Fulfilling Another Dream

Part V

“No!” Trixie got to her feet and ran out of the kitchen. She hurried up to the nursery where she had last seen their daughter.

She hurried into the room and stopped. The basinet where Katje had been sleeping was empty. Their daughter was gone. She looked around hoping to find her somewhere in the room, but she was nowhere to be found.

“Trixie.”

She stared at the basinet. She couldn’t believe their little girl was gone. It didn’t seem possible.

How could he take our little girl from us? she thought. Doesn’t he know how much she means to us?

“Trixie.” She felt a pair of hands on her shoulder. Jim turned her around. He wrapped his arms around her and she started crying. Jim tightened his hold on her. Jim stroked her hair.

She wasn’t sure how long she had cried when she felt her knees buckle. Jim caught her and moved her to the rocking chair he had made for her.

“Shh,” Jim said once she was seated. He reached for her face and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Everything will be all right.”

“How can you be so sure?” Trixie asked, tears rolling down her face. “Look what’s been done to us and we’re big enough to fight back. He could easily kill our little girl.”

“Stop it, Trixie,” Jim said harshly. “Getting hysterical won’t bring Katje back to us any sooner.”

“What are we going to do? He’s probably long gone by now.”

“Trixie.”

“Jonesy probably dropped her in the show or left her somewhere to die.”

“Trixie, knock it off!” She stared at Jim. “This isn’t helping.”

Jim got to his feet and left the room.

Trixie leaned back in the rocking chair, closed her eyes and continued crying. She wanted their daughter back more than anything else in the world.

“Trixie,” a voice said a few minutes later.

Wiping her eyes, Trixie looked at the door where Honey was standing. Her sister-in-law moved over to her and said, “Why don’t you go rest for a little while?”

“I’m fine right here,” Trixie said.

“I’ll stay with you,” Honey said.

“I’m fine.”

“Trix, you don’t have to lie to me. I can tell what’s going on.”

“I’ll be okay.”

Honey left the room after a moment.

Trixie knew Honey wanted to help, but there was nothing her friend could do. Their daughter was gone. She didn’t know how she could go on.

* * * * *

“Trixie.”

She turned her head and looked at the door. Brian came over to the chair and kneeled down. He took her right hand in his.

“Sergeant Molinson is downstairs,” Brian said. “He wants to talk to you.”

Trixie knew she had to fill him in, even though there was a small chance he would find their daughter.

“All right.”

Trixie stood up. She made her way downstairs with Brian’s arm around her shoulder. They went into the living room. Sergeant Molinson was sitting in the armchair and stood as she entered the room. She sat down on the couch and looked at the sergeant. Honey and Brian sat on either side of her.

“Trixie, I know a lot has gone on, but I need to ask you a few questions,” Sergeant Molinson said.

“All right.”

Trixie answered every question the sergeant asked. He asked about every detail. When they were finished, Sergeant Molinson said, “We’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything.”

Trixie nodded and the officer left the house.

“What do we do now?” Honey asked.

“You guys go ahead and go home,” Trixie said softly.

“Trixie?”

“I’ll be all right.”

“You shouldn’t be alone,” Honey said.

“I’ll be fine.”

At that moment they heard a door slam shut. “Trixie? Jim? Where are you?”

“Trixie’s in the living room,” Honey called out.

Dan hurried into the room. He said, “I heard over the police radio what happened.” He looked directly at Trixie. “Are you all right?”

Trixie nodded. She was glad Dan was there. “I want you to tell me where Jonesy is.”

“What?” the three of them chorused.

“Where is Jonesy, Dan? You have to know where he is.”

“Trixie, I don’t,” Dan said. “I have no idea where he is.”

“I have to find him.” Trixie got to her feet. “I have to find our daughter.”

“Trixie, you’re not thinking clearly.” Dan put his hands on her shoulders. “You just can’t start barging in on places.”

“I’m not barging,” Trixie said. “I’m searching for my daughter who was kidnapped.”

