Ch. 29

"Do you really think anyone will be coming to the club tonight?"

"No as many as we once had. But there are still those who are coming for dinner, but they are guests of the Grand Deluxe Hotel right next to the club. They will only have a few feet to walk."

"Still, in this weather, that can be dangerous."

"True, but at least they will not be driving. And instead of being open from five until midnight, we are opening at four and closing at ten. Centipede and I should be home by eleven at the latest. What is more, two of the city's Search and Rescue Team have volunteered to be our drivers."

"At least you'll be in safe hands." Mr. Grasshopper glanced out of the window, where sheets of snow continued to pour from the pitch black sky. "Which is more than I can say for anyone else."

James glanced up from his almost-finished book as a fresh gale whipped around the sturdy Peach Pit. While the little boy had been able to lose himself in the story he'd been reading, the nagging voice at the back of his mind had kept James from being totally at ease.

Dylan must be freezing by now.

If he was out in the snow, probably.

What if he dies out in the cold?

James didn't even want to think about that!

Serve him right, though?

No! Of course not!

Well, he did run away from school and steal a bunch of stuff, didn't he?

Yes, but no one deserved to be outside on a night like this!

Dylan would probably think you do!

Maybe so, but James didn't think that about Dylan! The little boy cast another glance out the window. While there hadn't been a blizzard like this back in England last winter, James once again found himself remembering what it was like to work in the snow without so much as a hat. How he had wished to be inside, even if it meant cleaning the fireplace or dusting the living room under his aunts' cruel gazes. Anything if it meant getting out of the cold! And as he had done his best to clear a path through the snow or chop wood for the ever-burning fire his aunts had lounged by that winter, James had promised himself that he'd never force any other boy or girl to stay out in the cold like this, no matter what! Now, even after everything with Dylan, even after the older boy had insulted and yelled at him and his family, James still hoped that Dylan was safe from the storm.

"What's that?" Earthworm raised his head off the floor.

"What is it?"

"I can hear something. It's muffled, but I'm certain I can hear voices."

James peered out the window as Mr. Grasshopper got up from the couch to look outside as well. All James could see was the dark sky and the blinding snow, but Mr. Grasshopper peered through his monocle with an expression of surprise.

"Yes, I can see two figures heading this way... I think it's Centipede and someone else."

"Is it Dylan?" Mrs. Ladybug asked, hurrying in from the kitchen.

"No, I don't think so. It might be Chief Beatcom or one of his officers."

"Oh goodness, let me put some more coffee on."

Mrs. Ladybug hurried back to the kitchen as Mr. Grasshopper watched the duo approaching. When they had gotten close enough, the older insect quickly wrenched the front door open, releasing an icy blast into the house.

"Come! This way!"

"I see ya!" Centipede's voice was nearly lost in the wind, but his smile was one of relief as he and the man next to him fought their way into the Peach Pit. Mr. Grasshopper slammed the door shut as soon as they were over the threshold, cutting off the cold and dark in favor of light and warmth. Centipede, his face, jacket and hat, dripping with snow, leaned against the wall to catch his breath as the man next to him stomped his booted feet against the mat set against the front door.

"Wow is it bad out there!"

"Then I must insist you and Miss Spider reconsider venturing out tonight. It isn't safe!"

"Nah, I think we gotta."

"But-"

"Hold up, we'll give you the whole story. Hey, Leon, you good?"

"Yes, sir." The man next to Centipede, who was dressed in a thick orange jacket and snow pants, tossed his fur-lined hood back and pulled off his hat and gloves. Around his eyes, he wore a sturdy pair of clear goggles, which his pushed on top of his damp sandy hair, revealing a pair of earnest brown eyes set into a tanned face. "And believe it or not, I've seen worse than this." Turning to Mr. Grasshopper, the man held out his hand and said,

"Leon Warwick of Search and Rescue, formally of the US Rangers."

