Chapter Five
“It’s not like Trixie to
miss a meal,” Mart frowned. Honey looked at him oddly. “Something’s happened,” she murmured. The boys and Di looked at her. “Your instincts we don’t question, Honey,” Brian said quietly. There was a knock
on the door and a young blonde boy about sixteen, Todd Sanders, poked his head in. “Sir, Wesley wasn’t at lunch and no one has seen him since this afternoon. One of the others said he was mumbling about going off to the forest, but he knows not to miss supper.” Jim frowned. His heart was racing at the thought of Trixie gone missing. “Thank you Todd. Gather the boys, please. Mart, gather the staff.” “What-“ Honey started. “We have fifty acres to search,” Jim said grimly. “And not much light. Trixie and I had a slight disagreement this morning but even her temper wouldn’t keep her from Mart’s stuffed herbed chicken. And if Honey thinks something’s wrong, then it is.” *** The buildings had been searched, followed by the stables, the lake house, and the outer laying woods. Jim called everyone back. “There’s not much more we can do tonight. You boys go on to bed. I’m headed out into the deeper woods. I know those trails better than anyone else.” “Trixie wouldn’t go roaming in the snow covered woods!” Honey shook her head. “Not of her own volition,” Jim sighed. “Anyone who wants to come is welcome.” Of course the Bob Whites volunteered, as well as Peg Nickson and Danny Masters. Jim ordered the others to stay put and make sure the boys didn’t get up and wander around. They met in the kitchen. “Mart, take Brian and Honey on the east trail. Danny, you and Peg-“ “Did you hear that?” Honey interrupted. Jim looked at her funnily. “Hear what?” “Listen!” *** Trixie groaned and opened her eyes. After blinking a few times, her vision cleared and she saw a concerned young face hovering over her. “Miss Trixie, are you all right?” the boy asked. “I-I thinks so. What happened?” He helped her sit up and the room spun. “Someone snaked you, left you here. They locked us in so until someone comes looking for us, which could be a couple days, we’re kind of stuck,” Wesley said. Trixie closed her eyes for a minute. “Anything broken?” “Nah, I’ve taken a lot worse,” she smiled weakly. “Just dizzy. Have you tried yelling for help?” “No, this cellar is pretty much sound proof. It’s set up big enough and strong enough that should a hurricane ever come through, we can all hide down here. Miss Diana keeps all the canned stuff down here but it creeps her out, so she tries to get everything she thinks she’ll need in one trip.” “Hmmm,” Trixie glanced up. The walls were thick; shouting wouldn’t do much good. “Wes, we’re under the kitchen, aren’t we?” “Yes, ma’am.” “Can you whistle?” “Yes but what-“ “There’s a special bird whistle Jim taught me years ago. We’re going to use it, as high pitched as we possibly can. If I’m right about the way that roof is constructed, a high pitched noise might be heard.” Trixie put her fingers to her lips and blew. Bob White! Bob White! *** Honey gripped Brian’s arm. “It’s Trixie!” “The old bird call!” Jim exclaimed. They listened. “It sounds muffled. She’s trapped somewhere!” Brian said. Diana gasped. “The root cellar! Did anyone look there?” Jim was already on his way. The found the door barred and quickly unjammed it, throwing open the door. “Trixie!” he shouted. “We’re down here!” Jim leaped the last three steps and ran towards the light. Wesley sat next to Trixie, who was leaning against the boy, looking pale. “Trix!” Jim dropped to his knees and gathered her against him. It wasn’t the first time he had done this, and he held her tightly, smoothing her hair and whispering to her. The brothers caught up first. “She’s ok. Someone knocked her out, then I came down here and we got locked in. She was out for a couple hours, you should probably look at her,” Wesley said to Brian, “she’s got a big knot on the back of her head.” “If Jim will let go of her,” Brian said with a smile. “That might not be a good idea. She got real dizzy sitting up,” Wesley said. “I can carry her,” Jim shifted his arms to scoop her up and got to his feet. “I can walk,” Trixie said weakly. “No,” answered the three men. *** “Mild concussion for sure,” Brian announced. “Trix, you need to take it easy for a couple of days.” Trixie sighed. “Add this to the list,” she said to Honey, who nodded. “I mean it Trix. No running around,” Brian said sternly. When Trixie was finally alone with Honey she saw her friend’s sly smile. “What?” “You should have seen Jim,” she laughed. “He was about to comb the outer woods trails by himself to find you. It