*dark themes

Disclaimer: News flash: Police report a break-in at the Western Publishing House. The only thing that appears to be missing is a box full of characters that Western retired more than 10 years ago. A police spokesman said Western isn’t sure who exactly disappeared because they had forgotten about the box. Although there were plenty of dust and cobwebs around the area of the break-in, police found no footprints. The only clue was a small card that read "Schoolgirl Shamuses, Inc." A spokesman for the publishing house said they were not overly concerned about the theft.

"Those characters aren’t worth anything, or they wouldn’t be stuffed away in that box," he said.

Author’s note: Thanks to everyone who helped me edit this, particularly Mary and Jen C. This is the third story in my new universe. It picks up right where Senioritis Strikes Sleepyside leaves off. I will say up front – this is not a happy story. It was not intended to be a happy story. But it begs to be written. For those who do not want to read it, I will provide a brief summary of any necessary facts at the beginning of the fourth story when I write it. Thanks to JenC, Lissa and Dawn for their suggestions and comments. I also owe Kyrie big time for noticing that I had sent Dan off to meet Regan in the first two drafts, but never written the scene between them. And, as always, Mary managed to talk me through the draft, particularly when Dan and Regan wouldn’t tell me what they said to each other. *g* The URL the mothers find is real, and if you’re looking for pictures of a great All-Night Party (no, I’m not at all biased), you can find them there, along with some information about what goes into creating one.

Night of Silence

By Yankeegirl

Trixie slowly moved from sleep to awareness. Her dreams had been filled with memories of the prom two nights ago and of last night’s graduation. Thoughts of a new mystery wove a tantalizing thread throughout. At the prom, Loyola Kevins and her boyfriend Scott Hamilton promised Trixie a new mystery, but refused to discuss it until today. She wondered what puzzle the valedictorian and co-salutatorian (with her brother Brian) had found for her. When she reluctantly opened her eyes, she saw the rest of the BobWhites sprawled around the Wheelers’ entertainment room in their sleeping bags.

Honey and Brian lay next to each other on the floor. Mart’s long frame was sprawled across an easy chair. Di curled up on the floor by the fireplace. Dan and Hallie sprawled on opposite ends of the sofa, each head resting on a sofa arm. Their long legs tangled in the middle. Trixie was curled on the loveseat with Jim next to her. Except Jim wasn’t there.

Trixie carefully uncurled herself and walked out, trying not to step on anyone. She walked downstairs and saw Jim sitting outside on the porch. She walked out to sit with him and found him staring blankly into space.

"Jim?" Trixie said. "What’s wrong?" He didn’t answer. Trixie didn’t even think he had heard her. She placed a hand on his shoulder and asked again.

Somewhere deep in his brain, Jim recognized her touch. He tried to respond, but it was like swimming through marshmallow. Finally, he managed to force the words out.

"Todd Maurer and Mark Nelson were killed in a car accident this morning."

Jim realized that he could continue. Releasing the words he hadn’t wanted to believe made it possible to speak again.

"Mark and Todd were drinking at a party. When the left to drive home, they wrapped Todd’s car around a telephone pole. Your dad called to make sure we were all okay. I was just trying to figure out how to tell you all."

Trixie sat down. She felt her heart stop. Images flashed through her mind. Todd and Mark laughing and swimming in the lake Friday. Watching them walk across the stage at yesterday’s graduation. Neither was particularly close to the BobWhites, but Sleepyside High was too small not to know everyone. She reached out to Jim and wrapped her arms around him. He pulled her close, drawing strength from her small frame.

After a few minutes, Jim looked down at her. "We need to tell the others."

Trixie nodded mutely, and started walking slowly upstairs to the room of sleeping BobWhites. No one had moved since she left. She and Jim worked their way around the room, shaking everyone awake.

"What occasion is of such great importance that we be awakened from our nocturnal respite," Mart said, yawning.

"Jim, you better have a really good reason for waking us all up," Brian grumbled.

Jim sat on the loveseat. Trixie, next to him, sat quietly. "Mr. Belden just called." He reached over and gripped Trixie’s hand. It hurt, but Trixie didn’t say anything. "Todd Maurer and Mark Nelson died in a drunk driving accident last night."

The rest of the BobWhites sat there, shocked.

Mart and Dan looked at each other. Mart nodded and Dan spoke. "Mark and Todd were planning to go to some party last night," he said. "We heard some of the guys were talking about it in the locker room this week. There was supposed to be a ton of alcohol and no parents. A lot of the seniors planned to go, I guess."

"We didn’t want to tell Mr. Stratton about it and get them in trouble," Mart said. "I wish we had."

The BobWhites grew silent again.

"We’re not doing anyone any good here," Trixie said. "Why don’t we all go home, see our parents, then meet back here."

The eight BobWhites quietly gathered their things and left. All but Brian, Jim and Dan were crying.

When the Beldens walked in the back door at Crabapple Farm, Mrs. Belden hugged each one.

"I was so worried when I heard about the accident," she said.

"But you knew we were at Manor House, Auntie," Hallie said.

"My head knew it," she said. "But there was a little piece of my heart that needed to see you four, just to make sure."

"We’re all here and we’re all fine, Moms," Trixie said. "We thought we’d go get changed, then meet the rest of the BobWhites back at Manor House."

Hallie walked down the hall to her room, and the three older Beldens headed upstairs. After quickly changing his clothes, Mart told Brian he was leaving.

"I’ll meet you at Manor House," he said quietly. "I’m on my way to find Dan. He and I have some stuff to talk about." A few minutes later, Mart was headed through the woods to Mr. Maypenny’s cabin. He met Dan about halfway there.

"I thought we were meeting at Manor House," Dan said when he got close enough.

"I wanted to talk to you first," Mart said. "Do you mind?"

"I’m not sure I’m ready to face them anyway. Why didn’t we say something to Mr. Stratton?" Dan asked.

"We didn’t realize what that party would be like?" Mart said. "I know I didn’t. I guess I just figured they would all crash there, sleep it off and have massive hangovers."

"I should have realized the danger, though," Dan said. "People don’t just sleep it off. They go out, they do dumb things, they drive cars, they can get killed. Sleeping it off sounds smart when you’re sober. When you’re drunk, even the dumbest things make sense." His voice was filled with bitterness by the time he stopped.

Mart looked at his best friend. "Are you speaking from personal experience?" he asked cautiously. Mart realized he knew little of Dan’s life in the city. He never spoke of it, at least to the BobWhites.

Dan stopped. As Mart waited for him to continue, Dan debated how much to tell him.

"Life on the streets wasn’t pretty," Dan said finally. "I did lots of things when I was a Cowhand that I wouldn’t do now. Sometimes that included alcohol. I’ve been drunk. I’ve done some dumb things while I was drunk. Luckily, Uncle Bill got me out before I got myself killed. I try not to think about where I’d be now if he hadn’t. Probably the same place as Mark and Todd." Dan turned away and stared off into the woods.

Mart opened his mouth to say something, but for once he had nothing to say. He put his hand on Dan’s shoulder and forced him to turn around. Dan’s eyes were dark with misery.

"I wish I knew what to say," Mart said. "It’s easy for me to come up with a quick comeback or a teasing remark for Trixie. When it comes to things like this, I’m not that great. I’m going to try anyway, though."

He stopped and took a deep breath. "You never talk much about your life in the city, and we never ask. I always figured if you wanted to, you’d talk about it. I think the others feel the same way. Trixie must, or she would have gotten it out of you already. Usually she’s not happy until she knows everything." He laughed, but there was an undercurrent of pain behind it.

Dan grinned, but his eyes remained sad. "I’m glad she doesn’t ask," he said. "You Beldens don’t realize how sheltered you are. Same for Honey and Di. Sleepyside is a great place to grow up. No matter how many crooks we tangle with, you guys think people are basically good. Particularly Honey. It amazes me sometimes. Most people aren’t like that."

"Why didn’t you mention Jim?"

"He and I share something. We both have some pretty bad memories in our past. Neither of us says much about our lives before Sleepyside. He and I never really talk about it, but I know I try and shield you guys from some of the bad things that exist out there. I think he does too. It’s not even conscious on my part. Life on the streets was hell. Getting shot or knifed would have killed my body. My soul was already halfway there. Coming to Sleepyside saved me."

He and Mart looked at each other, then started walking again. They roamed around the preserve for a while, as Mart tried to assimilate what Dan had just said. Finally, Dan spoke.

"Why don’t we go over to Manor House," Dan said.

The two boys walked to the mansion in silence. All the other BobWhites were already there. Jim was standing behind Trixie, his arms encircling her waist. Honey had her arm around Brian, slowly rubbing his shoulder. Dan walked over to where Hallie was sitting on the porch swing, and Mart joined Di leaning against the railing.

"I can’t believe Todd and Mark were stupid enough to drink and drive," Jim said. He stopped as he heard the phone ring just inside the door. Jim reached in and answered it.

"Oh, hi Mr. Kevins. Did you hear…" He stopped and listened. As he did, what little color he had left in his face drained. His freckles stood out like beacons. "Thank you for calling. I’ll tell the others." Jim hung up the phone, a dazed expression on his face.

"What’s wrong?" Trixie asked. She tried to keep her voice calm, but there was a note of panic underlying it.

"That was Loyola’s grandfather. She and Scott are missing. He called down to Crabapple Farm to see if they were there. Your mother told him we were all up here."

"What does he mean, missing?" Di said. "Where are they supposed to be?"

Brian sighed. "Loyola had made a big picnic for the two of them," he said. "They didn’t want to do any kind of party last night. She said they just wanted some time together."

"I guess Loyola didn’t come home," Jim said. "When Mr. Kevins heard about Todd and Mark, he started to worry."

"I hate to say this," Dan said, "but couldn’t they just be, well…" He stopped, uncomfortable with saying what he was suggesting in front of Hallie and the other girls.

"I don’t think so," Jim said. "They just started seriously dating. I don’t think either would move that quickly."

"What about the mystery?" Trixie asked. "Maybe it’s connected to their disappearance."

"Not another mystery," groaned Mart. "You just finished the last one Friday."

Trixie stuck her tongue out at her brother. "At the prom, Loyola and Scott said they had a mystery for me to solve. They were going to come over today and tell me about it."

"So you don’t know what it’s about?" Di said. Curiosity had started to replace shock.

"Not a clue." She turned to face Jim. "Has Mr. Kevins called the police?"

"He said he and the Hamiltons both did, but the chief thinks about the same way Dan does. He won’t start looking for them for a day or two. They are both legal adults. Most high school graduates are."

"You two boy geniuses excluded of course," Di said. She smiled for the first time since she woke up.

"So why don’t we go out and look for them ourselves," Hallie said. "I don’t know about you, but I want to be out doing something."

"Hallie’s right," Brian said. "Why don’t we split up. Dan and Hallie can take the east end of the preserve. Mart and Di can take the west side. Jim, you and Trixie check out the bluffs, particularly the area where we found Juliana. Honey and I can take my jalopy and look down by the Hudson River. Loyola still likes to spend time down there."

The Bob-Whites split up. Brian and Honey headed for Crabapple Farm and the others went to the stables to saddle the horses. All eight hoped they would find Loyola and Scott soon.

Disclaimer: I don’t own them, don’t have the right to use them, am not making any money off them and don’t really care.

Author’s note: Brian and Honey are going to search for the missing Loyola and Scott by the river. The other six BWGs (remember Hallie is one now) are headed out into the preserve on horseback.

Night of Silence, Part 2

By Yankeegirl

Regan was working in the stable when the Bob-Whites got there.

"For a high school graduate, you don’t look too happy," he said to Jim.

"It hasn’t been a real cheerful day so far, Uncle Bill," Dan said. "Didn’t you hear the news?"

"No, I’ve been in here all day. I haven’t seen anyone all morning."

Jim proceeded to tell him about Todd and Mark and Loyola and Scott.

"So you want to take the horses out to search for your friends," Regan said.

"Right," Trixie said. "We’ll be careful, Regan, but we need to be out doing something."

"All right, but I don’t want any of you to be alone for a minute. Use the buddy system. If I find out any of you are out there alone, you’ll be mucking out stables all summer."

"Don’t worry, Uncle Bill," Dan said. "We’ll stick together."

"So who goes where?" Regan asked.

"Trixie and I will take Jupiter and Susie along the bluffs," Jim said. "Di, why don’t you take Lady and go with Mart. Hallie, you can take Starlight."

"What about Dan?" Hallie asked. "We’re short a horse."

"I’ll just join you on Lady for now and we’ll stop by the cabin so I can get Spartan on the way," Dan said.

"Sounds like a plan to me," Regan said. "Good luck. I hope you find your friends."

The six teens saddled their horses and rode off.

Mart and Di rode into the preserve silently. After a few minutes, Di looked at Mart. Usually he cheered everyone else up. Today he looked like he’d never laugh again. Should I ask him about it? He looks more upset now than before he and Dan talked.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.

"About what," Mart said, each word infused with bitterness. "About the fact I could have saved Mark and Todd if I told Mr. Stratton about the party? I don’t think there’s much to say."

"This is not your fault, Mart Belden. You didn’t pour those drinks down their throats. You didn’t give them the keys and make them drive home. They did that. They are responsible for their own stupidity, not you." Instead of helping, Diana’s words seemed to turn Mart’s face to stone.

"Come on, we need to look for Loyola and Scott," he said brusquely.

They rode on. Di looked through the trees for their missing friends, but she really wanted to sit Mart down and make him snap out of his funk. He’s going to tell me what’s bothering him whether he likes it or not.

On the other half of the preserve, Hallie was thankful she didn’t have the same problem. Dan was willing to talk. It just wasn’t helping him feel better.

"I should have said something," he fumed. "Todd and Mark are two good kids who got in over their heads. That could just has easily have been Brian and Jim if Honey hadn’t planned the house party."

"It could have been Knut this year, or Cap next year or any senior anywhere," Hallie said. "It wasn’t. It was Mark and Todd. They did something they shouldn’t have. They paid the price. You can’t keep asking what if. There are lots of what ifs. What if Regan hadn’t brought you out here? What if Trixie hadn’t gone exploring at Ten Acres when Mr. Frayne got sick? What if Honey hadn’t noticed how withdrawn Di was before she joined the BobWhites? What if Trixie hadn’t figured out that Janie was really Juliana? What if my parents hadn’t sent me out here that summer? You’ve got to focus on today, not yesterday."

"But if yesterday had been different, today would be too. We’d be down at the lake celebrating with the rest of the BobWhites and teasing Trixie about her mystery-itis." Dan sighed, then urged Spartan into a trot. Hallie and Lady had to hurry to stay with him.

Over by the bluffs, Jim and Trixie weren’t having much better luck. They stopped a few times when one or the other saw something, but nothing they saw belonged to Loyola or Scott.

"Jim, if Honey hadn’t planned this house party, would you and Brian have gone to the party?" Trixie asked. She waited for his temper to flare, but it didn’t. He thought about the question instead.

"I don’t know," he said, finally. "I mean, since we didn’t know about it, we wouldn’t have. If we had known about it? Well, I’m not sure."

Trixie was surprised. The honor boys out drinking after graduation?

Jim looked over, and correctly interpreted the expression on her face. "I didn’t say we would have been drinking, just that we might have gone. I don’t know about Brian, but I won’t drink."

"Why not?"

"Jonesy used to drink. When he would get mad at me, he’d start to fume. After a while, he would start drinking. Then he’d wait some more. Finally, he’d be so mad he would lash out and beat me. That’s when he got really violent. The rest of the time he just verbally abused me. I’ve seen what drinking can do to people, and I don’t like it. I don’t want to turn into someone like Jonesy."

"But you’re nothing like Jonesy," Trixie protested. "You’re nice, and a great friend and can be really sweet sometimes."

"So could Jonesy. That’s what my mother liked about him. He never drank until after she died. That’s why I won’t drink. I don’t want to risk hurting you or any of the BobWhites. You mean too much to me. I’m never going to turn into a man like Jonesy."

Part of Trixie was comforted with Jim’s promise not to drink. But her mind kept coming back to his words as they continued their search.

The non-horseback portion of the search continued as well. Down by the Hudson River. Brian and Honey got out of the jalopy for what seemed like the fiftieth time. Now they were near where Brian and Loyola worked on their science project earlier that year.

"She wasn't all that crazy about this part of the river after you and Trixie almost drowned here," Brian said. "But it is one of the nicest picnic places along the river."

He stopped when Honey grabbed his arm. His eyes followed her pointing finger. Loyola and Scott lay on the grass below. They looked comfortable, as if they had stretched out and gone to sleep after their picnic.