"It's good to meet you, Leon." Mr. Grasshopper shook the man's hand with a smile. "And may I say, thank you for your aide regarding my family's time of crisis."

"Not at all. This ain't my first rodeo, nor the first runaway kid lost in bad weather I've had to track down."

"Well, we are thankful you're here." Mrs. Ladybug waved the group over to the dining table. "But come and sit. I have fresh coffee and tea for us. Can I get you anything to eat?"

"No thanks, ma'am. But I'll happily take some coffee."

"Yeah, me too. Hey, kid, you doin' alright?" Centipede grinned and pulled James to him as the little boy approached.

"Yes, I'm okay. But are there a lot of people outside looking for Dylan? Will they be alright?"

"No worries, Jimmy-boy. They know what they're doing. Right, Leon?"

"You bet." Leon slid his feet out of his boots and joined the family at the table. "I won't deny it's dangerous, but everyone on the Search and Rescue Team knows how to handle themselves in this kind of weather. Plus, we rotate shifts so everyone gets a break to warm up and rest as needed."

"Still, I wish you didn't have to worry about being out tonight at all," Mrs. Ladybug said with a sigh as she passed out the steaming drinks. "Once again, we truly owe you our thanks."

"All the same, perhaps you and Miss Spider should stay in tonight," Mr. Grasshopper said with a frown. "If a Search and Rescue man had to escort you during a short walk from the Central Park Gates to our home, I can't imagine what it will be like driving to the club."

"Unfortunately, I cannot stay." Miss Spider had drifted into the room carrying a folded woolen coat draped over her arm. "Even if I am not needed to oversee the reservations tonight, I must make sure my staff gets home safely."

"I have some of my team ready and waiting at your club, ma'am," Leon assured her. "They'll have transport suited for blizzard travel."

"Which is how we got here from the Locke and Key," Centipede added, gulping down a mouthful of hot coffee. His long body shuddered with delight at the steaming beverage worked its way through him. "Oooh, that's good stuff."

"I'm glad you're warming up," Mrs. Ladybug said. "But what's this about the whole story we need to know?"

"Oh, right. Well, it seems that you and Tessa were right about Dylan headin' for the snack bar at the toy store, Jimmy. He managed to swindle himself a two-dollar sundae from the place and was trying to get another one."

"I'm sorry, what?" Mr. Grasshopper's antennae stood stiff. "Dylan ate how much ice cream?"

"Enough to feed two kids, at least."

"And he wanted another one?" Earthworm asked.

"Yep. So that's another place that's gotta be compensated."

"And something else to report to his social worker," Mrs. Ladybug said with a sigh. "Given all of the sweets he's been eating, I'm also going to insist he undergo a full physical and bloodwork once he's found."

"Will one day of eatin' junk really make him that sick?"

"Oh it's not just one day, Centipede. Apparently, Master Dylan smuggled a good amount of sweets into his room and had been feasting on them since he arrived."

"Wait, what?"

"You did not notice?" Miss Spider asked now, reaching over to lay a hand on James's shoulder. "I know you had a talk with him in his room; you did not see?"

"Nah. I saw his room was a mess and it didn't smell great, but to be fair, we've all seen and smelled worse. Remember the compost heap on the hill?"

"Unfortunately." Miss Spider rubbed James's back gently as she gave Centipede a pointed look. "And I do not think any of us need to think of that place any more than we have to."

"Yeah, I know. Just sayin' that a messy room ain't nothing compared to that. What kinda stuff he have anyway?"

"A lot of chips, biscuits, and candy bars."

"Where'd he hide all that?"

"Under his pillows and blankets," James said softly. "He made a pretty big mess."

"Hmmm, there wasn't anything on his bed when I had my talk with the kid." Centipede tapped a finger on the table. "And to be honest, I wasn't real eager to be in his room any longer than I had to, considering how he treated you, Jimmy-boy."

"If you don't mind me saying so, sir, you probably didn't see anything because you weren't looking for anything," Leon noted.

