Mystery of the Missing Child
by Dana
I just don't think it is safe for you to continue doing this!
You have never supported my decision ...
I have never wanted to see you killed!!!
This job means more to me than anything else!
Even me?
Are you making me choose between you and the job I love?
You don't care how I feel!...How I would feel if we had to bury you for being a fool!
he wanted to say I would quit breathing...quit loving...quit living
she stormed out and yelled over her shoulder, I can't go on like this...you no longer have to worry about me...you won't be seeing me anymore!
she wanted him to chase her...stop her...kiss away her insane words...he let her leave...for good.
Childhood dreams and adult reality filled her with bittersweet emotions....that happened long ago, and she hadn't heard from him in almost six years. She had to be the loneliest twenty-four-year-old in New York City. She put down the book that suddenly had no words in it, uncurled her slim legs from the couch, and stretched as she headed for the tiny apartment kitchen.
Chamomile tea should do the trick, she thought as she pondered when, as Mart would say, "Morpheus would claim her as his own."
Crazy Mart. She felt more of a kindred spirit with him than she cared to admit; the ruler of torture in her childhood, Mart could make her hair stand on end; it was his wisdom and unending vocabulary that she needed tonight. Trixie knew she needed to share with someone the pain and loneliness she was feeling right now and, although she and Mart had had their differences, she knew she could share with him and he would be there for her. She was too proud, though, to call even her 'almost twin' brother at Jim's boy's school.
I know, she thought, I will call Di and ask her if she will get in touch with him for me.
Mart and Diana Lynch were as thick as thieves. The sun rose and set just for Mart as far as Di was concerned, and he enthusiastically returned her feelings of admiration...hmmm...all of a sudden, contacting Mart wasn't such a good idea. What if he confided in Jim about her? Would Jim care? Trixie felt a deep pain within her chest; she could see Jim's passionate, expressive green eyes turn bitterly cold as they argued that night. No, Mart couldn't be trusted with her deepest feelings.
Trixie's chamomile tea was steeped to perfection. Trixie reached into the cabinet and grabbed the honey. She opened the jar and sighed as she sucked her sticky finger...sweet honey, Trixie thought...Yes! Honey would understand. She wouldn't say anything to Jim simply out of loyalty to me, even though she is his sister. Trixie's heart warmed at the thought of Honey, her closest friend and now her sister-in-law or rather "sister-in-love" as Trixie preferred to call her, expecting her and Brian's first little one. She couldn't wait to hold their miracle in her arms...Lord, please let Honey and the baby be okay. She felt sure, though, that Dr. Brian Belden would take good care of them...it sure is fortunate that he is a pediatrician, she thought with a smile.
She sipped her tea and inhaled its fragrance as she walked back to her couch. She knew this was going to be a long night.
Thirty minutes later, she slipped between the cool, crisp sheets in her bed and willed herself to think happy thoughts. She remembered as a child how she used to flex each part of her body and make herself relax, beginning with her feet, and shortly after she flexed her arms, she floated into dream world. Before her sleeping eyes was Jim's image; his eyes filled with pain as he shared his memories of his mother with her; pure passion as he declared his undying love for her that night; and fear as he feverishly embraced her drained body after he pulled her out of the Hudson River right after her senior year in high school. He was sure to explode, she thought, as she slowly opened her eyes and saw a soaked Jim with a clenched jaw and beautiful tear filled eyes...
The bedside phone's shrill ring woke her with a start...green eyes still hovered over her hauntingly...she shook the vision away as she reached for the receiver; her eyes slightly focused on the clock. "3 a.m. ...dear God, who could this be?" Her first thought was the prank caller. At least twice a week, she would get calls and, though she heard moaning and crying in the background, no one would say a word. She steeled herself for the inevitable...
"Hello?"
"Help me!" a masculine voice croaked.
Trixie sat straight up in the bed and looked at the phone as if it were alive in her hand. "Who is this???"
"Please...you have to help me...they're going to kill me!"
Wide awake now, Trixie almost yelled, "You have to tell me where you are!"
Click. He was gone. Frantically, Trixie dialed the operator. The call couldn't be traced. She was almost afraid to hang up the phone. Shaken to her soul, Trixie jumped out of bed, pulled on her jeans, and almost ran over Regan, her cat.
"Oh, baby, I'm sorry!" she gushed as she picked up Regan and stroked deep rich purrs from him. "What was I thinking? That I could track down the caller by running outside? Come on, let's go back to bed."
Almost without thinking, Trixie crossed the bedroom to her jewelry box and carefully pulled out the bracelet that Jim gave her years ago. She closed her eyes for a moment and wondered how he was doing and if he ever thought of her. Before she could change her mind, she put the bracelet on her wrist. With Regan at her feet in the bed, Trixie fell into a fitful sleep.
"Miss Belden. TRIXIE BELDEN!"
"Oh, I am so sorry, sir!" Trixie exclaimed.
"Come into my office now!"
"Yes,sir." She was flushed as she walked humbly into Detective Johnson's office.
"Have a seat, Miss Belden." He eyed her flaming red cheeks as she seated herself across the desk from him. He noticed that she kept her gaze locked on his paperweight. "You have been with us quite a while, and not once have you missed a day of work for sickness or vacation. I think it is time you take a break..."
"Oh, please, sir, my case..."
"Let me finish!"
Trixie lowered her eyes again. She suspected that he would give her case to someone else. She was quite aware that her mind hadn't been on her job.
He continued. "I feel that there has been something on your mind for quite some time--not the phone calls you have told me about, but something much deeper than that. I have a strong suspicion that someone in this office is the prankster and I am not going to stop until I find out who it is and relieve him or her of a job! In the meantime, I am giving you two weeks paid vacation to get your problem solved. I will not allow you to mope around here and depress us anymore. You are doing your job well, Miss Belden," his tone softened considerably as he finished, "but you are not the same confident and strong-willed Trixie that we so admire. Go home, Miss Belden. Take care of business and bring our Trixie back."
Tears filled her eyes and she hurriedly wiped them away with the back of her hand. "Yes, sir. I need to go home. Thank you, sir." Slowly, she stood and looked into Detective Johnson's eyes with admiration. "Thank you." As an afterthought, she hurriedly scribbled the phone number of Crabapple Farm and slid it toward him. "Please, call me if you need me."
Detective Johnson shook his head at her retreating figure. What happened? She was so full of herself when she first arrived as a rookie that he wondered if he could handle her. In no time at all, she proved herself capable and reliable. Over time, he had to admit to himself, she became the daughter that he never had. He admired her quick wit and her uncommon wisdom. He had never met such a young girl who could unravel crimes that the most seasoned detective found mind boggling. He looked at the bottom of his coffee cup. Yes, he was proud of little Miss Trixie, and the mystery of what had gotten into her was one he doubted anyone could solve but her.