was great, watching him assemble the search teams.” “The last thing he needs is one of the investors finding out about a missing detective and student.” “Oh please. You know he was worried to death over you.” Trixie shook her head, and then moaned in pain. “He said all kinds of crazy nonsense when he first found me.” “Like?” “Stupid stuff. He couldn’t lose me again, he loved me, and he was so scared. Mushy stuff,” Trixie said dismissively. “Yeah mushy stuff you both used to say to each other,” Honey laughed. “Give it up Trix. You two still love each other.” In a rare moment of stunned silence for her best friend, Honey slipped out the door. *** Trixie had drifted off to sleep when she heard her door open just a crack. “Who’s there?” she demanded. “Just me,” Jim slipped through the door and shut it behind him. “I wanted to check on you before I turned in.” “At midnight?” she asked, annoyed. She was propped up in bed, and pale. There was enough moonlight to flood the room so he could see her. “I couldn’t sleep. Is it all right if I come check on one of my guests?” “I apologize,” she said, stiffly. “I shouldn’t be so rude.” Jim sat on the edge of the bed. “You scared the hell out of me Trix.” “Yes, well, you know I love being conked in the head,” was the reply, and then she looked remorseful. He half smiled at her. “I meant what I said.” “Said when?” she asked vaguely. “When we found you.” “I don’t remember,” she lied. He shook his head and got up. “I shouldn’t have come in here. I’ll go.” Trixie bit her lip and got up, swooning as she did so while the world spun around her. Jim dashed back to her side, catching her. “Silly, Brian told you to stay in bed,” he chided her. “I didn’t want you to leave angry,” she closed her eyes and leaned against him for support. Feeling guilty for taking advantage of the situation he held her gently so she wouldn’t fall over. One arm was draped over his shoulder and he eased her back onto the bed. “Trix-“ She looked up at him and whatever he was going to say went out of his head as she kissed him. Not a brotherly peck but a full on, lip locking kiss. Jim gentley eased her onto the bed, more than ready to lose himself in her. “I love you Trixie,” he whispered, moments later, marveling at the feel of their bodies pressed together. Trixie bit her lip. “Jim-“ “I do. Even if you don’t love me anymore, I’ve always loved you Trix. I tried dating other women but no one matched up to you.” Trixie tried to shift her position but the twin bed wasn’t exactly conducive to two people lying side by side. His lips kissed all over her face, ears and neck. “Jim you need to go,” she whispered. “Let’s move to my room, my bed is much bigger.” “Jim, get off me,” her voice was stronger. He leaned up on his arms, studying her. “What’s wrong?” he asked. Her blue eyes were glittering with tears. “This shouldn’t have happened.” “I don’t regret it Trixie,” he shook his head. “Not at all.” “I do,” she forced the words out and the knife struck home. Jim looked as she had just slammed it into his heart. “You-what?" he managed to get to his feet, staring at her in shock. “Trix-“ “Jim, leave. Now. This can’t
happen again. Ever.” Jim, stunned into silence, slid into his sweatpants and left without another word. Tears leaked from Trixie’s blue eyes. She wouldn’t allow a relationship like Honey and Brian, where they saw each other a few times a year, re-consummated their affection, then went their separate ways and Honey would casually date until she saw him again. She couldn’t do it. She was an all or nothing girl and Jim had made it clear years ago that it couldn’t be all. Trixie curled up on her side as her head began to throb. Jim had been so gently, so loving, being careful to cause her any more physical pain. His naked body was still beautiful, strong and masculine, and for the few minutes they were joined together, everything was right in the world. Once it was over, she knew she was lost to him. She would never love another man the way she loved him, and she didn’t want to try. So she made him leave. Her eyes popped open when she realized they hadn’t used a condom, and she wasn’t on birth control. Mouth gone dry, she reached for her water glass. Dear God, that would have been a cruel, cruel joke. Finally she fell into a tormented sleep. *** Jim let the hot water run over him as he leaned against the wall of the shower, tears mingling with the water. He hadn’t intended to make love to her when he went to her room. Just talk. But when she looked up at him, pressed her lip against his and he felt the old rush of heat come up, he lost control