Unpardonable Sin-14

Chapter 91

Approximately two hours earlier that evening, Colin O’Donnell stood on the curb and watched the miles of automobiles fighting for space on the road. A ‘Big Boy’ for his eleven years, folks thought him older and that was fine with him. 2

One day he would tower over Sean’s head. Their uncle was always saying that. This idea brought a smirk. He kicked at the curb with his heel. His brother, Sean, only three years older, thought himself as wise as God and every bloody saint. Sure but it’d be a grand day when he was bigger than Sean. ‘He’d thrash him!’ He kicked the curb harder. 3

A holiday in New York had seemed like such a buzz, but here he stood alone and bored to the point his skull hurt. Sure, hadn’t they got off that plane ‘for noon and done nothing but hold-up in that hotel. His uncle said he be right back. That had been hours and hours ago. Stupid Sean just wanted to watch Yankee sports on the Telly. 4

The desk clerk said he could get comics at the bookstore on the corner. It turned up closed. Still daylight, he decided that if he stayed on the same wide street he wouldn't get lost and might find another store open. Nibbling his lower lip, he waited for several changes of the streetlight before he braved the traffic and dashed across to the opposite side. 5

One block—just one block maybe two and then he’d give up. Everything was so big and so loud. People, everywhere you looked people. The Yanks seemed to be always yelling so you didn’t know if they were pissed-off or not. He didn’t much like it here. 6

Already into the second block from the hotel he began to sense the man was keeping step with him. He felt a mild nervousness as he returned the stranger’s friendly smile. "Lookin' for comic books." Colin explained and the man gave a soft chuckle. 7

“Comic books, hmmm. You looking for something special? Maybe I can help?” The black man, with his red silk jacket and tight blue jeans, clipped each rapid sentence short, not allowing time for an answer and confusing Colin. “Ain’t been in New York long? Might get lost. How much pocket change you got?"8

Colin took the man at his word and fingered the loose coins in his pocket. "Maybe a pound, fifty."9

"What's that in real money?"10

His uncle had explained the cent to pence difference, but he hadn’t paid much attention. Now he offered. "I've a few notes and some dollars."11

"Dollars, that's the ticket.” The man nodded his small head with its overly pronounced Afro. His jerky little dance made Colin giggle. “How much you got?"12

Not certain of their value Colin extracted the dollars from his pocket and handed over two tens and a twenty in the dull-green bills.13

"Tell you what," the man said. “I’ll take you to get your comic books." Suddenly he pocketed the cash and slipped an arm about Colin’s waist. He squeezed as he muttered, "Seeing how you’re one pretty boy."14

Uneasy, Colin pulled away from the man. He wanted to retrieve his dollars but worried the request might be insulting. He assured himself the man only kept the money so that when they reached the store he could show him how much to pay. 15

His long legs easily kept pace with the rapidly moving, oddly conversing, stranger. At a loss to decipher much of what the man was saying he kept quiet. Now and then the man patted his back in a manner that made him nervous and he would drop back a bit to avoid the contact.16

The New York streets were full of pedestrians who glanced often at the odd pair. Some quickly dropped their eyes when the man glared at them. Others tended to sneer or snicker openly at them. While Colin noticed these things, they didn’t make much of an impression on a boy raised in the seclusion of a small country. 17

The man was adept at sidestepping and making breaks in the crowds for Colin to get through. Sometimes the skinny man would grab his sleeve and quickly usher him between the bumper-to-bumper cars. 18

The distance from the hotel lengthened and Colin began to worry about finding his way back. Seamus had warned that he'd break their butts if they left the hotel. The night was just coming in when he finally worked up the courage to cut into the man's running tirade. "I best be getting back," he said.19

"Don't you want them comic books?"20

"Not really, not anymore."21

And the stranger’s tone hardened. "Damn! Fuckin' made me hike all this way for nothing!" An open palm slammed into the boy’s shoulder.22

