On Monday morning, Trixie was dying to tell Honey what had happened the night before, but she never got a chance to be alone with her best friend.
Honey and Miss Porter made the breakfast. Trixie couldn't help but notice that Valerie seemed a little distracted that morning. After everyone had finished their scrambled eggs and toast, Trixie and Valerie volunteered to clear the dishes and wash them.
Once they were alone in the kitchen, Trixie decided to ask Valerie what was wrong.
"Oh, Trixie," Valerie said in a hushed tone. "I'm so confused. I was looking at those pictures that Aunt Julia showed us yesterday. Something has been bothering me about the boy in the picture with my mother."
Trixie felt a prickling sensation on the back of her neck. "What is it?"
"I don't see how this can be true," Valerie said, her brown eyes troubled. "But I think it's Phil!"
Trixie gaped at Valerie. "Your stepmother's cousin? How is that possible?"
"I don't know! I just don't know. If it is Phil, then what does it mean, Trixie?"
"I'm not sure," Trixie said slowly. "But it can't be good."
She regretted her words when she saw the distress on Valerie's face. Quickly, she reached out a hand and patted Valerie's arm reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Valerie," Trixie soothed. "It couldn't be Phil, right? After all, that picture is of a young boy and it's not likely you'd recognize him as a man."
"I suppose I could be imagining that it looks like Phil," Valerie said uncertainly. "I guess I'm still jumpy about him and Irma."
"That's probably it," Trixie said, not believing her own words.
Valerie smiled slightly. "Thanks. I guess I've worried myself for nothing. You must think I'm really paranoid!"
"Not at all. You have been through a lot, that's all."
Valerie relaxed. "We'd better finish these dishes!"
When they were done, they joined Honey and Dan in the living room.
"Your dad will probably be here soon," Dan told Trixie.
"I can't wait to get back home and take a shower and change my clothes!" Honey declared, glancing down at her rumpled shirt and pants.
"I guess we could all use a change of clothes," Trixie agreed. "Especially Dan."
"Why, do I stink?" Dan sniffed at his armpits.
Trixie laughed. "I hadn't noticed if you do, but your clothes look lived in."
"Well, I have been living in them for the past few days."
"Oh!" Valerie cried. "I am going to miss you guys!"
"Why, Valerie, how sweet," Honey said warmly. "We can keep in touch, though. I'd like that, anyhow."
"I would, too," Valerie said. "But I'll be sorry when you leave me. I have felt so alone and the last few days with Dan and then with you and Trixie have been wonderful and I haven't felt lonely at all."
"You'll have your Aunt Julia," Honey reminded her. "And she'll take you to see your father."
"I suppose." Valerie looked distressed again. "She never asked me about him. Isn't that odd?"
"Well, maybe it's because of the bad blood between your grandfather and your dad," Dan suggested. "She might have some of the same feelings. I'm sure it will work out, though."
The apartment intercom buzzed just as Miss Porter entered the living room.
"Oh, that's probably your father, Trixie," she said.
Sure enough, the doorman was calling to say that Mr. Belden was waiting in the lobby.
"It was nice meeting you kids," Miss Porter said. "Thanks so much for bringing Valerie here."
"No problem," Dan said. "Valerie is our friend."
"Am I?" Valerie asked shyly.
"Definitely," Honey said, hugging the girl.
"Goodbye," Miss Porter said, rather enthusiastically to Trixie's ear.
"I'll walk with you to the elevator," Valerie said.
The four kids walked down the hall to the elevator. Trixie could see Valerie was reluctant to see them go. She didn't blame her. Something was not right about Miss Porter.
After all the farewells had been exchanged, Trixie, Dan and Honey boarded the elevator and Trixie watched as the doors closed to hide Valerie's unhappy, pale face.
"I feel terrible about leaving Valerie there," Trixie said
The elevator opened on ten and Mr. Wallace boarded.
"Well, hello, girls," Mr. Wallace said cheerfully. "How are you this morning?"
"Fine, Mr. Wallace," Honey replied. "This is our friend Dan Mangan."
"Nice to meet you, Dan," Mr. Wallace said.
"Hello, sir." Dan seemed bewildered looking from Trixie and Honey back to the old man.
"Mr. Wallace," Trixie said thoughtfully. "You know Miss Porter. Did you ever meet her brother?"
