Runaways (Orphans 5)

"It's nothing," Crystal said. "We're just comforting each other. That's our way."

He stared at us for a moment and then took a seat across from Raven.

"Okay, I've worked out all the details. The authorities are in agreement. You will be signed over to your foster father, who will once again assume responsibility for you. The matter of driving without a license, bringing a stolen vehicle into the state will all be put aside here, but the details will be given to your agency back in New York. You're all very lucky to get off this easily," he added.

"Yeah, I feel like we won the lottery," Raven muttered just loud enough for everyone to hear.

"You better start appreciating favors when people do them for you, young lady," he snapped. "Nothing's coming to you in this world just because you're here," he added, his mouth twisting as if his face were made of putty.

Raven's shoulders hoisted as she leaned toward him.

"Raven!" Crystal warned. She could see Raven was about to explode and who knew what would come out of her mouth this time. Instead, she looked at Crystal, retreated, wrapped her arms around herself tightly and bit down on her lower lip.

Mr. Glashalter completed the paper work he was doing and then went out to wait for Gordon. A short while later, Lieutenant Mathews came for us.

"Your foster father has arrived," she

announced. "Let's go, girls."

Crystal took Butterfly's hand quickly and we all rose and followed Lieutenant Mathews out. Gordon was leaning against the dispatcher's desk, a wide grin on his face. He wore a light brown leather jacket and dungarees. His hair was down over his forehead and he looked tired, unshaven, with shadows under his eyes. I imagined him driving night and day in hot pursuit.

"There they are, my girls," he cried. "Louise is so worried about you. I should be very mad, girls. I should be mad," he said. Then he turned to the dispatcher and shook his head. "I would be, but I keep thinking of all the pranks I pulled when I was their age."

The dispatcher laughed with him He glanced at Lieutenant Mathews, who was eying him suspiciously, a look of disgust on her face.

"That's what makes me a good foster father," he told her. "I understand teenagers. I was one myself." He laughed again before turning back to the dispatcher. "Is there anything else for me to do?"

"No, you've signed everything. They're all yours, Mr. Tooey."

"Yes," he said nodding at us, "they're all mine. Lucky me. Come on, girls. We've got a long ride home and lots of explaining to do on the way?'

He stepped forward and we started toward the front door. Butterfly had her head down and clutched Crystal's hand so tightly, I could see her fingers turn white.

I glanced back at Lieutenant Mathews. For a moment I thought she was going to say something or ask something and stop us from going with Gordon, but she hesitated and he stepped between us.

"Go on, Brooke," he said, his eyes fixed coldly on me. "You know the way."

I caught up with the others and we left the sheriff's office. Gordon's station wagon was parked right in front.

"You three in the back," he said to Raven, Crystal and Butterfly. "You ride up front with me," he ordered.

We all got in and Gordon quickly started the engine and pulled away. He said nothing until we were well on the road.

"Well now," he began, "I guess you all had quite a time of it, quite a time." He glanced at me. "I know you had to be the driver, right, Brooke?"

Instead of answering, I turned and looked out the window.

"You could have all ended up in jail, you know. I did you all a big favor and I expect a big favor in return," he said. He poked me in the shoulder with his long, right forefinger and I jumped. He looked back at the others. "You made up a phony map too, and sent me on a wild goose chase. Very smart, girls. I can see I have some real geniuses on my hands."

He drove in silence for a while before lighting a cigarette and leaning back.

"Okay, girls, we're pretty far away from that sheriff's office now. I had to go to the pound to claim my car. I signed it out and drove away. Then I stopped to look for something I had left in the car and guess what?" He turned to me and smiled. "Go on, guess, Brooke."

"You're not scaring me, Gordon," I said, filling my face with as much defiance as I could muster.

"I'm not scaring you? Oh. Okay," he said and then he slammed his hand down on the dashboard so hard, I thought he had cracked it. After that he hammered it with his fist, not once, but three quick times. The whole car shook. Something in the glove compartment rattled. I half expected the windows to shatter. It was an impressive display of physical violence. Everyone screamed, including me, only mine was inside. My heart was thumping and my throat felt like I had swallowed a lump of coal. Butterfly was crying and Raven, brave, defiant Raven had her head down. Only Crystal looked like she had regained her composure the moment Gordon stopped.

Gordon sat back again, calmly, looking so relaxed, it made me feel what had just happened was in my imagination. He was a madman, I thought, which made him even more dangerous.