Nothing Will Keep Us Apart

Part 4

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Brian was struck speechless. The manager had asked him why he wasn't in school and where was his mom. He had to find an excuse and fast...

"Our mom? Uh…she's out in the car. We are on our way to pick up daddy from the airport and Mom let me skip school to go with she and Justin `cause I miss my daddy so much. He was gone for a whole month."

The manager eyed Brian closely, then nodded, adding, "Nice mom you got there..." Brian breathed a sigh of relief, thinking `that was close.'

"Here you go," the waitress interrupted, "the bottle is ready. Don't forget to check the temperature before giving it to him."

Brian accepted Justin's bottle, nodding. "I won't forget. Thanks again."

"No problem. Bye guys."

"Bye."

Brian walked out of the coffee shop with Justin, trying his best not to run. He rounded the corner and walked rapidly without once looking back.

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~ Meanwhile at the St. James Orphanage ~

"Rise and shine Justin," Mrs. Johnson sing-songed, "you have a big day today. Your mommy and daddy are coming to see... Oh my God! Somebody, call the police!!!"

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~Some time later...~

"Excuse me, Mrs.?..."

"J-J-Johnson."

"Mrs. Johnson, right. You have to calm down. We won't accomplish anything by you being hysterical."

"Well, excuse me Mr. officer, a child is missing. How could I not be hysterical?"

The officer flipped open his pad, pen poised to take notes.  "Let's start from the beginning. Who could have taken the child?"

"His name is Justin and if I knew that, you wouldn't be here," Mrs. Johnson sniffled, dabbing her eyes with a hanky.

"Listen, I know it's hard and I know some of the questions might seem irrelevant, but I have to know everything in order to find him." The officer looked at her with soothing eyes and continued. "Let me rephrase the question; who has access to Justin's room?"

"Uh, let's see…my assistant…the cleaning lady…the cook, uh…the other children..." Mrs. Johnson became pale and had to sit down.

"You okay?" the officer inquired.

"I don't know," she whispered. "The other children...Brian..."

"Brian? Who is that?"

"Please give me a moment", Mrs. Johnson rose to get the phone. "I need to call the school," she informed the officer, praying that Brian would be there, with Justin.

"Hello? This is Mrs. Johnson, from the orphanage. May I please speak with Brian Kinney."

"Just one moment, please."

`Oh thank God!' she thought.

"Mrs. Johnson, we're sorry. Brian didn't come to school today. Is there anything wrong?"

"I'll let you know as soon as possible."

"Please do. And if there's anything we can do..."

"…Thank you. I'll be in touch." Mrs. Johnson shakily put the phone away and turned to the police officer.

"I'm pretty sure that Brian took him."

"Once again, who is Brian?"

"He is another child that lives here. He and Justin are very close.  Brian must have overheard me yesterday while I was talking to Justin's new parents. They were supposed to take him today. What do I tell them?" she whimpered.

"Hopefully nothing. I'm sure we'll find them quickly."

Mrs. Johnson took a seat, visibly shaken. "I hope you're right."

"Ma'am. I'll need their descriptions, some recent photos and any other information that you can provide."

"Brian is 13 and a half and pretty tall for his age, about the same height as me. He has auburn hair and hazel eyes. Justin is a blond toddler with blue eyes. I have no idea what they're wearing..."

"Don't worry, those photos should help. I have to tell you though. A person is only considered missing after 48 hours. With children it's 24 hours. I'll have the information entered into the database and organize a search party. Hopefully they'll be back before dark.  Most children runaways come back before the day is over so don't lose hope. If you can think of anything else or hear anything, call the police station immediately. I'll be in touch."

"Officer, wait. Brian is only a teenager and he has a baby with him. He doesn't have any money. Anything could happen to him and Justin on the street. Please do everything in your power to bring them home safe."

"I will, Mrs. Johnson."

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