"They must have just fallen asleep," Honey said. "Why don't we go wake them up and let them know their families are worried."

Brian hesitated a minute, then agreed. As they picked their way down the hill hand in hand, he felt a growing sense of unease. When they were about 50 feet away, he stopped. Honey turned to look at him.

"Why don't you wait here," he said. "Something looks wrong."

Honey looked at Brian's troubled face and agreed. Brian took a deep breath and walked over to the sleeping couple. When he got closer, he knew he was right to leave Honey at the foot of the hill. He looked at the couple more closely and sniffed. There was a faint odor mixed with the smell of spilled fruit punch. Brian wasn't sure, but he thought he recognized it. This isn't happening. I'm going to reach down and shake Scott's shoulder and he'll wake up. But when he did, Brian wasn't surprised to find cool skin, not the warmth there should have been. He touched Loyola's shoulder, just to be sure. When did I drop out of Sleepyside into a horror film? How am I going to tell Honey?

"Brian, what's wrong?" Honey said. She wrapped her arms around her thin body and shivered. When Brian stood and faced her, she had to bite her lip to keep from asking again. He walked closer and pulled her close. It wasn't a hug so much as a plea for help. She could feel him shake. Finally, he pulled away.

"They're dead, aren't they," Honey said dully. "Otherwise you'd be giving them CPR and looking for an ambulance." She felt as if she were in a movie, as if she were watching herself stand there and act like a calm, rational person. I should be crying and screaming. But I can't move. I can't breathe. I can't think.

"I wish you weren't seeing this," Brian said. "If only the police had found them or we had come looking for them earlier."

Honey stood there, motionless. She stared at the scene, unable to turn away. "What happened?" she whispered. Her large hazel eyes stood out from her white face. Brian recognized the first signs of shock. He pushed aside the smell he noticed. Mysteries could wait until later. He had to get Honey out of here. "I don't know. Come on, we need to find a phone and call Sgt. Molinson, then let the others know we've found them."

"Call Regan. They'll have to check back in with him when they bring the horses in." As she spoke, Honey marveled at her calm reaction. It's easy to be calm when you're dreaming. That's all this is, just a horrible dream. Whenever I want, I can pinch myself and wake up and none of this will be happening. I'll be back in my sleeping bag at home with Brian curled up next to me.

Brian started back toward the car. When she didn't follow him, he went back and pulled her along with him. "Come on, we need to get help."

Honey mechanically got in the front seat. Brian gave her his BobWhite jacket to wear and a candy bar Mart had left in the back seat. She sat there, not moving. The candy bar lay on her lap uneaten. Brian drove to a nearby house, called the police, then went back to the scene. Although it seemed like ages as they waited silently in the car, it was only about 10 minutes. Finally, the police cars and ambulance pulled up, lights flashing.

That's when she started crying. Not quiet, ladylike tears rolling down her cheeks, but loud, gasping sobs that shook her thin body and contorted her face. Brian pulled her close, rubbing her back. On Friday night he rubbed her back because he loved the feel of her bare skin beneath his hands. Today, he was just trying to comfort her. "It's okay," he murmured. "You're going to be okay. Just get it all out." As he held her close, Brian felt tears running down his cheeks also. The two huddled in the car, crying for their friends until Sgt. Molinson came over to talk to them.

Part III

When Sgt. Molinson finished talking to Brian and Honey, he told them what he knew.

"Why don’t you call home and tell the others," the police officer said gently. It was a side of him the BobWhites rarely saw. Only when things were extremely wrong did the gruff man show his softer side. The last time was during the Dodge "kidnapping" case.

Brian took the cell phone Sgt. Molinson offered him and dialed the stable number.

"Regan, it’s Brian again," the boy said. His voice was calm, but anyone seeing his face would know better. Tension made him look like an adult, not a seventeen-year old graduate. One hand continued to stroke Honey’s back as she cried. Brian told Regan everything he knew, then hung up.

*     *     *

Regan put the phone down and sighed. He wasn’t looking forward to breaking the news. Maybe Brian and Honey will be back before everyone else and they can tell the other kids. But as he looked out the window in his office, he saw Trixie and Jim ride into the corral. How can I tell them? How am I going to tell this three times? He shook his head. "I can’t do this," he muttered as he walked into the stable.

"I hope the others have better luck than we did," Trixie was saying to Jim when he entered.

"I know," Jim said. "I’m sure they’re all right, but I want to make sure. We’ll probably find out that Dan was right and they’re somewhere enjoying themselves right now."

Regan winced when he heard this. I wish you were right, Jim. I don’t want to be the one to tell you you’re not.

"Maybe Scott just didn’t want to go home and face Teresa," Trixie said. "I’m not sure I would."

"And Loyola stayed with him?" Jim said. "That’s not such a bad idea." He looked out the window. "Here come Dan and Hallie. They moved pretty quickly to cover all that ground."

Regan watched his nephew and Trixie’s cousin enter the stable.

"Where’s Spartan?" Trixie asked. "Did you find them?"

"Spartan’s back at the cabin," Dan said. "I didn’t want to bring him here because I don’t know what’s going on. I was hoping you two had found them."

"I still think Brian and Honey will find them," Hallie said. "The river seems like the place I’d want to have a picnic."

"It doesn’t hold the best memories for Loyola though," Dan said. "I’m surprised Brian was willing to check down there."

"It had to be either him or me," Jim said. "I’m the only one who can handle Jupiter, so we would have been short a horse if I went. I think he’s too worried to care, frankly."

"Aren’t we all," Trixie retorted. "I wonder where Mart and Di are?"

Jim looked out the window again. "Here’s they come. Di looks worried, so I guess they didn’t find them either."

Sure enough, they hadn’t. Regan realized it was time for him to break the bad news.

"I wonder when Brian and Honey will be back?" Di asked as the six BobWhites groomed the horses. "I hope they found them."

"They did," Regan said. He stepped into the office, his freckled face grim.

"It isn’t good news, is it Uncle Bill," Dan said.

"I’m afraid not. Brian called just before Trixie and Jim got here. I wanted to wait until you were all here to tell you."

"Tell us what?" Trixie demanded. "What happened?"

"Brian and Honey found your friends down by the river. Sgt. Molinson thinks they died of alcohol poisoning."

Trixie felt like she’d been slammed in the chest. She struggled to breathe. Every time she tried, it got stuck in her chest. She shook her head blindly, unable to believe it.

"Brian said Sgt. Molinson thinks the fruit punch Loyola made for their picnic last night was half vodka. They were dead when Brian and Honey got there."

Trixie stopped shaking her head after the first sentence. By the time Regan finished, she was angry enough to speak.

"There’s no way Loyola would do something like that. Scott either. Something’s wrong."

"Trixie, two of our friends are dead. I’d say everything’s wrong," Jim said.

"I didn’t know them all that well, but I can’t picture them getting drunk," Hallie said.

"Me either," Di said. "Is the sergeant sure?"

"I don’t know," Regan said. "I wish I knew more, but today I’m just the bearer of bad news. Brian said he and Honey would meet everyone down at Crabapple Farm, though, so you’d better get going. I’m sure he’ll have more information by then. I’ll finish the horses."

"Thanks, Regan," Jim said.

"Don’t worry about it." The teens headed out of the stable. Dan was last, and Regan stopped him on the way out. "Come back up and talk to me when you’re done at the farm, okay," Regan said quietly.

Dan just nodded, and hurried to catch up with the others. Instead of the usual laughter and jokes, they walked quietly. Jim had his arm around Trixie. Mart brushed Di off when she tried to talk to him, so she fell back and talked to Hallie. Dan figured he was best off bringing up the rear quietly.

When Brian and Honey got to the farm, the rest of the BobWhites were sitting on the back porch.

"Where are Moms, Dad and Bobby?" Brian asked. He sat wearily on the top step. Honey had come out of her shock, but he still held her close.

"Dad took Bobby for a drive to keep him occupied," Trixie said. "Moms is up at Manor House, but I don’t know why."

"Do they know about Loyola and Scott?" her older brother asked.

"Uncle Bill probably told your mother and Mrs. Wheeler," Dan said. "Your dad and Bobby were gone when we got here."

"So Regan told you?" Brian said. "I felt bad asking him to, but I don’t think I could have done it."

"He told us, but I don’t believe it," Trixie said. "Loyola wouldn’t do something like that."

"She must have, though," Honey said quietly. "I don’t want to believe it, but what other explanation is there?"

"Are you sure it was alcohol?" Dan said. "Couldn’t there be another explanation?"

"For two healthy teenagers to just drop dead at the same time? I don’t think so," Brian said. "It was some kind of alcohol."

None of the BobWhites could think of any response. They sat there, staring blindly. After several minutes, Dan got up and walked toward the stable. Brian and Mart went to their bedroom. The girls headed into the kitchen. Trixie waited for Jim to follow, but instead he walked back to Manor House.

Brian and Mart went in their room. Mart started putting his stuff from that morning away and looking for clean clothes. Brian just sat on the edge of the bed. After five minutes, Mart sat next to him.

"Brian, do you want to talk about it?" he said. Brian didn’t even respond. He’s really starting to worry me. "Brian?"

His older brother blinked, then turned to look at him. Concern was written all over Mart’s face. "Thanks, Mart," he said. "I just need some time alone to think." He walked out the door. A few minutes later, Mart heard the back door shut. When he looked out the window, he saw Brian sitting at the foot of one of the crabapple trees in the backyard.

He walked downstairs into the kitchen.

"Where is Brian going?" Hallie asked.

"I don’t know," Mart said. "He’s acting weird. This hit him pretty hard."

"I can’t sit here and cook," Trixie said. "I’m going to weed the garden. I can keep an eye on Brian at the same time."

"Mind if I join you?" Hallie asked.

"There are plenty of weeds," her cousin replied, with the ghost of a smile.

That left Honey, Di and Mart in the kitchen. Honey pulled out the ingredients for a cake while Di searched for mixing bowls. Mart just sat in a chair, slumped over the table.

Finally, Di decided she’d had enough. "Mart, you’d better tell us what’s bugging you," she said. "You haven’t been this quiet since you lost your voice two weeks before the school play in fifth grade. Usually you talk about things. Why not now?" Her violet eyes brimmed with tears, but she blinked them back.

Mart opened his mouth to speak, shut it, then opened it again.

"It’s my fault Todd and Mark died," he said.

"I thought we’d already been over that, Mart Belden," Di said. "You are not the one who made them drink too much, get in a car while drunk and hit that tree. They are responsible, not you." Her violet eyes flashed, and Honey could see the Irish warrior blood take over. "I will not let you make yourself miserable because two idiots didn’t have enough sense to sleep it off before driving."

"That’s the problem," Mart broke in. "They were drunk. They didn’t know what they were doing." His face was a study in abject misery. Honey felt like she was watching a sad-faced clown at the circus.

"Oh, and you did," Di said. Although she was usually the quietest BobWhite, when she got mad, she could be fierce. "I think I remember it now. In the middle of the party last night, you suddenly got this vision of Todd and Mark going out to the car after drinking. If you weren’t having so much fun with us, you could have magically stopped them from driving."

Honey could feel the bite from Di’s sarcasm, and it wasn’t even aimed at her. Her tirade would either snap Mart out of his funk, or send him completely off the deep end. I’d better make sure this doesn’t go too far. She held off saying anything, though. Mart seemed to be coming to life.

"You’re twisting my words, Di," he snapped. "I should have told someone about the party after Dan and I heard them talking about it in the locker room. They didn’t know what they were doing – they were drunk. Dan told me that when you’re drunk, even the dumbest things make sense. I knew that too. I’ve read about it. I should have remembered it when I overheard the other guys talking about the party. What good is reading and remembering all this stuff if I can’t find it in my brain when I need it." As he finished, all the energy seemed to rush out of him. He buried his head in his arms and started sobbing.

Di rushed over and put her arms around him. She beckoned Honey over, and the two girls talked to Mart until he finished crying. Honey was glad. Helping Mart lets me forget about what I saw this morning. Maybe if I keep busy, I’ll forget completely.

 

Up at Manor House, Helen Belden, Madeline Wheeler and Margaret Lynch sat in the library. Regan had just left after telling the three women about Loyola and Scott.

"This has gone too far," Helen said. "Four seniors dead from drinking. It could have been any of our children. If we don’t do something, it could be our children in a couple of years."

Madeline shuddered. Sleepyside had brought her daughter close to her. She couldn’t bear it if she was ripped away now. "What can we do?" she asked.

"I remember hearing about something called an "all-night party" when Ed and I were on a business trip," Margaret said. "Parents decorate the school and have a party that lasts from shortly after graduation until the next day. It keeps everyone safe and off the streets."

"Why don’t we have one of those?" Madeline said. "They sound like a great idea."

"How involved is it?" Helen said. "It sounds like a lot of work."

"I don’t know," Margaret replied. "Do you think it would be difficult to find out?"

"Why don’t we search online," Madeline said. "There must be some information on the Internet."

So the three women booted up the computer in the corner and started clicking on sites.

Regan had just gotten back to the stable when Dan walked in. Ever since he had joined the BobWhites, Dan walked tall, proud of who he was. But today his city slouch was back.

He pulled a chair away from the desk and dropped into it, resting his arms in the seat back. Regan winced as he saw the raw pain in Dan’s eyes.

"How are you doing?" he asked his nephew. Good one, Regan. Four of his friends are dead and you ask him how he’s doing. Why not make him think his only family is an idiot too.

"I just keep kicking myself," Dan said. "I’m the one with street smarts, I should have warned Mark and Todd what they could be getting into. Living here in Sleepyside has made me forget all the lessons I learned in the city."

"Like what?" Regan was concerned. Usually Dan was glad he had left the city behind.

"Nothing’s safe. Even this little town isn’t immune." Dan said bitterly. "That could have been Brian or Jim or Trixie." Or Hallie. He stubbornly pushed that thought aside. You don’t even know if she likes you. She’s even younger than Trixie, and her parents would flip if you ever asked her out. "They’re all so innocent about real life."

Regan couldn’t do anything but look at Dan. What do I say? I’m not prepared to deal with this. What would Jillian have said? I have to say something. Please let it be the right thing. "You’re right, bad things happen in Sleepyside like they do everywhere else," he said. Regan looked for signs that he was saying the right thing, but Dan’s face gave nothing away.

"I wish I could say that life here was perfect, or that Trixie somehow managed to keep the entire town safe. I can’t. Nobody could, including you."

Dan looked up sharply when Regan said that, and for a minute Regan thought his nephew was going to walk out. When he didn’t, the young groom continued. "You’re acting like you could have saved Todd and Mark from their own mistakes. You don’t have that kind of power. We all make mistakes; that’s how we learn. I made a bunch when I was younger, and so did you. But we learned from them. I was lucky not to end up dead somewhere along the line. After I left Saratoga, I had to do some things I’m not proud of to stay alive. I don’t talk much about that time to anyone, and maybe I should have with you. I guess I just focused so much on helping you make a new life for yourself, I didn’t want the remember my old mistakes. Telling everyone about Saratoga was hard enough. At least then I learned from my mistake, and was able to fix it later. Todd, Mark, Loyola and Scott, well, they weren’t so lucky. But maybe others will learn from what they did."

"What if they had hit another car instead of a tree?" Dan said. "What if they had killed innocent people? How is that learning from your mistakes?"

"It’s not." Oh, god. Now what do I say. Jillian, I need your help. "But it’s also something that fortunately didn’t happen. You can’t go around wondering ‘what if’ all the time, or you’ll go crazy."

Dan sighed. As he did, all the toughness seemed to melt away. Regan could see the last remnants of a little kid, waiting for his mommy to kiss an owie and make it all better. I don’t know how to make this all better. I wish I did. You shouldn’t have to go through this. Although the two weren’t all that close, Regan walked over and hugged his nephew. Dan hesitated for a minute, then hugged him back.

"Come on, why don’t we head down to Crabapple Farm," Regan said. "I don’t know about you, but I bet Trixie’s about to go dashing off on a mystery and I don’t think Brian and Jim are up to dealing with that right now."

Dan just nodded, and headed for the path, his uncle right behind.

Back at Crabapple Farm, Trixie and Hallie kept an eye on Brian as they weeded. Trixie took out her frustration on the plants. She tore into the intruding plants like a demon. As she did, she thought about everything that had happened during the last few days. And to think I was all excited about the mystery Loyola and Scott had for me this morning. Wait a minute? A mystery. And two people dead from spiked fruit punch, something none of us can imagine them drinking. What if…

Trixie sat there and thought the idea through a couple more times. Each time, it made more sense. Finally, she asked her cousin. "Hallie, I just had a really weird thought, and I need a second opinion," Trixie said. "Loyola and Scott told me at the prom that they had a mystery for me, but they wouldn’t tell me until today. Scott said he wanted to make sure this weekend was fun for all of us."