"Huh, makes sense. Like I said, I didn't wanna be there longer than necessary. But wait a second, didn't Dylan complain to his grandma that we weren't givin' him anything to eat?"

"He did, but that was likely because by that point we had made it clear we weren't just going to let him stuff himself full of sweets and junk food."

"Well, Dylan sure don't seem to have a problem gettin' what he wants by himself."

"Indeed, but getting back to the point at hand, what does finding Dylan have to do with you and Miss Spider going out tonight?" Mrs. Grasshopper asked.

"Well, turns out Dylan snuck onto some tour busses. Busses that were takin' a buncha people to the Grand Deluxe Hotel."

"What?" Miss Spider's eyes widened. "I was just speaking of he Grand Deluxe. Most of our remaining reservations are from guests of the hotel. What is more, most of them will likely be back at the hotel by seven."

"All the better, if you ask me," Earthworm sniffed as tree branches clattered against an upstairs window.

"Perhaps. But are you thinking Dylan will still be at the hotel now, Centipede?"

"I think so. Chief Beatcom's in contact with the security over there and they're gonna keep their eyes open."

"Won't Dylan see the police and get scared?"

"Good thinkin', kid, but the security over at the Grand Deluxe prefers plainclothes officers."

"What does that mean?"

"It means the security team doesn't dress like police officers," Leon said with a smile. "They wear suits and ties so no one knows they're security at first. It not keeps people from being scared that officers are around, but it makes it easier for them to catch people doing something bad without tipping them off."

James considered this. "Do you think Dylan might know about that?" he asked, looking up at his gathered family. "He watches a lot of shows about people committing crime."

"He does?" Leon asked.

"Sadly yes, though we have been trying to put a stop to that."

"But James makes a good point," Miss Spider noted. "If we are correct and he learned his current behavior from the television he watches, he might be a bit wise to some of the police officers' tricks."

"Or he may think he is," Mr. Grasshopper added with a thoughtful expression. "Dylan has proven himself a crafty child, true, but also an impulsive one. As such, he may consider himself able to outwit any adults searching for him without realizing how dreadfully ill-prepared he is at playing such a game."

"I'm with you on that, sir," Leon said. "Nine times out of ten, the people who run from the cops end up out of the frying pan and straight into the fire."

"And if anyone's getting burned, it's Dylan," Earthworm groused. "I shudder to think how much damage he could do in a hotel."

"But he doesn't have a room and he can't get one on his own."

"Very true, James dear. But I imagine a hotel like the Grand Deluxe has plenty to keep its guests entertained and if Dylan was wandering about like he was at the department store, it's likely he'll just be assumed to be another guest."

"Which is why we got the security team lookin' out for him. Chief Beatcom will probably call here to give a report on what they've found."

"Provided the phone lines don't go down."

"If that happens, my team's got a radio system that's pretty reliable. We'll keep in contact with you at the club, Mayor."

"Wait, what will we do if the phone lines stop working? We'll be cut off from the world, unable to call for help. We'll-"

"We are home and safe, Earthworm. We're going to stay home and safe until the storm abates. And hope those out and about will be safe until they can come home."

"Speaking of being out and about, though..."

"Yes, it is nearing half past three. We must go." Miss Spider slid her arms into her tailor-made coat, which draped neatly over her back. "But I promise, we shall be careful. And with luck, we will not be open past ten."

"Either way, we'll get you there and back. Thanks again for the coffee." Leon nodded at Mrs. Ladybug and stood up from the table to go bundle back up.

"Please be careful, you two."

"Don't worry, we got this. See ya later, kid." Centipede ruffled James's hair as he followed Leon to retrieve his own coat.

"I should think not; James will be asleep by the time we get back," Miss Spider called after him. All the same, she took her time to give her son a tight hug. "I will come check on you when I get home. But we are all in agreement that you may stay up a bit later than normal tonight if you are unable to sleep."