Mr. Wallace shook his head. "I never met Jerome Porter. He and Julia weren't very close in recent years, I believe. He'd become somewhat miserly and reclusive. I know she was upset when he died, of course. She always hoped he'd reconcile with his son-in-law and meet his granddaughter."
"It is sad," Honey agreed. "But at least Miss Porter and Valerie are together now."
"Valerie?" Mr. Wallace raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, she's Mr. Porter's granddaughter," Trixie said. "She's why we came here. She's upstairs with Miss Porter right now."
"Oh, that is good news!" Mr. Wallace exclaimed. "I guess that's why Julia canceled her trip. Her grandniece called her first."
The doors opened onto the lobby and the group stepped out.
"Mr. Wallace, where was Miss Porter going on her trip?" asked Trixie.
"Pennsylvania," Mr. Wallace said. "To find your friend Valerie and her father. That little girl has money coming to her. Jerome Porter was a very wealthy man and he left most of his estate to his only grandchild."
Mr. Wallace waved goodbye and went on his way.
"Did you hear that?" Trixie gasped. "Valerie's rich!"
"It is a surprise, all right," Dan said. "Valerie has no idea."
"Trixie, there's your father," Honey said, pointing.
Trixie couldn't say anymore about Valerie as they joined Mr. Belden.
"Dan, it's good to see you're well," Mr. Belden said with a nod.
"I guess I have a lot of apologizing to do when I get home, sir," Dan replied seriously. "Thank you for driving here for us."
"I couldn't leave you three stranded," Mr. Belden said, looking meaningfully at Trixie.
"I'm sorry, Dad," Trixie said. "How many times can I say it?"
"We'll talk about when we get back home. Let's go, Jim's waiting out in the car."
"Jim!" Honey exclaimed. "I didn't know he was coming."
"Neither did I," Trixie said, her heart jumping.
"Well, he asked me if he could keep me company," Mr. Belden said. "And since Miss Trask was kind enough to send Tom to pick Brian up at the airport...."
"Oh, I forgot Brian was due in this morning," Trixie said.
At the car, Trixie, Honey, and Dan slid into the backseat. Jim turned to look at them.
"Well, hello," he said. "So nice to see you again." The sarcastic edge to his voice was unmistakable.
"Jim, I'm sorry I left without telling you," Honey said quickly. "We just felt we needed to find out why Dan and Valerie were running away."
"I didn't invite them along," Dan said, fastening his seat belt. "I was surprised to see them on the bus."
"Well, Trixie?" Jim looked at her expectantly.
"I'm sorry we had to go behind your back," Trixie said sincerely,"but I'm not sorry we got on that bus."
Jim tried to suppress a smile, but Trixie saw it.
She grinned. "You aren't really mad, are you, Jim?"
Jim sighed. "Trixie, I was worried and angry ever since you and Honey disappeared with Dan. I guess talking to your dad on the drive here helped calm me. We chatted about you almost the whole time."
"Uh-oh," Trixie said, causing Honey to giggle.
The car started pulling out of the parking lot.
"Wait!" Trixie cried. "Stop the car, Dad."
Mr. Belden hit the brake. "What is it?" he yelped.
Trixie held up her wrist. "I left my bracelet in the apartment."
"Well, I'm sure they'll mail it to you," her father said with a trace of irritation.
"No, Dad, I can't leave it," Trixie insisted. She glanced at Jim's strong profile and blushed. "It means a lot to me. I'll just run up and get it. I promise to be quick!"
"Oh, all right," Mr. Belden agreed reluctantly.
Trixie undid her seatbelt and jumped out of the car. She hurried back into the apartment building. The doorman nodded at her, recognizing her from earlier, she supposed.
She had the elevator to herself as it rose to the eleventh floor. She reached into her front jeans pocket and felt something cold and metallic. Let me be right, she thought.
She arrived back at Miss Porter's and knocked. She waited, but nobody came to the door.
They must be in there, Trixie thought. She rang the doorbell.
After a few moments, the door opened a crack.
"Trixie!" Miss Porter said. "What are you doing here?" She seemed annoyed by Trixie's return.
"I left something inside," Trixie explained calmly, smiling at Miss Porter. "I can be so scatter-brained sometimes. I came back for my bracelet. Maybe Valerie has seen it?"
"If we find it, we'll send it to you, dear. Now, I have a lot of things to do, so if you don't mind...."
"Oh, I think I can find it right away," Trixie said hurriedly. "I don't want to leave without it, Miss Porter. It has sentimental value."
