A while later, Honey pulled in the driveway at Crabapple Farm. Jim stared at the house. Questions would be thrown at him as soon as he walked through the door. He wished he had some answers.
“Jim, are you ready to go in?”
Jim looked at his sister. “Yeah.”
They climbed out of the car and made their way toward the kitchen. Honey opened the door and they were greeted with the smell of food cooking. Jim felt as if he was going to be sick.
“Hi, Moms,” Honey said as she closed the door behind them.
Helen “Moms” Belden turned to face them. “Honey! Jim!”
Helen hurried toward him and pulled him into her arms. Jim wanted to break down, but knew he needed to be strong. He leaned back and looked at her.
“Any word?” Helen asked.
Jim looked past her and saw Peter Belden step into the kitchen with 17-year-old Bobby.
“No word yet,” Jim answered.
“Let’s sit down,” Helen suggested as she guided him to the table.
Once seated, Honey explained what had gone on at the precinct and that the police were going all out to find Trixie and Dan.
“They said they would keep us posted,” Honey said.
“Where’s Katje?” Jim asked when she finished. He needed to see their daughter.
“In the guest room with Petey,” Helen said. “They were napping together.”
“Excuse me,” Jim said, getting to his feet and moving to the guest room.
Quietly pushing the door open, he saw Petey and Katje on the bed together. Moving closer to the bed, he saw Petey had his head on Katje’s arm. Jim kneeled on the floor beside the bed and reached for Katje. He gently brushed her red hair back from her forehead without waking her.
“Sweetie, I know you are probably wondering where your Mommy is, but we are trying to find her. I promise you, sweetie, we will get her back and we will be together like we’re supposed to be.”
“Yes, you will,” a female voice said behind him.
Jim turned and saw Helen standing in the doorway.
“Moms, I’m sorry for leaving the kitchen abruptly.”
“It’s all right.” Helen moved into the room and sat down in the chair beside the bed. She looked at Katje as she put her hand on Jim’s shoulder. “Jim, I want you to be honest with me. How are you holding up?”
Jim closed his eyes and swallowed. He wasn’t sure he could control his emotions. He felt Helen keel on the floor beside him and wrap her arm around his shoulder.
“Trixie will be found,” Helen said. “She will come back to us.”
“But there’s been no word,” Jim mumbled.
“You have to have hope and faith, Jim. You know she is a strong and determined woman. Nothing will keep her from coming back to the people she loves the most in the world: you and Katje.”
“Moms, I am so worried about her,” Jim said, his voice breaking. “The police found blood in her Jeep and there was blood on the necklace I gave her for our anniversary.”
Helen brushed his hair back from his face. “That does not mean anything. She may have gotten cut when the Jeep crashed and that’s the reason for the blood.”
Jim rubbed his face with both hands. “This is so frustrating.”
“It is for all of us. We just need to be strong and she will come back to us.”
Jim leaned his head on Helen’s shoulder. “Thanks, Moms.”
“You’re welcome.” She squeezed his shoulder. “Come on, dinner is almost ready.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You need to eat something to keep your strength up. When Trixie comes home, she’s going to need that strength.”
Looking at Helen, he realized there would be no arguing with her. “All right. I’ll be there in a moment.”
“Okay.” Helen got to her feet and left the guest room.
Jim looked back at Katje. He leaned toward her and softly brushed her head with a kiss. “We will get your Mom back. We will.”
Trixie slowly opened her eyes. She blinked against the brightness as her eyes focused. Looking around, she saw she was still in the room, alone. She tried to move, but realized her hands were tied behind her back as her right side leaned against the floor. She struggled for a moment, but whatever had been used to secure her connected her hands to her feet.
Groaning, she knew she wasn’t going anywhere. Closing her eyes again, she took inventory of herself trying to see if she had been hurt worse. She couldn’t tell. Her entire body was numb.