Stumbling from the blow, Colin began to cry as his nervousness ballooned into raging fear. "Keep the money," he stammered as the man grabbed his sleeve. "Leave off!" he yelled and shoved at the offending hand. Panic feeding his strength he broke loose and ran.23

Night closed in as Colin continued to run. His throat became dry and his chest hurt. His mind was doing flip-flops. ‘Sweet Jesus let Seamus find me soon—even that worthless Sean. He was in big trouble, sure. God All Mighty, Seamus was going ta whip the hide off him.’ Soon his leg muscles cramped but when he paused people glanced at him and he took off again…and again…. 24

When he thought he could run no more, he rested his back against a dirty brick building. Hot breath was choking him and tears spilled from his eyes. He was scared and hopelessly lost; even the name of that hotel now escaped him. 25

Five of them moved out from the dark ally. They semi-circled Colin, so he had the wall at his back and nowhere to go. Street Language that he could not understand poured from their mouths as they snickered and poked each other. Apparently insulted because he ignored their questions, one shoved him while another tripped him and he crashed to his knees. "I've only pound notes." Colin’s belabored breathing was joined by sobs as he held them out in offering.26

Grabbing the colorful foreign money one spit as he said, "Toilet paper!" and crumbled it in his fist.27

Another kicked the cowering youngster in the hip.28

"Hey!" A uniformed figure yelled as he darted through traffic headed for the group.29

As his tormentors fled, Colin jumped up. A quick glance at his converging rescuer and he took off too, in the opposite direction from the others but still away from the patrolman. 30

Mean while at the center city hotel, the hour was creeping on ten o’clock. A police officer had come, gotten all the information he could and left with the assurance, “Kids get lost in New York all the time. We’re experts at finding them.”31

The man from security, apparently more concerned with the hotel’s image than some pesky foreign brat, had finished his lecture on leaving boys alone and was headed back to his office.32

Seamus O’Donnell cursed as he slammed a curled fist into his opposite palm.33

Sporting the bright badge of his uncle's anger on his cheek, Sean slumped on the couch and mumbled, for the hundredth time. “Colin only went to the lobby ta buy comic books." 34

Thomas Devlin, still attempting to ease the concern that caused the fury in his brother-in-law reminded him. "Colin left on his own. The doorman saw him . . ."35

And about the same time an exhausted policeman growled into his mike. "Better call in the Kiddy Cops this is more than a case of a lost kid. We had to run him down and then he fought us like a tiger."36

In an effort to appear younger and less intimidating, Andrea Nelson had carefully chosen the pastel print blouse and tan slacks. She had clasped her long hair at her neck with an ivory tie. Informed the runaway was only eleven, she was mildly surprised by the size of the boy. "Colin," she offered. “We can help you. You don't need to go back with your uncle. If you're afraid of him tell us, we have a nice place you can stay."37

Colin continued to ignore them. Brought into the office he had quickly fled to the window and remained frozen there with his tear dirty face pressed into the glass. Every time they attempted to approach him—he squealed and tried to exit through the locked window. 38

Andrea had visions of him landing in a hail of glass five floors below. That might make for a good news story—but do shit for her reputation. "Do you think he understands English?" She laughed softly still trying to get some verbal response from the foreign child.39

The officer, who brought the boy in, returned her laughter with his own before he said, "Maybe just their brand. Can you talk like a Mick? Aye, Colin." He tried. "How about these burgers? They're getting cold. All that running you must be thirsty. Have a coke?"40

Determined to put an end to the nonsense, Andrea stepped closer and touched Colin’s shoulder. He flinched and drew quickly away from her hand. Then the noise of the door opening made his large blue eyes dart towards the sound. She saw fresh tears flood the boy's eyes as he shoved by her to fling himself into this tall man’s arms.41

The male officer ridiculously offered. "He wouldn't eat." It was an obvious effort to cover how foolish he felt for this boy obviously was not afraid of this man. 42