"Thanks, Miss Spider." James leaned into her embrace. "I hope you and Centipede will be okay. And Dylan too."

"As do I, my James." Miss Spider kissed his forehead. "But for now, I am just glad you will be safe tonight."

James watched as Centipede and Miss Spider stood by Leon, who was attaching a length of sturdy rope to his belt. He held it out to Miss Spider and Centipede, instructing as he did,

"Right, hold onto this and do not let go. I have my flashlight, so try and keep your eyes on the light as we walk."

"Many thanks, Leon, but we are able to use more than sight to navigate," Miss Spider assured him as she and Centipede grabbed onto the rope.

"Good to know. All the same, just make sure you don't let go of the rope."

"Gotcha."

"Alright, let's go."

Leon pulled open the door, forcing everyone to take a step back as the storm blew a gale of icy snow into the house. Waving his gloved hand forward, Leon stepped into the blizzard with Miss Spider and Centipede following him, their heads bowed against the onslaught of the wind. Mr. Grasshopper threw his shoulder against the door as they left, managing to slam it shut before another round of icy snow could assault the family further.

"Oh dear, I'll get the mop." Mrs. Ladybug hurried back into the kitchen.

"Thankfully, a bit of snow on the floor is an easier mess to clean up than the one we're currently facing," Mr. Grasshopper said grimly as he watched the barely-visible trio make their way out of the park from the living room window.

"I hope Dylan's still at the hotel," James said, making his way back to sit by the fire. "At least then, he'll be safe."

"I know, dear boy. I feel the same." Mr. Grasshopper shook his head. "I'm still utterly dumbfounded by how much trouble one boy managed to cause. Even if we didn't have the weather to worry about, the fact that Dylan has managed to steal from two separate establishments is almost unbelievable. And yet, here we are."

"Is Dylan really going to have to go to jail?"

"Yes and no, James. Dylan is just a child, but he still knowingly tricked people into giving him items he didn't intend on paying for. Those actions cannot and should not go overlooked. But at the same time, Dylan being as young as he is means that the police will likely just release him into the care of a guardian. Normally that would be his grandmother, but as she can no longer care for him, Dylan will probably have to stay at some sort of juvenile facility until he can be placed with a more permanent foster family."

"Is... that a nice place?"

"Oh, well..." Mr. Grasshopper sat down next to James, putting an arm around the little boy's shoulders. "I won't deny that some places are better than others, my boy and sometimes, there are cases of cruelty toward children by adults meant to care for them, as you are too familiar with."

"Yes."

"But I do know that both Centipede and the Police Commissioner have been working to keep the facilities for children in New York City far safer places than others. We're going to make sure that when Dylan is apprehended, he's sent to one of those places. He'll be given medial care, proper meals, a warm bed, and even continue his schooling. Or rather, start his schooling in his case, but better late than never."

"So he won't come back to my school?"

"That will depend on where he ends up living. His new foster family may well decide to homeschool him for a time to help Dylan catch up on the many days of school his grandmother let him miss or they may send him to a different school of their choice."

"But... what about Dylan's new family? Will they be...?" James felt his voice trail off, but Mr. Grasshopper understood.

"Ms. Gould is in the process of interviewing several families and we will get the chance to meet them too. One way or another, Dylan is going to end up somewhere he'll be safe and cared for." Mr. Grasshopper paused for a moment, then added,

"I won't deny that Dylan's latest escapade may make it difficult for him to be placed, but Ms. Gould does know people who are used to handling more difficult children. She's just as concerned for Dylan's welfare as we are, after all."

James nodded, but looked down at the floor. "That's something else Dylan is lucky to have, isn't it?"

"Indeed. And I am so sorry that luck did not extend to you, James." Mr. Grasshopper pulled his son closer to him. "If it eases your mind somewhat, the case worker who sent you to live with Spiker and Sponge lost her job some months back. Sadly, you weren't the first child she'd sent to an ill-suited home and now the British government has had to review every single one of the cases she'd handled."

