No. He has many close friends. The same friends he’s had since childhood. They all get along well.”

Sisters Hawthorne and Monroe nodded their agreement.

Theresa looked to the teachers, “So his grades and discipline at school are good?”

“Ryder is an exceptional student and an all around great kid.” Sister Monroe’s words made Fiona’s tears fall.

“Have you applied any severe disciplinary action within the home?”

“What?”

“Has he been punished?”

“Punished?” Fiona shook her head. “No. Never. Ryder is never bad.”

“Can you think of anything that may have happened that would have him leaving town? You and he appear to have a good relationship. Could there have been something that happened this week or the week before that would have upset him?”

Fiona couldn’t think of anything … except … last night. Could it be that her argument with Everett had upset him so badly he needed to get away? “Last night I got into an argument with my boyfriend. It was the first time we’d ever yelled at one another. It woke Ryder. Everett was supposed to stay with us through Sunday, but after our fight he left for Boston. Ryder loves Everett.”

“This is hopeful.”

“It is?”

“If he left, ran away from home for example, it’s much better than if he was kidnapped.”

Fiona could understand that, but it didn’t make the words any easier to hear.

“It would have been premeditated. Have you noticed any luggage bags or clothes missing from his things?”

“I haven’t been home.”

“Let’s go have a look. Hopefully we’ll find clues to confirm that he has taken off on foot. You say your boyfriend is in Boston?”

“Yes.”

Theresa, Jay, and Bishop Archer drove in one caravan to the home of Fiona and Ryder. Sisters Hawthorne and Monroe rode with Fiona. In his room, Theresa searched for clues.

“There are some coins scattered around this Incredible Hulk statue.” Theresa pointed.

Fiona’s hand shook as she reached for the small porcelain statue of the green action hero. “Oh, my God. That’s his piggy bank. The cash is gone.”

“How much cash do you estimate was in it?”

“A few hundred dollars, maybe more. In the summer he dog walks in the neighborhood.”

“This is a good find. He’s a runaway.”

“I’ve got a missing child situation on Ryder Jay Miller, address …”

Fiona listened as Jay spoke into the radio on his shoulder. He described Ryder’s physical characteristics and the clothes he wore. He mentioned Child Find of America and a missing person file. Fiona felt dizzy and so she sat on Ryder’s bed.

“It really is good information,” Sister Hawthorne said beside her on the bed.

Theresa placed her hand on Fiona’s shoulder, “I need you to give Everett David a call. I’d like to speak with him. It’s possible Ryder is headed to Boston.”

“I’m going to head over to the airport, and then the bus station. Do you have a recent photograph I can take?” Jay asked.

Fiona handed him the photo of Ryder with Gustave Gator.

With shaky hands Fiona dialed Everett’s number. After one ring she heard his clear, rich voice. “Fiona.” He sighed her name.

“Everett,” she cried.

“I’m sorry we fought. It’s killing me. I need to see you.”

“Everett,” she cried again but the words wouldn’t come.

“Fiona, are you all right?”

“No!” She wheezed. “Ryder’s gone.”

“Gone?”

“I dropped him off at school today”—she choked on her sobs—”He wasn’t there. When I went to pick him up at the end of the day, he was gone.”

“Oh, God!”

“He took his savings from his Hulk bank.”

“I’m coming as soon as I can.”

“They want to talk to you.”

She passed the phone to Theresa and turned into the embrace of Sister Monroe. “We’re going to find him, Fiona. He’s a smart kid. You said he loves this Everett that you’re dating?”

“Yes. We both love him very much, but we argued because after he proposed to me he suggested we all move to Boston to be with him. I got upset because he knows how I feel about uprooting Ryder from his home.”

“Do you think Ryder would attempt to go to Boston?”

“I can’t imagine, but I guess anything is possible.”

“Well he’s worldly enough and precocious enough to figure out how to stay safe. We’ll find him and he’ll be just fine.”

“Thank you, Sister.”

Theresa handed the cell phone back to Fiona. The call was still live so Fiona raised the phone to her ear. “Everett?”

“Fiona, I’m so sorry.” His voice broke. “They want me to wait at my apartment in case Ryder turns up there. I wish I were with you. I need to hold you.”

“I need you too.” His deep, painful sigh in her ear clutched at her heart.

“Fiona, I’m so sorry. Can you forgive me?” He cried into the phone.

“There’s nothing to forgive.”

“But if I hadn’t proposed, if I hadn’t insisted we move to Boston we wouldn’t have fought and Ryder would still be safe.”

“I’m glad you proposed and I believe he is safe.”

“You do?”

“I have to.”

“I’ll be here. Waiting. Will you let me know the minute you receive any new developments?”

“Of course.”

“Hey, Fiona?”

“Yeah?”

“I believe Ryder’s safe too. I picture him on a bus, regaling some poor unassuming passenger about the highly detailed recount of the Boston Tea Party.”

For the first time since their fight Fiona smiled and it felt luxurious.

“I don’t want to hang up,” He softly whispered.

“I don’t want you to either.”

Jay called Theresa while Everett was comforting Fiona. Theresa set her hand on Fiona’s forearm. “There was a child matching Ryder’s description who boarded a plane to Boston alone. They’re attempting to locate the plane staff.”

Fiona’s tears turned from sorrow to joy. “Oh my God, Everett. He’s on a plane heading to Boston.”

“Oh, thank God. He’s okay.” Everett cried. “If something were to happen …” He choked.

“They’ll find him. He’s going to be okay.”

“He was coming to me.”

“He loves you.”

“I love him.”

***

Fiona had related the information. As Ryder had been traveling all day, he was due to arrive around five o’clock. Everett was there to receive him.

The microphone announced the arrival of the plane from Baton Rouge and Everett waited at the designated terminal for the passengers to de-board. As soon as he saw Ryder’s chestnut head he gasped and swallowed back a cry.

“Ryder!” The boy looked up and Everett waved.

Ryder ran, and so did Everett. When they met Everett went down on his knees and they embraced one another tightly, gasping and crying and holding one another tight.

“Ryder, you’re okay.” Everett continued to rub the child’s back, shoulders, and arms.

“I’m okay, but I’m glad you’re here.” Everett grasped Ryder once again, pulling him tight into a hug.

“Ryder, why did you get on the plane and come all the way out here?”

“I heard you and Mom fighting and I wanted to check out Boston and see if it would be a good place for us. I’ll miss my friends, but I can visit them. I was thinking I’d go ahead and start making friends here so that Mom wouldn’t worry, and then we could come be with you.”

Everett was at a loss. He now understood all of Fiona’s initial concerns about getting into a relationship. He’d understood, but now he was able to empathize. Here was a child who wanted to make everybody happy and he would be devastated when he realized he wouldn’t be able to.

Everett pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed Fiona.

“Everett.”

“He’s standing right here in front of me.”

“Oh, God.” Fiona cried.

Everett passed the phone to Ryder.

“Mommy?” … “I love you too.” … “Yes, I’ll stay close to him. He was here when I got off the plane.” … “I know, but I had to come make friends so that we can move in with Everett.” … “Okay, Mom.” … “I love you.”