With a sigh of discouragement, Trixie entered her neat yet terribly small apartment. She slowly packed two weeks worth of clothes and wondered how her normally happy world had suddenly become so chaotic. When she first became employed under Detective Johnson, the pain of her and Jim's fight only fueled her desire to excel in her work. Sleep eluded her, but she was almost unaware of it; she spent the endless sleepless nights working on one of her cases. With time, the pain ebbed into a low roar, and she was able to sleep and function quite normally. She was proud of her accomplishments, not to mention her ability to keep her mind from dwelling on what she had lost...until almost a month ago.
Trixie had another nightmare. This one was worse than the others; she was searching for the abducted man and had finally reached her destination. She informed her rookie partners that she was going into the abandoned shack to free him, knowing that the police had been called and would back her soon. She entered the dark hall and heard the same moaning and crying that she had endured through nine weeks of prank calls and she wondered how this shack could possibly contain a functioning telephone. The cries became louder as she ended the hallway. She could tell he was held hostage just beyond the door she faced. She slowly turned the doorknob with a sweaty palm and entered. Trixie thought she would pass out: there sat Jim Frayne, his legs and arms bound, hunched in the corner next to a barred window. His head snapped up, and his green eyes, at first filled with obvious dread of the intruder, turned ice cold as he stared at her.
"You! I had no idea you were behind this! Did you come here to finally finish me off?"
"Wh-what are you talking about, Jim?"
"I knew you hated me, Miss Belden, but don't you think this is a little too much?"
"How can you say that? I came to get you out of here...but it wasn't supposed to be you..."
Before she could complete her response, a thick hand came over her mouth, and she was pulled back into the iron brace of one of the kidnappers. "Not a word, sweetie. David, tie up little miss detective while I kill this man. He's more trouble than he's worth! I should have shot you for nabbing the wrong man to begin with, so don't make any more mistakes--do you understand?"
"Yes, sir! I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again!" The unknown kidnapper threw her at David, and he tied her up and tossed her at Jim. She could see the distaste on Jim's face as she collided into his corner.
"Please don't hate me, Jim. I never wanted you to hate me..."
"Shut up, missy! I have a surprise for you. You get to watch me put a bullet into his chest, and then you're next." His laugh made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She was unable to read any softness in Jim's glaring eyes; he never looked away from her, even as the bullet pierced his chest. Quickly, his glare faded into a blank stare as he saw nothing.
"Noooo..." Trixie groaned. "Don't leave me, Jim! I'm so sorry! I love you... I love you...I love..." Like lightening, Trixie shot up in the bed. Sweat soaked through her gown, and she pulled the clinging silk from her body as she realized what ended her nightmare so abruptly.
She reached for the phone, said hello, and listened as the moaning came softly through the receiver. She slammed the phone down as if it had stung her, and leaned back into her pillow.
That was the beginning of her new torment by the "ghost" of Jim Frayne.
Home, Trixie thought as she pulled her Jeep into the Crabapple Farm drive. She drank in the scenery of the quaint little farmhouse and remembered her youth with fondness. Mrs. Belden, wiping her hands on her crisp apron, met her at the door. "Hello, dear! It's so good to see you! Why didn't you call? Is something wrong?"
Trixie smiled her mother's worried frown away, gave her a big hug, and said, "No, Moms. Detective Johnson said I needed a vacation and I couldn't think of a better place to spend it than with you."
"Oh, sweetheart, come inside and I will make you some lunch!"
They walked arm in arm into the kitchen, and Trixie asked, "Where's Bobby?"
"He is at the Wheeler stable helping Regan groom the horses. Where else would he be?"
They both chuckled, and Trixie thought of her precious younger brother. She couldn't believe that Bobby Belden had grown into such a handsome young man. At fifteen, Bobby was the image of Brian, but had sandy blond hair like Trixie, Mart's wit, and a mind of his own. He and the Wheelers' groomsman, Regan, could hardly be separated. Bobby wanted his own ranch when he grew up, and Regan, always fond of Bobby, was more than happy to share his knowledge and love for horses.
"Here you go, dear--roast beef sandwich and iced tea."
"Thanks, Moms, you're the greatest."
"Yes, that's what you always say," she replied with a laugh. Then the smile left her normally serene face as she sat across from Trixie. "Now, tell me what is wrong."
As she took Trixie's hand across the table and held it between her warm palms, Trixie opened her heart. Through tears and angry bursts, she told Mrs. Belden everything that went wrong with her and Jim long ago, as well as her now frequent nightmares, and ended with a confused shrug. "I just don't know how to get over this mess!"
Mrs. Belden glanced at her arm and saw the bracelet that Jim gave Trixie. She ran her finger over the smooth silver metal and said, "Let's enjoy our time together, dear. By the end of your vacation, you will have the answer; I know it."
"Thanks, Moms." Trixie took a bite of her sandwich, then started as she heard the screen door slam.
"Trixie!!! I knew it was you!"
Jumping from her chair, Trixie had just enough time to turn and face the doorway as Bobby picked her up and gave her a huge bear hug. She giggled and yelled through her food, "Put me down before you break your back! You act like you haven't seen me in years!"
Bobby kissed his older sister's blond locks and said, "Six months is too long! You know, you live close enough to come see us every other weekend at LEAST!" With a hurt look on his handsome face, he added, "I missed you, Sis."
"Oh, I missed you, too! I can't believe how much taller you have grown in just six short months! I have to look up at you now!!"
"Six endless months," he replied sheepishly. Not wanting attention drawn to himself, he said, "Come with me, Trix. I got a new puppy!"
Bobby took her hand and led her through the back door to a small pen. A little red nose peeked out of the doghouse, and Bobby proudly exclaimed, "Trix, meet Reddy."
Tears sprang into Trixie's eyes as she was handed the eight week old Irish Setter. "Hello, little man." She sniffed softly and brushed away a tear as she remembered wild and wonderful Reddy. "You have some big paws to fill."
The evening was filled with laughter and memories as Trixie, Bobby, and Mr. and Mrs. Belden sat around the dinner table. After catching up on all of the small town news and helping Moms clean the kitchen, Trixie excused herself and called Honey.
"Oh, Trixie! I am so glad you called me. I have been trying to reach you all day!" Honey breathlessly exclaimed.
"What's wrong? The baby..."
She heard a giggle over the phone. "The baby is perfectly perfect. We went for a checkup and our doctor let Brian and me see the baby...it's a little girl, Trix!"
"Oh, Honey, I am so happy I could cry!" All of a sudden, Trixie was speechless. She could have been this content...
