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Fulfilling Another Dream Part III
“No,” Trixie said. “No!”
She screamed and sat up quickly. She looked around trying to get her bearings.
“Trixie, what is it?” Jim asked as he turned on a light.
She couldn’t respond.
“BRIAN!” Jim yelled. He asked a little softer. “What’s wrong? Is it the baby?”
The door to the bedroom flew open as Brian hurried in. He asked, “What is it?”
“She woke up screaming.”
Trixie watched Brian move to the other side of the bed and sat beside her. He asked, “What’s going on Trixie? Are you having contractions?”
She opened her mouth to respond, but couldn’t. She was gasping for air.
“Get a paper bag,” Brian said. “She’s hyperventilating.” Jim hurried off. “Try to relax. You’ll be all right.”
Jim returned a moment later with the bag. Brian held it over her nose and mouth as she breathed deeply.
By the time she was breathing normally, Honey had come into the room. Brian asked, “Can you tell us what’s going on?”
Trixie leaned against Jim, who had settled next to her on the bed. “Someone was in the house.”
“That’s what we figured,” Jim said.
“What do you remember?” Honey asked.
“I had gotten off the phone with Jim and I guess I had fallen asleep. Something woke me and then I thought I heard someone in the house.” She looked at her sister-in-law. “I called out, thinking it was Honey, and then the next thing I knew was a pillow was being pushed down on my face. I don’t remember anything after that.”
“But you didn’t actually see the person?” Jim asked.
“No,” Trixie said as she shook her head. “All I saw was the pillow.”
“You two didn’t find anything while packing bags, did you?” Honey asked.
“Nothing,” Jim said.
“Then who would want to come into the house and try to smother Trixie?” Honey asked. “It doesn’t make sense. The other thing that doesn’t make sense is how the person got in since Trixie said you locked the house up tight before you headed to the school.”
“Could it be someone you two have dealt with recently?” Brian asked. “Maybe a client or something?”
“The cases have been rather simple,” Honey said.
“Do you have any ideas?” Jim inquired.
“None,” Trixie said. “If someone is after me, the person could be from any of the cases we’ve solved over the years.”
“You two have put away a lot of criminals,” Brian admitted.
“Wait a second,” Jim said. “If someone was angry at them for being caught, they would both be targets. This was aimed just at Trixie.”
“But who is it and why?” Trixie asked.
“We should make a list of all the criminals,” Honey said. “Then we can narrow down the list.”
“Why don’t we do that in the morning?” Jim suggested. “It’s been a long day.”
“Good idea,” Brian said. “We may even come up with a game plan.”
“We’ll see you in the morning,” Honey said.
“Good night,” Jim said, and they watched Brian and Honey leave the room.
Trixie felt Jim tighten his hold around her shoulder. By his grip, she knew he didn’t like the turn of events.
She turned slightly and leaned against his chest. She wished she knew who was behind all this. She didn’t like having someone after her. She hoped they would come up with something.
“Why don’t you get some sleep?” Jim suggested.
“I’m not that tired.”
“Do you want to talk?”
“Could you just hold me?”
“Forever.” Jim kissed the top of her head.
Trixie hoped they found the person who was after her, and soon, before anyone else got hurt.
* * * * *
The next morning, Trixie was up early. She had tossed and turned after talking with Brian and Honey. She saw the sun starting to rise in the distance.
As she rested, she tried to figure out if the person after her was someone she knew or was a new criminal. She didn’t like being in the dark and was determined not to let this ruin her future with her husband.
Trixie started to think about the past cases she and Honey had solved. The cases ranged from impersonation to gun smugglers. She had gotten into dangerous situations, but had always gotten out of them.
“Hmm,” Jim said, moving on the bed beside her. He had fallen asleep a couple hours earlier. He moved his hand up her back.
She moved over and leaned her head on his chest. A moment later he kissed the top of her head. He asked, “Are you awake?”
“Yeah.”
“How did you sleep?”
“All right,” she lied.
“You’re probably hungry.” Jim tightened his hold.
“Just a little.”
“Why don’t we get ready for the day and then head downstairs for some food?”
“That sounds like a good idea,” she said but didn’t move.
“Trix, I know you don’t like a lot of questions about how you’re feeling, but are you feeling all right?”