"Now that you say that, I remember you mentioning that earlier," Hallie said. "Do you know what it was?"

"They were going to come over today, which won’t be happening. I was wondering…"

"If maybe whoever they wanted you to investigate spiked the fruit punch for them," Hallie finished. "I don’t know, Trix. That’s a pretty serious accusation."

"Do you actually believe Loyola and Scott would drink themselves to death," her cousin said. "I can’t." She looked over to see if Brian had heard, only to see him get up and walk into the woods. Trixie started to get up and go after him, but Hallie restrained her.

"If he wanted to talk, he would," she said. "Give him some time to cope on his own. He knows we’re here for him."

"I guess you’re right," Trixie said, settling back on the ground. "I just have a hard time sitting around and not doing anything."

"You just did two hours worth of weeding in half that time," Hallie said. "I’d hardly call that nothing," She laughed, but immediately turned serious again. "I know what you mean, though. I haven’t known any of your friends all that long, and I feel like doing something to try and fix things. I can’t imagine how you must feel."

"I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you’re right," Trixie said. "That’s what I do, fix things. That’s what all the BobWhites do. I wish there was some way I could fix this." She sighed, and wiped away the tears threatening to overwhelm her eyes.

"Maybe there is," Hallie said. Her blackberry eyes brightened at the thought. When her blond cousin looked at her quizzically, she explained. "I don’t know what we could do about Todd and Mark. But if you really think there’s something fishy about the spiked punch, why not investigate. It can’t hurt."

"Why don’t we go talk to Honey," Trixie said. She already looked more like herself. "She was there with Brian. Maybe she noticed something suspicious." The two girls stood and raced into the kitchen.

While they were talking, Brian had gotten pretty far into the woods. He strolled listlessly through the game preserve. His mind kept flashing back to Friday night, and the way Loyola and Scott looked as they danced together. They belonged together, the way Jim and Trixie or Honey and I do. Why did they have to die? How could they be stupid enough to drink that much? Why were Todd and Mark out drinking and driving? They should know better. This was supposed to be a great day. My first day as a high school graduate. Now I’d give anything to go back a week and stay there. I’d even give up my prom memories if it meant keeping everyone alive.

As these thoughts chased themselves around and around in his mind, he decided to go find Jim.

Back at Manor House, the three mothers had no idea what their children were doing. They were too focused on finding a way to end graduation-night drinking in Sleepyside. Madeline had been clicking on links to all-night party Web sites all around the country.

"There are a lot in Massachusetts," Margaret Lynch commented.

"Some of them have been going on for 20 years or more," Helen said. "That one we saw in Wellesley seems to have been a model for several others in the area."

"There was another one I liked better," Madeline said. "It had a great attendance rate, something like 98 percent." She went back and clicked on http://www.franklin.ma.us/school/public/FHS/allnight.htm. "I don’t think Franklin’s too far from that other one. Let’s make some phone calls. Their graduations are next weekend. Maybe if we move quickly, we could go up and see these parties and how they work."

Although Margaret nodded enthusiastically, Helen was reluctant. "You two are used to heading off at a moment’s notice for business trips," she said. "I’m not. I can’t even picture what chaos the house would be in if I went away next weekend. Especially with the kids all upset, and Hallie barely moved in. Not only that, but Mart’s birthday is this week and he wants to go get his license next weekend."

"Helen, we don’t even know if we can go yet," Madeline said. "Let’s see what we can set up, then we can sort out all the details."

"Bobby could come stay with the twins for the weekend," Margaret offered. "They would love it, and without Bobby to take care of, the other kids can handle things at home. They’re all capable teenagers."

"I suppose you’re right," Helen said. "I’m trusting Brian to take care of himself halfway across the country in a few months when he goes to school, and Hallie is used to just having her brothers around. They’re the same ages as Brian and Mart."

"Now that that’s settled, let me call this woman up in Franklin and see if she’s willing to let us come see their party," Madeline said. She picked up the phone and dialed the number listed on the Web site. Margaret crossed her fingers and Helen bit her lip as they waited.

When Jim left Crabapple Farm earlier that day, he had wandered down to the lake. He sat on the end of the dock holding the graduation pictures Ms. Trask had picked up that morning.

 

We look so happy. How can that be just yesterday. It seems like another lifetime.

Pictures of Jim and Brian in their caps and gowns, all the BobWhites with their red jackets, Jim and Trixie, Brian and Honey, Jim and Honey, Brian and Trixie. Jim pulled out the final picture. In it, he stood with Brian, Loyola and Scott just after graduation. Jim felt his breath catch in his throat. He struggled to inhale. Would Brian and I have been that stupid if Honey didn’t plan the weekend party? He thought of his earlier statements to Trixie. I won’t drink. I don’t want to risk hurting you or any of the BobWhites. You mean too much to me. I’m never going to turn into a man like Jonesy.

Yeah, it’s easy to say that now, Frayne. What about at a college party, or when you want to enjoy a beer with a friend. Then what?

"Do you ever think we could be that stupid?"

Jim almost fell off the dock when he heard Brian’s voice.

"Sorry, Jim, I didn’t mean to startle you," his best friend said. "I thought you could hear me coming."

"I wasn’t really surprised. It’s just that you said the same thing I was thinking. It was kind of eerie."

"You mean about us doing something like that?" Brian said. "I’m glad I’m not the only one thinking about it." He sat down next to Jim, dangling his feet off the end of the dock.

"Me too. Trixie asked me about it earlier."

"When? You’ve been alone all afternoon."

"Earlier, while we were out searching. She was wondering if we would have gone to the party if we knew about it." Jim drew his feet back up on the dock and wrapped his arms around his knees.

"And if Honey hadn’t planned this weekend? I don’t know."

"Me either. I told her I might have gone, but I wouldn’t drink."

"I wish we had known about it. As much as I like the BobWhites, and spending time with everyone, I can’t help wondering what it would have been like to have one last party with our class."

"It certainly was the last party for Mark and Todd," Jim said glumly.

"Come on, we’re just depressing ourselves more down here," Brian said. "Let’s head back to the farm. I think Mart’s worried about me."

The boys slowly walked down the path to Crabapple Farm. They stepped on the porch just in time to hear Trixie say, "So, please, will you all help me find out if Loyola and Scott’s mystery killed them."

"I think we just traded depression for the loony bin," Brian whispered to Jim. His red-haired friend smiled, for the first time in what seemed like forever.

"As crazy as Trix sounds, she’s usually got a point," he said. "Let’s tell them we’re back."

Author’s note: Thanks to Kyrie for pointing out that the path between Crabapple Farm and Manor House seems to get longer each time I write and for being a devil’s advocate extrordinare. Also thanks to Mary and Lissa for their encouragement and suggestions. I told you guys I’d finally get to the mystery!

Part 4

Brian and Jim stood on the back porch watching the action inside the kitchen.

Trixie and Hallie stood in the middle of the room at Crabapple Farm waiting for their friends’ reactions to their theory. They didn’t have long to wait.

"You two squaws have been out in the hot sun for too long," Mart said. He had finally returned to semi-normalcy after talking to Di and Honey.

"Excuse me," Trixie retorted. "I don’t see you doing anything to help."

"What do you want me to do?" her brother said. "You have no idea what Loyola and Scott wanted you to investigate. How are you going to figure it out?"

"How should I know? But if it’s at all possible that they died because of a mystery, I want to solve it."

"I think we’d better step in," Brian whispered. When Jim nodded his agreement, they walked in the back door.

"What is the Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency up to now," Jim asked innocently.

"I was wondering when you two would show up," Honey exclaimed. "You have to listen to Trixie’s idea."

"We heard part of it," Brian said. "Are you sure you should look into this, Trix? I know you want to find out what happened to Loyola and Scott; we all do. But if someone really killed her, it could be awfully dangerous."

"Brian, don’t you start getting all protective on me," Trixie retorted. "If Loyola and Scott thought I was capable of solving the mystery, why can’t you?"

"I hate to throw cold water on you, but if you’re right about the mystery, obviously Loyola and Scott underestimated whatever it is, or they’d be alive," Jim said. He faced Trixie as everyone else shrank back. "If someone killed them, what’s to stop him or her from doing the same to you?"

Di, Mart, Honey and Hallie gulped simultaneously. When Jim and Trixie’s tempers clashed, it was always a peek into the next world war.

"I thought Dan had talked him out of behaving like this," Honey whispered to the others.

"Let’s hope he remembers that before he goes too far," Mart whispered back.

Regan and Dan walked out of the woods into the Beldens’ backyard. The window above the kitchen table was open, and they heard Jim’s last sentence.

"I think we’d better see what’s up," Dan whispered to his uncle. "The last thing we need is Jim and Brian getting so overprotective that Trixie rushes ahead just to spite them." When Regan nodded, Dan walked up the back steps and stuck his head in the door.

"Mind if Uncle Bill and I join you?" he asked.

"Come on in," Di said with false cheerfulness. "We were just wondering where you were."

When Dan and Regan walked in, they could see why everyone looked apprehensive. Jim and Trixie stood together in the center of the room. Jim’s freckled face matched his hair and his fists were clenched at his side. Trixie put her hands on her hips. Although Jim was a foot taller, she looked as though she would rip his eyes out given half a chance.

"If I promise not to drink fruit punch from strangers, will you stop lecturing me?" she said. Sarcasm sharpened every word, driving it straight into Jim’s heart. "I think I’ve learned enough over the last few years to avoid being treated like a five-year-old."

Jim opened his mouth to yell. One look at those round blue eyes, their depths a mix of anger and sadness, sucked the words from his mind. Dan’s right. If I’m not careful, I’ll lose her. I don’t think I could bear that. "You’re right, Trixie, and I’m sorry," he said, unclenching his hands. "I guess the thought of someone killing Loyola and Scott kind of scared me." He reached out his arms, and Trixie stepped the last few inches to wrap her arms around him. She buried her head in his chest as he pulled her close. When they pulled apart, everyone was smiling.

"Honey, I must admit I thought our tempestuous siblings would continue today’s trying events with a battle royale," Mart deadpanned.

"Hey, I resemble that remark," Jim said in mock anger.

"Do I have to play parent and send you all to your rooms?" Regan asked.

"Gleeps, I didn’t even realize you and Dan had come in," Trixie exclaimed.

"We were hoping to prevent actual bloodshed," Dan joked, then sobered as he realized what he had said.

"So what’s this about a mystery?" Regan asked. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Oh no," Mart groaned. "Don’t tell me you’re encouraging her now."

"I want to find out if someone killed your friends just as much as you do. Besides, if someone really did try to kill Loyola and Scott, I figure you could use some reinforcements."

"With Hallie and Regan added to our usual team, we ought to be able to crack this case," Honey said.

"I hate to be a wet blanket, guys, but we don’t even know what the case is," Hallie drawled. "Loyola and Scott never told us what the mystery was."

"Maybe her grandfather knows," Brian said. "They’re pretty close."

"Should I call him?" Trixie asked. "I don’t think I should – he’s been through enough today."

"Why don’t you call to express your condolences," Di said. "If he knows, he might tell you."

"I don’t know, that seems kind of sneaky," Trixie said.

"Yeah, I guess," Di said. "But you really should call."

"Brian really should be the one," Mart said. "He found her, and he was more her friend than we were." He looked at his older brother, who shook his head regretfully.

"I don’t think I can," Brian said. "I still can’t bear to think about what I saw. I don’t think I could talk to him. But I think you should call him, Trixie. Loyola was his only family, and I’m worried about how he might be taking this." Brian paused to wipe his eyes. "Would you call for me?" Honey put a slim arm around his shoulders.

"Of course, Brian," Trixie said. "Let me give him a call." She pulled out the phone book, looked up the number, and dialed. Loyola’s grandfather picked up on the second ring.

"Mr. Kevins, this is Trixie Belden, Brian’s sister," she said hesitantly. "I just wanted to call and say how sorry we all were to hear about Loyola."

"Thank you for calling, Trixie," the elderly man replied. His voice was quiet, but firm. "I’ve been meaning to call you and Brian. Is he around?"

Trixie motioned to Brian, but he shook his head.

"No, he’s out for a walk right now," she said. "He’s still a little shaken after what happened this morning."

"That’s too bad," Loyola’s grandfather said. "I just wanted to thank him and Honey Wheeler for finding Loyola today." He started to choke up, but managed to force it back. "I still don’t believe she’s dead, but at least I’m not wondering where she is or if she’s okay."

"I’ll tell him when he gets back," Trixie promised.

"Thank you, I’d appreciate that. Now, the other reason I’m glad you called is that I found an envelope on Loyola’s desk with your name on it."

"Really?" Trixie said. She tried to keep her voice calm, but it was an uphill fight. Maybe this was a clue to the mystery. "Do you know what it is?"

"No, I’m sorry, I don’t," Mr. Kevins said. "Loyola had been worried for the last few weeks about something, but I don’t know what it was. I know you have quite a reputation as a detective. Do you think you could find out what it was?"

"I can try," Trixie said. "Do you have any clues? Know anything that might help?"

"I’m sorry, I don’t. But I can give you the envelope. Maybe she left something for you in there."

"Do you want me to bike into town for it?" Trixie asked. Normally she wouldn’t even think of it in such hot weather, but she would do anything to solve this mystery.

"Oh, I wouldn’t want you to do that," he said. "Are you going to Mark and Todd’s wake tomorrow?"

"I think so."

"Then why don’t I bring it with me," he said. "I’ll give it to you there."

"All right," Trixie said. "I’ll see you tonight."

When she hung up, she relayed the message to the other BobWhites and Regan.

"That’s all well and good, but there are five horses back at the stable that a good grooming," Regan said. "Who’s going?"

They finally decided that everyone but Jim and Brian would go riding.

After the others left to exercise the horses, Brain wandered out to the back porch. He settled heavily into the porch swing and sighed. Jim followed him and leaned against the railing.

"So do you really think someone killed Loyola and Scott?" Jim asked his friend.

"I don’t know," Brian said. "I’m not sure I want to know."

"I think I know what you mean," Jim said. "I kind of hope someone did kill them, because I can’t imagine them being dumb enough to drink themselves to death."

"But you don’t want our sisters investigating a murder."

"Exactly. Do you?"

"Of course not. They could get hurt, they could get killed."

"And they might be right." Jim’s voice added ten pounds to each word. The sentence sank into the humid air around them as they struggled to ignore it.

"Why couldn’t they just stick to something safe," Brian cried. "Finding runaways, looking for pickpockets, hunting imaginary poachers. When did murder enter the picture?"

"I don’t know, but I think we’re going to have to get used to it. They’ve got such a reputation around town now that people are asking them to take cases. I suppose some of them are going to be ones that are more dangerous than before."

"You’re taking this awfully calmly, considering you looked ready to toss Trixie over your shoulder and carry her off if that’s what it took to keep her out of this one," Brian replied.

"That’s about right, but then I realized she would still investigate, and I’d drive her off. Dan really made me think the last time he lectured me. If I can’t stop her, I at least want to have her in my life. I just wish there were a better way. I feel like we’re being pulled along to the real world, and I’m not sure I want to go," Jim said. "This is supposed to be the best time of our lives. Why does it seem like the worst?"

The next morning, Trixie stretched reluctantly as her alarm went off. Why couldn’t they cancel school today? She winced as a beam of sunlight shone in her eyes. She groaned, sat up and ran a hand through her tangled curls.

As she did, Trixie remembered everything that happened the previous day. Oh woe, a whole day of classes before the wake. Though she knew she shouldn’t look forward to a wake for two of her older brother’s friends, Trixie couldn’t wait to see what Mr. Kevins would bring her.

She quickly dressed in a navy blue skirt and blouse, just in case she didn’t get home before the wake. By the time she sat down at the breakfast table, Mart and Brian were already there, both dressed somberly.

"Why aren’t you asleep like any new graduate?" Trixie asked her oldest brother. "I’d be sound asleep right now."

"Yes, Beatrix, we well know your penchant for slumbering in the arms of Morpheus, particularly when a scholastic regimen awaits."

"I wasn’t talking to you, lame brain."

"You must have been asleep when Mr. Stratton called last night," Brian said. "The school department is bringing in some grief counselors to help everyone cope, and Mr. Stratton wanted to let everyone in my class know that we could come in too. Jim and I decided to take advantage of it. I know I could use someone to talk to."

"Me too," Mart said.

"I guess I wouldn’t mind someone to talk to either," Trixie admitted. "I’m glad Honey will have someone to talk to. I hope she didn’t have nightmares last night."