How do I get myself into these situations? she thought. All I was supposed to do was have a nice lunch with Dan. We weren’t supposed to be kidnapped.
I wish I knew how much time has passed. I wonder where Dan is and if he’s all right. We need to get out of here, but I have no idea how. I want to get back to Katje and Jim.
At that moment, she heard the door open and remained still. She didn’t trust Luke and did not want to be his punching bag if he lost his temper.
“I can see you’re awake,” Luke said.
Trixie slowly opened her eyes and glared at Luke. He was smirking.
“You’re probably wondering why you’re tied up.”
“Not really,” she mumbled.
“Your little incident earlier proved you couldn’t be trusted, so I had to immobilize you. You won’t be going anywhere.”
Trixie felt she needed to try and reason with him. “Luke, why did you grab both of us? Don’t you realize how much trouble you’ll be in with the police when you’re caught?”
“I won’t be caught.” Luke moved toward her and crouched down. “And you’ll never tell anyone it was me cause you won’t get out of here. Ever.”
Luke stood up and left the room without another word.
Trixie closed her eyes and turned her face to the floor. She hoped she would get out of there.
Jim poked at the food on his plate, eating very little. Even though he knew he needed the sustenance, he couldn’t stop thinking about Trixie, wondering how she was being treated.
Glancing around the table, he saw the others did not seem to have an appetite either. He looked across the table at Mart, who had arrived just as they were sitting down to eat.
Now, Mart was staring at his plate, holding his fork in mid-air, unblinking. He watched his brother-in-law and wondered what he was thinking.
Suddenly, Mart’s head jerked up. He quickly glanced around. He dropped his fork with a clink as he pushed his chair back from the table. Mart turned and hurried outside without a word to anyone.
Jim quickly followed Mart, motioning for the others to stay put. Stepping onto the porch, Jim saw Mart leaning against the railing looking out to the yard, breathing deeply. He stepped up beside Mart and remained quiet for a moment. “Mart, what is it?”
“She’s hurting,” Mart said. “She’s really hurting.”
“Are you sure?”
Mart nodded. “I’m not sure how bad it is. But she’s hurt.”
Jim closed his eyes and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. He didn’t want to hear that.
“Jim, what can we do to get her back?” Mart asked softly. “We have to get her back.”
Jim looked at Mart. “We will get her back.”
As Mart looked at him, Jim decided he wasn’t going to just sit and wait. He was going to find Trixie.
Quickly turning, he went back into the house followed by Mart. He moved toward the table. “Moms, could Katje stay here?”
“Of course, Jim,” Helen said. “You don’t have to ask. But why? Have you heard something?”
“No, but I can’t sit here and wait. I’ll be back.”
Jim turned and exited the house again. He made his way down the driveway a few steps before cutting through the woods.
“Jim! Wait!”
He turned and saw Honey and Mart hurrying toward him.
“We’re coming too,” Mart said stopping in front of Jim.
Jim looked at his brother-in-law for a moment, and then nodded. “Let’s get my Jeep.”
“Where are we going?” Honey asked as they trudged through the woods.
“We’re going to Dan’s apartment building and see if they have noticed anyone out of the ordinary hanging around these past few days.”
“Haven’t the police checked?” Honey asked.
“They checked his apartment and asked the neighbors when he was last seen, but they didn’t go any further.” Honey looked at Jim. “That’s a great idea, Jim. Maybe you should join the agency.”
He shook his head. “That’s yours and Trixie’s. I’m only thinking like a detective since she’s not here.”
“She’ll appreciate the gesture,” Honey said.
“Come on, let’s go. I want to find a lead to her and Dan.”
“So do we, Jim,” Mart said. “So do we.”
An hour later, Jim pulled the Jeep to a stop in front of Dan’s apartment. They got out and Mart led the way.
Stepping up to the front door, Mart said, “I’ll ring the landlady.”
“Do you think she’s home?” Honey asked.