“I’m okay.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Jim kissed her head again. “Trixie, I love you so much. I don’t ever want to be away from you.”
“The same goes for me.” She looked up at Jim’s face. “It’s like when we said our vows. I will love you for all eternity.”
“I love you.” Jim leaned in and gave her a kiss.
After they broke apart, Jim sat up. She said, “We should get a move on.”
“Come on.” Jim offered her his hand and she got up.
* * * * *
Forty-five minutes later, Trixie and Jim made their way into the kitchen. They saw Brian and Honey already seated at the table. Honey had Petey in her arms, feeding him a bottle.
As they stepped into the room, Brian looked up from his bowl of cereal. “Good morning, you two.”
“Morning,” Trixie said as they moved to the table.
Jim pulled out a chair so she could sit down.
“What would you like for breakfast?” Honey asked. “Anything in particular?”
“I fine for anything,” Jim said. “Trixie is there something you want?”
“I do have a craving for pancakes,” she answered.
“That’s what we’ll have then.” Jim gave her a kiss.
“Have a seat, Jim,” Honey said. “I’ll make it.”
“That’s all right,” Jim said. “I need to do something.”
Trixie watched her husband work. She knew he was worried and this was his way to deal with it.
Honey handed Petey to Brian and said, “We should start making a list of all the criminals we’ve dealt with.”
“But what will you do once you get the list together?” Brian asked.
They were both quiet for a moment. Then Honey said, “We could call Dan and have him check the whereabouts of those on our list.”
“Do you think he would?” Trixie asked.
Honey stared at her. “Dan would ditch his job if you needed help.”
Trixie blushed as Jim said, “He sure would.”
“So,” Brian began. “Who is on this list?”
They quickly started naming the criminals they had caught. As they worked, Jim made a big batch of pancakes and set them in the middle of the table.
A half hour later, they felt they had gotten down everyone they had dealt with in the past.
As Trixie looked down at the names, she wondered if someone on the list was really after her.
“Well,” Honey said breaking into her thoughts, “when I get to the office, I will call Dan on this. He’ll get busy right away.”
“How long do you think it’ll take to get the information back?” Jim asked.
“I don’t know,” Honey said. “Hopefully not long.” She looked at her watch. “I’m going to head to the office. If I hear anything, I’ll call.”
“All right,” Brian said.
Honey gave Brian and Petey a kiss before leaving.
Once she was gone, Brian looked at his sister. “Do you have a headache or anything?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “Stop worrying.”
“I will keep worrying until the baby is born,” Brian said.
Trixie smiled at her brother. “Speaking of that, shouldn’t you be at work?”
“I have the day off for a change. If there’s a real emergency, I’ll be called in.”
Trixie looked at Jim. “Shouldn’t you have left for the school by now?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Jim said, putting his arm on the back of her chair.
“What could happen to me here? There are lots of people moving about. I’ll be fine.”
“I’m not taking any chances,” Jim said. “It was too close yesterday.”
“I know.”
“I don’t mean to be pushy,” Jim said taking her hands in his. “I’m just afraid something else is going to happen.”
“Nothing is going to happen to me here.”
“How can you be so sure?” Jim asked. “What guarantees do you have?”
“There are a lot of people here at the Manor House. If someone is after me, they’d be stupid to come here.”
“They already came to our home. What will stop them from coming here?” Jim asked, his voice getting louder. “You are in no condition to protect yourself.”
Trixie’s eyes went wide. “Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I can’t take care of myself.”
“Like you’ve really done a good job at that,” Jim said his face turning red to match his hair.
“I can take care of myself just fine,” she said. “Maybe if you spent more time with me instead of that school, you’d realize it.”
“That school is helping children who have no one or no place to go,” Jim said. “It’s doing more than your agency.”
“So, what are you saying? That the detective agency isn’t as important as your boy’s school?”
“Now, wait a second.” Jim put his hand in the air.
“No, you wait.” Trixie stood up and looked at Jim. “You knew when we got married the agency was going to be a part of me. If you didn’t like it, you should have said something long ago. But let me tell you this, James Winthrop Frayne the Second, no one -- and I mean no one -- will ever tell me what I can and cannot do. I am an adult and no one will treat me as if I’m five years old.”