“Where’s Jim?” Dan asked. “He’s the only one who can talk some sense into her.”

“He went to his den,” Brian said getting to his feet. “I’ll go get him.”

Brian quickly left the room as Trixie asked, “Dan, what have you found out?”

“I’ve checked a lot of places, but no one has seen Jonesy.”

“He has to be here somewhere.”

At that moment the phone rang. Trixie stared at it. The phone rang again.

“Answer the call by putting it on speakerphone,” Dan said.

Trixie pushed the speakerphone button. “Hello?”

“Well, well, if it isn’t a Little Miss Detective.”

Jonesy, she thought. Trixie asked, “Where is my daughter?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Jonesy, we’ll give you whatever you want. But please, don’t hurt her.”

“That’s an interesting offer. I’ll have to think about it. But you better not call the cops. If you do, the next time you see your daughter it will be in a casket.”

The phone clicked. Trixie stared at the phone, stunned.

Dan said, “Honey, get Brian and Jim. Now.”

Trixie didn’t see Honey go. She continued to stare at the phone. She felt Dan take her arm and lead her back to the couch. She was so scared something terrible was going to happen to their little girl.

She had a bad feeling.

“What’s going on?”

Trixie looked toward the door and saw Honey had returned with Brian and Jim.

“Jonesy called,” Dan said and related the conversation.

Trixie watched Jim as he listened to Dan. His face lost all its color and he held onto the doorframe.

“What’s our next step?” Trixie asked. The others looked at her. “What? This is my daughter. I’m not going to let Jonesy hurt her.”

“You’re not going to do anything,” Dan said firmly.

“What?” Trixie shrieked.

“Listen,” Dan said in a gentle tone. “You and Jim will do nothing. Let me handle it.”

“Dan’s right,” Honey said.

“What are you going to do?” Trixie asked.

“I’m going to get some equipment and put a tap on the phone,” Dan said.

“What will that do?” Jim asked. “Why do you have to put a tap on?”

“If Jonesy calls again, we can trace the call back to the phone he is using.” Dan looked at them both. “You need to stay close to the house. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Dan got to his feet and left the house. Brian and Honey left the room.

Trixie looked down at her hands. She couldn’t look at her husband. I can’t believe I let this happen to Katje, she thought. I should’ve fought harder to protect her. She is just a baby. She can’t protect herself. This is all my fault.

She got to her feet and made her way upstairs without a word to Jim. She entered the nursery. She moved to the basinet and picked up the blanket Helen had given them for their daughter.

This is all my fault, she thought as she tightened her hold on the blanket. I can’t believe I led Jonesy right to our little girl. If anything happens to her, I don’t know what I’ll be able to do.

Trixie sat down on the floor and cried. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she heard her name called.

It was Jim.

She took a breath to steady her voice. “Leave me alone.”

“Trix, we need to talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.” Trixie looked at Jim. “Besides, I already know you’re going to blame me for this.”

“What?”

“I know this is my fault. I brought Jonesy right up to our daughter’s room. I gave him the opportunity to take her. I did this to our little girl.”

Trixie cried harder. She turned away from Jim and buried her head in her hands. Her chest hurt and she knew it was because their daughter was gone. She could only blame herself.

She felt Jim touch her arms, but she pulled away. Jim touched her again and turned her to face him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

Trixie continued to allow the tears to fall as she placed her head against Jim’s chest. She said, “I’m sorry, Jim. I’m so sorry this happened.”

“Shh,” Jim said tightening his hold and stroking her hair.

“I’m sorry I let this happen, Jim. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Jim whispered, his voice breaking. “It’s not your fault.”

Trixie felt warm drops on her shoulder. She knew Jim was crying as well.

“What are we going to do?” she asked, burying her head further into his chest.

“Whatever it takes to get our little girl back,” Jim said. “And we will get her back.”

Trixie hoped Jim was right. She tightened her hold on him. She didn’t want to let him go.