“She doesn’t go out after six o’clock,” Mart said. “She said there are too many good programs on television that she doesn’t want to miss.”
Mart rang the bell and a moment later, the door opened, revealing a woman in her late 50s to early 60s.
“Why, hello Mart,” she said smiling. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”
“It’s good to see you too, Mrs. Richtenbare,” Mart said.
“How are your wife and two babies?”
“They are doing wonderfully.” He glanced at Honey and Jim, then back at the woman. “Mrs. Richtenbare, we were wondering if we could talk to you.”
“Of course. Please come in.”
Jim followed Mart and Honey into the apartment and sat down in the living room following introductions.
“What did you all want to talk about?” Mrs. Richtenbare asked. “Is this about Mr. Mangan?”
“It is,” Honey said.
Mrs. Richtenbare smiled. “Mr. Mangan is such a nice young man. He is the perfect tenant.”
“When was the last time you saw Dan?” Honey asked.
“It was noon yesterday. A beautiful young woman had arrived in a black Jeep.”
“Trixie,” Jim said softly.
“That was her name,” Mrs. Richtenbare said. “Mr. Mangan called out to her as he made his way to the Jeep. Then they were gone.”
“Mrs. Richtenbare, we were wondering if anyone was here that you’ve never seen before?” Honey asked.
“This has something to do with the police coming here last night, doesn’t it?”
Jim realized they needed to be honest with her. “It does.”
They quickly explained what had happened. When they finished, Mrs. Richtenbare said, “I will help anyway I can.”
“Have you noticed anything unusual?” Honey asked.
Mrs. Richtenbare was quiet for a moment, then said, “I do remember something.”
“And?” Honey prompted.
“There was a man hanging around here the past couple days.”
“Do you remember what he looked like?” Jim asked.
“He was maybe in his late 20s-early 30s. He was dressed poorly as if he had just walked out of prison. He was about six-feet tall.”
“Since they are both missing, it has to be someone Dan knows,” Mart said.
“Trixie has to know the person too since she’s also missing,” Jim said.
“But who is it?” Mart asked.
Jim sat quietly for a moment, trying to figure out who it could be. Thinking back over the list, he couldn’t think of anyone that maybe just knew Trixie and Dan. There had been so many cases and mysteries that he couldn’t recall a time when it was just Trixie and Dan.
So, the cases before Dan’s arrival are unlikely suspects, he thought. Also, those who were caught when Dan wasn’t with us on vacation can be eliminated.
Jim looked at Mrs. Richtenbare. “We really do appreciate you taking the time to talk with us.”
She smiled. “I hope I’m of some help.”
He glanced at Mart and Honey, said their goodbyes and left the apartment.
Once in the Jeep, Mart said. “This is frustrating.”
“It’s a shame she couldn’t give us more on the guy she had seen,” Honey said.
“Actually we have a lot,” Jim said.
“Were we in the same place?” Mart asked.
“Think about it,” Jim said. “Whoever took them both, knew them. Maybe not real well, but enough to want revenge.”
“That’s almost every criminal Trixie and Honey have put in jail,” Mart said.
“We need to eliminate all those before Dan arrived in Sleepyside and any on the trips we took. Those criminals wouldn’t know he was part of our group so they should be eliminated.”
“That still leaves a lot,” Honey said. “We need to narrow it down.”
“Let’s go see Chief Allen,” Jim said. “We may come up with something.”
“All right,” Honey said and Mart nodded.
The three of them were sitting in Chief Allen’s office explaining the idea of the connection the kidnapper had with Dan and Trixie a while later.
Chief Allen leaned back in his chair, tapping his index finger on his chin. “You three have a good point. But who is on that list?”
“Where is the list?” Honey asked leaning forward.
Chief Allen shuffled the papers around on his desk and pulled out the notepad that had the list of names on it. He handed the notepad to Honey.