Before Jim could say anything, she turned and left the kitchen. She grabbed her coat that was hanging in the hall closet and left the Manor House. She was angry and needed time to think.
She made her way along the beaten snow path into the woods. She followed the trail, knowing it was used constantly for the wardens to patrol the preserve.
I can’t believe he thought he could talk to me that way, she thought. Where does he get off treating me as a child? I can take care of myself. I don’t need to be coddled. And then the comment about the agency. That really gets me. Honey and I started the agency so we could help people get answers to their questions. He really needs to let me be an adult. I can make decisions for my life. If he can’t let me do that, then maybe we shouldn’t be married.
She reached for her stomach as the baby kicked. But I love him so much. He means the world to me. He is the only person I will ever love. He is my soul mate, my best friend.
Trixie noticed the snow was coming down thick and heavy. She knew she needed to get out of the weather, but she didn’t want to go back to the house just yet.
She made her way to the clubhouse they all had worked hard to restore when they were younger. Checking her pockets and realizing she didn’t have her keys, she reached above the door jam and found the spare key that was hidden there.
She unlocked the door and went inside. After turning the light on, she quickly got a fire going in the wood-burning stove. Once the stove started to give off heat, she sat down at the table and looked around the clubhouse. She smiled as she thought about all they had done as a club.
They had helped so many people. That was something they all enjoyed doing.
It’s just a shame we’re all not together anymore, she thought. Di and Dan need to be in the city because of their jobs, but it just doesn’t seem right that we’re not altogether. We do see each other every few weeks, but I miss how we were always involved in something when we were younger. But things change as we get older. And Jim is only trying to protect me. I shouldn’t have gotten angry with him. He must have been terrified when he got to the house last night. I know he worries, but there are times when it’s not necessary. I do know how to take care of myself.
* * * * *
Trixie looked at her watch and realized she had been in the clubhouse for several hours. She knew she needed to get back to the house. She was hungry. Besides, she knew if she didn’t return soon, Jim would send out a search party.
She extinguished the fire in the stove, and after making sure everything was all right, she exited the clubhouse. As she locked the door, she saw that the weather had gotten worse. The wind was blowing harder and more snow was coming down.
Looking in the direction of the Manor House, she could barely make out the structure. She pulled the coat tightly around herself wishing she had grabbed something heavier.
She had only taken a couple steps when a hand was placed over her mouth and something was jammed into her back.
A voice said, “Don’t make a sound or I will kill you.”
Trixie remained quiet as she was pushed through the snowdrifts deeper into the woods. She had a hard time keeping her balance. She could barely see where she was going. The snow was coming down thicker than before. She continued to wipe the thick flakes from her face.
She wasn’t sure how long she had been walking when she heard a door creak open. She was suddenly pushed forward. She threw her hands out in front of her so she wouldn’t fall into anything.
She felt something solid under her hands. She quickly turned around and looked at the man as he closed the door. She wiped the melting water from her face as the man turned around.
He was wearing a long black coat with a black baseball cap, which was pulled over his eyes. She had a feeling the two of them had met before.
“Why are you doing this?” she demanded.
“You should know.”
Her eyes went wide. That was a voice she couldn’t forget. It belonged to Jonesy.
“HELP!” Trixie yelled.
“Be quiet!” Jonesy yelled. “No one will hear you.”
“Why did you do this? Why did you kidnap me?”
“Why do you think?” he countered.
“You can’t do this. You have to let me go.”
“I don’t have to do anything. Now, sit down and be quiet.” He pointed a gun at her. “Or I will kill you right now.”
Trixie moved to the chair and sat down. She watched as Jonesy moved over to her and then he tied her hands behind her back. He pulled her arms tight, but she didn’t cry out. Jonesy then tied her feet to the chair legs.
“That’s much better,” Jonesy said, moving back around to the front of her.
“Let me go, Jonesy. You can’t keep me like this.”
“Of course I can. Nothing will stop me.”
“Jim will.”
“That stepson of mine won’t do a single thing to me.” Jonesy started pacing. “He doesn’t have the guts to stand up to me.”
“You won’t get away with this,” Trixie said.
