How Much Can You Win?

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked
Some windows are lighted, but mostly they're dark
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

 

Despite spending much of the night talking, giggling and debating the merits and physical attributes of Ben Riker versus Dan Mangan, Trixie and Liz were up and ready before they lost too much of the morning to sleep.

They continued their discussion over bowls of cereal, beginning where they had left off the night before. “Oh, come on, Trixie!” Liz declared. “Cut the rich boy some slack. So he was a rich playboy wastrel in his youth. It sounds like he has turned things around now, working as a successful lawyer.”

Trixie simply sniffed. “Phooey! He probably has most of his clerks and paralegals do the work while he sports around New York eating cookies with little old ladies and drinking tea while they discuss the best charity for her to include in her will!”

Liz laughed, there was nothing Ben could do to redeem himself in Trixie’s eyes himself from the mistakes of his youth. Liz was not fooled. “I think you say that because we both know that you won’t forgive him for messing things up for Jim.”

“Elizabeth Anne Wilson!” Trixie shrieked. “We solemnly promised -- you, me and John that we would never discuss that incident again!”

“I’m not discussing it,” Liz explained as she sprinkled the tiniest amount of sugar on her Cheerios before carefully pouring skim milk on top. “But we both know you’ll never think of Ben as worthy.”

“Those dark-blond good looks are the best thing Ben has going for him. But Dan’s got that bad-boy personality, tough-cop, he-man, brooding sensuality that just kicks Ben’s pretty boy Ivy League looks down the toilet! Come on Liz, it’s like deciding between the guy that dukes it out in the courtroom and the guy who dukes it out on the street.”

Liz laughed and handed her friend the sugar bowl. “Well, it’s no secret which of those two you prefer! But if you had to choose between Dan and Jim, which one’s sexier?”

“They’re both sexy!” Trixie answered immediately.

“Play fair my friend, which one is more sexy and why?” Liz demanded.

“Jim is!” Trixie said dreamily. “Moms and Honey agree, he is the most wonderful, honorable, supple, handsome and perfect lover in the world!”

Liz looked at her friend is surprise, “Lover?” she said quirking one eyebrow.

“Well, so far.” Trixie giggled. “I mean we haven’t, at least not yet, but I think maybe soon.”

Surprisingly, Liz understood this answer perfectly. “Are you saying he passed the test?”

“Oh, yes! Did he ever!” Trixie answered dreamily, remembering the night in Mart and Diana’s kitchen when he told Brian their relationship was their business and not his. “I’d give him an A+ on that test!”

Liz giggled. Trixie’s test had been so simple and every guy had failed it until Jim came along. “Okay, change the subject. If John weren’t gay, do you think maybe you and he might have… you know?” Liz asked her.

Trixie shrugged, “Hard to say, I’ve always known he was gay.”

“Always?” Liz asked in surprise.

“Yes, he told me at lunch the first day we were assigned as partners. Quit changing the subject, Liz! Which one do you like the best, Ben or Dan?” Trixie asked bluntly.

“Both,” she answered with a wicked grin. “Come on, Trixie. Just back off and let’s see how things go. Besides, if Dan were really interested in me, don’t you think he might have at least called or emailed me after we met the first time?”

“I think he was interested in you, but after all, Liz, we were in Virginia and he was in New York. The timing sucked. He knew he could arrange for your paths to cross later.”

Liz quietly finished her coffee. She wasn’t sure at all. There as an intense attraction between her and Dan, they had struck sparks the moment they met all those years ago, but both of them had been more focused on pushing Trixie and Jim together than anything else.

“What does your Dad think about you leaving the company?” Trixie said as he pushed back from her on now empty coffee cup.

Liz shrugged, “He knows he doesn’t get a vote.”

“Wilco Security is pretty well known, especially in our business. I still think you’re crazy to throw away your career with his company.”

“Trixie,” Liz warned. “I don’t want to go there. You know why. Let’s leave Daddy out of this.”

“Okay, but your Dad would be happy about you dating Ben Riker,” Trixie muttered.

Liz was quiet as she pondered what Trixie had said. Ben was just the type to appeal to Winston Wilson as a suitable husband for his only daughter. She finally gave a sigh. Life shouldn’t be so complicated, she thought. There hasn’t been any guy I’ve wanted to date twice in over a year, and now there are two! It’s feast or famine!

She finally spoke again. “Well, Jim may have passed your test but we will have to see if anyone can pass mine!” Liz stood to carry her bowl to the sink, glancing out the kitchen window.