Jim stood up, moved behind Honey and looked at the pad over her shoulder as Mart read over the names. She crossed names off that only Trixie would know.
Scanning over the names that remained, Jim saw the people that had already been accounted for. He moved away from Honey and started pacing.
I can’t believe we’re at another dead end, he thought. It seemed like it was the lead we needed and now we don’t have anything. Who has them and why?
“You know, someone is missing from this list,” Mart said.
Jim turned to Mart. “Who?”
“Think back to when Dan first came to Sleepyside,” Mart said.
“What about it?” Honey asked.
“Remember all the things that were happening and everyone assumed it was Dan?”
“But it wasn’t Dan,” Jim said. “It was Luke from the Cowhands.”
“And who did Trixie find when she was searching for help to rescue Bobby?” Mart asked.
“Dan and Luke and Luke was trying to convince Dan to leave with him,” Jim finished.
“And Mrs. Richtenbare said someone who is not normally in the neighborhood was there before all this happened,” Honey added.
“What does this Luke look like and what’s his full name?” Chief Allen asked.
“We don’t know what he looks like or what his full name is,” Honey said. “We never saw him. And we’re not sure it was Luke. But Mrs. Richtenbare said he was in his late 20s-early 30s and was dressed poorly.”
Chief Allen turned to the computer and did a search for Luke.
As they waited for the information, Jim resumed pacing. He had a bad feeling Luke was the one responsible.
“I think I have it.”
All three of them turned to see what was on the screen. A photo of Luke appeared with information about him and his attempt to break into the Manor House.
Chief Allen pointed to one area on the screen. Jim read it aloud. “Luke was paroled in July and has met with his parole officer each time up until last week.” He leaned back. “I wish I had proof, but I think Luke is the one.”
“Then we’ll have officers look out for him and if he is found, brought in for questioning.”
“He might not tell us where she is,” Mart said.
“For now, we’ll have to go with this,” Chief Allen said. “He may break down if he realizes there’s nowhere for him to go.”
“But he needs to be found first,” Jim said.
“And I’ll have the officers start watching now.” Chief Allen looked at all of them. “You shouldn’t worry. We will get the two of them back.”
Jim looked at the Chief, hoping he was right. He thought, two days have passed. How many more days of this nightmare will we have to live through?
Twenty-four more hours passed with no word. Jim was physically and emotionally exhausted. There had been no sightings of Luke and the police were still searching. He kept trying to stay optimistic as time passed, but he felt his heart breaking a bit more as the hours turned into days.
He made his way through the Ten Acres house not seeing anything around him. He had not slept since he found out Trixie was missing and didn’t think he would until she was back with him.
Why can’t the police find something? He wondered as he headed to the nursery where Katje was crying. Three days have passed since she was last seen and there has been nothing. I need Trixie. Katje needs her. She has to be all right for all our sakes. I just have to keep believing she will come back to us. And she will.
Quickly changing Katje and pulling her into his arms, he made his way downstairs. As he stepped into the kitchen, he saw Honey already had a bottle warming.
“Thanks, Honey.”
“You’re welcome.” She turned from the stove. “Brian should be here with dinner soon.” She put her hand in the air before he could say anything. “Don’t tell me you’re not hungry. You’ve barely eaten anything since this all started.”
“I just can’t, Honey. Looking at food and putting it in my mouth makes my stomach turn.”
“It’s affecting me too, but we have to do it for Trixie.”
Jim knew his sister was trying to be supportive, but as time passed, he wondered if he was building himself up to take a hard fall.
At the moment the phone rang and he grabbed it. “Hello?”
“Jim? This is Chief Allen.”
“Hi Chief.”
“Jim…”
He noticed a change in the Chief’s voice. “What is it?”
Chief Allen let out a breath. “We have him.”
“What?”
“Officers caught up with him a short time ago,” Chief Allen said. “I want you to come to the precinct.”
“When?”
“As soon as you can.”