Honey broke into her thoughts. "But that's not the only reason I was trying to call you. Is it okay if Brian and I see you tomorrow?"
"Of course, Honey. I'm staying with Moms and Dad for two weeks. I was informed that I needed a break from the ole job. Will you please tell me what is going on? I am dying to know!"
"Well, let's just say I have a MYSTERY for you to solve; I don't feel right telling you over the phone--it's too personal. Gotta go. Love you! Bye."
Well, if that isn't just like Honey Belden! thought Trixie as she hung up the phone. I guess I will have to sleep with Regan again tonight!
Morning came too soon for Trixie. As she looked around her old room, memories flooded through her mind. Peace enveloped her as she snuggled deeper into the covers. Suddenly, green eyes peered into hers.
"Okay, Regan, I will get you something for breakfast."
She and Regan quickly descended the stairs and she could immediately recognize the back of her slightly older brother, Mart. Without a sound, she crept behind him as he was loading his plate from the counter filled with morning delights, and slipped her hands around his eyes. Caught in midstream, the eggs dropped in a heap onto his plate and he yelled, "Who is this marauder masquerading as my sleuthing sister???"
Trixie giggled at him and hugged him from behind. "Oh, Mart, you mean you didn't miss me a little?"
Mart turned to her, kissed her on the cheek, and with all traces of humor gone, replied, "You are the best sight these eyes have seen in six months, dear sis."
The breakfast was wonderful as usual. Regan lay under the table full and content, and Bobby and Mart battled for Trixie's attention. Between Bobby talking about his dream of a ranch and his ever increasing knowledge of horses, and Mart's description of the boy's school and the classes he taught there, Trixie didn't have much time to worry about her own plight. She hung desperately onto every word as Mart detailed with a proud voice how much the boys loved their home and were such eager pupils. Trixie couldn't bring herself to ask of Jim, though. She knew her slightly older, yet extremely wise brother would pick up on her meaning.
A knock at the door signaled the arrival of the remaining Beldens, and Bobby jumped up to help Honey through the door.
"Bobby, I am expecting a baby--I am not terminally ill!" She and the others laughed at blushing Bobby, but he helped her to the kitchen table, nonetheless.
After hugs, kisses, and a few straying tears, the Beldens moved into the living room to visit. Trixie was anxious to speak to her sister-in-law privately, and tried to catch her attention by staring at her. Honey, however, was engrossed in a discussion with Mrs. Belden.
"They are expecting me to have her before the end of this month," Honey squeaked with excitement. She looked beside her at Brian and gave his knee a squeeze.
They look so in love, thought Trixie as she regarded them closely. I wonder if I will ever know love like that...Stop it! You chose your career with good reason, and you should be content with it!
"What have you decided to name my little angel?" Trixie asked them, willing herself to remain excited.
"Alayna Marie Belden," Brian said warmly. "Isn't that beautiful?"
"Alayna Marie," Mrs. Belden breathed. "Simply wonderful."
Unable to contain herself any longer, Trixie casually asked, "Um, Honey, would you help me in the kitchen for a minute?" Trixie looked at her with meaning.
Honey giggled as if she were fifteen again. As Brian helped her out of her chair, she replied smartly, "I was wondering when you would drag me away."
Seated at the kitchen table with two glasses of cold milk, Honey explained her mystery.
"Well, it's not really something that has been talked about outside of a small circle of people, and it happened right before I tried to call you yesterday morning..."
"Oh, Honey, please hurry!"
"I'm sorry, Trix, this is such a touchy situation." Honey took a deep breath and continued, "Jim is missing a child from the boy's school."
"What? How did this happen? Why didn't Mart tell me about it this morning?"
"Mart doesn't know yet; in fact, it was one of his and Jim's favorite children. His name is Tommy Latimer and he is seven years old. He is a very sweet and shy boy, and would never take off unless severely provoked. No one saw him leave the grounds that night, and Jim is beside himself with worry."
"That's terrible, Honey!" Trixie couldn't suppress a shiver as she wondered if he had been swept into the Hudson River as she had one time...
"What are you thinking, Trix?"
Honey was so sensitive to Trixie's thoughts. She knew she couldn't keep anything from her. "What do you want me to do? I am caught; I want to look for little Tommy, but I know Jim wouldn't welcome my help, but I can't do it without him knowing it, and I only have two weeks off, and I...I feel so helpless," she finished lamely, unable to look Honey in the eyes.
Honey leaned close to her and said, "I haven't told Jim that I tried to reach you. He has no idea you are in town. He called Dan from the city to help him search the area, but he called me this morning before we came to see you and informed me that they had no luck yet. Jim kind of laughed and said, 'Where is supersleuth Trixie when you need her?'...Oh, Trix, you just have to help us. Please say you will!"
Trixie was overwhelmed by what she had just heard. Jim...needing her? "Let's go before I lose my nerve!"
Honey suppressed a smile as she noticed the flash of silver on Trixie's wrist.
Trixie, Honey, Brian, and Mart pulled into the driveway of Jim's boy's home, and Trixie looked in awe at the buildings. Jim spared no expense when he decided to build his dream on the land he and his adopted father, Matthew Wheeler, purchased eight years ago. The boarding rooms housed fifty young boys, and there was a mansion sized school on the grounds. Mart explained to her that beyond the playground and school were thirty extra acres for camping. They spent each weekend in the woods, learning to recognize plants and trees, as well as learning wildlife preservation skills. Trixie couldn't help but feel her heart swell with pride for Jim.
There he is! she thought frantically, and she suddenly wanted to hide, yet she couldn't take her eyes off of the concerned face before her. He saw her then, and looked startled at first; then quickly recovering, erased any emotion from his face. "Hello, Honey. How are you feeling?"
"I am fine and fat!" Honey said as he helped her from the car, and giggling self consciously, added, "Trixie is with us."
"I see." was all he said.
Trixie considered asking Brian to take her back to the safety of Crabapple Farm, but her pride just wouldn't let her do it. Slowly, she got out of the car, stood tall, and, trying not to shake too violently said, "Hello, Jim. It's good to see you again."
"The pleasure is all mine," Jim replied with a hint of sarcasm. He turned back to Honey and almost whispered, "You told her, didn't you?"
"Yes, Jim, she told me." Trixie couldn't take the sound of his voice any longer. "If you don't want me here, just tell me and I will be happy to leave."
"Again?" Jim asked with mock horror. "My, my, Trixie, I don't think I could handle it twice in six years!"
"Oh!" Trixie hurt to the quick, but Jim would be the last one to know.