Miss Porter scowled at Trixie. "This isn't a good time, Trixie."
A muffled cry came from somewhere behind Miss Porter.
"Valerie!" Trixie called out without thinking.
Miss Porter move aside and the door opened wide.
"Well, Miss Snoopynose, won't you join us?"
It was the man from last night. Trixie recognized his voice. He was tall and thin with a crooked nose and perfectly white teeth that were unnerving. He also had a gun pointed right at Trixie.
The man grabbed Trixie's arm with his left hand and pulled her into the apartment. The door closed.
"You can go and join the little princess over on the couch," the man sneered.
Valerie was sitting on the couch looking pale and scared. Her face was tear-stained.
Trixie tried to remain calm as she sat down next to Valerie.
"My father and friends are waiting for me," Trixie challenged the man.
"Is that so?" He didn't seem worried. "They'll be waiting a long time, my dear."
A chill went up Trixie's spine. She tried not to look at the gun.
"You're Phil, aren't you?" she said calmly.
Valerie gasped in surprise that Trixie should know his name.
"Smart little girl," he said. "But I go by Philip most of the time."
"And by Porter, I take it," Trixie remarked.
"Porter?" Valerie croaked. "I don't understand."
"He's your cousin, Valerie," Trixie continued. "If you look, you can see a family resemblance. You were right about the boy in the picture. It was Phil."
"You just get smarter and smarter," Philip Porter said. "My father was Jerome's brother. He and my mother died in a car accident when I was two and I went to live with my Uncle Jerome."
"This doesn't make any sense," Valerie said,in a strained voice. "Why are you doing this to me?"
Philip Porter flashed his white teeth at Trixie. "Let's ask Miss Snoopynose. Why am I doing this to poor, sweet Valerie?"
"Money," Trixie said plainly. "Valerie was Jerome Porter's heir. You must be next in line."
"Pretty good guess," he admitted. "I worked for Uncle Jerome for years and I was loyal to him, unlike Margaret who married against his wishes. I deserve that money, not this kid who he never even met."
"What about Irma?" Trixie asked.
"Irma?" Philip laughed. "Oh, she was a means to an end. She gave me access to Valerie."
"But she was also your partner," Trixie said.
"Yes, that's true," Philip said. "Money-hungry tramp that she is. She thinks it's a fifty/fifty partnership, but she's wrong. I'll cut her loose right after I take care of you two."
"Philip," Miss Porter interrupted. "The others might come up looking for Trixie. What are we going to do?"
Philip frowned at her. "Will you stop nagging me, Kate? I am in control here. We're going to take these two for a little ride."
"Kate?" Trixie repeated questioningly. "I knew you were a fake!"
"Oh, shut up," Kate said, glaring at Trixie. "You have been a pain in the---"
"Now, now, Kate," Philip said with mock politeness. "Kate here is my third partner. My aunt is in Pennsylvania right now and fortunately I have the spare keys to her apartment. I figured Valerie might show up in Allsbury and wind up here."
"It's all been a lie," Valerie mumbled tearfully.
Philip steadied the gun at the two girls. "Get up."
Trixie and Valerie rose. Trixie took the other girl's hand reassuringly.
"Now, we are going out to the elevator. We're going to go to the lobby and out to my car. I don't want any funny business. Just remember, I have this gun and if I can't get both of you, I'll get at least one of you brats before I let anyone take me."
Kate led the way, followed by Trixie and Valerie. Philip Porter walked behind the girls with his gun hidden by the flap of his coat.
"Good girls," Philip said, as they boarded the elevator quietly.
Trixie wondered if the others would be coming to find her soon. She had taken longer than promised, after all.
When the elevator doors opened onto the lobby, Mr. Wallace unexpectedly was there to greet it.
"Why, hello again, Trixie," he said, smiling. He waved a paper bag at her. "Bagels."
"Yum," Trixie managed to say. Then inspiration struck. "Hey, Mr, Wallace," she said brightly. "Let me introduce you to Valerie's aunt, Julia Porter. Miss Porter, this is Mr. Wallace who lives on ten."
Mr. Wallace raised his eyebrow once again. "Oh, hello, Miss Porter. Hard to believe we've never met before, isn't it?"
"Um, yes," Kate said. "Very nice to meet you."
"And this is Valerie," Trixie said.
"Pardon us," Philip Porter said impatiently. "But we are in somewhat of a hurry." Trixie felt the gun press against her back.