Jonesy moved toward her and got close to her face. “Why don’t you just stop talking? You were annoying before, but you have just gotten worse.”
Trixie took a breath and remained quiet. She knew Jonesy had a short temper. If she pushed him too hard, she knew he was capable of anything.
Jonesy stepped back and stared at her. “You know, some people think you turned into quite a detective, but I know better. All you are is a nosy brat. And because of you and your interfering, I ended up in prison.”
“You deserved to be in prison,” Trixie said. “First, you treated Jim poorly, and then you got someone to impersonate Jim’s only living relative and tried to steal her money.”
Jonesy moved over and slapped her face.
As he stepped back, Trixie could feel her lip was cut and could taste the blood. And yet she didn’t regret a single word she’d said.
Jonesy pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and stuck in into her mouth. “That should keep you quiet.”
When he moved away from her again, Trixie closed her eyes. She knew she had to find a way to get out of there.
I can’t believe this happened, she thought. I shouldn’t have gone off by myself. But I can’t beat myself up about this. I have to find a way to get back to the Manor House. But that will only work if I know where I am.
She opened her eyes and looked around. She knew she was in one of the storage sheds that held supplies for the game preserve. The only problem was that she didn’t know which one. I just have to get out of here, she thought. I have to get back to the others. There has to be a way. But Jonesy is between the door and me. Even if I can get loose from the ropes, I still have to get past him. I know I won’t be able to fight him off on my own.
Trixie watched Jonesy take the other chair and sit down across from her. He looked her in the eye.
“What do you think good, old, honorable Jim would do when he finds out his darling little wife is dead?”
Trixie stared back at Jonesy, trying to keep all emotion out of her eyes. She didn’t think he was serious, but she wasn’t sure.
He continued on. “Would he be more upset because you were dead or he had lost his only child?”
Trixie closed her eyes. She couldn’t believe Jonesy would kill her.
“But I think I’ll play with his mind a little.”
Trixie looked at him again as she heard the other chair move. She saw he had an instant camera. He held it to his face.
“Smile for Jim.” The camera flashed.
“Good,” Jonesy said. “Jim will probably hang onto this for the rest of his miserable, lonely life.”
I have to get out of here, she thought. I have to get back to Jim.
“Well,” Jonesy said. “I need to deliver this and then I will be back to take care of business.”
Jonesy left the shed, slamming the door. Trixie started struggling against the ropes. She had to get out of there before Jonesy returned. She wasn’t sure how long she had struggled when she realized the ropes were tight. She wasn’t getting out.
Trixie started crying. She wanted to get back to Jim. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She wanted to be with her husband.
* * * * *
A cold breeze woke her. She slowly lifted her head. Her neck was stiff as she wondered where she was. After a moment, she recalled everything.
Opening her eyes, she looked around. She was alone in the shed. Light was coming in under the door and she assumed it was morning.
Trixie tried to wiggle her hands to get the circulation flowing, but her hands wouldn’t respond. She wished she knew what time it was.
I can’t give up, she thought. I have to find a way to get back home, back to Jim. He’s probably frantic. He’s probably got that photo in his hands by now. I wish this never happened.
She realized then that she was trembling, but not because she was scared, but because she was cold. Trixie knew she needed to get somewhere warm and soon.
At that moment the door opened and more cold wind blew on her, making the shivers more apparent. Closing her eyes against the brightness, Trixie heard the door get slammed shut and then opened her eyes again. Jonesy stood there staring at her.
“Darn. I thought the cold would have done you in. I guess I’ll have to do it myself.”
Trixie stared at him.
“I think you want to say something.” Jonesy moved over to her and pulled the handkerchief out of her mouth.
She tried to moisten her mouth so she could speak. After a minute, she looked Jonesy right in the eye. You won’t get away with this. Jim will know you did this to me.”
“He won’t know a thing. He’ll never find your body. And if he does, there won’t be much left after the animals get you.”
“Do you really think Jim is that stupid?” she asked, trying to sound tough. “He’ll know right away that it was you.”
“You think you’re so smart, but you’re not.” Jonesy smiled. “I know for a fact that your beloved Jim isn’t doing a thing. He’s sitting at the Manor House, enjoying the peace and quiet without your yammering.”
