Chapter 16
Jim sat waiting for Trixie and Dan at Wimpy’s. He knew Trixie had found a clue as to something and that they would need assistance for the next part of the plan, whatever that was. He sat trying in vain to figure out what it could be when Mart and Honey came in the door. They both looked very smug. Honey saw Jim and smiled then walked towards him, while Mart went to the counter to order some food.
"Hey, big brother." Honey offered Jim a hug that he returned tenfold. "Careful, I’m pregnant!" she wheezed.
Jim laughed and released her. "What are you doing here?"
"Trixie rang and told us we were having an emergency Bob White Meeting," Mart explained, walking over to sit next to his wife.
Jim’s mouth formed an ‘0’.
"Exactly," said Honey. "She’s onto something big and hopefully it will help us to figure out what happened."
"Hi all!" came the happy interruption from Sally. "I’m finally getting involved in a Bob-White Meeting. This is so exciting."
"Where’s my nephew?" Mart asked.
"Grandma is baby-sitting." Sally smiled then groaned, "He’s going to be asking for Peter Rabbit all week now."
"Nothing wrong with that," Bobby said coming up behind her with Di. "It’s a great literary work."
Sally laughed and patted the seat next to her. "I guess everyone is going to be here."
Bobby took the seat and Di smiled and sat on his lap. "Our first Bob-White meeting," Bobby remarked with a smile, "and all of the members are here."
"I was just saying how exciting it is," Sally agreed. "Brian should be here shortly. He is taking an hour off for lunch so he could make it."
"Good thing, too," Brian interrupted. "I’m not about to miss out on all the fun."
The Bob=Whites minus Trixie and Dan all sat and chatted waiting for them to arrive.
"I wonder what’s taking so long," Mart complained.
"I’m sure they will be here soon," Honey consoled.
"No, I was talking about my orde,." Mart groaned. "I’m hungry."
Fifteen minutes later everyone had their food and were chatting amicably when from behind them a deep voice observed, "Well, someone is having a party,"
"Yes, and apparently we weren’t invited," Trixie’s voice agreed.
"We can’t help it if you were late," Mart said around a mouthful of burger.
"Well, I guess we will go and have our own party elsewhere," Trixie teased.
"No!" Jim almost shouted. He looked a little sheepish. "Sit down and tell us what is going on."
The Bob-Whites looked at Jim with amusement. Trixie and Dan pulled up a chair each and sat at the crowded table. "It seems that we have some good news," Trixie gloated. She pulled some papers out of her bag and passed them to Honey.
Honey took the papers. "What are these?"
"Maybe you could tell us." Dan smiled.
Honey looked at them and squealed. "Oh my giddy aunt." She clutched them to her chest. "How could we have all been so stupid?" she exclaimed.
"What is it? … What do they say? … Don’t keep us in suspense Honey!" were all different protests sent towards her as she looked at Trixie in shock.
"Kelly is," she swallowed, "Kelly is," Honey couldn’t seem to say the words,
"Just spit it out." Mart said.
"Kelly is Jim’s would-be cousin," she eventually spat out.
"What!" Jim almost fell out of his seat.
"Fake Juliana had some pretty massive plastic surgery," Dan confirmed.
"Holy guacamole," Mart exclaimed.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later the Bob-Whites were still in shock at the information that Trixie had uncovered. It was now obvious that Kelly was involved in the disappearance of Trixie and to confirm this they needed to get into the dog training school. It was decided, much to Jim’s relief and Brian’s apprehension, that Sally would be the one to go and ask questions since she wasn’t as well known as the rest of them. Bobby would drive her there and wait. Of course, this excited the two, but left Trixie entirely out of the loop. Surprisingly, she didn't seem to care. In fact, Trixie sat staring into space as the rest of the gang made plans.
"Trixie, are you OK?" Mart asked. When no answer was forth coming Mart began again. "Trixie?"
Brian motioned for Mart to be quiet and he obligingly closed his mouth around a mouthful of burger. The other Bob-Whites also quieted down.
Trixie shifted her eyes to look at Brian. A thoughtful look crossed her face as she said, "You look a little like Dev."
"Dev who?" Brian ventured.
"Dev Jones my … my…" Trixie’s face went ashen as memories assaulted her. "I have to go." She jumped up from the table and started for the door.
Brian followed and grabbed her. "Where are you going?" He was a little concerned at Trixie’s frantic look
"Dev… he’s … I’ve been … gone … I promised … he’s going to kill me…" She struggled to leave but Brian held her tight. "Please let me go, sir. I don’t know who you are but I have to get to…" She looked about her and not noticing anything familiar started getting hysterical. "Let me go!" she screamed.
All eyes were on the struggling pair as Trixie elbowed Brian effectively winding him before running from Wimpy’s. Bobby was the first to react and gave chase. The occupants of the diner could only watch as he gave chase across the street and around the corner.
Bobby knew she ran fast and lengthened his stride to keep up. He stayed at a safe distance and kept her in sight knowing full well she could level him if he got too close. He had only been following her for about half an hour when she stopped outside the bus depot to catch her breath. She seemed less frantic so Bobby cautiously approached her.
Their eyes met. He gulped before he politely asked, "Can I help you?"
A hint of suspicion tainted her reply. "I was just wondering how to get to New York?"
Bobby’s reply was cut short. Three men jumped out of a vehicle and grabbed him and Trixie, dragging them into what looked like a black sedan.
Onlookers screamed as they noticed the abduction; a security man made a phone call, but no attempt was made to catch the now speeding car as it drove dangerously out of the quiet town of Sleepyside.
To Be Continued