After a few minutes, they moved to the wall and leaned against it. Jim kept a tight hold on her.

“Trixie,” Jim said. “I want to apologize for earlier.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

“I do. I should have never yelled at you like I did. I was angry and frustrated. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too. I wasn’t being too helpful,” Trixie said.

“After what you’ve been through, I’m not surprised at your reaction.”

“Why does Jonesy keep popping up? Why can’t he leave us alone?”

“I don’t know. But there’s got to be a way to get him away from us.”

Trixie moved closer to Jim. She just wanted Katje back with them. She was willing to do whatever she could to have her daughter back in her arms.

They weren’t sure how long they had been sitting there when a voice said, “Here’s where you two went.”

They looked up and saw Brian standing in the doorway.

“Any news?” Jim asked.

Brian shook his head. “I actually came to get you two for dinner. Honey is putting it on the table.”

Trixie began, “I’m…

 

“Don’t say it,” Brian said. “You both need to eat to keep your strength up for when your daughter comes home.”

“All right,” Jim said. “We’ll be down in a minute.”

Brian nodded and left the room.

“Come on,” Jim said. “Let’s go down.”

Jim got to his feet and offered her his hands. He pulled her up and they went downstairs together.

* * * * *

All through dinner, Trixie tried to push the images out of her mind of Katje laying somewhere cold, hungry and crying, but it didn’t work. She pushed the food around on her plate, all the while hoping their daughter was all right.

As they finished dinner, Dan returned with the equipment and began setting it up. Trixie stood in the doorway and watched Dan work.

She hoped all this would lead them to their daughter. She kept thinking about Katje, and no matter how many times Jim said it wasn’t her fault, she still knew it was.

All these problems started when I found him on the mattress in his great uncle’s house, she thought.  Every choice I’ve made since that day has led me to this. I will do anything as along as Katje is returned to us unharmed. If that means giving up the agency and staying home with her, then that’s what I’ll do.

“Trix?” She felt a hand on her shoulder. From the touch, she knew it was Jim.

“Yeah?”

“Are you all right? You’ve been quieter than normal.”

Trixie turned and looked at Jim. She wanted to tell him what she was thinking, but didn’t think he would understand her reasoning. She looked at the floor and said, “I’m really scared.”

Jim wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I am too. But we will get her back.”

Before she could say anything, the phone rang.

“Perfect timing,” Dan said as he looked at Trixie. “Answer the phone using the speakerphone. Everyone else needs to be quiet.”

Trixie moved to the phone and hit the button for the speakerphone. “Hello?”

“Good evening, Miss Nosey.”

“Jonesy,” Trixie said trying to keep her voice steady.

“I was thinking about what you said earlier.”

“What about it?” Trixie asked feeling Jim’s hands on her shoulders.

“I think something can be worked out,” Jonesy said. “I want 25 million dollars.”

“What?” Trixie looked at Dan who motioned for her to keep talking.

“I want that money. If you get that money to me, I will return your daughter.”

“It’ll take time to get it all together,” Trixie said.

“Don’t you want your daughter?”

Jim squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll get you the money.”

“Good. I will call you at noon tomorrow to tell you where the drop off will be.”

“Jonesy,” Trixie said before he could hang up.

“What?”

“I want proof that our daughter is all right,” she said. “If you’ve hurt her, you won’t get a dime.”

“I’ll get you proof.” The line went dead.

Trixie stared at the phone. She hit the speakerphone button and looked at Dan. She hoped he got something.

She watched Dan work with the equipment. He looked up and said, “Stay here and stay off the phone. I’ll be back.”

Dan turned and hurried out of the house.

Trixie looked at the others and saw the same confused expressions.

“I guess we should figure out how we’re going to come up with that amount of money,” Trixie said.

“Don’t worry about it,” Jim said. “I’ll find the money somehow.”

Jim wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Trixie held onto Jim. She was worried. She knew $25 million was a lot of money. More than they had. She didn’t know where they would get it.

