"Oh Jassa, the reason I didn't call the police at first, was because, I felt that a ten-year old boy wouldn't have gotten too far, but I was wrong, very wrong apparently, I desperately searched for HM wherever I thought a ten-year-old might go. Arcades comic book stores."
... That's what he was going to tell Jassa because he knew she would asked him why he didn't got to the police right away
Jesper's eyes flew open, and he sat straight up in the bed. "What's Jassa going to say when I call her and tell her that Howard is missing?", he gasped.
He knew exactly what she'd do. While on the phone she'd be calm and cool, and probably urge him to find HM, with the police's help. Then she'd probably cry. He hated breaking the news to her, but as he reached for the phone, he knew that she needed to know what had taken place.
Jassa Murdock was up and feeding the chickens when she heard the phone ring. She ran in out pick up the phone.
"Hello?", she asked into the receiver.
"Hello Jassa-Love", answered Jesper.
"Jesper, how are you?", asked Jassa excitedly into the phone's receiver.
"Not so good my love", replied Jesper sober. Howard's missing I'm afraid..."
His voice trailed off, as Jassa spoke again. "He isn't", gasped out Jassa.
"I'm afraid so Jassa."
"Have you called the police?" she asked.
"Not yet, tomorrow I will though", he'd answered.
Jassa held her breath before speaking. Jesper Abercombie Murdock. You crazy fool. You called the police right now HM could be laying dead in a gutter. Man why don't you think?"
Jesper hung his head he knew that she was right. He then heard her worry and angry voice.
"Jesper I am taking the first plane down there."
He shook his head and started to say something but Jassa had all ready hung up.
-
"Mommy! Mommy! "screamed HM.
BA sat up in bed he turned and saw HM tossing and turning in the bed. He started to go get his mama when she walked in. She took HM in her arms .He was crying "Mommy mommy ! I want my mommy." She held him in her arms
She went to her rocking chair, and she sat down again, still holding HM in her arms. "Sh Baby, sh. It's okay, it's okay."
Suddenly, HM's eyes popped open, and he was staring into the comforting face of Mary Baracus tears streaking down his cheeks. He sobbed "I want to go home, I want my Gran'pa and Gramma..."
"I know baby I know .It will be all right. Everything will be all right. Want me to sing to you?"
HM looked at her and nodded his head. Mama began to sing an old lullaby.
She sang her heart out, and soon with Mama's comforting voice singing to him, HM fell fast asleep again. Mama carried the boy back to Bosco's room, and tucked him in. She kissed his forehead, and whispered, "Sweet Dreams baby. I'm sure you'll get your heart's desire soon." She crept away, and hoped with all her heart that what she said was true.
Jesper stood at the airport window looking for Jassa .He soon spotted her and walked over to greet her.
Jassa grabbed him by the ear. "Jesper I really should knock some sense into your head .Not calling the police the minute HM was missing. What were you thinking? "
Jesper just hung his head usually Jassa was calm and not easily angry, but when it came to HM, their only grandchild, Jassa would suddenly turn into a lioness defending her cub. And if Jesper were the cause of it, well he'd expect to find some heck to pay.
He raised his eyes to meet hers, and said, "Well I'll call the police as soon as we get back to the hotel." All right Jassa?"
"No Jesper we are going straight to the police right now and if anything has happen to HM. I swear I will make your life miserable."
Jassa and Jesper got in the cab. "Take us to the nearest police station by the Browning Hotel," replied Jesper.
The cab driver nodded his head. Soon they were there at the police station and Jassa marched right up into the building leaving Jesper to pay the fare. Jesper sighed paid the fare, and went into the police station, where Jassa was demanding to see the captain of the police station.
The Sgt. at the desk looked down at the angry woman. "Man'm please calm down."
Jassa shook her fist at him. "Don't you tell me to calm down. My little grandson, my baby is missing in this city and I want him found. Right Now! "
Spying Jesper, the Sgt. looked at him, and Jesper shrugged in sympathy. When Jassa was like this, there was no calm way to deal with her.
"All right lady, I'll see what I can do", said the Sgt.. He called into the office, and spoke into the receiver of the phone. Soon a policeman by the name of Mike Tanner entered, and he decided to bring them to a conference room. "If you two will follow me...", he said. So the couple did. "Now tell me what's the trouble?", asked Mike when the three were seated.