Andrea could see that O'Donnell seethed with anger that was thinly disguised beneath his surface expression and tone as he said, "Sure, but he wasn't hungry. Lad look undernourished? Abused?"43

She was a bit surprised by the man behind O’Donnell. 44

"Easy, Seamus," Thomas Devlin ordered. "Colin," he demanded. "What’s this nonsense? Why did you run from the police?"45

But Colin only rolled his head while he kept his face smothered in the folds of his uncle's sweater.46

Andrea expected that Thomas Devlin had done a complete job of preparing his client and felt the frustration building. Damn! This was why you couldn’t get to the truth in time when child abusers were wealthy. Lawyers. She glared at Devlin. Wiseass family lawyers and Tom topped the heap. "Mr. Devlin?" There was a nasty undertone of implication in her words. "You are going to convince us there is nothing wrong in this relationship. I have only been with Colin for less than an hour but it didn't take five minutes to realize this is one terribly frightened boy. I want a physical."47

“Hold on! What?”48

Devlin slapped a hand on O'Donnell's arm to forestall a further outburst. Knowing that in situations involving her work Andrea preferred professionalism, his tone was firm and non-committal as he said, “Miss Nelson, I’m certain there is a logical explanation that will satisfy your position. My nephew is only eleven. He’s probably so frightened.” 49

“Your nephew?”50

“That’s right Miss Nelson. He’s my sister’s child. The boy’s parents are deceased. Seamus is his guardian.” Patting the boy's back he said, "Coli? You want to leave here?"51

The muffled, "yes," was plainly heard.52

"Then, it's up to you." Devlin offered the mild threat. “You have to tell these officers what's wrong? Why you ran from the police? What you're afraid of?"53

"I can't." Colin sobbed louder as he clutched at O’Donnell’s sweater. "Please Seamus, make ‘em let me go."54

O'Donnell took hold of the boy’s shoulders and forced him back, he shook him. "Lad," he promised, "I'll get you out of here. But you have to tell me why you ran from those officers?"55

"They were the same." The child sniffled. "All the same."56

"The same as what? Who?"57

"The black man who chased me-- stole my dollars. Them black boys who thrashed me!"58

O’Donnell erupted. "God Damn! Tom! You put me through hell, lad. Warning me how nice I had to be. Kiss ass-- Just to get my kid back."59

The implication in the child's declaration left no one in doubt. The Black male officer immediately offered a clipped apology. "Sorry Mr. O'Donnell, we didn't know about any man robbing him. We didn't realize…"60

Andrea interrupted. Anger stiffened her face as she confronted the fury of the Irishman with her own. "Wait one damn minute. Okay, so the criminals who abused the boy were black. So he runs away from black officers? I don't buy it! He’s no toddler. You mean to tell me he can't tell the difference?"61

"He was a scared kid, set upon by some nasty folks, in a foreign county. That might cause you to run to. Not many black police in Ireland." Devlin’s words drew soft chuckles from the men.62

Only Andrea found no humor in the situation. Tom had spent the night before last with her. He hadn’t mentioned he was expecting a family visit. He told her he was going to be tied up with business for the next few weeks. So he sure as hell didn’t plan on introducing his black girlfriend to his Lilly white Irish family. That realization angered her and she threatened, "I'm tempted to retain temporary custody of the boy if for no better reason than to teach him some facts."63

"Andrea,” her male associate warned. "We've got no cause. Let's just drop this and try to talk to Colin tomorrow. You'll agree to that Mr. O'Donnell?"64

O'Donnell nodded. No doubt the flushed face came from suppressing the words he'd like to say. His smile was forced as he said, "Lass, there was no insult intend. Could have happen to a black child lost in the center of Dublin."65

"Right," Devlin seconded him. "Now Miss Nelson, if you concur, I think we should get this boy off to bed. I’ll see that he’s safely installed in my own lodgings by tomorrow so he won’t be tempted to prowl the city again."66