* * * * *

As the night dragged on, Trixie paced from room to room. She wanted to hold Katje in her arms. She couldn’t sit still.

Moving through the house, Trixie saw Jim on his cellphone, trying to come up with the money Jonesy wanted. She had no idea where it would come from. They didn’t have that much and Jim was having a hard time getting in touch with his father, Matthew Wheeler. It had taken a lot to get the school and agency open.

Trixie walked into the living room where Brian and Honey were sitting on the couch. They were attempting to watch a movie on television as they anxiously waited for some word.

She went into the kitchen and looked at Jim. He had several papers spread out on the table in front of him. He had his head in his hands as he looked at the papers.

Trixie went over to Jim and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you,” Jim said.

“You’re welcome.”

“Where’s Brian and Honey?”

“In watching television.” Trixie sat down beside Jim. “I don’t think they want to leave until Dan fills us in.”

“I wish he would call or something,” Jim said running his hand through his thick red hair.

Trixie looked at Jim. “Will we be able to pay Jonesy what he wants?”

Jim looked at the papers. “Most everything we have is tied up in bonds and we don’t have that much in any of our accounts even if we put it all together.”

“What are we going to do?”

Before Jim could say anything, Brian yelled, “Come in here quick, you two.”

Trixie and Jim got to their feet and hurried into the living room. Brian was pointing at the television.

They looked and saw a reporter standing on a street corner. Behind the reporter were several police cars parked with the lights flashing.

The reporter said, “We are at the corner of Mill and Maple. Sleepyside Police came to this area about two hours ago due to a hostage situation.”

Trixie felt Jim take hold of her shoulder.

“The suspect has held officers at bay for that time,” the reporter continued. “The suspect is described as a white male in his late 50s. The officers believe the suspect is armed and dangerous. If you look over at the police cars, you’ll see the officers are waiting the suspect out.”

Trixie watched as the camera was turned toward the officers. She immediately recognized Dan crouched behind one of the police cruisers.

The camera focused back on the reporter. “We will keep you updated as this unfolds.”

Trixie knew what she had to do and where she had to be; It wasn’t at home. She turned and moved to the closet to grab her coat.

“Where are you going?” Jim asked.

“To get our daughter.”

“Dan said to stay here,” Brian said.

“I’m not going to sit here while my daughter is in danger.” She looked at each of them. “Who’s coming?”

“Let’s grab our coats,” Jim said.

“I’ll drive,” Brian said getting to his feet.

* * * * *

Thirty minutes later, Brian pulled his car over near the intersection. They climbed out and made their way to the police barricades.

“Please stay back,” an officer said, putting his hands in the air.

“What’s happening?” Honey asked.

“It’s a police situation,” the officer said. “I need everyone to stay back.”

Trixie moved along the barricade trying to get a glimpse of Sergeant Molinson or Dan. She watched the officers moving behind the cruisers.

She suddenly spotted Dan. He was talking to several officers. He turned away from the officers and looked in her direction. She waved her hand at him.

Dan stood up and hurried toward the barricade. As he reached her, he asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Dan, where’s Jonesy and Katje? Where are they?”

“Trixie, you need to go back home. You shouldn’t be here.”

“What’s going on?” Jim asked, coming up beside Trixie with Brian and Honey.

Before Dan could answer, there was gunfire. Trixie felt Jim pull her to the ground as he shielded her with his body. She could hear people screaming.

After a moment, she opened her eyes and looked toward the cruisers. She saw the police officers heading into a building with their guns drawn. Dan was with them.

Trixie felt Jim sit up beside her. She looked at the building. She heard more yelling. She wondered what was going on inside.

She kept her eyes on the door the police had entered. She watched as the officers came out of the building pushing someone in front of them.

Trixie got to her feet and looked. It was Jonesy.

She pushed through the barricade and ran toward Jonesy. She had to know where their little girl was.

Two officers took hold of Jonesy’s arms and led him to a cruiser. She moved toward him and asked, “Where is she? Where’s my daughter?”