“Trixie! It’s snowing!” she cried in delight, clapping her hands together and doing a little dance. “I can’t believe it, it’s going to snow!”

 

 

The old homes located on Hawthorne Street were a startling contrast to those on Glen Road. There were no sights and sounds of joy or camaraderie, and a particularly nasty, greasy smell permeated the air. One stark and desolate house stood in disrepair, grim and forlorn, with little care given to it and its very existence proclaiming the illicit deals and deeds that went on inside. Within its doors there was no cheerful mother cooking dinner or family gathered to be together. The special dinner for the day would be a warmed up bucket of fried chicken and mashed potatoes. The people present would have received better fare at one of the numerous churches or community centers serving Thanksgiving dinner that day. Unfortunately, they couldn’t be seen together in public.

Because people were home with family on this holiday, one particular cartel called a meeting that morning. It would be safe and few people would notice who came to call on Hawthorne Street. If asked, there was a basket of food to be delivered to someone less fortunate. Eugene Jones pulled up in a dark green sedan, checking his watch, pleased he was on time.

There was a time when Eugene Jones had some redeeming qualities. One was the love for the frail, fair, female he had made his only wife. When she died, everything good in him had died with her and he needed someone to blame. His one chance at happiness was gone. Someone had to pay. Jim had become Eugene Jones’s someone. Frustrated with letting Jim’s inheritance slip through his fingers and later, the money that had ended up with Jim’s cousin, he plotted his vengeance. Prison afforded him ample opportunity to plan and make connections. Instead of rehabilitation, prison only intensified the evil need for revenge that now consumed him. Eugene Jones craftily realized that treating Jim like he had as a teenager would not suffice. Jim needed to experience what it was like to lose what made life worth living -- Jonesy needed help to make that happen.

Help was easy to find with the contacts he made in prison. It was made even easier with the young woman’s interest in insurance cases. She was looking and digging where his new friends did not want anyone looking and digging. It was easy to convince them that she was a risk to the operation. Her reputation was known to all of them and Jonesy quickly overruled the protests of his younger colleague who insisted the girl wasn’t even close. She was a threat, someone who could bring them all down! He smiled as he recalled the conversation.

“But sir, I’m telling you the girl knows nothing!”

“Son, trust me, that girl is the nosiest bitch this side of the Mississippi River! She is well on her way to figuring this entire operation out. She’s probably told her lover everything!”

“I’m pretty sure they’re not lovers,” the younger man mumbled.

“Son, stick with me. You’re entirely too naïve for your age. She’s trapped him in her bed, and now in her web. She will bring us all down if we don’t bring her down first!”

A gruff voice interrupted his reminisces. “Are you ready Jones?”

“Yeah, we’re ready. From everything my boy has learned up at the school, we can get them tomorrow. The visitor is going to the city for the day.”

“Are you sure tomorrow’s the right time? I don’t need any mistakes, we don’t need any cops looking at what we have going on here.”

“It’s right. From everything my boy can tell they don’t even know I’m around. They won’t be expecting a thing.”

“You sure the boy is ready? He’s green, doesn’t know much about hurting people.”

“He’s been hurt enough to know sometimes you gotta hurt back,” Jones replied harshly. “The boy’s ready. He done everything we asked him too, from gettin’ the job at the school to keepin’ tabs on the cops. He’s got all the right connections.”

“Okay, but there better not be any screw-ups, Jones. If the girl hadn’t shown up at the shop like she did, we wouldn’t be letting you do this much. She has too many connections. Whatever you do, you keep things clean. It needs to look like it’s not associated with her job at all.”

“She ain’t that smart,” Jones sneered in reply.

“You see, that’s why you work for me. I don’t make the mistake of thinking I’m smarter than everyone. Give the girl some credit, she’s didn’t get where she’s at by being stupid.”

Jonesy was smart enough to keep his private thoughts on that matter to himself. He simply nodded. Gene Jones had little to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, but he had plotted and planned a punishment that would right the wrongs he perceived had been done to him.

“Jones, one more thing.” His thoughts were once again interrupted.

“Sir?” he asked respectfully, wondering if he had missed something.

“Lose the green car when this is over. We don’t want it coming back to the shop.”

“Got it.” Jonesy assured him with a grin. Nope, I haven’t forgotten anything, he thought to himself. It’s finally time! I’m going to get the boy where it hurts the most. The money’s going to be nice for getting rid of that nosy bitch! Not to mention my cut of this operation. Getting back at the boy or the money, I’m not sure which is best. Don’t matter though, I get both!