"She did," Brian said. "Jim ended up calling me to go talk to her. She didn’t get much sleep though."

"That reminds me, is Hallie still asleep?"

"She was up pretty late setting up her room," Mart said. "Moms tried to get her to leave it until today, but she said she needed to do something to keep busy. I don’t know when she got to bed."

Just then, the three Beldens heard the honk of the station wagon outside. They raced out the door; Trixie and Mart carried backpacks.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. None of the teachers made much of an effort to teach anything that day. In most classes, the BobWhites found themselves talking about the accidents. Every teacher was concerned about how the students were handling the issue; each one made it clear that if the four students had made better choices, they would probably be alive.

At the end of the day, Di hurried out to the station wagon, where Dan and Jim waited.

"The next time I hear that Loyola and Scott’s deaths were an accident or that they would still be alive if they had done something differently, I’m going to scream," she stormed. "I don’t mind it when they say that about Mark and Todd – they deserve that for being so stupid. But it really burns me to hear people say that about Loyola and Scott."

"You got that too, huh," Dan said, a sympathetic smile on his face.

"Every class. By lunch time I felt like standing up and screaming ‘They aren’t that dumb.’"

"Keep your voice down, Di," Jim warned. "If there really is something fishy going on, you don’t want to let anyone know we suspect."

"You don’t really think anyone at the high school could do something like this, do you?" Honey asked as she and Trixie walked up.

"I don’t want to think so, sis," he said. "But we don’t know what happened, or why. Until we do, I think we should keep a low profile. If someone really killed Loyola and Scott to protect something, they’re not going to be real happy if we start poking around."

"You had to remind me, didn’t you, Jim," Brian said. He and Mart had arrived just after Trixie and Honey. "What happened to this nice, safe town?"

"Safe?" Dan said, letting out a snort of laughter. "Ever since I got here there’s been one crook after another showing up. That’s just counting the ones Trixie caught. No telling how many others there have been that slipped past the mystery radar of the Belden-Wheeler Detective agency."

"Okay, guys, enough," Jim said. "We’ve got to get going. We’re supposed to meet Hallie at the library, remember."

After a glance at her watch, Trixie practically threw herself in the car. "Come on guys, we’re going to be late."

The other six BobWhites followed her into the car. Dan sat in the front seat, with Trixie sandwiched between him and Jim. Brian and Honey sat in the back seat, while Mart and Di climbed in the way back.

When they walked in the main doors of the library, Honey was the first to spot Hallie. She was standing by the card catalogue, next to a young man with red hair. He had his back to the door, but when he heard the BobWhites come in, he turned around.

"Regan, what are you doing here?" Trixie exclaimed.

"Shhh, or we’ll get kicked out," Brian warned.

"Hallie had something she wanted to check out, and I wasn’t going to let her go poking around Town Hall alone, so I drove her in. Besides, I’m part of this detective team too, remember."

"A clue?" Honey smiled for the first time all day.

"I don’t know, but let’s find someplace more private to talk," Dan said. "Anybody could walk through that door and hear us." He led the way to a small meeting room off the reading room. When they had settled themselves around the conference table, Hallie spoke.

"I don’t know what, but I think I know who."

"Now I know it’s hereditary," Jim said. "Trixie said just the opposite last time we had a case. Brian, why do all the women in your family speak in riddles?" He stopped as Trixie elbowed him hard in the ribs.

"When I was talking to Scott at your party Friday, he mentioned that he and Loyola started dating after they began working on a project for the Conservation Commission."

"So she dragged me down to Town Hall to find out what it was," Regan continued. "The secretary in the office was a temp, so it was pretty easy to find out what they were working on."

"Yeah, because she’s young and cute and Regan turned on the charm," Hallie giggled. "Good thing her boss wasn’t in, because I don’t know if we should have this information."

"Hallie, spit it out before we burst," Mart said. "What’s going on?"

"They were flagging the wetlands on a piece of farmland the town plans to take for the new performing arts center," she said. "It went okay at first, but there’s been some kind of holdup. She didn’t know exactly what the issue was, but I guess it’s had her boss tearing his hair out. Apparently they ran into some unexpected problems. So we think maybe that’s what they wanted Trixie to check into."

"After that, we came down here to meet you and look at some old back issues of the Sleepyside Sun. I didn’t pay much attention to the information about the project, and Hallie wasn’t here, so we didn’t know too much about it," Regan said.

"That’s the one on the Lannio property, isn’t it?" Di asked. "I’ve heard Mummy and Daddy talk about it. They donated some of the money to build it."

"That’s right," Brian said. "I had forgotten about that – too stressed out over finals and everything, I guess."

"So what did you find out?" Trixie and Honey chorused.

"Enough to make me sure Wolfgang Lannio is behind Loyola and Scott’s deaths," Hallie said. Regan nodded his agreement.

Author’s note: Thanks to Kyrie, Mary, Lissa and Bonnie for all their help and suggestions. You guys have no idea how much you help! Also, thanks to the muses (not from TOS) who returned from being AWOL. I was beginning to think this story would join the ranks of the long-unfinished stories.

The other Bob-Whites stared at Hallie in shock for long moments.

"Why do you suspect Mr. Lannio?" Brian asked. "It’s a long way from some problems with a land deal to murder."

His last word hung heavy in the room. In the 24 hours since he and Honey found Loyola and Scott lying by the banks of the Hudson, the BobWhites had avoided that word.

Finally Regan spoke. "Lannio didn’t want to sell his land to the town. They finally had to take it by eminent domain."

"Can they do that?" Di asked. "It doesn’t seem right." She turned to Mart, who blushed, but came up with the answer as usual.

"Eminent domain is something only government can do, either local, state or federal. It means if the government needs land for some project, they have to right to take it for fair market value."

"So he still got paid," Dan said. "Why didn’t he just sell? That hasn’t been an active farm for years."

"We wondered that too," Hallie said. "There were lots of articles in the paper about Lannio not wanting to sell his land, but no reasons given. I guess he wouldn’t talk to the reporters."

"Just based on that, I think he did it too," Trixie said.

"Pull out the parachutes, Beatrix is jumping to conclusions again," Mart said.

"He certainly needs more looking into," Honey said diplomatically. "Are there any other possibilities?"

"We couldn’t find any," Regan said. Next to him, Hallie shook her head.

Jim rubbed his forehead with his hand, then looked at his watch. "I hate to say it, but we need to get going. The wake will start soon."

The BobWhites sat there in glum silence for a minute, then Brian and Honey stood. The rest of the teens followed, with Regan bringing up the rear.

As they walked down the street toward Sleepyside’s only funeral home, Brian wrapped his arm around Honey. He could feel her trembling, and stroked her arm in a vain attempt to comfort her.

Jim and Trixie were close behind. Although the tall redhead seemed under control, Trixie wasn’t fooled when she grabbed his ice-cold hand. She squeezed it, but he didn’t notice. Jim just kept walking straight ahead.

Mart and Di weren’t a couple, at least not officially, but they ended up walking together because Dan and Hallie stayed with Regan. The young groom put an arm around each teen. Dan tensed at first, but then relaxed. Hallie leaned into him, searching for support.

When they reached the funeral home, the line stretched out of the room. The BobWhites joined the end of the line. Even at such a somber event, Trixie couldn’t stem a thread of excitement. She looked for Mr. Kevins, but as the shortest person in the room, couldn’t see much. Normally she would stand one tiptoes or ask Jim to look around, but somehow it didn’t seem appropriate here. Just then, Trixie caught sight of the two caskets.

She let out a quiet gasp as the reason they were waiting in line hit home. Jim heard her, and looked down. He saw the look of terror on her face, and pulled her close. She buried her head against his chest. He stroked her back and her soft curls. They were surrounded by people, yet no one was there.

Brian looked back in concern, but Jim shook his head. After a minute, Trixie pulled away and started to wipe her eyes with the back of her hand. Jim stopped her, and handed her a handkerchief from his pocket.

"I thought someone might need one today," he whispered, gently squeezing her hand.

"Thanks, Jim," she whispered back. On the way in, she comforted him. Now he cared for her. Trixie took a deep breath. "I think I’m okay."

Behind them, Hallie and Regan were scanning the crowd. Neither knew Todd or Mark well, so they felt the sadness that comes with the news of any life cut short, but it wasn’t as personal as for the other BobWhites. Hallie deliberately avoided looking at the casket. She wasn’t sure how to deal with it. It was easier to pretend she was here on a mission.

"Doesn’t that guy look a lot like the pictures we saw of Lannio in the newspaper articles?" Hallie whispered.

Regan looked over at the older man she indicated. His powerful body hadn’t gone soft with age; he looked as though he could take Dan, Jim and Regan in a fight. "We’d better keep an eye on him."

Slowly, the teens and Regan made their way to the front of the line, where Todd and Mark’s parents stood. Earlier, they had decided Brian and Jim would speak for all of them.

"We were sorry to hear about Mark and Todd," Brian said. "I’ve known them since elementary school, and I was shocked to hear about their accident. We all were." He motioned to include all the BobWhites and Regan.

"If there’s anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to ask," Jim added.

Mrs. Nelson and the Maurers just stood there, shaking hands and nodding their agreement. Mr. Nelson finally spoke.

"Thank you, all of you, for coming. This has been a rough few days for us, but it’s nice to know enough people cared about Todd and Mark to come today." He took a deep breath, as if to get some strength from the air around them. "You BobWhites have done so much for the community, and helped with all sorts of things, so you would know better than anyone. Do you think there is some way to prevent another accident next year, any year?"

Brian and Jim looked at each other, not knowing what to say. Trixie decided to step in.

"I’m not sure, but once we get through this week, we’ll look into it. I’m sure between now and next year, we can come up with something."

"Thank you," Mr. Nelson said. "All four of us will help in any way we can. Anything to keep other families from going through this pain." He shook hands with everyone, and they moved on. Once out of earshot, Honey spoke.

"I don’t know what we can do, but there has to be something. I don’t know if I can take anymore of this. I’m just glad they went with a closed casket." She shuddered; the others murmured agreement.

"Whatever you come up with, count me in," Regan said. "I think I can talk Tom, Celia, Miss Trask and the others into helping too."

"Right now I think we’d better concentrate on our next step, solving the mystery," Dan said. "Here comes Mr. Kevins."

The elderly gentleman made his way through the crush of people toward the BobWhites. The jacket draped over his arm hung stiffly. Trixie tried to suppress a wave of excitement. He might have the solution is that envelope.

Brian held out his hand as Mr. Kevins approached. "How are you holding up, sir?" he asked. "Is there anything we can do for you?"

"You’ve already done more than I could hope for," Mr. Kevins said. His voice quavered; his eyes were bright with unshed tears. "Without you, Loyola would still be lying there. And now you want to help find the fiend who did this. Believe me, Brian, Loyola and I couldn’t ask for better friends. I know now why she admired you kids so much."

The BobWhites blushed from the unexpected compliment. Before the silence grew uncomfortable, Regan stepped in.

"They are an amazing bunch, I have to admit. Modest too." He stuck his hand out. "I’m Bill Regan, Dan’s uncle."

"Nice to meet you," Mr. Kevins said. "Are you part of the detective agency too?"

"He just started," Trixie said. "We wanted all the help we could get."

"You’re going to need it, I’m sure. I don’t know what Loyola put in here, but the envelope is pretty thick." He pulled the envelope from beneath his coat.

Trixie took it. She looked for an inconspicuous place to carry it, but the warm weather meant none of them had thought to bring their club jackets. The guys all wore shirt and tie, but none had a blazer. "We’d better get out of here with this," she whispered to the group.

"Thank you again, Trixie. Please call me if I can be of any help," Mr. Kevins said. He turned and walked off.

"I thought that was supposed to be my line," Jim said. "He’s certainly determined to get through this on his own."

"Maybe we should take turns visiting him during the next week," Honey suggested.

"Guys, I think you all have great ideas, but wait until later. Right now we need to get out of here," Regan said. He hustled them to the door and back to the car.

"What was that all about?" Di asked once they were in the car.

"We saw Wolfgang Lannio in there," Hallie said. "If he’s really behind this, letting him know whatever Loyola had, we now have, isn’t a real great idea."

"He was headed our way after Mr. Kevins left, so I figured it was time to leave," Regan said. "Trixie, I wouldn’t even open that envelope until we can all go someplace private. You don’t know what’s inside."

"I think it’s time we headed back to Crabapple Farm for a council of war," Mart said. "Besides, it’s almost dinner time."

"Do you ever fill up?" Brian asked.

Jim dropped Dan, Di and Regan at the car Regan brought in, then they all drove out to the Belden farmhouse. Once there, they found Mr. Belden in the backyard grilling hamburgers and Mrs. Belden making salad. The teens and Regan started setting the picnic table and helping with dinner. Trixie had a hard time keeping her mind on dinner, but realized this time the safety lectures weren’t an overreaction. It wasn’t until the end of the meal that they got to look in the envelope.

"We’re headed to the wake," Mr. Belden said. "Bobby’s staying with your brothers tonight, Di. Please tell your parents I said thank you."

"Oh, no problem, Mr. Belden. With four kids, one more doesn’t make much difference."

After the Beldens left, all nine managed to squeeze around the kitchen table. Trixie undid the clasp on the envelope with shaking fingers and reached inside.

Part 7

Trixie eased the thick stack of papers from the envelope. She flipped through them, quickly at first, then more slowly. After two passes through, she put the papers down and looked up.

Regan and the other BobWhites looked expectantly at her.

"What kind of mystery did Loyola leave you?" Hallie asked.

Trixie opened her mouth, closed it, and bit her lip. "I don’t know."

"What do you mean you don’t know?" Mart said. "After all this suspense you can’t just tell us you don’t know." He glared at his sister.

"None of this makes any sense to me," his sister said. "Brian, you’re the science whiz. Do you understand any of this?" She handed him the stack.

Brian shuffled through the papers. He pulled out one envelope and unfolded the maps inside. Mart moved his ever-present snack from the table so Brian could spread them out. The kitchen lamp highlighted his dark hair as he bent over the table and traced some lines on the top map with his finger.

"So what is it?" Trixie said. She bounced on her toes and waited for his answer.

"I’m not really sure," Brian admitted. "It’s definitely about the Lannio land. That’s what these maps are of. But Loyola left a lot of information and it will take me a while to sort through it." He stood up straight and ran his hand through his hair. "Look, even if I figure this out, we’re not going to know the answer to Loyola’s mystery."

Trixie wrinkled her forehead, and nodded agreement. "Right, because if the answer was in there, she wouldn’t have asked for our help."

"So where does that leave us?" Hallie asked. "I don’t know about you, but I’m not giving up now."

"I think it’s time we split up again," Jim said. "There has to be something we can do while Brian tries to figure out what all this information means."

"We need to divide up the jobs again, like we did for the senior pranks," Trixie said. "There has to be other information we can look for while Brian sorts this gobbledy-gook out."

Regan chuckled at her description, than sobered. "Look, I’m probably going to get yelled at for suggesting this, and I’m not trying to insult any of the girls, but I really think we need at least one guy in each pair. Whatever Loyola and Scott found got them killed. I don’t want to have to say the same about any of you."

"Sometime when there isn’t some crook waiting to pick us all off, I’ll argue that one. Today, well, I hate to say it, but you’re right, Regan," Trixie said. "This guy is ruthless, and I don’t think knowing a bunch of teenagers is on his trail has him shaking in his boots."

"Do mine ears deceive me?" Mart said. "Did Beatrix admit to not being invincible? Stop the presses!" He opened his mouth to continue, but Di kicked him under the table.

Trixie ignored him, and started sorting out assignments. "I think Honey should stay here with Brian to collect and organize all the information we bring back. She’s the most organized of us all." Honey nodded and sighed with relief. The image of Loyola and Scott was still fresh in her mind.

Trixie continued. "Di, you’re the expert at checking the newspaper archives. You and Mart see what you can dig up about Lannio and the project."

"I can ask Mummy and Daddy about the performing arts center too," Di said. "They won’t be surprised that I’m interested, and they might know some rumors the paper didn’t print."

"Jim, why don’t we see what the police will tell us," Trixie said. "Sgt. Molinson’s most likely to talk to you, and he’s probably wondering why I’m not in his hair already."

"What can we do?" Hallie asked, motioning to herself, Dan and Regan.

"See what you can find out at Town Hall," Honey said. "I want to know how Lannio knew Loyola and Scott were a threat to him. He couldn’t have just planned to kill everyone from the town who came out to survey the land. Somehow he had to know Loyola and Scott were suspicious."

"Yeah, see what else you can charm out of that secretary," Trixie said, grinning.