“I’ll be there.”
“All right.”
Jim closed his eyes as she set the phone down.
“Jim?” a male voice asked.
He looked up and saw Brian had returned to Ten Acres, and was holding a pizza box. He and Honey were staring at him. Honey asked, “What is it?”
“They have him.”
“Luke?” Honey asked.
Jim nodded. “We need to go.”
“Then let’s,” Brian said. “We’ll drop the kids off at the farm.”
“All right,” Honey said. “Hopefully we’ll find a lead to Trixie and Dan.”
Arriving at the precinct, Jim led the way to Chief Allen’s office. He wanted to know where his wife was and was determined to do what he could to get her back.
Walking into the office, Chief Allen looked up and Jim demanded, “Where is he?”
“Jim, you need to calm down.”
“I’ll calm down once my wife is back home with her daughter and me.” Jim leaned his hands on Chief Allen’s desk. “Where is he?”
“He’s being questioned by detectives right now.”
“And?” Honey asked, putting a hand on Jim’s arm.
Chief Allen let out a breath. “He’s not saying a word.”
Jim roughly pushed away from the desk and turned away.
“Where was Luke located?” Honey asked.
“Officers spotted him as he was exiting a pawn shop,” Chief Allen said. “He was getting rid of these.”
Jim turned around and watched as a clear bag was set on the desk. Jim felt as if his heart had stopped when he realized what he was seeing. Inside the bag were Trixie’s engagement and wedding rings.
He felt as if his stomach was being torn apart when he saw the blood on both rings. He tried to breathe, but couldn’t get a deep one. His knees buckled and he blacked out.
Trixie slowly opened her eyes. She was weak and hungry from the lack of food and water. She was still sore, but couldn’t feel any pain since she was numb.
As she became more aware of her surroundings, her mind thought back to Luke’s previous visit.
The door being pushed open with a bang woke Trixie. Forcing her eyes open, she saw Luke standing there. He didn’t seem happy.
“I’m surprised you’re still alive,” Luke sneered. “But I know that won’t last long.”
Trixie glared at Luke, too weak to talk.
“Not going to talk?” Luke asked coming toward her and crouching down. “That’s all right. Probably for the first time in you life you won’t have anything to talk about. And that’s fine. But I’m sorry to say our time together has come to an end. So I don’t forget you, I’m going to take a momento that you won’t be missing.”
She watched Luke lean over her and pull something from her hands. She had a feeling of what he took and her thoughts were confirmed when he opened his hand revealing her engagement and wedding rings.
“I’ll take good care of these for you.” Luke stood and turned to exit the room, but stopped. He turned to her. “I’m going to leave you something to remember me by.”
Luke stepped back to her and swiftly kicked her in the stomach making her gasp for air.
“So long.” Luke turned and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Closing her eyes, she thought, I can’t believe this is how it’s going to be. I’m too injured and weak to break free and I have no clue if Dan is all right or not. I never expected to get in this and now, I don’t see anyway to get out. Jim is probably frantic that I’m not there. I wish I was with him and Katje.
Trixie started crying. It took a lot for her to cry and she knew she was at her breaking point. I hope Jim knows how much I love him and will convey that love to Katje.
With that thought, Trixie blacked out from weakness.
Jim felt something cool on his forehead and heard a voice say, “I think he’ll be coming around soon.”
“What made him collapse?” a female voice asked.
“Probably the lack of food and sleep,” a male voice said.
Jim groaned as he moved his head. A male voice said, “He’s coming to.”
“Jim. Come on, Jim. Open your eyes,” the female voice said.
His eyes flickered and finally opened after a few moments. He purposely blinked a couple times to bring Honey’s face into view.
She smiled. “You gave us quite a scare.”
“What happened?” he asked weakly.
“You collapsed,” Brian said, moving into view behind Honey. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired.”
“Maybe we should head back to the house,” Brian suggested.
