Lost Boy by Tim Green Page A

agree, I can take Ryder. I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner.”
    â€œWell . . .” The judge’s face softened and so did his voice. “Ilost a brother on Nine-Eleven. Ladder Three.”
    The courtroom went totally silent.
    Doyle bowed his head for a moment. “Your Honor. I can vouch for Ryder. I heard what happened and I promise you, when this all gets worked out, the court will see that he’s a good kid who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
    The judge nodded. “Ms. Diles? This works for you?”
    â€œOf course, Your Honor.”
    The judge thought for a minute. “Well, Ms. Diles is an officer of the court. Would you agree to check in with her on a daily basis and keep her updated as to the boy’s whereabouts?”
    â€œYes, Your Honor,” Doyle said.
    The judge thumped his gavel. “Then I remand Ryder Strong to the custody of Mr. McDonald, to be brought to Mr. Starr until Ms. Diles can work out something permanent if that becomes necessary.”
    â€œThank you, Your Honor.” Doyle took Ryder by the arm and gently led him toward the door.
    They met up with Derek Raymer and left the courtroom, closing the doors behind them. As they marched down the steps, Ryder saw a pickup truck at the curb with its hazard lights flashing. He followed the two firemen and climbed into the front seat between them. Derek got behind the wheel and when the doors were closed, he switched off the hazards and put the truck in gear.
    Derek Raymer started, “I don’t know about this. You’re not a close family friend.” Derek shook his head as he made a turn. “You just met these people. At an accident.”
    Doyle waved a hand impatiently. “Derek, there’s right andthere’s right. Sometimes the rules aren’t right, and when that happens, you gotta just trust your gut and do what’s really right.”
    Ryder nodded because he sure understood that, and it was a relief to hear something so sane spoken by an adult.
    â€œOkay, but I just hope your gut doesn’t get us fired.” Derek smiled apologetically. “I’m just saying.”
    â€œDon’t you get what I’m saying?” Doyle looked across at his friend.
    â€œSure I do, Doyle, but rules are rules. Look at the mess you got into trying to raise money for the kid’s mom.”
    Doyle shot his partner a hard look.
    â€œWhat do you mean? What happened with the money?” Hope hung from Ryder’s words.

Doyle huffed. “Nothing. It’ll be fine, I’m . . . it’s a setback, that’s all.”
    â€œYou’re having trouble with raising the money?” Ryder tilted his head, his stomach twisting.
    â€œI’m just still working on it is all.” Doyle kept his eyes on the street.
    â€œWorking on it?” Derek rolled his eyes.
    â€œThat’s right, I am, Derek. Enough.” Doyle glared at his partner.
    â€œI just happen to like having a job, Doyle,” Derek muttered.
    â€œStop being Negative Nancy,” Doyle said. “One thing at a time. We gotta get my guy home.”
    Derek shook his head. “We were coming to visit him? Remember?”
    Derek looked at Ryder and smiled sadly. He turned away,sighed, and shook his head, and then they drove in silence.
    As they crossed over the Harlem River, Ryder asked, “Doyle, can you take me to see my mom?”
    Ryder saw Derek give Doyle a sharp look, but Doyle laughed another time. “Sure, I can. Let’s go there right now.”
    Derek huffed. “Would you mind dropping me off at the firehouse?”
    â€œCan I use your truck?”
    â€œOf course you can, but don’t double-park it.”
    When they reached the firehouse Derek mussed Ryder’s hair before hopping down and wishing them luck. Doyle circled around and got in behind the wheel.
    â€œHe’s nice.” Ryder watched Derek wave in the side