"What did I do to get this reputation?" Regan protested. His smile showed he wasn’t unhappy about it, though. "Come on, most of you have school tomorrow, and Dan and I have chores in the morning. Time for everyone to head to bed."

"Di, do you need a ride?" Jim asked. "I can take you home on the way."

"Thanks, Jim. I could call home for a ride, but if you don’t mind giving me one, I’ll take it."

"Of course not," Jim said. "Brian, since we don’t have school tomorrow, want to sleep over?"

"Sure, rub it in," Trixie said. She groaned as Brian agreed to go.

"Let me just grab some clothes for tomorrow," he said.

The BobWhites and Regan split up and headed for their respective homes.

Jim let Brian and Honey have the back seat of the station wagon and Di sat up front. It was a quiet ride to the Lynch estate and back to Manor House. Honey leaned against Brian, hoping her nightmares were gone for good. Brian stroked her back and held her close as her thin body trembled. When they got back to the house, the three teens headed for bed. As he and Brian changed for bed, Jim looked at his friend. "She’s going to have nightmares again, isn’t she."

"I think so." Brian sighed. "I don’t blame her. It was a terrifying sight, seeing them lying there. I’m surprised I haven’t had nightmares too."

"You haven’t had much of a chance," Jim said. "You were up half the night trying to comfort Honey. Look, why don’t you go sit with her until she falls asleep. Maybe that will help her sleep better."

"Are you sure?" Brian asked his friend. "Won’t your parents mind?"

"At this point, I think they just want the nightmares to stop. Honey hasn’t had them since she first came here, and we all thought she was done with them. Besides, I trust you."

So Brian walked down the hall to Honey’s room, dressed in his t-shirt and boxer shorts. He knocked gently on Honey’s door, and she told him to come in.

"Jim suggested I sit with you until you fell asleep," Brian said as he walked in. "He thought it might help you to sleep."

Honey smiled. "He’s a pretty good brother," she said. "I was just on my way to ask one of you to sit with me."

Honey crawled into bed and motioned to the chair next to her nightstand. "Come, sit, talk. Have me think happy thoughts."

"I think you must have taken the second star to the left instead of the right last night," Brian said, smiling. "Tonight, let’s try for the right directions so you can head straight on until morning." He sat by the bed and looked down at Honey lying next to him. Her golden-brown hair spread across her pillow and her shoulders. Brian knew it was hot, but he couldn’t help wishing Honey had chosen a t-shirt instead of a tank top to wear with her shorts. He reached over and rubbed one of her bare shoulders, enjoying the feel of her warm skin. Suddenly, it was Loyola’s cold skin he was touching down by the riverbank.

Honey watched the shocked expression cross his face as his fingers stilled. She reached out for his hand. "Brian, talk to me. It was a horrible sight. You can’t just forget about it, no matter how hard you try."

"I know, but that’s my job. I have to be able to handle it."

"Brian, doctors aren’t robots. They feel things just like the rest of us. You haven’t even gotten that far. You just graduated from high school last week. None of us will fault you for being human."

He looked at her, puzzled, then laughed. "I meant being the oldest," he said finally. "I’m always supposed to be the one who’s pulled together. I had to be like that for Trixie and Mart when we were little. Sometimes I still feel that way toward all the BobWhites."

"Even Jim?" Honey asked.

"Sometimes especially Jim," Brian said. "He’s actually closer to Mart and Dan’s age than to mine, even if it is hard to tell. There have been plenty of times when he’s been about to hit the roof because he’s all worried about you, and I’ve had to keep from doing the same because that would worry him even more."

"Nobody expects you to take dead bodies in stride," Honey said. "You’re human like the rest of us. It makes me feel better to see you freaked out about it too."

"Really? Why?"

"I guess because you are so pulled together most of the time. When I see even you all upset about this, it makes me feel a little better about my nightmares. I thought I was over them when I didn’t have one when Bobby got bitten or after any of the other adventures since then."

"I’m surprised you didn’t have one after our St. Louis trip last summer," Brian said. "I think even Jim had nightmares about what you and Trixie went through out there."

"I guess I was too scared at the time, and after it was over I knew I was safe. Now we’ve got somebody out there who’s already killed once, and that what scares me." She pulled the covers over her shoulders, seeking safety in the puffy comforter. One hand inched out from under and grabbed Brian’s hand.

"Don’t worry, Honey. I’m right here, and I won’t let anything happen to you." Brian leaned over and kissed her gently on the forehead.

"Brian, please sit with me," she whispered. "I need a hug." She moved over so he had room to sit next to her on the bed, and sat up.

I’m only dreaming. I’m really not sitting on Honey’s bed in my pajamas with her in my arms. But as Brian held her close, he knew it was all too real. If it were a dream, he wouldn’t worry about Jim coming in and killing him slowly and painfully. He bent down and kissed her forehead. She looked up at him and smiled. Encouraged, he kissed the tip of her nose. When she giggled, he silenced her with another kiss. "Besides, I trust you," Jim said. Brian reluctantly broke the kiss.

"What’s wrong?" she asked.

"Jim sent me in here to make sure you got a good night’s sleep. If he saw us now, I don’t think he’d ever trust me with you alone again."

"I guess you’re right," Honey said. "But can we pick up here again sometime, when he isn’t trusting us alone? I mean, when we’re alone, but he doesn’t know, or at least knows but knows we’re alone because we’re doing things we would only do when we’re alone."

"I think I followed that," Brian said. "At least, I hope I did, because I like what I think I heard. But right now, I think I’d better get back in the chair, and you’d better get to sleep."

Honey frowned, but agreed. She lay back down as Brian moved off the bed. He pulled the covers up and kissed her cheek before sitting down. One hand lay next to her head, and Brian covered it with his own.

"Want me to read you Peter Rabbit?" he asked, grinning.

"No, I think I’ll be okay without it," Honey said. "Besides, I thought that was Trixie’s job." She turned off the light and closed her eyes, still smiling. Brian sighed as he felt Honey’s hand relax as she drifted off to sleep.

He watched for a few minutes, but she seemed fine. Too bad he wasn’t. The moonlight hitting her face made even more beautiful than usual, and Brian felt faint stirrings in his groin. When she rolled over, the covers slipped to her waist. Her tank top had started to ride up from her movement, and Brian realized he needed to leave. Sometimes too much trust is a bad thing. If Jim could see inside my mind, I’d be trampled under Jupe’s hooves by now.

So he quietly walked back to the room he shared with Jim. His best friend was lying on his stomach in bed reading a book. He looked up when Brian walked in.

"How is she?" he asked.

"She’s asleep, and she seemed okay. But I don’t think they’ll stop until we catch whoever did this, whether it’s Lannio or someone else." Brian explained what Honey said.

"Well I’m glad she’s fine once everything’s over," Jim said. "If that’s how she thinks of things, no wonder I spend all my time waiting to hear that she and Trixie are mixed up in another mystery. Sometimes I think I’ll be the first 16-year-old with gray hair because of them."

Brian laughed. "Don’t let my sister hear that, or you’ll never hear the end of it. Every time she gets involved in another case, Moms makes her look at all her gray hairs. Moms tells her they’re from worrying about her."

"Somehow I don’t think it’s maternal worry I’m suffering from," Jim said wryly. "Besides, isn’t your mom old enough to have gray hair regardless of how many crazy things Trixie gets mixed up in."

"She’s only 36," Brian said. "With any kid other than Trixie, she’d probably be safe for another 10 years."

"Wait a minute," Jim said. "How is your mom only 36 if you’re 17?"

"I was an oops," Brian said. His face turned red. "Moms was only a freshman in college, and Dad was a senior. She hid it until after he graduated in early May, and they got married a few weeks after that."

"Somehow I can’t picture your parents having a shotgun wedding," Jim said. "Does this mean I shouldn’t expect them to trust me with Trixie?"

"Please don’t go there. That’s my little sister you’re talking about."

"Yeah, your little sister who’s two months older than my sister."

"I know, I know. That was the theme of Dad’s lecture before the prom." Brian sighed as he remembered it. "He told me that he trusted me and Honey, but to keep in mind that Honey and Trixie are the same age, so I shouldn’t do anything with Honey that I would kill you for doing with Trixie."

"I guess he meant that as a warning to me too," Jim said. "Your dad really knows how to motivate a guy, doesn’t he."

Brian flushed, remembering what he saw as he watched Honey sleep. "Tell me about it. This relationship is either going to have me spending lots of time in cold showers, or I’m going to have to start thinking about my sister as a young woman, not a little girl."

"So what are you going to do?" Jim held his breath and waited for the answer. It never came. Brian opened his mouth just as a scream rang out down the hall.

Brian and Jim raced down the hall toward the scream. They burst into Honey’s room, only to find her sobbing in bed. Jim flipped the light switch on while Brian enveloped her in a hug. He rubbed her back and whispered soothing words.

Ms. Trask came by a minute later, out of breath from the trek across the massive house. She looked in Honey’s room. Jim put a finger to his lips and mouthed, "We’ll take care of her." Ms. Trask hesitated, then nodded and left, but not before mouthing back, "If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen."

Honey hadn’t noticed the exchange; she had buried her face in Brian’s shoulder. Jim joined his sister and best friend on the bed.

"It’s okay, Honey," he said. "We’re here, and we won’t let anything hurt you."

She nodded, but tears continued to roll down her face.

"What frightened you?" Brian asked, still stroking her back.

Honey looked up, her eyes swollen and red. "It was hideous. I…" Her face was red from crying, but Jim thought she flushed brighter red as she hesitated.

"I was on a picnic with Brian," she said, hesitating. "We were in the game preserve, but I’m not sure where. Of course, I’m never quite sure even when I’m awake." It was a feeble stab at humor, but the boys smiled at the effort. "I was enjoying myself, but when I looked away from Brian, I saw Loyola lying dead on the ground." The tears streamed down her face and Brian pulled her closer. "Then I looked back at Brian, and he was gone. Scott was there, dead. It was horrible." Wave after wave of sobs wracked her body as Brian struggled to calm her down.

Honey snuggled closer, trying to shut out the grim picture. She wanted to tell the boys the worst part, but couldn’t bring herself to do it. Maybe when I’m alone with Brian. Better yet, I’ll tell Di. She pictured the first half of her dream, the part with her and Brian alone, and started to relax. But every time the tears started to dry up, she remembered how it ended, surrounded by dead bodies with Brian nowhere in sight.

After about half an hour, Jim left. He motioned to Brian that he would find Ms. Trask and let her know Honey was all right, then head to bed. Brian just nodded.

When they were alone together, Brian put his fingers under Honey’s chin and tilted her head back. She looked up at him; a feeble smile crossed her face.

"Do you want to talk about it, Honey?" Brian asked. She ducked her head, blushing.

"Oh, I don’t even want to think about it," she said. "We were alone, enjoying ourselves, and then it turned gruesome."

Brian hadn’t missed the blush. He wasn’t a detective like Trixie, but his big brother instincts kicked in. "Are you sure that’s all?" he asked. "I mean, it sounds less scary than last night, but you seem much more upset."

"It’s just, well…"

"Well, what?"

Honey finally decided to just spit it out. "When I said we were enjoying ourselves, I meant like in the car after the prom. It was this really nice dream."

Brian smiled in spite of himself. The car ride home had been pleasant. Jim and Trixie were in their own little world, and Brian had taken the opportunity to steal all sorts of kisses. He had even taken some ribbing from Tom when they got back about trying to steam up the windows.

"So when it turned horrible, it was even worse than last night, because I was in such a good mood. I didn’t want to tell Jim about that part." Honey’s face was bright red, and she hid her face in his shoulder.

Brian pulled away enough to see her face. He kissed her on the forehead again. "Honey, there’s nothing wrong with that. Jim and Trixie were doing the same thing on the other side of the car. I bet he dreams about her, just like I dream about you. There’s nothing wrong with dreams."

"But he’s my brother. It’s just weird."

"It is pretty weird. A couple of times when I looked over at them dancing at the prom, I had to remind myself that I trusted Jim, and that you and Trixie are the same age," Brian admitted. "Sometimes it’s tough watching my little sister grow up, and I certainly don’t want her telling me the details of her dates with Jim. But that doesn’t mean I don’t think they happen."

"I guess." Honey sighed, releasing tension from her body.

"Look, I’ll sleep in the chair tonight. Do you think that will help?"

"It certainly can’t hurt. I just want this all to end."

"That makes two of us," Brian said. "Maybe when we all start poking around tomorrow, we’ll find something. You’ll be safe with me at Crabapple Farm, and I’m sure we’ll solve this in no time." Inside, he really wasn’t sure, but figured if Honey thought this was almost over she would sleep better.

After a few more minutes, the teens settled down for the night. Although Honey fell asleep quickly, Brian was awake much longer. He didn’t even realize he had dozed off until Honey hit him on the chin. His eyes flew open, and he saw her roll over in her sleep. She stretched again, arms flailing, before opening her eyes. When she saw Brian rubbing his chin, she gasped.

"Did I hit you? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to."

"Don’t worry about it. I was just surprised. It’s nothing compared to waking up to Bobby every morning." Brian grinned. "I’ll just go back to Jim’s room to change, then I can give you a ride to school."

He beat a hasty retreat. When he walked in Jim’s room down the hall, his best friend was still asleep. Brian dressed quickly, and called Crabapple Farm.

"Moms, can you tell everyone I’ll be down to get them in the car in a few minutes," he said.

"No problem," his mother said. "I was just about to call you anyway to give them all a ride."

"Really?" Brian wrinkled his forehead and waited for the answer.

"Mr. Stratton called a little while ago and asked Hallie to come by school today. I figured it would be easier to just bring her in with everyone and wait for her, then bring her home. Is that okay?"

"No problem, Moms. I’ll just take the station wagon." Brian hung up

Brian and Honey drove over to Crabapple Farm, where the other Beldens piled in. Brian dropped them off at school and settled himself to wait in the car for Hallie.

Hallie joined the others, talking and laughing, as they walked into the building, but there was a hint of uneasiness in the back of her mind. She stuffed it down in her mind and walked into Mr. Stratton’s office.

"You wanted to see me, Mr. Stratton?" Hallie said. "Do you need more paperwork from Idaho?"

"No, your paperwork came yesterday," he said. "That’s actually why I called you in here."

Hallie looked at his stern face. She couldn’t tell what problem the principal had found, but he looked serious. I wonder just how much of my school record transferred out here. A cold prickly sensation inched up her neck.

"It appears from your record that you and Brian have inherited more in common than just the Belden coloring."

Hallie didn’t process his words at first. When they sunk in, her racing mind slammed into a brick wall. What could honorable Brian and I have in common?

"Your academic record is outstanding, and your school in Idaho is ahead of Sleepyside in many subjects."

Hallie fought her jaw’s natural inclination to drop for several seconds before giving up.

"I don’t think our freshman curriculum would challenge you, given the classes you’ve already taken. So I’m giving you the option of starting next year as a sophomore."

Hallie sat there, stunned, for several seconds. Mr. Stratton finally took pity on her.

"I realize this is a big decision, and not one you want to make lightly. Why don’t you talk about it with your family and let me know before the last day of school."

She nodded, dumbstruck, and got up to leave the office. As she walked out to the car, her mind raced, thoughts bouncing on pogo sticks in her brain.

Hallie mechanically opened the station wagon door and dropped in the front seat.

"What did Mr. Stratton want?" Brian asked. He started the car and pulled out of the lot.

"He just wanted to double check some of my course work, to see how it fit with what Sleepyside teaches," Hallie said. Well, that’s basically true. I just left a few things out.

Brian seemed satisfied. "Well, then I’ll drop you off at home. Jim and I are going to White Plains to research some things I noticed in Loyola’s papers. I’m not sure about a lot of the terms and other scientific stuff; environmental science really isn’t my area."

"Are you sure that’s safe?" Hallie said.

"Why do you think I’m taking Jim. Like Regan said, I’m not going anywhere alone. That goes for you too. Stick close to the farm or Manor House. Regan will probably go riding with you if you want to go. He’s protective like that," Brian said.

"Oh, and he’s the only protective one in this bunch," Hallie retorted. "Relax, Brian. I’m not dumb enough to go roaming around an area I don’t know all that well when there’s a nutcase around who’s got it in for us."

Brian winced at her comment. "I guess I deserved that. I’m just worried about everyone after finding Loyola and Scott. I don’t want to see anything like that again."

Hallie sighed. "I’m sorry, Brian. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I can’t imagine what that would have been like to find them."

The two sat in silence the rest of the ride. When Brian dropped Hallie off at the farm, she trudged up the steps to the front door. Brian watched to make sure she got in the front door, then backed out into Glen Road and headed to Manor House.