Jonesy sneered at her. The officers pulled Jonesy to the car and put him inside. They closed the door.

Trixie turned and looked at the building. She wondered where their daughter was.

“Trixie.”

She turned and saw Jim, Brian and Honey coming toward her. Jim enveloped her in his arms.

Trixie wanted to run into the building to find their daughter, but knew the police would not allow that. She just hoped Katje was all right.

All of a sudden there was a commotion. She let go of Jim and looked at the building. She saw officers coming back out.

Among the officers was Dan. She could see he had his coat off and was carrying something. He reached the sidewalk and moved toward them.

Trixie held her breath. As Dan got closer, she looked to see how he was carrying whatever was in his arms. He was supporting one end on his am and his other was underneath.

Dan reached them and gave them a teary-eyed smile. “I think you two have been looking for someone.”

He handed his jacket to Trixie. She moved the front of the jacket away and let out a squeal of delight. Katje.

“Oh, baby,” Trixie said, pulling Katje to her chest. She felt tears stream down her face.

“My little girl,” Jim said. He wrapped his arms around both of them. He leaned forward and kissed Katje on her forehead.

“I know you two are thrilled to have her back,” Dan said, “but she needs to be checked over at the hospital.”

Trixie shook her head. “No. She’s not going anywhere.”

“Trix, this is a good idea,” Brian said. “That way, you’ll know for sure that Jonesy didn’t hurt her.”

“I’m not sending her off with strangers,” Trixie said.

“What if you and Brian took her in the ambulance?” Honey suggested. “He could start examining her on the way and she wouldn’t be out of your sight.”

She looked at her best friend. She knew Honey had a point. She knew this was necessary but couldn’t stand the idea of letting her go.

“I think Honey’s idea is the best,” Jim said. “And I’ll be right behind you.”

 

Trixie knew they were right and finally nodded her head in agreement.

Trixie and Brian headed for the waiting ambulance. Within seconds, the siren was fading away.

* * * * *

It was in the early hours of the morning and Trixie was standing in the nursery watching Katje sleep. She thought about the events after their arrival at the hospital.

When Jim arrived, he was immediately led to the room where his wife and daughter were. He stepped in and saw Trixie rocking Katje in his arms.

Brian told Jim that she was fine. Katje didn’t have any injuries. After getting the test results back, which confirmed Brian’s report, they had gone home.

Now, Trixie was watching Katje in her basinet. She didn’t want to be away from her at all.

We were so lucky to get her back unharmed, she thought. So many things could have happened. But the events worked out and Katje is safe and sound. I really don’t know what I would’ve done if I had lost her. I love her so much. I promise I will protect you forever, my darling.

“Trixie?” a voice asked softly.

She turned as Jim came into the room behind her. He wrapped his arms around her as they both looked at Katje.

“It’s late,” Jim said softly.

“I can’t sleep.”

 

“Nothing is going to happen to her here again.”

“I know. But after all that’s happened…”

“She’ll be fine.” Jim pulled her closer. “Jonesy is in jail and we are together as a family.”

Trixie knew Jim was right, but couldn’t take her eyes off the sleeping infant.

“Come on,” Jim said. “Let’s go get some sleep. I’ll turn the monitor up so you can hear every breath.”

Trixie turned and smiled at Jim. “Thank you.”

“Come on.”

Trixie took a look at Katje and followed Jim to their room. Jim turned the monitor on and set it on her side of the bed. They climbed into the bed, both looking at the monitor.

Jim said, “I love you, Trixie.”

“I love you, Jim.”

“I don’t know if I’ve said it, but thank you for helping to make one of my dreams come true.”

“We made this dream come true together.”

“We sure did.” Jim kissed the back of her neck.

Trixie listened to Katje’s even breathing on the monitor. Within minutes she heard Jim’s breathing and knew he was asleep.

As she fell asleep she smiled, thinking how perfect their family was going to be and this was just the start.

The End

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.