Nothing to Lose (21 page)

“So Morgan's okay?” Nick said.

“She was back to her old self at school today,” I said. “But Billy won't let her out of his sight.”

“What about you?”

“Me? I'm fine. You're the one with the broken ankle. Lucky for you your new job doesn't require you to walk around very much.”

“It doesn't require me to walk around at all,” Nick said. “At least for the first six weeks. After that, though, it's bussing tables.”

My father had spoken to Fred Smith, who owned La Folie. He had hired Nick as kitchen help—mostly washing and preparing vegetables. After Nick's ankle was better, he would be a busboy. Thanks to his new job, he would be able to keep his apartment and pay the rent. My father had taken Nick down to the local police station, and they had talked to Stan Rogers about pressing charges against the guy who had pushed Nick. My father said he was pretty sure they could all reach some kind of settlement. He said he knew a lawyer—
not
my mother—who would help Nick. Nick had an appointment for later in the week.

Nick reached for a cucumber.

“Your mom gets back tonight, doesn't she?”

I nodded.

“What are you going to tell her?”

Good question.

“Don't worry,” said a voice from the door. My father. “We'll think of something.”

I had no doubt we would.

 

 

#1
Last Chance

Robyn's scared of dogs—but she agrees to spend time at an animal shelter anyway. Robyn learns that many juvenile offenders also volunteer at the shelter—including Nick D'Angelo. Nick has a talent for troublemaking, but after his latest arrest, Robyn suspects that he might be innocent. And she sets out to prove it. . . .

 

#2
You Can Run

Trisha Hanover has run away from home before. But this time, she hasn't come back. To make matters worse, Robyn blew up at Trisha the same morning she disappeared. Now Robyn feels responsible, and she decides to track Trisha down. . . .

 

#3
Nothing to Lose

Robyn is excited to hang out with Nick after weeks apart. She's sure he has reformed—until she notices suspicious behavior during their trip to Chinatown. Turns out Nick's been doing favors for dangerous people. Robyn urges him to stop, but the situation might be out of her control—and Nick's. . . .

 

#4
Out of the Cold

Robyn's friend Billy drags her into volunteering at a homeless shelter. When one of the shelter's regulars freezes to death on a harsh winter night, Robyn wonders if she could've prevented it. She sets out to find about more about the man's past, and discovers unexpected danger in the process. . . .

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Norah McClintock is the author of several mystery series for teenagers, and a five-time winner of the Crime Writers of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Novel. McClintock was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. She lives in Toronto with her husband and children.