25.
asked Captain Moon.
North quickly scanned the document then signed it. As he handed back the clipboard and the pen, the officer slipped a small message tape into his hand.
"I'm sorry about this, North," he said. "If you need help later, check this." He turned quickly and left. North quickly slipped the tape in his pocket so the technicians wouldn't see it. "Thanks," he said.
North stepped outside the apartment door and watched the five men go down the hall. He was just about to go back in the apartment when he heard footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw his aunt and uncle rushing toward him. His aunt swiftly grabbed him in her arms.
"Are you all right, North?" she asked, after she'd hugged him.
"I am fine," he told her. "Please come in and see to mother. She's not taking it well."
"What's happened, North?" asked his uncle.
"Come into the office," North told him motioning him to his father's chair. His uncle sat down opposite him and was told everything that had happened. When he was done, North saw the man was gripping the arms of the chair very tightly, and for several minutes said nothing.
"By The Holy Ghost, North!" the man cried, "You've got more courage than some men ten times your age! If I'd had a son I would have wanted him to be like you. Of course I'll do all in my power to become your guardian and to save what of your estate I can! Do you know where your father's records are? It's a good thing I'm an accountant! I'm going to be very busy tonight!"
North took out the keys and opened the drawers of the desk, and then showed his uncle where all the books were. His uncle began going over the papers with North showing him as much as he knew. They were interrupted when his aunt came in.
"North, your mother needs a doctor. I can't calm her down. She needs professional help," she said.
"All right, I'll see if I can reach Dr. Cloud." And North went to call their family doctor. When he finally got through it was to the doctor's flier. He had heard the first newscast about North's father, and and was already headed for their apartment. He was already in sight of their building's landing pad. He would be at the apartment in five or six minutes. North thanked him and went in to tell his aunt, then opened the door to wait for the doctor.
The doctor did his best to comfort North's mother, and gave her a shot to help her sleep, then bade North good night. Once his mother was asleep, he asked his uncle if he needed him, and was told no.
"I'm going to my room, then," North said. "If you need me, call."
"I won't need you," was his uncle's answer. "You'd better get