of all rationale, as he always had when it came to her. Finally he shut the water off and found a clean pair of sweatpants. The blow to her head could have killed her, had it been another half inch to the right, Brian confided later to him. Pulling on a thermal shirt, he sat down at this desk. Opening a file he reread the offer. A group of private citizens was offering a healthy sum to buy the land. They wanted to expand the school into a ‘brat camp’. More and more parents were turning to other people to discipline their kids. This was some sort of outreach program connected to the military. Jim had dismissed the original offer but now he looked back over it. His dream was dying. The investors were getting antsy with the accidents and dwindling number of students. But what would he do? This had always been his dream, ever since he ran from Jonesy and met Trixie and Honey. It had cost him Trixie all those years ago. He hadn’t seen much of his family. Of course the Beldens were family to him, but still…they didn’t get to see their parents much either. And the argument he had overheard between Mart and Diana about having a family. Mart wouldn’t have time to devote to his own child because he did so much around here for Jim. Maybe he was being super selfish, having the school out here. Would it really be so bad to use the Manor House land, and Ten Acres? It was his land; his adopted father Matthew had almost begged him to use the land. It had everything they needed and was close to home. But Jim’s stubbornness won out. He wanted something more isolated from streets and weapons. Rubbing his temples, Jim finally rose and went to bed. *** Trixie had reached Dan in time, who agreed to bring three new alternators. Luckily he knew how to change them out, as opposed to the horse loving men of the Great Outdoors School of Learning. *** Trixie was playing pinochle with Honey. Brian had limited her movement and her head still throbbed dully. She hadn’t told Honey about last night, but she suspected her friend knew. This morning had been a long shower as she tried to wash his scent off of her, and not remember the way he tenderly made love to her. Trixie was cut off by the vision of headlights coming down the road. “Dan!” “Dan? Dan’s-“ “Dan’s here!” she said excitedly, dashing out into the Vermont cold without her jacket on. Jim felt his chest tightened. Honey insisted Dan and Trixie were only friends, but the way Trixie’s face had just lit up said a whole lot more. Trixie hugged Dan enthusiastically when he got out of the black SUV. Dan would help her solve this case; she knew it. “Well, that’s unexpected,” he laughed. He had just had dinner with them a week ago. “The mystery has deepened,” she whispered, blue eyes glowing. “I’m so glad you’re here! There’s something not quite adding up-“ “Hold on there, Moll Dick. Let me get settled and say hello.” Trixie waited impatiently for Dan to get through greetings and hugs. She didn’t notice Jim’s somewhat cool greeting to Dan, but Dan did, and he frowned slightly. The brothers were delighted to see him, especially his best friend Mart, as was Diana. He was introduced to the students amidst Mart’s bragging about him being a top-notch inspector for the NYPD. Honey noted Peg’s interest immediately, the way she perked up, and studied Dan. Dan was a looker, she admitted, especially with his bad boy charm, and she wondered what he would think of Wesley. Dan kept in shape, lean and toned, but his black eyes didn’t miss a thing, and she knew he was studying each person he came in contact with. Peg said hello shyly, then pulled back. Bad case of the Dan hots, Honey thought with amusement. Good, get her attention off of Jim. After introductions were made, Trixie was chomping at the bit to get him upstairs to discuss the case. Diana insisted on coffee first, and cookies, which led to stories about some of the thugs Dan had caught, which held the boys enchanted for a couple of hours. Trixie was ready to tear her hair out. “Settle down,” Jim hissed to her. “Can’t you wait a little while before you drag your boyfriend upstairs for a quickie?” Trixie was stunned, then realized what Jim was thinking. Let him, she thought, it would keep him at bay. “My relationship with Dan is none of your business,” she said coolly. “He always makes time for me.” Walking away she didn’t see the agonized look on his face as he slipped out of the room. *** For once in his life, Jim wished he drank. Somewhere there was maybe a very old bottle of scotch, but otherwise there was no alcohol on site. Every so often Diana bought something for