Jim was waiting for him, and the two headed for the White Plains library.

"What exactly are we looking for?" Jim asked. He and Brian were standing in front of the environmental science section of the library.

"I need to find out more about what happens when a wetland is disturbed," Brian said. "I don’t know what’s normal and what isn’t, and some of the notes in the envelope mention unusual disturbances."

The two teens each selected several books and carried them to a table in the high-ceilinged reading room.

Jim was flipping through a bound collection of articles when something on a page caught his eye. He skimmed the beginning of the article, then flipped to the end and read the last few lines.

Brian looked over just in time to see all the color drain from Jim’s face.

Hallie dusted the living room furniture mechanically. Her mind frantically turned over Mr. Stratton’s offer as she finished the rest of Trixie, Brian and Mart’s chores.

"Thank you, Hallie," Mrs. Belden said as her niece put the last of the breakfast dishes in the cabinet. "And I’m sure my children will thank you too for doing their work."

"Oh, it’s no problem, Auntie. I’m just glad to have something to do, and this frees them up when they come home. I just hope they don’t get used to it by the time school gets out." She grinned.

"So what are you up to now? Do you need any help with your room?"

"No, I think I’m okay in there. Most of my stuff still hasn’t come yet. When I called home yesterday, Cap had forgotten to ship it."

"I guess some things never change," Mrs. Belden said, laughing.

"Not in Idaho, they don’t." Hallie wrinkled her nose. "Is there anything else I can do?"

"I’m all set here. Why don’t you head over to Manor House and go swimming or riding."

Hallie was about to say yes, but her earlier promise to Brian nagged at her, so she decided to stay home. Before she could say anything, there was a knock on the back door.

"Anyone home?" Regan called out.

"Hello, Regan," Mrs. Belden said. "What brings you down here?"

"I was about to ride into the game preserve to exercise Starlight when I thought I’d see if Hallie wanted to come and take Strawberry out. I was hoping Brian or Jim might have time, but they’ve gone to White Plains."

"Sounds good to me," Hallie said. "I can use some more experience on the horses."

"Well, have fun," Mrs. Belden said. "You’ve earned it today."

Hallie walked outside, her earlier worries forgotten. Starlight stood in the backyard, tied to a post near the barn. Regan mounted, and offered Hallie a hand.

"Come on, we’ll ride back to get Strawberry, then go into the preserve."

Hallie sat behind him, her hands lightly touching his waist. Although she was tall, she could barely see over Regan’s broad shoulders. "Regan, what are you doing after we go riding?" she asked.

Regan turned to look over his shoulder. "Grooming the horses. What else would I be doing?"

"No, you goof," Hallie retorted. "I meant after that." Her laughter filled the air.

"Okay, what do you want me to do that I’m not going to like," he said, resigned to his fate.

"Oh, I think you’ll enjoy it," Hallie said, smirking. "I want to check out some stuff at Town Hall. You can work your wiles on that cute secretary while I poke around."

Regan remembered the blond beauty - silky-straight blond hair, melting gray eyes and curves right out of a Playboy magazine. An inadvertent smile spread across the face of the young groom, but he put it aside until he and Hallie were headed back into the preserve on separate horses. They rode side by side, the air steeped in comfortable silence.

Regan smiled, glad Hallie wasn’t chattering away. As they rode, he used the time to conjure different fantasies starring him and the blond bombshell at Town Hall.

Soon he and Hallie were ready to head into town. Regan didn’t even mind driving, if it kept Hallie from rushing off alone like her cousin was so fond of. Dan and Jim really have their hands full with these two.

"Jim, are you okay?" Brian asked. "Did you find something?"

Jim looked up from the book. His freckles stood out against his pale skin. "It’s this article about wetlands," he said.

Brian couldn’t tell what emotion made his voice shake. "Is it something that might explain Loyola’s notes?"

"I don’t know. I didn’t read it yet. My dad wrote it, my real dad." Some color returned to his face, and his hands stopped trembling.

"Really?" Brian said. "Was he a professor or a scientist?"

"I’m not sure. It doesn’t say much in the author’s note, but does mention Rochester. I didn’t mean to scare you; I was just surprised. My mother never told me Dad published anything, and I don’t remember it." Jim took several slow deep breaths, and started looking more like himself.

"So what’s the article about?" Brian asked

Jim skimmed the four pages, his smile growing all the while. "It looks like it could be just what you’re looking for." He handed the book to Brian.

As he started reading, Brian’s smile grew to match Jim’s. "You’re right, this does seem to fit with what I saw in Loyola’s notes. Come on, let’s make a copy of this and these other articles I found, and head home."

Regan held the door for Hallie at Town Hall. She sighed, but walked in. They headed up the narrow stairs to the Conservation office. Hallie peeked in the window of the door and cheered inwardly. Blondie sat at the desk.

"Okay, knock her socks off," Hallie said. "Just remember there’s a window in this door."

Regan glared at her, but the mirth in her face was too obvious for him to get really mad. "Don’t forget what your cousins say about Bobby," he whispered. "Revenge is sweet." He stifled a chuckle as Hallie’s eyes narrowed. "You wouldn’t dare."

"Hey, don’t push me too far, or you’ll be mucking stables for a month." Regan grinned and walked in the office.

Blondie looked up. "Oh, hello," she purred. "How can I help you? Do you have more questions about the performing arts center?"

"Well, I suppose it’s too early to ask you to join me for a concert there, so how about a cup of coffee sometime," Regan said. He let himself slide back into the flirting, teasing tone he used so well as a teen. Amazing how easy it was, as long as he kept his face from turning red.

"I’ve got a coffee break coming up in a minute, if you’ve got time," she said. Unconsciously, she tilted her head and looked coyly up at the attractive redhead.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Regan said. He escorted the secretary out the door. She grabbed her purse, but left her keys on the desk and the door unlocked.

The minute Hallie saw them disappear down the stairs, she stopped studying the brochures on smoking and food poisoning outside the health office and slipped in the conservation office.

She looked at her watch, figuring she had maybe 10 safe minutes, and opened the file cabinet Blondie had pulled the file from the previous day. Hallie brought a notebook along to take notes, but she didn’t want to take the time, so she quickly skimmed the file and memorized the key facts. When she looked back down at her watch, nine minutes had elapsed.

"Time to scoot," she muttered. Hallie walked boldly back into the hallway and down the stairs. When Regan and Blondie walked in a few minutes later, she was flipping through the town report in the lobby. She forced herself not to look up, but it was hard as she listened to Blondie simper.

"I really enjoyed myself, Bill. We’ll have to do this again soon."

"I’ll call you after you get off work today. Maybe we can get together Friday. Right now you’d better get back before someone finds out how long we were gone," he said.

Regan sighed with relief when she left. "Airhead," he muttered. He grimaced as he heard Hallie stifle a chuckle.

"Come on, lover boy, let’s head back to the farm. I’ve got lots of good stuff," Hallie said.

They walked out the east door, not realizing Wolfgang Lannio had walked in the west door.

Back at the farm, Brian and Honey sat at Brian’s desk, while Dan, Mart and Di perched on the beds surrounded by papers.

Mart started muttering as he read an article Di and printed from the Sleepyside Sun website.

"Hey, keep it down," Brian said.

Mart didn’t seem to notice. Instead, he grabbed the rest of his stack and scattered papers as he pulled several sheets from the pile.

"Hey, you’re making a mess," Dan exclaimed. "I’m not cleaning it up, and I’ll bet the others agree with me."

"You will when you hear what I’ve found," Mart said. "Look at these." He passed several articles from 20 or thirty years ago around the room. As the others started reading, Mart saw several eyebrows go up.

"You’ve got to be kidding," Di said. "How come none of us knew Lannio was mixed up in the Mob?"

Part 10

Trixie and Jim sat on the bench outside the police station planning their strategy to get information about the investigation into Loyola and Scott’s deaths from Sgt. Molinson.

"I feel like we’re in the middle of good cop, bad cop," Trixie said. "Are you sure this is going to work?"

Her boyfriend frowned as he thought it through again. "I can’t think of any reason it wouldn’t," he said. "Sgt. Molinson has to be wondering why you haven’t shown up already. No matter what happens around here, you’re in it up to your neck. This time you even have good reason to be." He bit the inside of his lip to keep from smiling.

"What do you mean, in it up to my neck," Trixie said, hands on hips. "You know I managed to help on every one of those cases. I didn’t even go looking for most of them – they found me. And I found you, in case you’ve forgotten." She was all set to go on, but Jim placed his finger to her lips. He figured she’d have to either stop talking or bite him, and he was betting she’d be quiet.

"Relax, Trix. I know you’ve done a great job. But Molinson doesn’t see it that way, and you’ve got to be ready to lose your temper with him if needed. I’m just warming you up." Jim slowly removed his finger and gave her hand a squeeze. "Now come on, let’s get moving. The others are expecting us back soon."

Trixie glared at him for a second, but when he pulled her close for a quick hug, she smiled. "Okay, let’s go get insulted by the cops again."

As they walked in the station, Jim could hear Sgt. Molinson yelling from his office. "Come on, let’s eavesdrop," he whispered.

"The honorable Jim Frayne actually suggesting I eavesdrop?" Trixie looked at him and grinned. "Now I know I’m doing the right thing."

They inched closer to the sergeant’s office, pretending to study the posters plastering the walls. As Jim stared at the FBI’s Most Wanted list, he focused on what the gruff police officer was saying. When whoever the sergeant was yelling at yelled back, Jim gripped Trixie’s hand, but not in time to prevent her from gasping in surprise. The two looked at each other briefly, then strained to hear the rest of the conversation.

*     *     *

In the boys’ bedroom at Crabapple Farm, Regan and the other Bob-Whites were still silent, dumbfounded by Mart’s information.

"Please tell me you didn’t just say Mob, as in the Godfather-type Mob," Regan said, rubbing a hand across his weary face. "This has got to be some kind of nightmare that will be over shortly and I can return to the uneventful chores of keeping the horses exercised."

Honey was nestled under Brian’s arm, her face white as a sheet. Hallie and Di sat on Mart’s bed, openmouthed. Mart and Dan were still, clearly in shock. Only Brian responded.

"I wondered why there seemed to be so much digging going on," he said. "That’s what Scott and Loyola found. Honey and I had just figured it out when Mart found these articles."

"I thought farmers did all the digging," Hallie said. "Don’t mobsters use cement shoes or something like that?"

"If these guys used cement shoes, there wouldn’t have been any bodies for Brian and Honey to find," Dan said. "They could have just dumped Scott and Loyola in the river. Much easier that way."

By this time, Honey had recovered enough to speak. "But their parents would have worried about them. Eventually someone would have gone looking for them."

"Yeah, but not for a while," Mart said. "They’re both 18, so they would be treated as adults. I’ll bet the cops would have figured they had run off to elope or something. That’s the logical assumption."

*     *     *

Down at the police station, Trixie and Jim were discovering just that. When Molinson finished yelling at the other person, he stormed out of his office and groaned. "Not you kids. Today of all days. Don’t you have finals to study for or something?"

Trixie took a deep breath, and launched into her lines. "It’s pretty tough to study when your friends are dropping like flies," she said. "We came down to find out what you’re doing about it. Why hasn’t someone been arrested yet?"

"Arrested for what?" Molinson seemed to be trying to keep his temper in check. "I’ve got two kids dumb enough to drive drunk and two more who kill themselves as some sort of lovers’ pact. Anyone I could arrest is dead."

"A lovers’ pact? Are you insane? Loyola and Scott would never do something that idiotic. They had their whole lives ahead of them, and bright futures. How could you even think something like that?" Trixie started with feigned indignation, but by the end of her speech, she was ready to claw out the sergeant’s eyes.

Jim grabbed her hand before he started. Trixie hoped he could remember his lines, or Molinson would throw them out for sure.

"Look, Sergeant, Trixie’s just a little upset. You’ll have to excuse her." He shot the cop a look. Trixie guessed he was trying to win Molinson’s sympathy. "This has been hard on her, and the rest of us. We’re really not used to dealing with stuff like this, well except for Dan and I."

Trixie sniffled and tried to look upset, but had a hard time suppressing her rage.

"I’m just trying to help her and the others deal with the accidents. I thought maybe you could help, maybe reassure us that Loyola and Scott died in some kind of freak accident." Jim held his breath, hoping the sergeant would buy it.

Molinson looked hard at the two Bob-Whites for a minute, then turned and started to walk away. "Follow me."

*     *     *

"Let’s leave the so-called logical assumptions of the cops out of this," Dan said. "We’ve got to figure out what really happened before this guy comes after any of us."

"So what do we know?" Di asked. "Hallie, what did you and Regan find out?"

"Yeah, and how come you didn’t wait for me," Dan said. "I thought we were working together."

"Sorry, Dan," Hallie said. "It’s my fault. After I did Brian, Mart and Trixie’s chores and went riding in the preserve, I was so bored I begged Regan to take me into town so I could do something."

"Hang on," Honey said. "Give me a chance to write everything down." Now that she had a definite job, color returned to her face, and she moved from under Brian’s arm.

"We need to organize this," Brian said. "Let’s start with Mart’s Mob discovery, then Hallie and Regan can fill us in, and then I can tell you what I found in Loyola’s papers."

As six faces swiveled toward Mart, he shuffled his papers until he found the ones he wanted.

"It looks like Lannio and his father were involved in the Mafia back in the 1960s. Occasionally, people would see lots of expensive black cars parked in the lane leading to the farm. Even though the Lannios never did much farming, they always seemed to have plenty of money." Mart stopped and looked through the pile. He pulled out another sheet of paper and started talking again. "The New York City police investigated out here after some major crimes in the city, but nothing ever came of the investigation. Soon after that, Lannio and his father started living more in line with the rest of the town."

"Sounds like they were scared by something," Regan said. "They decided to lay low for a while."

"How does that fit with what you two found?" Mart asked.

"Well, Regan had the fun job," Hallie drawled. "While he was treating the secretary to coffee, I pulled the file in the Conservation office." She removed her notepad from her pocket and started reading. "Basically, Lannio did his best to delay all the site work on the project. Loyola and Scott were supposed to start in February, and Lannio managed to hold up the project until mid-April. He made it look good – none of the reasons was really unusual, and no one thing took a lot of time. But when they were combined, it held the project up more than two months."

"Late enough for the ground to thaw," Brian said. "That fits with what I found."

"What does the ground thawing have to do with anything?" Dan said.

Brian pulled out one of the maps from Loyola’s envelope. "Loyola and Scott were supposed to figure out which parts of the site were wetlands, as the state defines them. The town would have to build around those areas, and there are some pretty stiff penalties for breaking the law. But they discovered that something was disturbing the wetlands for no apparent reason."

"Well that’s as clear as mud," Honey retorted.

"Exactly." When Brian saw the confusion on everyone’s faces, he backpedaled. "Loyola and Scott found too much mud in the wetlands."

"I hate to burst your bubble, all-knowing eldest brother, but isn’t mud an integral component of a wetland?" Mart winced as Di kicked him.

"Some mud is, but they found the wrong kind of mud, and way too much of it. They couldn’t figure out where it was coming from," Brian said. "But I think I know."

*     *     *

"Now look, you two. I know you like playing detective, Ms. Belden, but this has gone too far. Jim, I thought you had more sense."

Trixie had just opened her mouth when Jim tugged her hand. She abruptly closed it, frowning.

"More sense than what, sir," Jim asked politely. Inwardly he was seething, but kept his temper under tight reign.

"Do you know how irresponsible it is to go around talking about how two teenagers died when it’s obvious they committed suicide?" Molinson said. He took a long drink of coffee and made a face. "This town is suffering enough already. I don’t want anyone going out and trying to kill themselves because it’s a good way to get attention."

Jim could feel Trixie’s body tense. He stepped behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. At least now I can grab her if she goes to scratch Molinson’s eyes out.

"What do you mean, attention," Trixie sputtered. Her clenched fists rested on her hips.

"You don’t get it, do you, Miss Belden," Molinson said. "Everyone in town looks up to you kids and everything you’ve done. For some lonely kid, being noticed by you is the best thing that’s ever happened to them. They figure they must be somebody if the Bob-Whites know who they are. What better way to get attention than to pretend someone’s trying to kill you, just like someone killed two other kids. Then you can have Sleepyside’s answer to Sherlock Holmes interested in you."

Jim felt Trixie wilt under Molinson’s tirade. Her rubbed her shoulders gently, and spoke.

