Chapter 8

The huge guy dragged Honey and Trixie up the front steps of the old house. Trixie struggled and tried to pull her arm away with all her might. She tried to kick him and she jerked and twisted, but all to no avail. The man kicked the door in and to Trixie's surprise, gently sat both of the girls on the couch. Trixie looked around in amazement. The room was filled with what looked to Trixie's untrained eye like surveillance equipment. And on the inside, the house was remodeled and looked very pleasant, like a combination office/home. Trixie no longer felt afraid. She thought she knew what was going on.

"Who are you?" Trixie asked looking the big guy in the eye. "And why have you been following me?" At that moment, what was probably a bedroom door opened and another young, handsome guy joined them in the living room.

"Would you like to tell them or should I?" he asked the larger guy. The big guy, all dressed in black, reached into his vest pocket. Both Honey and Trixie flinched and jumped backward on the couch, expecting him to pull a gun. Instead he pulled out a badge and ID card. "Vince Roberts, FBI," he said nonchalantly, while taking a chair.

The other guy also pulled out a badge and introduced himself, smiling. "And his faithful sidekick, Cody Atkinson."

"You've nearly scared me to death," Trixie stated.

"And for that, we're sorry," said Vince. "We meant for you never to lay eyes on us, but we underestimated how word gets around in a small town, especially if your father works at the only bank in town. And, you spotted me a couple of times when you weren't supposed to."

"So, why are you watching her?" Honey asked, finally finding her voice.

"Well, it's like this. You have made a very powerful enemy," he stated, looking pointedly at Trixie.

Thoughts of all kinds of people went through Trixie's mind. She and Honey had solved a lot of cases and had been responsible for putting more than a few people behind bars.

"Who?" she finally asked.

"A man by the name of Pierre Lontard."

With that, both girls shivered. They had had some close calls, but in Trixie's mind, that was the closest to death she and Honey had ever came. Both she and Honey's minds went back to that shack on the Mississippi river, where they were tied up overnight and would've been killed if not for the other Bob-Whites.

"He has vowed to a cellmate of his to come after you," continued Vince. "When you helped him to get caught, he was sent to jail and it cost him the opportunity to make millions. And he also claims to have ties to organized crime here in America, but we've yet to confirm that."

"But, he's still in jail, isn't he?" Trixie asked. "He escaped last month. So, we're watching you to see if he shows up around these parts and/or to see if the big boys from the crime syndicate send in any of their thugs."

Trixie wondered if the FBI had overreacted. But, of course, she didn't say so.

"What would happen if Pierre Lontard does prove to have ties to organized crime?" Honey asked. "I mean, how would you protect Trixie in that case?"

"Oh, she and her family would have to go into Witness Protection."

"Oh, that would be awful!" Trixie exclaimed. "I'd hate to leave my friends and school and our home for months."

"Oh it would be longer than a few months." Cody interjected. "It might be forever. Sometimes, people never get to return home. I know that's sad, but better that than to lose your life."

Oh my gosh, Trixie thought. "What if we had to leave Crabapple Farm, and my best friends in all the world and Jim? I don't think I could bear it.

"Is there a way to avoid that?" she asked.

"Well, we want to avoid that as much as you do," said Cody. "For one thing, there are so many budget cuts and it costs us money to move a family and the other, the family takes a long time to recover financially and emotionally from such a situation. So, we're going to avoid it if at all possible. You can help us by being careful and if you see or hear anyone or anything suspicious, let us know right away. Don't try to deal with it on your own. If you do, you may never be seen again." Both girls took in what he was saying very seriously. "But, also try to live your normal life. Don't take unnecessary chances, but don't stop living either."

"Well, I feel a lot better knowing you guys are watching out for us," said Trixie.

"So, do I," said Honey.

"Well, it won't always be us," said Cody. "But until we catch Pierre and confirm who he's connected with, our agents will be in Sleepyside watching. And, one more thing. I'd appreciate it if this conversation and what we're doing here remain quiet. If possible, I'd like to ask you not to even tell your parents."

"Oh, that's no problem for me," Trixie stated. "I know my parents would never let me out of their sight if they got wind about this and they're strict enough as it is."

"I don't want to tell mine either, I don't know how Mom and Dad would react," Honey said. "But, it wouldn't be good."

With that, both girls stood to leave. "Remember, just be careful," Vince told them, as they were walking out the door.

The girls silently got on their horses and rode away. Both were quiet as they arrived back at the stables. What they had heard was very sobering.