cooking. Sitting at his desk, Jim wished for the painless oblivion of being so drunk he wouldn’t know his own name. Trixie and Dan. Trixie obviously hadn’t told Honey or she would have told him. Trixie had pretty much thrown it in his face. For one wild moment the thought about cornering Dan, bragging that Trixie had given in to his kiss twice in the last few days, and they had made love last night, her body responding to his in turn, matching every bit of intensity and passion, how she moaned with pleasure at his kiss, the orgasmic cry elicited then nixed the idea. Dan didn’t deserve that, nor Trixie. Dan was a good guy, an old friend. It wasn’t his fault he fell in love with Trixie. Who wouldn’t? They hadn’t used a condom; he had realized when she made him leave. He almost wished she were pregnant. Then she’d have to allow him into her life. She was the only woman he wanted children with anyway. Then he almost laughed. Trixie Belden, pressured into allowing him around? Not a chance. She was the original rule breaker, the one who refused to back down. It was late when he heard people to going to bed. Was Dan in his room, he wondered? The twin-sized bed in either wasn’t comfortable for two, to which he could attest. Wandering the hall, he couldn’t help but glance at Dan’s room and realize it was dark. Trixie’s light was on, no surprise, and Jim lingered outside, wishing he could barge in, throw her over his shoulder and escape through the window. Instead, he listened, realizing the door wasn’t closed all the way. Guilt lay heavily on him. “It’s been rough,” he heard Trixie say softly. A quick glance through the crack of the door and his heart plummeted. Dan stood holding Trixie tenderly
, like any good lover should. Arms around each other tightly, her head nestled against his shoulder. Jim stepped back, closing his eyes. He would forever see that image. Defeated, he slipped back to his room. “When do the last test results come in?” Dan asked quietly. “Next week. If the cancer isn’t in remission, Honey is going to have to tell the Family. The boys already suspect, especially Brian and Jim.” “They’re smart guys. Not to mention Brian is bound to notice, given the nature of their relationship,” he smiled. Trixie chuckled. “Yeah. You can’t drop thirty pounds you needed to begin with and not have the guy you’re sleeping with notice,” she finally pulled away and they sat on the edge of the bed. “How are you?” he asked. “You were pretty apprehensive about coming out here.” “I’m all right,” she sighed. “Jim seems to want to get back together,” Dan’s heart sunk, “but only while I’m here. He won’t give the school up and why should he? It’s his dream. I told him I won’t settle for what Brian and Honey have, and that he made it very clear, years ago, that we don’t have a future together,” she sighed. Dan rubbed her back. “I’m sorry,” he said, finally. “For?” “If I thought I could fill that big huge hole in the middle of your heart, I would do it in a heartbeat.” Trixie shook her head. “You have your own place in my heart Dan. And I wouldn’t trade what we have for anything in the world,” she smiled at him softly but he didn’t dare kiss her. He had done that once, and the rejection was obvious when he woke a few hours later, tucked under a blanket on her sofa. He had settled for kissing her on the cheek at midnight of New Years Eve, when he kissed Honey too. “Have you thought anymore about our offer?” she asked. He nodded slowly. “I’m still not sure.” “We decided we could change the name to Belden Wheeler Mangan,” she laughed. “You’d be a full partner, all the help you give us.” Dan laughed. “I’ll give you an answer by New Years, I promise,” he smiled. “Definitely a salary increase,” she grinned. Laughing he stood. “Talk about incentive. Listen, I’m gonna catch some sleep,” kissing her on the cheek, he went to his own room. Trixie watched him, almost wishing she could love him; he was such a good man. *** Dan spent most of the day roaming the grounds, chatting with students and teachers and enduring Mart’s ribbing about Peg Nickson. “She never gets all shy and fumbly, except when Jim’s around,” he laughed. Dan just smiled. “Not my type. Nice enough though.” And his prime suspect. Even such a weak motive. . .she bugged Dan. He poured over all the teacher files, particularly hers, memorizing details. Born in Sarasota, New York. Educated. Kept to herself, according to the others. Why would an attractive, intelligent woman isolate herself out here in the mountains at a boy’s school? There were other women teachers when school was in session, but she lived on