"Please, you two; you are going to upset Honey," Brian stated defensively. "Take your fighting somewhere out of earshot." Both Trixie and Jim looked sorry enough, and Brian added, "I told Mart what happened to Tommy, and we all think Trixie is needed here sorely. I, for one, don't think we should lose another second with Tommy lost, scared, and probably hurt!"
"I am sorry, Brian," Trixie said humbly, "I don't need to be here." She began to think that Honey told a terrible joke about Jim needing her as she turned to him with a questioning look.
Jim walked toward the boarding rooms and said, "Come on, I'll show you where he was last seen."
Trixie was vaguely surprised as she noted Tommy's room. "It's neat as a pin."
"We have room checks every evening after dinner," Jim responded quietly, as if he were afraid noise would erase any clues.
"His bed hasn't been slept in, so something or someone must have made him leave before it got too late. Do you do checks right before bed?"
Jim seemed slightly defensive as he replied, "Not always. I'll have to question my employees about that particular night."
Ignoring his tone, Trixie continued to survey the room. Nothing seemed to be missing. "When you go camping on the weekends, where do you set up the groups?"
"I have already searched the sites."
"Just take me there, Jim," Trixie replied curtly.
Jim led the way as Trixie and Brian followed. Mart and Honey stayed behind with the employees to help with the children. Trixie kept her eyes on the ground, looking for any traces of Tommy.
"TRIX!"
Her head popped up as Dan ran to her. Trixie opened her arms and Dan grabbed her in a hug and spun her around. Brian grinned as he noticed that Jim's eyes seemed "greener" than normal; he couldn't wait to tell Honey.
"It's so good to see you! Where have you been hiding yourself? My goodness, Trixie, you are beautiful!" He held her hands, stepped away from her, and admired her. Trixie blushed furiously at his compliment.
"You're not so bad yourself, Danny Boy. How is police life?"
"It's nothing like what I see in front of me now!"
"That's enough. Follow me," Jim said with husky gruffness as he led to Tommy's usual camping site. "This is where he likes to pitch his tent. There," he pointed, "is where we house our canoes."
Trixie passed Jim as she entered the boathouse. She stood quietly for a moment, then asked him, "How many canoes do you keep here?"
"Twenty...twelve for the kids and eight for the counselors and myself. Why?"
"Hmm...I only see nineteen. Dan, help me count again."
"Yes, Trix, I see nineteen as well," Dan replied with awe. "Why didn't I notice this before? Jim, did you realize it?"
Jim mumbled something as he exited the boathouse, and Brian, Trixie, and Dan looked at each other confused.
"I think we need to walk the river and look for clues," Trixie suggested.
Jim turned on her heatedly. "Don't you think I have done that a million times? He has vanished! No trace of him was found! If you feel you can find him, go ahead, but I am going back to the school!" and with that, he stormed down the path.
"Let me talk to him, Trix. He didn't mean to hurt you," Dan said as he squeezed her shoulder. All she could do was nod and watch him leave through the hot tears that threatened to fall.
"Come on, Trixie," Brian coaxed. "Let's rescue Honey from Mart and the kids."
"No, I have to go to the river. You go on, I'll be okay," Trixie replied warmly as she sniffed away more tears. "I need to think anyway; maybe it will be better to be alone."
"Be careful, sis. That river would love to eat you for lunch," and with a quick hug, he was gone.
The Hudson is calm today, she thought as she slowly walked along the bank. She knew that if there were any clues such as footprints, she wouldn't be able to recognize them after the rain last night. She worried for little Tommy. What if he is caught somewhere and had to endure the cold rain? She suppressed a shiver as she continued searching for something, anything, that would lead her to him.
What's that? A red piece of cloth was hung on a thorn bush and Trixie ran along the path and grabbed it with both hands. It has to be his!
Trixie ran breathlessly into the main hall of the schoolhouse and collided into Jim. "Oh, Jim!" Trixie exclaimed, too excited to be embarrassed. "Look what I found!" and waved the red cloth in front of his face.
Jim took the cloth and examined it. "It can't be Tommy's..."
"Why not?"
"Because I issue certain clothes to them, and they're not like this. Orphans don't come here with a wardrobe, Trixie."
Trixie snatched the cloth from Jim, and with her pride wounded, looked for Honey. She found her with Brian in the enormous library down the hall. She almost stumbled as she saw them with their hands joined and their heads close together; she felt as if she were an intruder. Then suddenly, Honey's "No, he didn't!" broke the mood.
Trixie walked into the room, mustered her courage, and asked, "Would you two please take me back to Crabapple Farm? I have had just about enough of your brother!"
Honey looked with surprise, then worry clouded her pretty face. "Are you okay? He didn't hurt you again, did he?"
She no longer had to wonder what Brian and Honey were discussing when she entered the library. "I guess not. I'm sorry, just please take me home," was all Trixie could think to say.
Trixie lay in bed stroking Regan as she tried to go to sleep. All she could think of was little Tommy. It's Saturday night, and Mart told me Jim wouldn't take the kids camping this weekend. Maybe I should camp out myself and see what I can find in the morning.
It was 9:45 p.m., and Trixie knew her father was still up. Silently, she crept down the stairs and eased into the den. "Dad?"
"Yes, dear, come on in. What's wrong? Can't go to sleep?"
Trixie told Mr. Belden what was worrying her, and asked him what he thought of her camping plans.
"I am honored, Trixie. This is the first time you have ever asked how I felt about you diving into a mystery!" He looked at her embarrassed smile and wondered how she became so much more beautiful in such a short time. "You are a grown woman, Trixie," he said softly. "You know what is best for you, and I am sure you will recognize what is right in front of you really soon."
Trixie gazed at him as confusion clouded her mind. What did he mean by that? Oh, well, I'll figure it out tonight at camp. Trixie stood from her seat next to her father, leaned over and kissed him, and said, "I love you, Dad. Thanks," and she slipped quickly to her room to pack a few supplies and clothes.
After packing several quick meals, loading her jeep, and seeking reassurance that the Beldens would take care of Regan, Trixie headed for the boy's camp. Knowing that Jim wouldn't recognize her jeep, she crept into Mart's quarters, woke him, and told him where she was going. "I wanted you to protect my jeep just in case Jim had thoughts of seeking revenge."
Mart laughed out loud at her explanation. He sobered and said, "Are you sure you want to go alone? I will be happy to join you. I won't be needed here until Monday anyway."
"You know what? I could really use your company...and your tent," she added with a smile.
The tents were set up and the warm fire was glowing as they leaned against a log and rubbed their bellies. "Nothing like a midnight snack, I always say." Trixie giggled at Mart's predictable remark. "Trix, can I share something with you? There's something I want to get off my chest."
"Sure. What's up?"