"Of course," Mr. Wallace said pleasantly. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Porter. Valerie. Goodbye."
Mr. Wallace got on the elevator and was gone.
"Trying to be smart, Miss Snoopynose?" Philip said roughly. "No more chitchat with anyone."
"He said hello," Trixie said. "I had to reply."
"You replied a little too much. Let's get moving."
Once outside, Trixie frantically looked around for her father's car. She couldn't locate it.
But I know they are here somewhere, she thought, Can't they see me?
Philip forced Valerie into the back seat of his Mercedes next to Kate. He handed Kate the gun with instructions to keep it trained on Valerie.
"You, Miss Snoopynose," he said to Trixie. "Get into the passenger seat and buckle up."
Trixie did as he ordered, not knowing what else she could do while a gun was pointed at Valerie. She realized a few seconds too late that she had done the wrong thing.
Hadn't Sergeant Molinson given a lecture at the school about how to protect yourself? The first rule was to try and escape at Crime Scene Number One and not allow yourself to be taken to Crime Scene number Two.
She shivered. People rarely came back from Crime Scene Number Two alive.
Philip pulled out of the parking lot and started down the street.
Maybe there's still a chance, Trixie hoped, If he stops at a light...
But how would she get her seatbelt undone and out the door quickly? And Valerie would still be in the car with a gun staring at her.
Philip drove on. Trixie watched the clock on the dashboard tick away the minutes.
"Where are you taking us?" Trixie somehow mustered up the courage to speak.
"You'll find out soon enough," Philip said, not bothering to glance her way.
"I thought you drove a Buick," Trixie said. "A blue Buick which you used to try and run down Valerie."
Philip snorted. "That was a rental."
Trixie glanced at the side mirror and couldn't believe what she saw. Following the Mercedes, was her father's sedan! They had seen her after all.
The Mercedes eventually turned into a marina parking lot.
"Why are we here?" Trixie asked, feeling more confident now that she knew help was close by.
"We're going to take a boat trip," Philip said, his white teeth sinisterly gleaming at her.
"Oh no," Valerie whispered.
"Everybody out. And remember, don't pull anything on me or you'll be really sorry."
Trixie had a strong feeling that she and Valerie would be really sorry if they got onto a boat with Philip and Kate.
Her best bet, she reasoned, was to act while Kate still had the gun.
She went to open her door.
"No," Philip said sharply. "Slide across and come out my side."
Trixie obeyed. As she came out the door, she saw her opportunity. Kate stood in front of the back door watching Valerie slide out the backseat. Trixie shoved hard against her as she emerged from the car sending Kate and the gun flying.
"You brat!" Philip screamed, grabbing Trixie's arm before she could get away.
"Run, Valerie!" Trixie shouted.
It only took a second for Valerie to absorb the situation and then she took off running.
"Get her," Philip yelled at Kate who was just stumbling to her feet. "Pick up the gun, you idiot!"
"Don't touch that gun," a loud voice said. "You're under arrest, Mr. Porter."
Philip, Trixie, and Kate were all amazed to see a police officer with his weapon in hand before them.
"No," Philip Porter muttered. "No!"
"Let the girl go," the officer ordered.
Instead of letting Trixie go, Philip swung her in front of him and held her against him. He produced a small knife from one pocket and pressed it against Trixie's neck.
"Don't be foolish," the cop said to him.
Another police officer joined the scene. He snatched up the gun that lay at Kate's feet. Kate seemed to be resigned to her fate.
The first cop continued. "We know all about you, Porter. You have no place to go. Let the kid go and save yourself more trouble."
"Trouble!" Philip spat. "This kid is the only trouble I've had."
Trixie swallowed hard. She wondered where her father and the others were.
"It's over," the cop said. "You hurt this kid and it'll be worse for you."
"Someday, Miss Snoopynose," Philip hissed in her ear. "Someday!"
He let her go and dropped the knife. Trixie moved away as fast as she could and the cop went in and handcuffed Philip Porter.
Now, Trixie saw her father and Jim coming towards her, their faces grim.
"Oh, Daddy," Trixie cried, throwing herself into Mr. Belden's arms.
She felt like a little girl again as her father held her and stroked her head, but she wanted the safe comfort of her family now more than anything
"Trixie," her father said as if trying to convince himself, "everything's okay now. You're safe."
She pulled back a little and smiled at him.