"Sergeant Molinson, I know you think we’re making something out of nothing, but we really do think something is going on. Could we at least explain our reasons?" When Molinson nodded reluctantly, Jim turned, shut the office door, and motioned Trixie into a seat. She sat there, motionless, as Jim explained how Loyola and Scott had asked them to look into a mystery, and everything that had happened since then. By the time he finished, Trixie looked more normal, and Jim sighed with relief.

"That’s an interesting story, but do you really know anything happened?" Molinson said.

"We think so, but you know something did, so why don’t we end this farce," Jim said. He rubbed the back of his neck.

Across the desk from him, Molinson’s mouth hung open. "What do you mean, I know something did," the sergeant finally said.

"We heard you yelling at the guy from the state police lab," Trixie chimed in. "You know darn well that someone poisoned Loyola and Scott. They didn’t drink too much and die from alcohol poisoning."

"You kids are either going to make the world safe from criminals or drive me batty," Molinson said. "You know more about this case than my detective does. But for heaven’s sake, would you please pretend I made you go home and keep out of this. Lannio’s more dangerous than you know, and I don’t want to be responsible for your lives too."

Author’s note: I promised to explain the mud eventually, and here it is. To recap: Trixie and Jim have just been told by Sgt. Molinson to stay out of the case because Lannio’s dangerous, Brian said there’s too much mud in the wetlands on the Lannio place, Regan thinks he’s in over his head, Jim recently found out his dad was a published author of scientific articles, Hallie’s trying to decide if she should skip freshman year or not, Dan’s mildly ticked off at Regan and Hallie for investigating without him, and Honey’s still pretty scared, but hiding it.

Part 11

Jim opened the station wagon door for Trixie and brushed her cheek with a kiss. After he carefully shut the door behind her, Jim hurried over to his side and got in. He looked over to see Trixie slumped against the seat, frowning.

"What’s wrong?" he asked. "Usually when the sergeant chews us out, it makes you mad. Instead, you look like you’ve lost your best friend."

Trixie bit her lip and looked away. "Jim, I’ve just got a lot on my mind right now," she said. "Could we talk about this later?"

"We can, but don’t think I’m going to forget about this," Jim said. "Before I go home tonight, I’m going to ask you about this again."

Trixie just shrugged.

Back at the farm, Brian had six pairs of eyes watching him intently. Finally, Di spoke.

"Okay, if no one else is willing to look dumb, I will," she said. "What does mud have to do with Loyola and Scott being killed?"

"I was hoping someone would ask," Regan muttered to Dan. "I thought Trixie was the only Belden prone to nonsense."

Dan stifled a chuckle as Brian answered Di’s question. "The mud in the wetlands is rich because there are lots of dead leaves and other plant matter decaying to fertilize it. But Loyola and Scott found lots of sandy soil streaks in the wetlands, particularly near the edge closest to one field."

"I don’t get it," Hallie said. "How could they tell?"

Brian wrinkled his forehead, and opened his mouth. He thought for another minute before speaking.

"It’s kind of complicated, but I’ll give it a shot," he said. "Basically, the soil that’s supposed to be in the wetlands is dark and fine. If you picked it up, it would feel smooth and oozy."

Di wrinkled her nose when Brian said that, but kept listening.

"The sandy soil is lighter, more of a gold color. It’s also a lot grainier, and feels rougher to the touch." He paused to make sure everyone was still following him. "Loyola and Scott could tell it was coming from the direction of that particular field because at the edge closest to that field, the mud had streaks of the sandy soil. The further away they moved, the more the two types blended together."

"Which means what?" Mart asked. "That doesn’t seem like anything worth killing over."

"It probably means someone was digging in or near that field, and the dirt was washing into the wetlands. If Loyola and Scott reported it, Lannio or whoever was digging could face stiff penalties from the state."

"I still don’t get it," Regan said. "What does it all mean? Couldn’t Lannio just have postponed digging until later? Why would he be digging if he was selling the land anyway?"

"You’re assuming Lannio was putting something in," Honey said. "What if he had something he needed to remove before selling the land."

"Like what?" Mart asked, intrigued.

"Loot probably," Dan said. "Didn’t you say they started living on a smaller scale after the city cops came out to investigate?"

"That’s what the paper said," Mart replied.

"I get it!" Di said. "Lannio buried money instead of spending it, and now has to dig it all up before the town buys it and starts digging it up for the new building."

"Makes sense to me," Hallie said. "Only one problem. How do we prove it?"

"If Molinson has his way, we won’t," Trixie said from the doorway.

Everyone in Brian and Mart’s room turned to look at her. Jim looked over her head into the room and explained. "The sergeant told us to stay out of it because Lannio’s dangerous and he doesn’t want us getting hurt."

"Since when do you listen to him?" Mart said.

"I didn’t say I was," Trixie said. "We’re going to have to stop for a while, though. Moms wants us to help with dinner. Everyone’s invited to stay."

The BobWhites and Regan trouped downstairs to help Mrs. Belden with dinner. As they walked in the kitchen, Honey said, "Why don’t we start thinking of ways we can prevent accidents next year, like Mr. Maurer asked?"

"Oh, that’s all taken care of, Honey," Moms said. "Your mother and Mrs. Lynch and I are working on that. In fact, we’re going to Boston tomorrow for the weekend to check out some ideas."

"Well that takes care of that," Brian said. "Is there anything the BobWhites can do to help?"

"We might need help fundraising, but I don’t know," Moms said. "Can I get back to you on that?"

"Sure," Trixie said. "Just let us know what we can do to help."

"Right now you and Hallie can make salad, Regan and the boys can shuck corn and grill hamburgers, and Honey and Di can set the picnic table," Moms said, smiling.

"You sure walked into that one," Mart said, chuckling.

Trixie and Hallie were left alone in the kitchen to make the salad. Hallie turned to her cousin as soon as the back door slammed shut.

"Trix, I have a question to ask you, and I don’t want you to answer until you’ve thought about it."

"Me, talk without thinking? Never."

"I’ll believe it when I see it," Hallie retorted. She then explained what Mr. Stratton had said to her about starting as a sophomore in the fall. "I didn’t even want to think about it unless you were okay with it."

Trixie chewed on her lower lip for a minute as she remembered all the insecurities she used to have about her younger cousin.

"If you want to, do it," she said finally. "I used to be really jealous of you, and probably would have thrown a fit."

"You mean like when you thought I had hidden my suitcase when I came to visit last summer?" Hallie said, smiling.

Exactly," Trixie said. "But you’ve grown on me since then, and I’ve grown up a bit. Besides, it would be kind of cool for all of us to be in the same classes."

Outside, Jim had pulled Regan aside.

"What’s up?" the young groom asked.

"Trixie’s acting odd, and I don’t know what’s bugging her," Jim said. He described her actions after they left the police station.

"Maybe she’s worried about what Molinson said," Regan replied. "It sounds like you know about Lannio’s connections. You guys have solved a lot of tough cases, but even the worst of them hasn’t involved crooks on the level of Lannio. The Mob doesn’t fool around, and they don’t have any mercy, even for girl detectives."

"I hate to say it, but as many times as I’ve tried to get Trixie to be more careful, I hope that’s not it," Jim said. "She seems so not herself, not the same girl who found me, found me again, and made my new life so wonderful."

"You’ve got it bad, don’t you," Regan replied. "I haven’t seen anyone so goofy-eyed over a girl in a long time."

"What can I say," Jim said. "She’s perfect for me. Otherwise I’d never be able to put up with her. I’d die if anything ever happened to her, but I can’t bear to see her upset about not pursuing a mystery."

Dan didn’t notice his uncle’s intense conversation because he was in the middle of his own.

"Mart, do you have a minute?" he asked.

Mart looked at his best friend, whose dark eyes reflected misery. "What’s wrong?"

"I guess I’m still frustrated about today’s ‘detectiving.’ I know I’ve been the odd one out for so long, but I thought it would be different when Hallie got here."

"I hate to say it, but I think you’re blowing this out of proportion," Mart said. "Hallie must have been bored with nothing to do, and I know Brian’s read her and Trixie the riot act about not going anywhere alone until we get this Lannio mess sorted out. Jim and Brian were gone, and the rest of us were in school."

"I know you’re trying to make me feel better, but it’s not helping."

"So why don’t you talk to Hallie about it. She probably doesn’t realize that you’re upset. She’s got a lot to deal with right now, moving across country and landing in the middle of Trixie’s latest mess."

"I suppose what seems normal for us after so many mysteries, does seem odd to her," Dan admitted. "Thanks, Mart. I’ll keep it in mind."

Once Trixie finished making salad, she went outside looking for Honey. Her best friend sat in the shade of a crabapple tree.

"Honey, I think I have a way to catch Lannio, but the guys aren’t going to like it." As she explained her plan, Honey’s eyes opened wide.

"The guys are never going to let you do that," she said. Between my older brother, your older brothers and Regan, they’re going to have a fit. I don’t blame them either."

"Well if you won’t help me, I’ll do it myself," Trixie said. The stubborn set of her jaw convinced Honey that she was serious.

"I didn’t say that," Honey said, backpedaling. "I’m just warning you that they’re not going to like it."

"Well then they’re going to have to deal with that. I got us into this mess, and I’m going to get us out."

Just then, Mrs. Belden called them for dinner.

"We’ll talk about this after dinner. All of us. You’re not going to do this alone," Honey said.

Trixie rolled her eyes, but followed her friend back to the picnic table.

After dinner, everyone headed back up to the boys’ room.

"I think I know what to do solve this case," Trixie said. Honey groaned.

"That doesn’t sound promising," Mart said. "Even your usually stalwart supporter doesn’t seem thrilled about your scheme. I assume you two discussed whatever crazy plan you dreamed up before dinner?"

"Chill, Mart. I want to hear what Trixie has to say," Hallie said.

As Trixie outlined her plan, Jim’s face gradually changed to match his hair. Finally, he could no longer keep quiet.

"You plan on doing all this yourself! Are you crazy?" he said. "You could get yourself killed."

"I’m the one who got us into this mess," Trixie said. "If I didn’t like mysteries so much, Loyola and Scott wouldn’t have turned to me, and we wouldn’t be in any danger from Lannio. So I’m going to take the risks. I’m not going to put you guys in any more danger."

"You’re going to go up against the Mob?" Jim said. "And when he tries to kill you like he did Loyola and Scott, then what? I thought you actually had some sense."

Jim stood up and stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Trixie stared at the door for long minutes while everyone watched to see what she would do. Finally, she ran out of the room and down the hall to her room. She threw herself on her bed, her body shaking with sobs.

When Trixie shuffled into the kitchen the next morning, Mart was buttering toast and Brian was frying bacon. Hallie took one look at her tear-stained cheeks and swollen eyes and handed her a damp dish towel. Trixie took it in silence and sat at the table, uncomfortable in the skirt and blouse she was wearing for Todd and Mark’s funeral that morning.

Her brothers avoided looking at her; Trixie wasn’t surprised. After she ran to her room the night before, she refused to see anyone, even Jim.

When her brothers brought breakfast to the table, Trixie tried to smile, but couldn’t. They ate in silence. The phone rang, shattering the quiet.

"Hello?" Hallie asked. She listened and said yes a few times before hanging up.

"Jim and the others will be by in a few minutes to pick us up," she said to her cousins. "He and Honey figure the church will be mobbed." Brian and Mart nodded, and rushed around, clearing dishes and getting their suit jackets on.

Trixie bit her lip at the thought of seeing Jim. She wasn’t ready to talk to him yet. Just then the station wagon horn tooted from the driveway. The Beldens piled in. Trixie tried to sit in the back, but somehow found herself wedged in next to Jim, with Hallie on her other side.

He looked down at her. Their eyes met, and Trixie saw her misery reflected back in his face.

Jim’s thoughts ran along similar lines. He wanted to reach down and hold her hand, but didn’t.

She’s the one who ran out like that. I should make her make the first move, except she never will. I’m going to have to pin her down after the funeral and find out what’s bugging her.

Without realizing it, Jim and Trixie sighed at the same time. Hallie suppressed a grin and reached her right hand behind the front seat, giving everyone in back a thumb’s-up.

When they reached the church, the other BobWhites managed to get Trixie and Jim sitting together.

Trixie sat stiffly in the pew as organ music filled the cavernous church. She was on autopilot as the pallbearers brought Mark and Todd’s caskets in. Stand, sit, sing.

Trixie looked to her right and saw Dan standing at the end of the pew, his pale face whiter than normal. Hallie wrapped her long fingers around one hand, pulling him close.

I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

Next to Dan, Mart gripped the pew, his fingers stiff with anger. Di watched him worriedly.

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved

Brian had one arm around Honey, as if he were shielding her.

How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Trixie looked left and saw a tear tracing a path among the freckles spotting Jim’s face.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come

She looked down and saw the page of her hymnal had wrinkled spots where her own tears landed and dried. She leaned over and put her small hand on his, their wrists separated only by the bracelet he had given her for her birthday.

Jim pulled his hand away just long enough to wrap one arm around Trixie’s waist and pull her close.

The service passed in a blur until the very end. When Trixie stood as Mark and Todd’s caskets were carried out by members of the football team and baseball team, she realized the handkerchief in her hands was damp with tears.

Trixie looked up to see him staring at the caskets. His body was a solid presence next to her; his mind moved back in time to some other day.

Once the boys’ families had filed out, the Bob-Whites left the church. Throughout the graveside ceremonies, Jim kept his arm around Trixie. By the time the teens returned to Manor House for lunch, the redhead figured her outburst the previous night was forgotten.

The illusion lasted until they started discussing ways to trap Lannio over dessert.

Part 13

"We’re going to have to solve this soon, or Lannio will finish whatever he’s doing and we’ll never prove that he did it," Trixie said.

"Why do you think he’s almost done?" Di asked. "The articles in the paper seem to show that he’s been breaking the law for years. Why would he stop now?"

"It’s just a feeling," Trixie said. She wrinkled her nose and bit her lip as she tried to figure out how to explain. "It doesn’t make sense any other way."

Honey jumped in as her best friend faltered. "Hallie and Regan found out that Lannio was trying to delay the project. He could have stopped it if he wanted to, but he didn’t. That must mean whatever he’s doing has an end in sight."

"Thanks, Honey," Trixie said. "I guess that’s what I was thinking, but I couldn’t put it into words."

"So how do we even know Lannio’s still doing whatever he thinks Loyola and Scott knew about?" Dan said. "He could have finished last night and this whole discussion could be useless."

"So I’ll go check it out," Regan said from the doorway. The BobWhites looked up in surprise. They hadn’t even noticed the young groom come in. "I’ll take Jupe out for a long ride on Glen Road. It won’t look suspicious, and I might be able to tell if anything is still going on. There’s that one section on the far end of the property where I can get a pretty good view of the field by the swamp."

"Sounds good," Brian said. "Maybe by the time you get back, we’ll know what to do."

Regan hurried off to the stable, and the BobWhites resumed their discussion.

"Even if Uncle Bill finds something, I still don’t know what we can do about it," Dan said.

"Don’t say that, Dan Mangan," Trixie said. The words exploded from her mouth, and a flush rose in her freckled cheeks. "If we don’t catch Lannio, he’s going to get away with killing Loyola and Scott."

"What do you mean, if we don’t catch Lannio," Jim retorted. He stood halfway out of his chair and leaned across the table. "I thought I made it clear last night that we weren’t going to have anything to do with catching the guy. If you’re right, the man has already killed at least two people. All we’re going to do is present our suspicions to Sgt. Molinson and let him handle it."

"And I thought I made it clear that you were mistaken," Trixie said. The ice in her voice was enough to make Di shiver as she waited for the inevitable explosion.

"I’m mistaken?" Jim said. "I don’t think so. You gotten in a lot of messes before, and we can’t come to your rescue all the time. Regular mysteries are one thing, but the Mob is something else. If you don’t watch it, you’re going to wind up with a horse’s head in your bed."

Trixie opened her mouth to defend herself, but Di silenced her.

"Enough already," Di said, back in full-fledged Irish warrior princess mode. "You’re both acting like children, and we don’t have time for that. Mart and Dan, take these two to the clubhouse. Lock them in and come back. While they argue, we can do something constructive."

The boys just nodded. Mart grabbed Trixie’s arm and Dan grabbed Jim’s. Trixie wriggled a bit, but soon gave up. Jim tried harder, but all the wood Dan had chopped to heat the cabin in the game preserve had given him stronger muscles than his taller friend.

As the four BobWhites headed for the clubhouse, the others breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks, Di," Hallie said. "I thought one of them was going to throw a punch soon."

"It wouldn’t be the first time Trixie used her fists to get her way," Brian said, smiling. "She decked Mart one time when he told her she couldn’t go exploring with us. Moms grounded her, but she got to listen to Mart explain to everyone at school that he got his black eye from his younger sister."