"Well," he began with an unusual shyness, "I just want to say that I am proud of you, sis. All the mysteries during our growing up years have really given me wonderful memories, and they're all because of you." He linked his right arm through her left one and looked lovingly at her. "I know this sounds foreign coming from me, but I just want you to know that I teased you only because I love you. I am proud of my almost twin." Softly pulling a curl, he ended with, "But don't tell anybody!"
Trixie laughed through the mist in her eyes as she squeezed Mart's arm against her side. "I love you, too."
Many hours were spent reminiscing, and finally, after several moments of dozing, they decided to call it a night.
Feeling a chill, Trixie was glad she brought a sweater along. She anticipated a cool day along the river. Her bracelet snagged on her sweater, and her mind raced with images of sparkling green eyes.
Yes, there were many happy times, she thought with bittersweet fondness. Could I ever find that with someone else? Probably not like what I had with Jim. That's enough, I am going to have a good day today if it kills me!
She ran her fingers through the tangles in her curls and pranced out of the tent.
Trixie hummed a tune as she rekindled the camp fire and started breakfast. She could hear Mart rummaging in his tent. Finally, he stuck his head through the flap and sniffed. "Mmmmm....I smell a feast a-brewing."
"Speaking of 'brewing', how about some coffee?" Trixie replied over her shoulder. "I have some in that blue bag."
They shared the small breakfast and coffee, cleaned the area well, and concocted a thorough search plan. "And you remember the trouble signal, right?" reminded Mart.
"Of course!" Excited, she moved her lips to form the whistle, "Bob, bob-white!"
"Let's get started!"
Six grueling hours later, Trixie sat with a "plop" on the ground. "Oh, Mart, it's useless. I wonder if Tommy will ever be found!"
"I know. Not one stinking clue. Well," he sighed dejectedly, "let's go around this way back to the camp site."
As they reached the camp, Mart shaded his eyes and looked across the river. "Hey, Trix, what's that? Do you see it?" He pointed to a shiny object that was caught by the sun's rays.
"Quick! Let's get a canoe!" shouted Trixie excitedly.
Mart pulled the canoe onto the bank, and Trixie leaped out and sprinted to the object. "It's a locket!" she cried. She opened it and saw a miniature picture of a man and a woman on the left, and a tiny baby on the right. The man was strikingly handsome with short flaming red hair, and the sandy blond haired woman looked serene as she almost leaned against her husband.
Mart said, "Let's take it to Jim; I'll bet it's Tommy's!"
"Wait, Mart. Let's take a look around before we go back; we might find something else." They did... tire tracks led from the clearing onto a slightly worn path. "Hmm...where does this trail lead?"
"You know, all of this is game preserve land; they could have gone in several directions. I think we should tell Jim about this." He noticed the expression on Trixie's face. "You're not looking forward to it, are you?"
"No," she admitted. "You know how he feels about me."
"I certainly do." Trixie didn't notice the look in her brother's eyes.
"Then you understand how I can't keep coming in contact with him..." she couldn't finish what she wanted to say.
Mart looked as if he wanted to say something as well, thought better of it, and instead, said, "Come on, we can't stand here forever."
Jim was waiting for them at the camp. Surprised, Trixie said, "How did you know where we were?"
He couldn't help a small grin as he said, "You're not the only one with sleuthing experience. Why did you come back?" His eyes softened as he waited for her response.
"To find Tommy, of course!" She looked down and wondered why she felt so embarrassed.
"Oh...yes." He looked at Mart and said almost too strongly, "What's in your hand?"
"Trixie and I found this across the river." Handing it to Jim, he asked, "Do you think it might be Tommy's?"
Jim looked at it for a moment and appeared as if he were in another world. Slowly, he looked at Trixie and ,clearing his throat of the huge lump he found there almost croaked, "Where did you find this?"
Trixie stood frozen and stared into his deep green eyes filled with passion and pain. "Oh, God...it's you...it's your parents," she ended in a whisper.
Quietly, Mart eased away from the staring couple and disassembled the tents. Uncomfortable with being that close, he stopped breaking down the campsite, turned, and walked the path to the boy's home. All he could think of was leaving them in peace. He would clean up the camping area later.
Jim sat in front of the wet spot that was once the campfire. Trixie took a seat beside him on the log. Afraid to break into his thoughts, she waited for him to speak first. There was almost reverence in the way he smoothed his fingers over the gold locket. Opening it up again, he breathed a long sigh.
Trixie saw a tear fall from Jim's face and she couldn't stand it anymore. Gone was the fear of being rejected; she reached out and ran her fingers through Jim's flaming hair.
Looking slowly at her, Jim saw the loveliness of his mother in Trixie's tear-filled blue eyes. Never had she looked more beautiful to him than now, he thought, as he closed his eyes and savored her touch. Oh, how he missed that touch that could make his heart explode into thick warmth...
Trixie had closed her eyes, too, and wondered how it was possible to feel another's pain so deeply. Never had she been so emotionally connected to anyone as she was Jim. She felt a light warmth against her lips. Her eyes flew open and her heart stopped as she realized the kiss that she had dreamt of for six years was real. She tasted salty tears; were they hers or his? She didn't care. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed as he kissed her deeply.
Slowly, he eased his face away and leaned his brow against hers. "You don't know what you have done for me, dearest. You just don't know."
She looked down at his hands mingled with hers and admitted, "I'm sorry, Jim, I can't take the credit for finding that locket. Mart saw it," she almost hated to admit it.
"I mean the kiss. Mart didn't do that," he chuckled softly in her curls. "I could have died when you left me, Trix. I didn't want to go on for a long time after that night."
"Why didn't you stop me?" She asked, then couldn't believe what she said.
He looked deeply into her eyes and asked, "Would you have stayed?" His hand found her silver bracelet and he looked down at it in awe.
"Kiss me again," she whispered.
Trixie and Jim walked hand in hand back to the boy's home. With admiration in her eyes, Trixie asked gently, "Will you give me a tour?"
"It would be an honor," replied Jim. He stopped her at the door of the school and kissed her again. This is home, Trixie thought as she returned his gently probing tongue with her own.
"Ahem."
They quickly broke apart. Jim and a very embarrassed Trixie turned toward the noise.
"I see I don't have to give a lecture on how to win a lady's heart now," Dan said with a twinkle in his eyes. "I was beginning to worry that I would have to give you a little competition to make you see the light!"
"I figured if I didn't make my move now, that is exactly what you would do!" replied Jim with emotion. Trixie looked up at him with surprise, then saw his smile. "Who could blame you, Dan? I would be a fool and deserve any jealousy you threw my way."
Dan chuckled, but then looked at them seriously. "I hate to change the subject, but I had to dig out of Mart where you were, and I was going to show you and Trixie this." He handed Jim an envelope. "One of the counselors found this close to the campsite while searching for Tommy today."