Jim looked around and realized that’s not where they were. He saw a man in a uniform sitting at a desk. Everything came rushing back.
“Where is he?” Jim asked, struggling to sit up.
“He’s still being questioned,” Chief Allen said. “I think your brother-in-law has a good idea about you returning home. He’s still denying any knowledge of your wife’s whereabouts.”
“He knows. Luke does know,” Jim said.
“If he does, he’s not talking,” Chief Allen said. “Maybe the fear of going back to jail will get him to talk.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Honey asked.
“As of right now, I don’t think so. The officers will continue searching for them.” Chief Allen looked at each of them in turn, his gaze finally resting on Jim. “Don’t give up hope.”
“But will they be alive?” Jim mumbled.
Returning to Crabapple Farm, Jim stared out the passenger window as Brian drove. His brother-in-law had insisted, claiming he was in no condition to be behind the wheel.
Once the Jeep was parked, they slowly climbed out and headed inside. All three of them stopped short when they entered the kitchen.
Sitting at the table with Peter and Helen was Bill Regan.
“Regan!” Honey exclaimed. “When did you get back?”
He turned to face them. “A little while ago. Has there been any news?”
The three of them settled in the chairs as Honey filled them in on what they knew so far and what Chief Allen had told them on their last visit.
“But they do have Luke in custody?” Regan asked.
“He is, but he’s not talking,” Brian said.
“I can’t believe this happened,” Regan said. “What were the two of them doing together?”
“They met for lunch since Dan was on the night shift and couldn’t come,” Jim said softly. “Trixie figured she’d meet with him so he wouldn’t feel left out.”
“Trixie always wants to include others,” Regan noted.
“She sure does,” Jim admitted. The situation was bad and his emotions began to bubble over, angry that there really was nothing they could do, but wait.
“So, are the police still searching?” Peter asked.
“Yes, they are,” Brian said. “They are hoping some time in jail will make Luke crack.”
“And if he does crack, when will that be?” Jim asked angrily. “After they’ve been dead for a while?”
“Jim, you need to calm down,” Helen said.
“How can I?” Jim bellowed, getting to his feet. “She’s my world. She’s the reason I am where I am today. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her.”
“Jim,” Peter said.
“She helped me find a life and gave me the strength to love people again.” His head dropped and his eyes closed. He asked softly, “How am I going to survive without her?”
Jim felt arms get wrapped around him and was pulled close to someone. From the scent of the perfume, he knew it was Honey.
He bent his six-foot-one frame and put his head on her shoulder. She tightened her hold on him. She whispered, “You will survive because she will be back with us.”
Jim hoped she was right. He couldn’t picture life without her. She was his life.
“Trix. Come on, Trix. Open your blue eyes for me.”
The voice sounded familiar, but she was so weak she didn’t think she could open them. Gathering whatever strength she had, Trixie managed to do so.
It took some time, but she was finally able to focus on the person calling her name. It was Dan.
He smiled. “Those are the blue eyes I like seeing.”
“Dan?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
“How?” she mumbled after trying to moisten her lips.
“Don’t worry about that now,” Dan said. “We need to get you loose and get out of here. Let me take care of that.”
Trixie was too weak to argue. She waited and groaned when Dan released her arms and legs, moving them ever so slightly. She stayed curled up on her right side, feeling the pain in her chest returning.
“Trix, we need to go.”
“I can’t,” Trixie whispered.
“Why?” He moved around to face her. “Are you hurt more?”
Trixie nodded ever so slightly. “Luke kicked me in the chest.”
“Oh, Trix,” Dan said, touching her face. “I never thought this would happen when we agreed to meet for lunch. I am so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Trixie said. “You need to talk to someone about your job options. You had no idea this was going to happen, so don’t blame yourself.”
“I can do that later,” Dan mumbled, and then spoke louder. “Right now, we need to get you out of here and to the hospital.”