Jassa suddenly stood up looking at Tanner. Jesper try to get her to sit back down but she would have none of it. "My grandson is missing."
Jesper look at her "Don't you mean our grandson is missing?"
She glared at him and he sat down. "Like I said my grandson is missing."
Officer Tanner nodded his head. "Man'm we have hundreds of children missing can you tell me his name. "
His name is Howard but we called him HM."
Mike got a surprised look on his face, and he asked. "Would that be HM Murdock?"
Jassa sighed and nodded noticing the surprised look on the officer's face, she demanded, "Do you know something about my grandson Officer Tanner?" And if so, is he all right?"
Officer Mike Tanner pleased with the information, decided to call Mary, and tell her the good news. That is after he told the grandparents where HM was, and how he was doing of course.
He smiled at the older couple. "I know where your grandson is and as soon as I called the lady he's with we will go over there."
Suddenly Jesper grab him. "You take us there right now."
Officer Tanner nodded his head and took the couple to the apartment building on the East Side. Soon they were there and he took them to the third floor and knocked on the door. They heard someone coming to the door and soon it was answer by Mary Baracus dressed in a robe.
"Why Officer Tanner, so nice of you to come by", greeted Mary. She spotted the older couple, and asked, "May I ask who they are Mr. Tanner?"
Mike answered, before anyone else could speak, "They're HM's grandparents Mary. Can we come please?"
"Oh forgive my manners", said Mary who was in complete shock. "Come in, come in, and let me get dressed. Make yourselves comfortable in the living room, and I'll be with you in a moment." While Mary went to get dressed, the three settled themselves in.
Bosco stood and looked at the couple. "You that kids folks?"
Jassa smiled at him. "Yes we are "
"Hmmm better teach him how to play stickball he not good at it."
She just smiled at him. Suddenly HM walked into the room rubbing his eyes. "I'm hungry."
Jassa and Jesper stood up. Jassa held out her arms. "Baby. Oh HM sweetie."
HM looked up and ran into his Gramma arms. "Gramma, oh Gramma", said HM, in his grandmother's arms. I missed you Gramma."
Suddenly, he got out of her arms, and ran to the other boy in the room said, "Gramma, this is Bosco, and I've been living in his room forever", said the boy in a rush.
Jassa turned to Bosco, and said, "How do you do Bosco?"
Bosco looked at her and mutter. "I'm doing fine, but you got to teach the kid how to play stickball."
He then walks away. His Mama came into the room with some coffee and milk. "Here's some coffee. Would you like to stay for breakfast?"
Jassa nodded her head and they all went into the kitchen and sat down and had breakfast. HM smiled at his Grandparents as he ate his breakfast. "Guess what Gran'pa I played stick ball."
"You mean you try. You can't hit the backside of a streetcar," said Bosco as he ate his ham.
HM looked like he was going to cry.
Mary looked at her son "Bosco Baracus you apologize right this minute."
Bosco looked at his mama. "But mama you always told me to tell the truth what did I do wrong?"
"Yes Bosco, I know that I've always told you to tell the truth, but saying things like that to make people cry is not necessary. Now you apologize", said Mary.
Giving the look that all mothers give, and the kids know they're in big trouble. Bosco nodded his head. "All right Mama, grumbled Bosco. I'm sorry I hurt your feelings HM", he muttered.
HM looked up at him and smiled '"That's okay Will you teach me how to play stickball?"
Bosco smiled "Yeah sure kid why not."
Mary turned to the Murdocks "Why don't you stay here while you are in Chicago. I think it would be a wonderful idea."
Jassa looked at her. "We really don't want to put you out."
"Nonsense we have plenty of room please stay."
HM grab his Gramma and jump up and down "Can we Gramma! Please can we stay?
Please!"
Jassa smiled down at her grandson, and glanced back at Mary. "Well it would be a shame to pull them apart just now, and if it's not too much trouble I guess we can stay, while Jesper finishes up in Chicago. How does that sound Jesper?"
Jesper nodded. Glad to see that his wife had calmed down, and was in a more reasonable state of being.
"Good then it's all settled", said Mary.
HM jumped up and began to dance around the room. "Yay! We get to stay "
He ran over and grabbed Bosco and began to dance with. "Let go of me you crazy fool! Let go!"
But HM was too excited Bosco looked at his mama for help Jassa smiled and got up and took HM and together they dance. Mary smiled at her son and held out her arms .He walked over to her and let her dance with him.
End of Part 4