"That doesn't make sense," commented Jim, "we have scoured the campsite, the river, and the rest of the woods for Tommy. Surely we would have found this envelope! Besides, Trixie and Mart were at one of the campsites all night and today. Who gave it to you?"
"Jacob Fleer found it and gave it to Mart."
"Open it, Jim!" said Trixie excitedly.
The envelope had "To Jim Frayne" scrawled across the front, and Jim drew a deep breath as he tore it open. He read the letter aloud to Trixie and Dan. "'If you want to see the kid in one piece, leave five hundred thousand dollars at the campsite closest to the river at 10 p.m. Monday night. Go back to the same place Tuesday morning, and you will see him. If you involve the police or anyone else, I will kill him.' Dammit!" he raged as Trixie held him close.
"You have to leave the money, Jim." Then she whispered, "But I have a plan. I am going to leave now, but meet me at the farm in an hour."
"What are you thinking?"
"Just trust me." Trixie reached up and kissed his chin, turned, and raced to her jeep.
Trust her, Jim thought, how could I not?
An hour later, Jim knocked on the front door of Crabapple Farm. The door flew open, and Trixie exclaimed, "I have been waiting forever!"
Jim couldn't help laughing at her as he said, "You said an hour. Now tell me what is in that beautiful head of yours."
Trixie's heart nearly burst at his words, and she gently took his hand and led him into the kitchen. The house was empty except for them and Regan, and Jim took a seat and leaned down to rub the purring cat. "Yours?"
"Yes, that's my baby. I found him the day after our fight. He was almost dead, and he was so little, I had to take him home with me."
"Do you regret the fight as much as I do?" Jim asked as he rose and walked to her.
"Yes, I do. I don't know how many times I wondered if I should have turned my back on the job offer with Detective Johnson and helped you build your boy's home." A sudden mistiness clouded her vision and she looked down, remembering the pain of that night at the Wheeler stable.
Eighteen-year-olds Trixie and Honey uncovered the hiding place of the thief who robbed the Wheeler Estate the night before; they ran from him and his gleaming knife in separate directions, and the man chose to follow Trixie down the Hudson riverbank. Seeing this, Honey ran home, called the police, found Jim and Brian relaxing in Jim's room, and led them where they had found the thief.
After the police caught the bleeding thief, he cursed as he told how Trixie turned the blade on him, but he refused to tell what happened to her. With a smug smile on his face, he was roughly led to the police car. Frantically, they searched for her, hoping against hope that she would be alive nearby.
It was Jim who spotted her struggling helplessly in the Hudson. He whistled the Bob White signal, jumped into the river, and ached as the freezing water penetrated his limbs and brain. All he could think of was saving his Trixie, who now had ceased struggling and was moaning "Help me" so softly that he barely heard her. He pulled her out of the river, and he shuddered despite the warm June air. Her body appeared lifeless, but as the others reached him, he assured them she had a pulse and faint breathing. "Trixie, please open your eyes; look at me, dearest! Don't die..."he moaned as he feverishly embraced her.
Her eyes fluttered open and she saw the most beautiful green tear-filled eyes. Her mind was muddy as she tried to remember what occurred to make him look at her this way, and then it all came rushing back to her...
After gently being led back to the farm by Jim, Brian, and Honey, the Beldens insisted she be taken to the emergency room for that terribly knotted bruise on the left side of her jaw. Later that evening, after assuring her parents that she was fine and she needed some fresh air, she took a walk alone. She noticed that the Wheelers' stable doors were open, and she decided to go see Regan, wondering what he would be doing with the horses after dark.
It was not Regan she saw, but Jim Frayne, looking more handsome than usual, as he spoke to Jupiter in hushed tones, yet filled with emotion. Feeling a presence behind him, he turned and saw her at Jupiter's stall gate. Tears were in her eyes, and he knew that she heard him tell Jupiter how much he loved her and that he almost died when she wouldn't respond to him after he pulled her from the river. He didn't know whether to be embarrassed or encouraged. He had never had the guts to proclaim how deep his deep his love for her was until now. He had hinted at it many times, and had even taken her into his arms and kissed her on several occasions. But now, after a near brush with death, a new boldness took form as he determined to make his feelings bluntly obvious.
Four quick strides, and the gate was opened and shut again. Jim took Trixie in a crushing embrace and kissed her passionately. Trixie thought in wonder that she couldn't feel the bruise on her jaw, and she returned his kiss as if this were their only night together.
He led her to the hay and they lay there for a long time, caught between innocent embarrassment and a burning desire to express their love. Jim heard a small voice inside his head, and he knew he couldn't do this to her...not here...it wasn't right yet. He pulled away from her slightly, told her he didn't want her to become a detective, and the harsh exchange that would change their lives began...
Six Junes later, Jim whispered, "No, you did the right thing, dearest. You put me in my place and made me see that I was the idiot, not you." He lifted her chin and tears spilled as her eyes met his. Jim kissed her tears, and then her nose as her arms wrapped around his athletic frame. "I kicked myself for a long time for letting you go like that. Then a few months later, I thought about asking Honey where you lived so I could beg you to love me again, but I had so much pride..." He was filled with sadness and anger at himself as he continued, "I waited for a call from you, knowing in my heart one would never come. You have haunted me...you have called me a fool in my dreams...you have such a tight hold on my heart and my thoughts that I don't know what I would do if you left me again."
"You will never have to wonder; I have always loved you...I always will love you," she whispered as his lips met her own. She pulled his head closer to her and deepened their kiss. His hands ran over her hips lovingly and gently pulled her closer to him. It was Trixie who said, "We'd better stop; I have never wanted you so badly in my life."
"One more second of this and I don't think I could stop." He ran his fingers through his short red hair and said, "I'm sorry. We were supposed to be discussing Tommy, and all I can think about is you where I have wanted you for so long...in my--" a hand came over his mouth, and Trixie blushed furiously.
"Don't say it, Jim," she whispered breathlessly. "Don't say it."
Her hand trembled as he ran his tongue over her palm. He turned and walked back to the kitchen table and took a seat. "I am going to say one more thing and then the topic will be over. I am going to marry you, Trixie Belden." His eyes seared through her soul and he looked down and finished quietly, "I will never tell you what to do or where to work as long as I know that you love me and want to spend the rest of your life with me. I am never going to let you go again."
He looked up and saw a glowing Trixie. She straddled his right leg and held his head to her breasts. She kissed his red hair as his strong arms slowly twined around her waist. Then she leaned back against his arms and said saucily, "Well, Jim Frayne, when you decide to propose as a gentleman would, I might give you an answer." Before he could respond, she broke his embrace, sat across the table from him, and told him her plans.