“Dan, you’ll have to go get help before Luke returns.”
“I can’t leave you here.”
“You don’t have a choice.” She looked up at him with pleading eyes. “I can tell my injuries are bad and I don’t have the strength or energy to walk out of here.” Trixie wasn’t sure how long she would remain conscious. Her body was telling her that it wouldn’t be long.
“Leaving you here alone is not the right thing.”
“You don’t have the strength to carry me,” Trixie said. “You have to get help.”
“I don’t like this,” Dan said. “But you do have a point.” He reached over and brushed the curls back from her forehead. “I’ll be back soon.”
Trixie gave him a small smile. “I’ll be here.”
Dan stood up and looked at her. As he turned to leave, Trixie said, “Dan?”
He turned back to her. “What is it?”
“Please tell Jim I love him.”
He stared at her for a moment. “Trix, you’ll be able to tell him yourself.” He gave her a small smile. “I’ll be back.” Dan turned and left the room.
Once alone, Trixie rested her head on the floor and closed her eyes. She hoped Dan would find help quickly. She knew she had downplayed her injuries so as to not worry him anymore than he was already doing. But she knew it was bad.
Trying to ignore the pain, she thought about the conversation she and Dan had had at lunch several days earlier.
“I’m glad you were able to come to the city today,” Dan said as the waitress set their lunches in front of them.
“You sounded like you needed a visit, especially when I arrived,” Trixie said. “Besides, I need to get as much dirt as I can to inform the others at dinner tonight.”
“I wish I didn’t have to work tonight.” Dan sighed.
“It happens,” Trixie said. “Hopefully, you’ll be able to make the next one.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“So, do you want to tell me why you’re down instead of your normal, gruff self?” She gave him a smile, letting him know she was only kidding.
Dan gave a small smile as he set his sandwich back on the plate. “I’m wondering if I’m crazy.”
Trixie set her own sandwich down. “I think we’re all a little crazy.”
“Trixie, I’m trying to be serious.”
“I can see you want to be serious. But when we’re together, we’re never serious.”
Dan gave a small laugh. “You’re right.”
“Okay,” Trixie said, trying to keep a smile off her face. “Let’s be serious. What’s up?”
Dan took a breath. “What if I told you that I’m thinking of no longer being a police officer?”
Trixie looked at Dan. She wasn’t surprised. Even though that had been a dream of his for as long as she knew him, she always wondered if it was the right path for him. She looked him straight in the eye. “When are you quitting?”
Surprise registered on Dan’s face. “You’re not going to talk me out of it?”
“Why should I?” Trixie asked, picking up her sandwich. “It’s not my decision to make.”
“Don’t you think this idea is insane?”
“Dan, when you were growing up, this was what you always wanted to do. And you’re doing it. But if you want to get out of this line of work, more than likely you have a good reason for it.”
“I thought I did.”
“And what was it?”
He looked at her. “I’ve been talking to some of the officers who have been with the department for almost a quarter century. Listening to their stories, I’m now having a hard time picturing myself in that position.”
“It seems kind of sudden to be feeling this way.”
“This isn’t sudden,” Dan said. “I’ve been considering this for several months. I don’t think I want to be a police officer anymore.”
“Have you given any thought as to what you want to do?”
“I keep wracking my brain, but all I know is that this is not the right path for me.”
“Then you need to find something that you will enjoy.” She gave him a smile. “You could always come work for the Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency.”
Dan smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Are you sure I’m thinking right?”
“Dan, I think you just needed to voice what your plans were to make it seem real. If you think you have to choose a different career path, then do it. You are the one that will have to live with that decision.”
“Thanks, Trix. I guess that’s what I needed to hear.”
“I’m glad I was here to help.” She gave him a secretive smile. “Now I have something juicy to share with everyone at dinner tonight.”
“No you don’t. I get to tell everyone when and if I make a decision.”
“All right.”
With that, Trixie passed out.
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