"I was so happy to see your car following us! I don't know what might have happened otherwise."
"Thank Mr. Wallace," Jim said quietly.
Trixie looked at him, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Mr. Wallace called the police," Jim said. "That's what the cop told us. We couldn't without stopping and we didn't want to lose you."
"Mr. Wallace suspected Porter might come here," Mr. Belden said. "He recognized him, by the way."
"And that Miss Porter wasn't really Miss Porter," added Jim.
"I knew he would notice that," Trixie exclaimed. "I introduced Kate--that's the woman's real name--to him as Miss Porter, because I knew he was friends with the real Julia Porter."
"Clever girl," Jim said.
"But how come he thought Philip Porter would come here of all places?"
"I can answer that." It was the second police officer. "Mr. Wallace said that he knew Porter had a boat here and spent a lot of time on it. I guess he thought Porter might make a getaway with it."
"I don't think he planned on taking a trip," Trixie said. "More like he wanted me and Valerie to. By the way, where is Valerie?"
"Here she comes," Jim said.
Valerie walked up with Honey and Dan flanking her on either side.
She smiled at Trixie. "We're going to be all right, aren't we?"
"We sure are," Trixie agreed.
There was a knock at the door. Trixie opened it and smiled.
"Why are you hiding up here?" Jim asked. "The party's downstairs."
Everyone had gathered at Crabapple Farm to celebrate the safe return of Trixie, Honey, and Dan. Valerie had returned to Pennsylvania to be with her real Aunt Julia at her father's bedside. Doctors were optimistic about Mr. Cameron's recovery.
"I know," Trixie replied, she waved Jim inside her room. "I guess I just needed some time to think."
"Think?" Jim sounded properly skeptical.
Trixie laughed. "I know, sometimes I don't think before I do something."
"Trix," he said, glancing down at her wrist. "I guess you never found the bracelet?"
Trixie blushed. "Well, actually, Jim, I never lost it."
She reached into her pocket and pulled out the small metal ID bracelet.
"You had it the whole time? Like I said before--clever girl. How can someone be so smart and so foolish at the same time? All that and pretty, too."
"In these clothes?" Trixie said doubtfully. "I haven't changed my clothes, yet and my hair needs to be washed."
Jim reached out a hand and brushed some curls away from her face. "Seems okay to me," he said softly.
They stood there like that for a moment and then Jim pulled his hand back and grinned. "Brian's telling stories about Mexico. I'm afraid you've taken away some of his thunder with your adventure."
"I guess we should go down," Trixie said. "But would you help me with my bracelet first?"
Jim fastened the ID bracelet on her wrist again just as he did when he first gave it to her and called her his girl.
"You know, Trix," Jim said as they started to go downstairs. "I'm proud of how you figured out about Philip Porter and Kate, but seeing you with that knife to your neck....."
"I'm sorry, Jim. I will try to look before I leap next time."
"And I guess there will always be a next time for you," Jim said with a sigh. "Detective Belden. It does have a nice ring to it."
Mart whooped as Trixie and Jim entered the living room. "Guess what?"
Dan, Di, and Honey were all beaming.
"I'm too tired to guess, Mart," Trixie said, studying the faces of her friends and brothers.
"Oh, Trixie, remember that rumor about Mr. Appleton's book being made into a film?" Honey said excitedly.
"Yes, of course, I do!"
"Well, it's happening," Mart said. "And this is the best part...."
"We're invited to Hollywood," Brian Belden finished.
"I wanted to tell that!" Mart grumbled to Brian..
"Hollywood! Jeepers!" Trixie exclaimed. "Moms, are we allowed to go?"
Mrs. Belden sighed. "You've all been away from home so much this summer already, I hate to have you leave again."
"But Moms," Mart protested. "Mr. Appleton invited us and we get free airfare and everything!"
"Trixie needs her rest," said Mrs. Belden firmly.
"Now, Helen, I think we will have to discuss this," Mr. Belden said. "They wouldn't be leaving until next week."
"I just don't know," Mrs. Belden said, this time less certainly.
"She's softening," Trixie whispered to Jim. "Just think, Hollywood! Who knows what might be waiting for us there!"
The End
Afterword: You may wonder what my timeline is. Well, I prefer to be vague, but I would place my two stories thus far as being in the summer after Trixie turned fifteen. The way I see it, it's one action-packed summer. Eventually, the summer will end, but not anytime soon. --Writer X