It was Monday afternoon and time to put the plan into action. They both knew that something was very suspicious about eighteen-year-old Jacob Fleer and when Jim returned to the home from Sleepyside Bank, he found Mart and quietly asked him to watch Jacob that evening. He asked Dan to leave the grounds and meet Trixie at Crabapple Farm. They were to hike around to the back side of the campsite and watch the unsuspecting man pick up the money that Jim would leave at 10 p.m. They debated what to do when the man attempted his escape across the river after leaving Tommy in the place of the money...if he left Tommy at all. Thoughts of involving Brian in case Tommy was injured entered Trixie's mind, but with Honey being so close to her delivery date, she thought better of it. They had several questions left to answer as well. First, how did the kidnapper get Jim's mother's locket? Did he use it to lure Tommy away? Why was Tommy chosen from all of the boys to be kidnapped? How did Jacob Fleer tie into all of this? And how could they involve the police without raising a possibly fatal suspicion?
Jim silently entered the woods and followed the trail to the campsite where he was told to leave the money. He willed himself not scan the woods in search of Trixie and Dan, fearing the kidnapper was watching him closely. He placed the briefcase of money at the foot of a towering oak, turned, and retraced his steps to the home.
Trixie and Dan waited for an eternity in the damp woods and were about to lose hope, when Dan tapped her on the shoulder and silently motioned her to look across the river. "Look," he whispered, and Trixie saw a canoe in the shadows of the Hudson. In it were a young boy, bound and gagged, and a--woman?
The woman pulled the canoe onto the bank, waved her flashlight cautiously through the woods, and put away her pistol. Trixie and Dan barely ducked in time to miss the light as it crossed their hideout. Trixie wondered if she could get to the woman in time to stop her, when she saw a shadow silently emerge from the path.
The woman whirled around and, pulling the pistol from her jacket, said, "Next time, Jake, warn me when you are coming, or you'll find a bullet in you!"
"Sorry, Mom!" The lanky teen took the rope from the canoe and secured little Tommy to the oak tree. "What do we do with this canoe?"
"When we get to the other side, we'll let it float down the river. It will be quite a while before anyone finds it, and we'll be in another state by the time they try to track us down. Get a move on, boy!"
Trixie could see Tommy's little form slumped against the tree, and could hear his muffled sobbing. She felt his fear; she knew he was wondering if he would die in the woods all alone. Trixie had to do something; she couldn't let them escape!
Before Dan could stop her, she exploded from the woods and ran toward the canoe. The woman was already seated, and Jacob turned before he could push it off and jump in. "You!" he cried, and with a sneer on his lips, he attacked her.
Dan jumped from his covering and ran toward them. After several quick blows, he was able to pull Jake off of Trixie. Suddenly a shot was heard; everyone held their breath, wondering who had been injured; they all turned to the woman, now on the bank, and heard her hollow voice ring through the trees.
"And who is this?" she demanded as she waved the pistol from Trixie to Dan and back.
"That is a cop and this is Jim's woman, Trixie Belden," Jacob replied with a snarl in his voice as he gingerly touched his jaw. Trixie knew he wasn't to be trusted when she met him a few days earlier; he had a haughtiness that made him seem very out of place in the boy's home. Now she knew why...well, almost.
"What are you going to do with us?" Trixie asked.
The woman's ruthless laughter made Trixie shudder, and she replied, "I am going to kill you, dear. Then I will kill the cop and the kid. I told that idiot to leave the police out of this, but he is just like his stubborn mother!"
"How do you know Jim's mother?" Trixie asked, hoping to bide her time as well as appease her curiosity; she knew Mart had to be close by since he was to follow Jacob.
"I guess I'll tell you since the story will be silenced when you are killed," she waved the pistol toward her as if making her point clear, "Jim's stepfather, Jonesy, was my lover. The only reason he married the blonde witch was for her fortune she was to inherit. I hated her, and I used every opportunity to torment her and her precious son. You see, she thought I was her sister-in-law and Jake here was portrayed as her nephew, but she had no idea he was Jonesy's son. One night when I tried to beat Jim, she gave me this." The moon shone on her olive skin, and a long white scar glowed from in front of her left ear to her chin. "Jonesy told me to leave. Obviously he felt something for his wife and her little twit," she snarled.
"You must have stolen Jim's mother's locket before you left, then," Trixie said as an afterthought.
"Well, you sure have done your homework! You must have found the locket after my brilliant son lost it!" She looked at Jacob, and he shuffled nervously. "I stole the locket that she treasured so much, left town with Jake, and vowed to get even with her through her son; now I have done just that."
"But why did you decide to take Tommy?" Trixie asked, desperately hoping help would arrive soon.
"I found out that Jim had opened this orphanage, so I made Jake apply for a job as a counselor, looking for a way to get to some of his fortune. Jake came home talking about a little redheaded boy that Jim was so close to and said, 'Must be because Tommy looks so much like him. Wouldn't it be bad if something happened to him?' we both knew that this was the boy to kidnap and get a pretty ransom for. I gave Jake the locket and told him to tell the kid that he knew where his mom and dad were, and to prove it, he had his mother's locket with his baby picture in it. It didn't take much for the little idiot to follow Jake to me. The whole thing was perfect, but I wasn't planning on you and the cop to make this messy. Oh, well, I never had a problem with bloodshed. It will be a pleasure to kill Jim's woman." Her wickedly hollow laugh rang heavy in Trixie's ears. "Say goodbye, Trixie Belden." She aimed her pistol at Trixie's chest.
Trixie closed her eyes, and in a brief instant, felt the rush of the sights and sounds of her life, from her family at Crabapple Farm to James Winthrop Frayne II. "NNNOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" Trixie opened her eyes at the sound of the blast and saw the crumpled form of Jim in front of her.
"Oh, God...oh, God!! No!!!" She scrambled blindly to him and was oblivious to the sounds of the policemen around her.
"Freeze! You are under arrest for the kidnapping of Tommy Latimer and attempted murder!"
Trixie bent over Jim's body as she pressed on his wound. His shirt was soaking blood rapidly and she realized that the bullet went through his side right below his ribcage. He was losing blood so fast and she barely heard Mart say, "Trix, the ambulance has been called," as she reached around Jim and pressed both ends of the wound with with Dan's shirt--she wondered how it ended up in her hands. Jim had a shocked look on his face and opened his mouth, but no words escaped his pale lips. She couldn't help noticing a small hand gently rubbing her love's gleaming red hair; she looked at little Tommy and was filled with a new resolve.
"I'll marry you, Jim! Just don't die! Can you hear me, honey? The answer is yes, I will marry you! I love you!" Jim's eyes closed, but a soft smile appeared on his face as his world darkened into nothing.
