I slip into the cop car a shaking mess. “CanI make a phone call?” I ask, shifting restlessly in the back seat.The police radio talking and hissing as we start to drive off.
“Yes,” Officer O’Malley answers evenly as hesteers.
I quickly whip out my phone and dial the onlyperson’s number I know can help.
“Uncle John,” I say after he picks up on thesecond ring. “I need you.”
By the time I get to Shrewsbury policestation, my uncle is there waiting, pacing the front steps. Thestation is a small, brick building with black double doors andpolice cars parked in front.
“Alana,” he says urgently when he sees me,and I know there’s a reprimand coming by the tone of his voice.
“Uncle John, wait. Before you go all parentalon me, please hear me out.”
He huffs, “Drugs?”
“Yes. No,” I sit down on the cold concretestep and drop my head into my hands, my uncle sitting next tome.
I would give anything for a cigarette rightnow and at the moment, I’m considering reinstating the habit.
Where the hell do I start?
“Seven years ago, I met Ryan-”
“Seven years?” he interrupts mesurprised.
“Yes,” I say dejectedly, “and we fellridiculously in love. Then one day he just disappeared, without atrace. I never knew what happened, until I discovered him dancingat Culture the night of Emily’s bachelorette party.”
“That must have been a shock.”
“To say the least,” I scoff, “but whatshocked me more was finding out what happened to him. Sean, histwin, is pretty heavily involved in drugs.”
“I see,” he says speculatively.
“But that’s the thing, you don’t.” I turn tohim, “Sean used Ryan’s identity to get out of an arrest, and thennever showed up for the court date. Ryan got pulled over and wasdetained on the spot for an outstanding warrant. He wouldn’t giveSean up. And ended up serving time in Sean’s place. He did threeyears.”
“What?” my uncle says outraged.
“Yes, and I never knew, but it gets better.”I run my hands through my hair, “Daddy convicted him.”
“Oh Jesus Christ,” my uncle John rakes hishands down his face. “So Ryan’s occupation had nothing to do withwhy you didn’t want your father knowing about him?”
I nod somberly.
“And it was Sean’s drugs in Ryan’s car?”
“Yes.”
“You know Ryan is back in the same boat asbefore. Shrewsbury is in Merrick’s district.”
“I know,” I say despairingly, wishing I couldcry, but I can’t. The only thing I can do is strangle my emotions,restraining everything I feel.
“Where is Sean now?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Alana, you have to find him. He’s the onlyperson who can get Ryan out of this.”
“I know, but I don’t think Ryan’s mom willtell me where he is. She’s part of the reason Ryan took the fallfor Sean the first time.”