Seven Dollars to Borrow a Father

The police insisted on taking Noah to the station while they investigated the vehicles outside his school.

I insisted on going with him.

The silver-haired officer introduced herself as Detective Sarah Coleman. She had the steady eyes of someone who'd spent years listening to people lie.

"Mr. Dawson," she said as we sat in the back of the station's interview room, "I need you to understand that I can't simply hand a child over to a man I've just met.""

"That's fair.""

"You're not related to him.""

"Not by blood.""

"Then why are you so determined to get involved?""

I glanced at Noah.

He was sitting at the table, swinging his feet beneath the chair. A paper cup of apple juice sat between his hands.

"Because someone is threatening him," I said.

"And because I think his father was my best friend.""

Detective Coleman studied me.

"You think?""

"I haven't seen David in nine years.""

"Then how do you know he's alive?""

"I don't.""

She folded her arms.

"That's an important distinction.""

Before I could answer, Noah spoke.

"Detective Coleman?""

She turned toward him.

"Yes, sweetheart?""

"Can Uncle Ray stay with me?""

Her expression softened.

"He's not your uncle, honey.""

Noah looked at me, then back at her.

"He came when I asked.""

The detective fell silent.

I stared at the tabletop, suddenly fascinated by a scratch in the wood.

Finally, she pulled out a chair.

"All right. He can stay while we contact your aunt.""

Noah smiled faintly.

"Thank you.""

While Detective Coleman stepped into the hallway to make a call, Marcus arrived carrying three sandwiches and a paper bag of cookies.

"Emergency supplies," he announced.

I looked at the bag.

"You bought cookies?""

"Don't make a big deal out of it.""

"Last time you bought cookies, you ate them before we reached the clubhouse.""

"Those were different circumstances.""

Noah giggled.

Marcus slid a sandwich toward him.

"Turkey and cheese. I checked with the officer about allergies.""

"Thank you, Mr. Marcus.""

"Marcus is fine. Anyone who calls me Mr. Marcus makes me feel like I should be wearing a tie.""

For a few minutes, the room felt almost normal.

Then Detective Coleman returned.

"Noah's aunt is on her way. She says she can take him for the night, provided we arrange protection at her home.""

"Protection from whom?"" I asked.

"That's what we're trying to establish.""

She sat across from me and opened a notebook.

"Now, about that key.""

I hesitated.

"How did you know about the key?""

"Noah told me.""

The boy looked embarrassed.

"Sorry, Uncle Ray.""

"It's okay, buddy.""

I placed the brass key on the table.

Detective Coleman examined the engraving.

"Four-one-seven. Does that mean anything to you?""

"Not yet.""

"Could be a storage facility. Could be a locker at a train station. Could be a bank box.""

"That's what I'm thinking.""

She returned the key.

"Don't take it anywhere until we know what we're dealing with.""

I slipped it into my pocket.

"I'll be careful.""

Her expression suggested she didn't believe me.

She was right.

By late afternoon, we had arranged for Noah to stay with Aunt Elaine while officers checked the property. I followed the police car to the address she provided, making sure Marcus stayed behind us.

Elaine Porter lived in a modest brick house on a quiet street lined with oak trees. She was a woman in her early fifties with silver threaded through her dark hair and worry etched around her mouth.

The moment Noah climbed out of the police car, she wrapped him in a fierce embrace.

"Oh, sweetheart.""

Noah buried his face against her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Elaine.""

She pulled back.

"Don't you ever apologize for being scared.""

Then she looked at me.

"You must be Ray Dawson.""

"Yes, ma'am.""

Her eyes filled with tears.

"David talked about you all the time.""

My chest tightened.

"You knew David?""

"I was there when he met my sister, Laura. I was there when Noah was born. And I was there the night David disappeared.""

I took a step closer.

"Then you know why he left.""

Elaine looked toward the house.

"I know what he told us. Whether it was the whole truth, I couldn't say.""

"What did he tell you?""

She glanced at Noah, who was busy showing Marcus a drawing he'd made at school.

"Not here," she whispered.

"Please. He's had enough frightening conversations for one day.""

I nodded.

Before leaving, I asked Elaine if she'd ever heard of Victor Hale.

The color drained from her face.

"Where did you hear that name?""

"He showed up at Noah's school.""

Elaine gripped the edge of the doorway.

"Then David was right.""

"Right about what?""

She looked over my shoulder, checking the street.

"That man has been looking for Noah since the day David disappeared.""

I felt the hairs rise on the back of my neck.

"Why?""

"Because David took something from him.""

"The box?""

Elaine stared at me.

"What box?""

I pulled the brass key from my pocket.

Her lips parted.

"Oh, God.""

"You recognize it?""

She nodded slowly.

"David gave me one just like it. He told me if anything happened to him, I was to find you.""

"Where's yours?""

"Hidden. I never used it.""

I looked down at the engraving.

417.

"Do you know where this opens?""

Elaine hesitated.

Then she stepped outside and closed the front door behind her.

"There's an old storage facility near the river. David rented a unit there under a false name. He said the things inside would only make sense to you.""

"Why didn't you tell me nine years ago?""

"Because I thought he was dead. And because Victor made sure we understood what would happen if we spoke.""

She looked toward the street again.

"I have a question, Ray. Did David leave you a letter?""

"Yes.""

"What did it say?""

I repeated the words I'd memorized.

I have to protect someone. Don't look for me. If you do, you'll put everyone I love in danger.

Elaine shut her eyes.

"Then he knew they'd be listening.""

My stomach twisted.

"Who?""