The following Thursday was filled with laughter in the cozy farmhouse as the Belden family celebrated the homecoming of Jim from the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Belden insisted that Jim recover in their home away from his worried children. "Besides," Mr. Belden added, "It's the only way we will be able to visit with our daughter." Everyone laughed at the remark, including Jim and Trixie. She leaned over and said, "Is there something I can get you? Do you need a pillow or something?"
"Oh, the way you swoon over him is sickening," Mart stated emphatically. "I could never do anything like that!"
"Mart, honey, should I tell everyone how you proposed to me?" Diana Lynch teased. She achieved the desired flush from the now silent Mart, wrapped her arms around his waist, and smiled with satisfaction.
What a perfect couple, Trixie thought fondly. Di was the new curator of the Sleepyside Museum. Trixie knew of her dreams to operate the museum when they solved the mystery of the Whispering Statue all those years ago. She was proud of Di for working so hard toward her goals in life, and she couldn't think of a more loving woman for her brother. She was thrilled when she found out Tuesday evening that she would soon have another "sister-in-love". She would have to spend the remaining time of her vacation catching up with sweet Di. She left the room for a moment and returned with an extra pillow for Jim. In her seat lay a wrapped gift.
"Open it, dearest," Jim encouraged as he lifted himself gingerly from the couch. Nestled snugly inside the small box was the most beautiful engagement ring she had ever seen. She couldn't utter a sound as Jim slipped to his knees, and in front of her entire family, took her hands and said, "Miss Belden, would you honor me by becoming my wife?" She allowed him to place the ring on her finger; he turned her hand to kiss her palm and sighed as she nodded her head yes.
"Oh, that's so swee--OH!!!" Honey exclaimed with a shock. "Brian!?!" In a flash, Brian lifted her into his arms and took her to the car. Trixie didn't know whether to laugh or cry as Crabapple Farm exploded into excited chaos.
It was late, and Trixie bribed Jim into remaining on the couch as the rest of the family rushed Honey to the hospital.
After assuring him that she would be back soon, she rushed up to her room and sat restlessly on her bed. She knew she didn't need to be alone with Jim before their wedding; it was just too tempting and she was ashamed of herself for allowing her mind to wander. She couldn't deny how handsome Jim was, and she kept wondering what things they would learn together as husband and wife. Trixie shook the sensuous webs from her brain and forced herself to remain calm as she changed into what she hoped were very unfeminine pajamas. With a quick look in her mirror, she nodded in satisfaction at the pjs that were a size too big.
Jim didn't hear Trixie enter the living room. Still propped into a semi-reclining position on the couch, he appeared to have fallen asleep. Trixie eased to his side and bent to kiss his brow. They both jumped as the phone rang. Hiding a smile, Trixie ran into the kitchen.
"Hello?"
"Miss Belden?"
Trixie couldn't mistake the voice of Detective Johnson. "Well, hello Detective! You miss me already?"
A faint clearing of the throat could be heard on the other end of the phone, and Trixie was sure he was smiling; it was in his voice as he replied, "I guess a little bit. The reason I called is to let you know that I found your prank caller."
"Oh, really?! Who is it? What happened? How did you--"
"Whoa! Slow down! Have a seat, Miss Belden, I have some disturbing news."
Trixie slid into a chair and noticed Jim peering over the couch. He cautiously rose and sat with her at the kitchen table.
She was ready. "Okay, what happened?"
"I started thinking about the case you were working on for the past few weeks before you left. I knew you were on the right track all along, and I thought the two new rookies that I assigned to help you would learn a lot from you, but I realized that I wasn't smart in allowing them to work with you. Nancy Thornton helped you a great deal, I am sure; she is a lot like you, Trixie, and I knew she would respect your wisdom and learn from you. When I questioned her about the prank caller, though, she didn't see what I suspected all along--that Seth Williams didn't appreciate your leadership over him. I knew he was the one; I just couldn't prove it at the time."
"But Detective, what made you think he was calling me? Why would he do a silly thing like that? I agree, he was conceited and hard to work with, but I just don't see the motive." Trixie frowned, totally perplexed at this turn of events.
"I suspected that he was trying to make you believe that the man the three of you were searching for was trying to reach you. Obviously, he was trying to shake you up and make you leave the case so he could take over. He thought his trick worked when I made you leave. I thought it absurd; there was no way that the victim could have known who was looking for him, much less where to get your number. When I informed him and Nancy that you were gone for a while and they were to have another detective to take your place for two weeks, he was livid. He insisted that he didn't need you or anyone else to solve the case for him. I knew I had my man. I went to his home two evenings ago to confront him, but he wasn't there. Luckily, his wife was there, and when he came in, I told him that I already knew what he had done. He was so nervous that he confessed everything. I was happy to fire him, Trixie. He would have made a terrible detective!"
Trixie couldn't help but laugh at Detective Johnson. "That was the easiest case you ever solved, wasn't it?"
Detective Johnson joined her laughter. "Yes, my dear, it was, and I am so happy to give you the news. How about your little mystery? I hear my old Trixie again, so you must have had some luck too."
Trixie reached across the table and stroked Jim's face lovingly. "Yes, Detective, my mystery is solved."
Trixie had an impossible time convincing Jim that two people couldn't fit on the couch, and when they snuggled together, Jim couldn't seem to keep his hands to himself. They spent several hours holding each other and sharing their dreams. They were never aware of the silent smiles that greeted them when the Belden family returned for the night.
The next morning, Trixie carefully guided her jeep into the Sleepyside Memorial Hospital parking lot. She turned and looked at Jim's dozing countenance with as much love as a future bride could muster. She gently caressed his left cheek and whispered, "Honey, we're here. I wish you would have agreed to stay at the farm and rest."
Jim flashed his brilliant smile and replied, "What? And miss the birth of my little niece? Never." She leaned over and kissed the smile on his face, hopped out of the jeep, and helped Jim into the hospital.
Alayna Marie dozed peacefully as she was passed from one doting family member to the other. After a sweet reunion with the Wheelers, Regan, and Miss Trask, Trixie coaxed Jim into giving his niece to her mother and she took him back to Crabapple Farm. After making sure he was resting comfortably on the couch, she turned to leave the room, and was halted by a hand on her arm. Suddenly, she was pulled onto Jim. "You're going to hurt yourself!" Trixie squealed, and was halted by a warm mouth on hers.
"I love you, Trixie Belden," Jim whispered against her mouth. "Please say we can be married tomorrow so I can quit dreaming about you and start treating you like a real wife." His smoky green eyes gave her no room to wonder at his intentions.
"Kiss me again," she whispered.
The End