site. Must put a serious cramp in her dating style. Which led back to her motivation for the accidents. A crush on Jim was stretching it thin, he thought, very thin. No wonder Trixie was frustrated, he thought, studying her flow charts. Dead ends everywhere. Their perp was smart. No evidence. Knew enough about cars to disable several. Strong enough to drag all that riding equipment from the stable to the lake house, about a quarter mile. Realizing it was a chauvinistic thought, he was more inclined to think it was one of the male teachers. No one had disappeared suddenly, not counting Trixie and the boy in the cellar. One look at Wesley and Dan dropped him as a suspect. Not only was it foolish to have set himself up to fall through cracked ice, the boy was hurting. he tough guy facade was one Dan knew all too well. Dan picked up the phone and sighed when he realized there was no signal. Reaching for a notepad he began to write a series of questions. Once he could get through to his buddies at the precinct, he was going to get some answers on a few of these people. *** “Damn these phone lines!” Trixie slammed the phone down. “No one has been able to get through!” Honey frowned. “That’s kind of odd. Jim and I talk at least once a week.” “Think the lines have been cut?” Trixie asked. Honey shrugged. “Let’s find out.” The phones were fine, they discovered, maybe a little loose. They headed back inside. *** Honey lay snuggled into Brian’s embrace. His even breathing let her know he was sound asleep. He never seemed to have trouble sleeping, she thought. But he never fell asleep right after lovemaking. He always held her; they talked, touched, and took advantage of every moment together. Honey also knew him very well. He was still suspicious of her weight loss. She hated that her pelvic bones stuck out so much now. Slipping out of the bed, she pulled on her robe and wandered towards the window. If only. If only Jim had never started this school. If only Brian had never agreed to be the residential doctor. If only she hadn’t developed cancer this year. If only, if only, if only. “Too many ifs,” she murmured. “Honey?” Brian asked sleepily. She hurried back to the bed. “I’m here.” “Come back to bed,” he tugged at her hand. Slipping off the silky robe, she curled her body into his, grateful for the safe feel of his strong arms. *** Dan was standing outside, surveying the land when he heard someone come outside with him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw it was Jim, who wasn’t looking his usual cheerful self. Though Dan could hardly blame him. “It really is gorgeous out here,” he said. Jim nodded. “Yeah. Sorry I was a dick last night.” “No prob. You got a lot on your mind. Kinda surprised me though.” “I know. It was really rude of me. It’s just. . .you know with everything going on, to find out about you two-“ “Us two? What us two?” Dan asked, perplexed. “You and Trixie. Obviously Honey doesn’t know, or she would have told me, but I’ll keep quiet. You can announce it on your own.” “Jim Frayne, have you lost your mind? What the hell are you talking about?” Dan stared at him. “Me and Trixie?” “She admitted last night you two have been seeing each other,” Jim snapped. Technically, that wasn’t what she said, but close enough. Dan burst into laughter. “Jim, if she told you that, then you did something to rankle her. Trixie and I aren’t dating. Never have. never will. She’s made it crystal clear, she thinks of me as another brother.” Jim’s mouth dropped open. “What exactly did she say?” Dan asked, still laughing. Jim shook his head. “It was more of an implication,” he admitted. Dan shook his head. “Oh boy. More than likely she wanted you to irritate you.” Jim nodded. “What a dope I am.” “Nah, just a lovesick fool,” Dan grinned. Jim flushed red. “C’mon buddy, we all know.” Jim stared at the ground. “Tell you what,” Dan grinned. “Let me handle little Moll Dick. I’ll make sure she regrets making you think we have something going.” “What are you planning?” Jim asked suspiciously. “Remember she fooled all of you into thinking she had that thing for Honey’s cousin?” Dan had heard about Trixie’s overnight morphing into an attempt to be more ladylike from her tomboyish thirteen year old self. It had been a grand plan, to help Brian get his first car. Trixie had almost blown it more than once with her tomboyish manners and little brother Bobby’s mischievous six year old fingers. “Yeah. . .” Dan grinned wickedly. “I’ll have some fun with her.”
Author’s Notes
-a huge thank you to Dana, my editor, for her dedication and reassuring me!
-word count 4,205
|