Di laughed. "I remember that." She paused and thought for a second. "Maybe I shouldn’t have sent them off to work it out. What if they do come to blows?"

"Not likely," Honey said. "Jim yells, but he won’t hit anything unless he has to. He had enough of that living with Jonesy."

They started tossing around ideas, but hadn’t gotten anywhere when Mart and Dan got back.

"They had at least stopped yelling at each other by the time we got them down there," Dan reported. "Maybe by the time they finish this temper tantrum we can figure out a way to catch Lannio."

"No time!" Regan said breathlessly. He stuck his head in the doorway. "Lannio’s almost done with whatever he’s doing. If we don’t get down there now, we’re out of luck." He stopped for a second to breathe, and looked around. "Hey, where are Trixie and Jim."

"We sent them to the playpen for a timeout," Hallie said. "We’re on our own."

The six remaining Bob-Whites and Regan rushed out of Manor House and piled in the station wagon, leaving their co-presidents locked in the clubhouse.

Part 14

As the clubhouse door slammed shut, Trixie and Jim faced each other.

"This is all your fault," they said in unison.

"My fault? Your fault," they said again. Trixie dug her fists into her hips and glared at Jim. Her gaze set off his telltale red face, but his anger pushed it to the color of Mrs. Belden’s crabapple jelly. Jim crossed his arms and stared back.

"Sometimes I don’t know how we all put up with you," he said. "You’re going to get yourself killed one of these days, just like Loyola and Scott did. Do you have any idea what that would do to m-, to everyone?"

"Yes, Loyola and Scott are dead. They’re dead because they thought I could help them," Trixie said. She took a deep breath, gritted her teeth and started yelling. "If I didn’t have this crime-solving reputation that you seem to be so determined to rub in my face, they would have gone to Sgt. Molinson and they’d be alive right now. Like you keep saying, it’s all my fault, and I’m not going to let this guy get away with it. If it weren’t for me, today would be the only funeral we’d have to go to."

"If someone doesn’t knock some sense into you, we’ll be going to your funeral too," Jim said. "Why don’t you think for once?"

Trixie drew back as if she had been slapped, and turned away from Jim. As she forced herself to focus on the woods visible through the clubhouse window, she didn’t notice Jim collapsing into his usual chair.

*     *     *

As Brian peeled out of the driveway headed for the fields behind Lannio’s house, Honey tried to organize some sort of a plan.

"Look, guys, we need to figure something out. I’m not Trixie, and I don’t think on my feet the way she does," she said, exasperated.

"Don’t look at me," Brian said. "I can’t think, drive and stay on the road at the same time."

"Me either," Regan said. "I’m great at following directions, but I couldn’t even figure out a good plan in Saratoga, much less here."

"Why don’t we go with Trixie’s original plan to sneak up on Lannio and take pictures," Dan said.

"Because she planned that for a dark night and it’s the middle of the day," Di said sarcastically. "Besides, we didn’t like her plan when she proposed it, we don’t have a camera and Jim’s probably the only one who could get close enough without alerting Lannio."

"This isn’t helping," Hallie said. "We need to think, not just go running around like a bunch of lemmings looking for a cliff to fall off." She looked around the car at her friends, still dressed in their funeral finery. "We’re not dressed to go crawling through the dirt, Lannio’s probably got an arsenal on his land and we have no idea what we’re looking for."

"For lack of a better suggestion, why don’t we just sneak through the woods, get as close as possible, hope we see something he can be convicted on, then go to Sgt. Molinson and the DA and tell them what we saw," Mart said as Brian pulled off the road near the Lannio farm.

"I can’t think of anything better," Honey admitted. "Come on, let’s go. Spread out, and don’t get caught."

The teens and Regan moved slowly through the woods toward the open field by the swamp.

*     *     *

Trixie stared out the clubhouse window into the woods. Neither she nor Jim had said a word since their initial outburst. She started to turn around for the third time, but stopped herself yet again.

Jim slumped in his chair at the head of the table and watched Trixie’s back. The heaviness in his chest rose as she began turning again, only to drop back down when she stopped for the third time.

He opened his mouth to speak, closed it, and opened it again. Jim thought back to the lecture Dan gave him last month, to the warm fuzzy feeling he had when he and Trixie cuddled after he gave her the birthday present he worked so hard at to show her he accepted her mysteries.

He opened his mouth again to speak, but the vision of Todd and Mark’s caskets in the church this morning intruded. He saw himself walking up to the casket and opening it.

The wooden lid was heavy, but Jim pushed it aside with ease. He looked inside and tried to scream. Only a faint moan came out as he saw the blond curls spilling across the pillow. He tried to look away, but the hook Trixie put into him when she found him at Ten Acres forced him closer. Jim saw her freckles, stark against her lifeless cheeks. Her rosy lips were pale. He thought of the first time they kissed, of all the times after that.

Jim gave himself a light slap on the cheek to bring himself back to reality. He thought his resolve to wait for Trixie to apologize was strong until he looked at her drooping shoulders. His mind drifted ahead to what next year’s prom might be.

The girls were getting ready in Honey’s room. Jim shut his door to muffle the cheerful giggles, then opened it. He watched Trixie dart down the hall in her pale blue bathrobe as Di chased her with a makeup bag. He buried his nose in a book, but when he watched the girls head downstairs in their prom dresses, the "smack himself upside the head" reflex forced him down the hall to watch. He gritted his teeth when he saw Tad Webster kiss Trixie on the check, and thought back one year, to his senior prom. He crept back to his room, but not before giving himself a hard reality slap. "You blew it Frayne," he whispered.

Jim focused on Trixie, still standing by the window. He thought about both daydreams, and made his decision.

"We can’t go on like this," he whispered. "This is going to hurt, but I have to do it."

 

Part 15

Trixie drew in a deep breath, mustered her courage and turned to speak. Before she could, she heard Jim’s voice.

"Trixie, we need to talk."

She twisted her hands together and bit her lower lip. Jim’s freckles stood out starkly from his pale face, and no smile touched his lips. She started toward her usual chair next to him, then hesitated and picked one further away.

"Talk about what?" she asked.

"About us," Jim said. "About you and me and your unerring knack for winding up in the middle of whatever mystery floats through Sleepyside."

He reached out to place a hand on her arm, but Trixie drew back.

"Are you saying you have a problem with my detectiving?" she asked. "Maybe we should stop this discussion right now."

She saw him wince as if slapped, but forced herself to keep her gaze steady.

"That wasn’t what I meant, Trixie," Jim said. "Well, it is in a way, but it’s not."

"You’re starting to sound like me," Trixie said. Despite the fear creeping through her mind, she had to bite her lip to keep from grinning. "Could you explain, in plain English, not me-speak, what you are trying to say?"

While she waited, Trixie tried not to fidget. She didn’t notice her right hand unconsciously fingering the first charm on her birthday bracelet.

Jim inhaled deeply and rushed out his words, as if afraid Trixie would leave before he could have his say.

"I know you’re going to be a detective. You did a great job finding me, and you’ve only gotten better with each case. Heck, even the principal asks you to investigate. I just get scared when I think about what could happen to you. I lost the two most important people in my life a long time ago. I couldn’t bear to lose you too."

Trixie opened her mouth to speak, but Jim kept speaking, the open floodgates past the point of closure.

"I know you say you can take care of yourself, and I swear you must have a whole flock of guardian angels keeping an eye out for you, because nothing seems to hurt you. But I can’t help worrying, and picturing what my life would be like without you. It’s killing me inside every time I try. I can’t even imagine going three or four months without seeing you while I’m away at school."

He took a deep breath, and reached out to cover the restless fingers Trixie kept rubbing against the small ring-enclosed heart on her bracelet. His long fingers traced the fine lines around her knuckles, then reached under to caress her palm.

"But what would hurt more is pushing you away, and knowing I had turned my back on the woman who made me human again. Trixie, I promise to try not to act like such an overprotective idiot. Please, forgive me."

Trixie turned her hand to clasp his and pulled him close. She wrapped her arms around him, burying her curly head in his shoulder. They held each other close, blocking out the world for eternal minutes.

Finally, Trixie lifted her head and looked Jim in the eye. "I only forgive you on one condition," she said. She watched his green eyes gaze at her, boring into her soul, and put him out of his misery.

Author's notes: I'm done!  Thanks to Eric for his help planning the ending the BWGs didn't want to use. Thanks to Mary and Kyrie for talking me through some of the tough sections. Most of all, thanks to everyone who read it and commented on it and to Zap who makes all of this possible.

Part 16

"You have to forgive me for being so stubborn," Trixie said.

Jim's sigh of relief was so deep he almost collapsed across the table.

Trixie grinned. "What did you expect me to say?" she asked.

"I have no idea, but I was afraid you were going to make me watch Bobby for you or something to make up for being such an idiot," he said, grinning ruefully. He pulled her close again and held her tight. Her blonde curls tickled his nose.

"So now what do we do?" she said, still nestled against his shoulder. He looked down and smiled.

"Well, I guess we're stuck here until Di lets Mart and Dan unlock the door," he said. He rolled one shoulder stiffly. "Dan's gotten a lot stronger than I thought. I'll have to remember that."

"Why? Are you planning on arm wrestling him?" Trixie smiled. She motioned for him to sit down, stood behind him and started massaging his neck and shoulders.

"That feels great," Jim said. "No, I'm not planning anything. I just realized Dan's probably in better shape than any of us. We're active, but none of us really work out."

"Are you suggesting we should?" Trixie kneaded as she listened.

"It might not be a bad idea. Dad's been talking about making a real exercise room up at Manor House." Jim chuckled. "The last time he tried on his tuxedo, he noticed the pants were getting a little snug."

"It does sound good," Trixie said. "I can always stand to lose a little weight."

Jim reached up and stilled her hands. He tipped his head back so he could see her face, even if it was upside down. "You look gorgeous just the way you are. I just want you to stay that way." Before she could object, he continued. "I also have another birthday gift for you."

Trixie raised her eyebrows. "The bracelet wasn't enough?"

"I'd like to give you either judo, kick-boxing or karate classes," he said.

"You'll need them when you and Honey open your detective agency, and it will make me feel better. Besides, then you can threaten to take things outside the next time Mart decides to be a pain." He laughed at the idea.

"Yeah, he'll love that," Trixie said, smiling. "Maybe then Brian will stop worrying so much as well. He's been grumbling about what messes Honey and will get ourselves into while you two are away."

"He's more concerned about being 1,500 miles away from Honey than anything else," Jim said. "I don't blame him. It's going to be a long three months until Thanksgiving."

Trixie turned away. "Don't even bring it up," she said. "We've still got most of June, all of July and half of August."

They sat in silence for a minute. Finally, Jim spoke. "Let's worry about that later. Right now, I want to get out of here."

"You don't suppose they headed off to stop Lannio without us, do you," Trixie asked. "What if Regan came back with big news. We could be here for a while."

"If we had a phone down here, we could call up, but we don't."

"What if we climbed out a window," Trixie said. "Those aren't locked."

So they opened the front window, and were soon headed up the hill to Manor House. When they got there, Celia was just cleaning up the dining room table.

"There you are," she said. "I was cleaning the upstairs, and I came down to find this mess. What happened?"

Trixie and Jim simultaneously looked at each other. "Regan must have found something," Jim said.

"We'd better get down there. They might need reinforcements," Trixie added.

They rushed out, leaving Celia standing in the dining room, none of her questions answered.

Jim grabbed his ten-speed from the bike rack and motioned for Trixie to take Honey's bike. They pedaled frantically down Glen Road toward Lannio's farm. They were still a couple of miles away when they saw the station wagon careening down the road toward them.

"Get off the road, quick," Jim said. "We don't want whoever's chasing them to see us too."

They waited in the woods by the side of the road until the station wagon passed. They waited for another car to come, but nothing happened.

Trixie looked at Jim. "Maybe they aren't being chased. Maybe they're going to call the police."

Jim shrugged. "At this point, who knows what they're up to. Let's go see. They're probably headed back to either Manor House or the farm."

They moved back into the road and quickly pedaled back. Jim and Trixie found the Bob-Whites sitting silently in the kitchen at Crabapple Farm.

When they walked in the door, Di clapped her hand to her head. "I knew I forgot something!"

"How did you two get out?" Brian asked. "I thought the clubhouse lock was Trixie-proof."

"Window," Jim said. "What's wrong? You guys could have been killed, driving like that."

Honey groaned, Hallie pounded the table and Regan tried to explain."Well, I saw Lannio starting to fill in some of the holes on his land while I was out on Jupe, so I rushed back to Manor House."

"Mart and Dan had just gotten back from locking you two in when Regan rushed in telling us we had no time to think of a solution, and we ran off like a bunch of lemmings," Hallie said.

"No plan, no ideas, no nothing," Dan said.

"We got there and Lannio was still working with a couple of his henchmen," Mart said melodramatically.

"So we snuck up to the end of the field and eavesdropped," Honey said. "We heard enough to figure out something illegal was going on."

"Unfortunately, we didn't hear anything we could take to Sgt. Molinson, and while we were waiting for him to say something more incriminating, one of his guys found us," Di said.

Trixie and Jim gasped, and Brian continued. "He was very careful not to say anything we could take to the police, but he  basically implied that unless we took off and promised not to breathe a word  of this to anyone, Bobby, Larry, Terry, Sandy and Mandy would have some  unpleasant experiences."

"He wouldn't," Jim said.

"Oh yes he would," Regan retorted. "I know you guys are better than the Mounties at getting your man, but this is one time you need to back off."

Trixie was about to protest, but stopped when she saw the photos on the refrigerator door.

Bobby, Larry and Terry smiled as they proudly displayed the antique show handbills they were delivering. The BobWhites and their younger brothers and   sisters screamed as Mrs. Belden hosed them off after splashing in the mud   during a rainstorm. Bobby and Reddy wrestled in the living room.

She thought about the expression on Jim's face as he waited for her to forgive him in the clubhouse, and realized what he must feel like when she   raced off into another dangerous mystery. Trixie sighed. "I guess you're right, Regan, at least for now," she said quietly.

"What!" everyone exclaimed.

"Not that we don't agree with you, but since when did you accept somebody saying no without an argument," Mart asked.

"Don't think I'm giving up," Trixie said. "Lannio deserves to be caught, and I'm going to keep an eye on him. But it isn't fair to put Bobby and the twins in danger.

"We could always make catching him our senior project in college," Honey said, grinning weakly.

Epilogue

After all of the Bob-Whites had left, Hallie and Trixie sat in the kitchen.

"I'm proud of you, Trixie," her cousin said. "That took a lot of courage to do what you did today."

"What do you mean, courage," Trixie said. "Courage would have been catching Lannio. I just gave up."

"You did not give up, and I don't want to hear you say that again," Hallie said. She stood up and walked around the room. After a minute, she turned to face Trixie. "Catching Lannio right now would have been stupid. He and all his associates know we're interested in him. Catching him would just turn the wrath of the Mob on our families, who really are innocent of all this. Auntie Helen doesn't even know what's going on."

"I guess," Trixie said, unconvinced.

"I know," Hallie said. "You always pursue everything until it's finished. That's a rare quality. But because of it, you hate leaving something undone."

"Except dusting," Trixie quipped.

"Well, yeah, but you know what I mean. When it comes to the really important stuff, you're there until the bitter end. It took a lot of courage to admit that this was something you aren't ready for. I know you will be someday, and I think Lannio's in big trouble when you and Honey get some more experience. But that's for someday."

"I suppose," Trixie said. "I mean, I know I can't save the world. I just hate leaving Loyola and Scott dead without being able to put their killer in jail."

"You won't do them any good if you're dead, which is what could happen. And if Lannio killed Bobby or one of the twins, we'd all be unable to live with ourselves," Hallie said.

They sighed. The room was silent until the phone rang. Hallie reached her long arm over to a answer it.

"Hello. Oh, hi, Auntie. I'm glad to hear that. No, we're fine. I'll tell everyone. We'll see you Sunday." She hung up the phone. "That was your mom. She and Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Lynch made it to Massachusetts safely, and they'll be back in a couple of days. I figured she didn't need to know about all our adventures, at least until later."

"Sounds good to me," Trixie said. "She always tells me she would have even more gray hair if she knew what I was doing before it happened, rather than finding out after everything's over."

The End

Author's notes: I know, this isn't a wonderful triumph for Trixie and crew. What can I say; life isn't always perfect. There is a method to my madness, but you'll have to wait and see what's going to happen with good old Wolfgang and his henchmen. But now, on to a new adventure and another trip for the BWGs in "That's Amore."

Trixie Belden Fan Fiction