Trixie sat still. She didn’t believe a word he was saying. She knew Jim too well. He would be trying to come up with a way to find her.
“What’s wrong, little girl? Are you sad your Jim is not coming to find you?”
“Jim will find me.”
Jonesy laughed.
Trixie knew she had to do something to get out of there. She had to get Jonesy to untie her.
But how? she thought. It has to be something serious for him. But he still might not let me go. It’s a chance I have to take. There’s only one thing that may really rattle him. But it’ll take a little time to get going.
* * * * *
An hour later, Trixie was doing her Lamaze breathing. She had started moaning a short while before.
“What’s wrong with you?” Jonesy asked. “If you don’t be quiet, I’ll gag you again.”
“Please,” Trixie begged. “You have to untie me. The baby’s coming.”
“What?” Jonesy looked at her.
“Please,” she said desperately. She looked at Jonesy and could tell he was unsure of what to do. “Ohh,” she moaned, hoping he would take the bait.
Jonesy hurried over and untied her legs. He moved to her back and untied those ropes. He gently helped her off the chair and onto the floor.
Trixie stretched out onto her back and put her hands on her stomach. She knew she had to do whatever she could to convince Jonesy she was really in labor.
She rolled onto her side and curled up into a ball. She started crying.
“Stop that,” Jonesy said. “It’s so annoying to see a woman cry.”
Trixie kept it up. She knew she needed a few minutes to get the circulation flowing in her arms. Once she was ready, she had a plan.
“I can’t wait to be done with you,” Jonesy said. “I think others will agree.”
Jonesy turned his back on Trixie. She opened her eyes and knew this was her chance. She got to her feet and grabbed the chair she had been sitting on. She lifted it over her head and brought it down on Jonesy’s skull. He fell to the floor with a thud.
Trixie didn’t wait to see if he was unconscious. She moved to the door and hurried out into the snow. She moved as fast as she could through the high drifts. She knew her first concern was to get as far away from Jonesy as possible. She knew that then she could find a way home.
She finally slowed her pace when she felt she was far enough from the shed. She leaned against a tree trying to catch her breath. She looked around. The snow was blowing around, but no more was coming down. She tried to figure out what part of the preserve she was located in.
She looked at the hills in the distance and knew she had to go the other way to get to the Manor House. She pulled the coat tightly around herself.
She started walking. She was determined to get back to Jim. She wanted him to hold her and keep her warm. Those thoughts kept her going.
As she walked, she struggled through the snowdrifts. It took a lot of energy and she was getting tired.
Suddenly she heard movement behind her. Someone was moving fast. Jonesy.
Trixie pushed herself to keep going. The fear of Jonesy catching her again terrified her. The more she walked, the more her back began to hurt. She had a feeling the baby was pushing against her causing the pain. She tried to forget about it as she continued on.
“I know you’re around here!” Jonesy yelled. “I will find you.”
She knew she had to keep going even though Jonesy was after her. She tried to pick up the pace, but her back seemed to hurt more the longer she walked.
Trixie finally had to stop. She leaned against a tall pine tree. She knew she had to keep going. She couldn’t let Jonesy get her.
“There you are.”
Trixie turned and saw Jonesy staring at her. He didn’t look happy as he took a step toward her.
Stepping back, her feet slipped out from underneath her. She rolled down a small hill. She only stopped when she banged her head against a tree.
Trixie saw Jonesy move up to her through her blurred vision. He said, “No one will find you out here.”
She closed her eyes as Jonesy moved away. Once she was sure he was gone, she opened her eyes. Everything seemed out of focus. She wanted to get up, but her body wouldn’t respond.
I need to get up, she thought. I have to make my way back to Jim. But I hurt so much.
“TRIXIE!” a voice yelled in the distance.
“Over here,” she mumbled.
“TRIXIE! ANSWER US!”
She didn’t have the strength to holler out. Her only choice was the club’s signal. Bob, Bob-White. Bob, Bob-White.
She heard the whistle. She closed her eyes hoping they had heard her.
Author’s Notes: Once again my esteemed appreciation goes to Kaye and Amy for the edit. And more thanks goes to Amy for making my site look as good as it does.
Disclaimer: This is an unauthorized fan fiction site and is not affiliated with Random House in any way. No profit is being made from these pages.
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