"Will the other kids be okay?"

"I hope so. But I think the system you were forced to endure is getting a very harsh lesson on what it means to truly look out for a child's welfare. And like you note, Dylan is very lucky that he had adults looking out for him when his grandmother could no longer do so. For that matter, he's just as lucky that you still care about him, despite how he treated you."

"I just hope he's not out in the cold."

"Hopefully, the Grand Deluxe will be able to detain Dylan long enough for Chief Beatcom's officers to retrieve him. Quite frankly, James, I don't see Dylan leaving the hotel now, do you?"

"No. He hates being cold and I don't think Dylan would want to go out in the snow. Do hotels have televisions people can watch when they're not in their rooms?"

"I'm not sure. But I would not be surprised if the Grand Deluxe had a television set in a public lounge area. I do know, however, that most hotels have gift shops and given how Dylan fancies himself a master thief-" Mr. Grasshopper smiled at James as the little boy brightened.

"Dylan will probably try and take something. That's how he'll be found!"

"That would be my best guess, James. True, we shouldn't be happy Master Dylan is attempting another theft, but if it means finding him sooner rather than later, then perhaps it's for the best."

"I wonder if that ever happened on one of Dylan's crime shows?"

Mr. Grasshopper laughed. "You know, James, I would not be surprised if it did. A pity Dylan never remembered that lesson! Ah well, maybe he'll learn something from all of this. Ah, but speaking of learning something, how did your presentation go today?"

"It went really well. Tessa and I had a lot of fun and the whole class loved seeing how we put our projects together. Ms. Devon gave us both top marks."

"Well done." Mr. Grasshopper smiled and tousled his son's hair. "I had a feeling your hard work would be well-received, James. Now, it should be rewarded."

From the pocket of his tailcoat, Mr. Grasshopper pulled forth a small paperback book and held it out to James. To his delight, James saw not only the words "Royal Adventures," but a picture of a young man and woman standing beside a lizard-like creature as they faced down a dark foreboding castle.

"Thank you!" James threw his small arms around his guardian. "I was hoping to get this book!"

"I know and you are most welcome, my boy!" Mr. Grasshopper hugged James back tightly, his own face wreathed in a loving smile. "I was going to get this for you anyway- a book is something I will never deny you- but with the week we've had and your excellent performance in school of late, you've more than earned this particular book."

"I can't wait to read it." James looked down at the cover again. "I was hoping the Komodians would come back!"

"I presume that would be the scaly fellow there?"

"Yes. Tessa and I thought they were the villains in the last book, but they weren't. Prince Farin and Princess Kaela thought they weren't and they were right."

"Ahh. Are the prince and princess brother and sister?"

"No, they're just friends. But I think they both like each other."

"Is that so? Well, they certainly seem to be preparing to storm that castle together."

"Uh-oh, that must mean Lord Gregor's back."

"Didn't you mention his invasion failed in the last book?"

"Yes, but a lot of people don't think Lord Gregor's really normal anymore. He got badly hurt at the end and everyone said he shouldn't have survived. But Princess Kaela read about how Lord Gregor couldn't die as long as his castle stood and the worse he gets, the more evil his castle turns too."

"Is that right? A bit like Dorian Gray's picture, then."

"What's that?"

"A book I'll give to you when you're a bit older, James. But I admit, I'm rather fascinated by the idea of the villain's liar growing more dangerous the more he abandons his humanity. Is there more to the story?"

"I think so. Princess Kaela said she was going to try and find out while Prince Farin helped rebuild his kingdom. But the Komodians may know something about him too."

"Then this will be quite a thrilling tale. As such, you may stay up until 8:30 tonight if you'd like to read."

"Really?"

"Yes. Something tells me sleep will be a hard time coming tonight and the more we can focus on pleasantries, the better."

Of course, when Dylan Anderson was involved, pleasant could very quickly become unpleasant.