 

 

All along Glen Road cars made their way to Crabapple Farm. The old farmhouse brimmed with joy, love and savory scents that Thanksgiving Day. The walls stretched with family and friends who were thankful for much in their lives. Good cheer, laughter and fun were in order for the day.

Thanksgiving Day seemed to last only a moment to Trixie. Margery Trask’s arrival at the open house with Wendell Molinson created quite a stir among the Bob-Whites. Frank Lytell was already lurking around and they were surprised to see Frank speaking pleasantly with the couple.

“So, what’s up with those three?” Mart murmured in Di’s ear.

“Do you mean Bobby, Alice and Anna?” she asked, confused. Bobby had been sticking pretty close to Di’s younger sisters. Close enough to have Diana wondering.

“No,” Mart said looking around for Bobby. “Margery, Molinson and Mr. Lytell, look over in the corner by the fireplace.”

Diana casually glanced towards the trio. “Yes, I see what you mean; he’s certainly not looking daggers at them or anything. If anything he seems almost pleased about it.” Diana frowned as she puzzled over this latest development.

A similar conversation was taking place between Brian and Honey.

“When they came in I just knew you would be performing surgery before the afternoon was over,” Honey said casually to Brian.

“Surgery on who?” he asked puzzled.

“Captain Molinson, I figured Mr. Lytell might put a knife in his back.” Honey laughed.

Brian observed carefully as well. “No, it looks like he approves of their relationship,” he murmured putting an arm around his beautiful wife. “Did you know that I still have a room here?”

“Oh? You do?” Honey looked up at the twinkling dark eyes. “Maybe you could show it to me sometime?” she replied seductively.

“Well… things seem pretty calm at the moment,” he teased.

Honey grinned, “Just give the word Dr. Belden. In fact, I’m feeling kind of weak right now, maybe I should go find your room and lie down for a while.”

“Weak?” he asked, a dark eyebrow rising in query.

“Mmmm, yes, weak-kneed from desire. I think I need my doctor.” She teased him with a seductive tone that drove him wild.

“Let’s go,” he whispered. “But whatever you do, don’t let Mart see us.”

“Why not?”

“It’s his room too; I don’t want him thinking he can kick us out.”

Jim and Trixie spent a good part of the time in the kitchen. Trixie worked behind the scenes to help her mother keep dishes refilled and plates and utensils washed. Liz tried to help several times, but Trixie insisted she enjoy her time as a guest. She rolled her eyes, knowing Trixie was refusing to let her hide in the kitchen from Ben and Dan. She liked them both, just not together.

Trixie was laughing as she returned from a trip to the den.

“What’s so funny?” Jim asked, as he took a stack of dishes from her and submerged them into the soapy water.

“Guess who is gathered in an intimate trio in the far corner of the den?” she asked him. “Margery and her suitors!” she announced without waiting for him to guess.

Jim made it a point to walk into the den on a pretext of checking something. Scanning the room, he noticed Brian and Honey slipping up the stairs together and grinned, recognizing the look on Brian’s face.

Jim returned to the kitchen and a giggling Trixie after a few moments of socializing. He briefly wondered how she would react if he suggested they slip upstairs as well, and decided their relationship wasn’t quite to that point. He was, however, prepared for anything. As he had told Trixie, he now had the requisite contraceptives in his wallet.

Seizing an opportunity when the kitchen was empty, he cornered Trixie and kissed her. He kissed her like he only imagined Brian was kissing his sister, kissing her in a manner that had her closing her eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck and totally forgetting they were standing in her parent’s kitchen. She was oblivious to everything but Jim until she heard a throat clearing.

She hastily pushed Jim away, peering anxiously around him to meet the laughing eyes of Bill Regan.

“Sorry to interrupt, but your mother asked me to tell you that Mr. Stratton and his wife are here. I think she wants you and Jim to come and speak with them for a few minutes.”

“Uh, sure Regan,” Trixie stammered. “We’ll be right there.” She reached a hand up to smooth her hair, knowing her face had to be bright red.

“No big rush. In fact, you might want to wait a few minutes, especially Jim.” Regan smirked as he turned to go back into the living room.

“Jim Frayne, what has gotten into you?” Trixie demanded as the door closed.

“You,” he replied kissing her again. “I’m crazy about you, Trixie. Do you realize I’ve got tomorrow off as well? This is the first time this year I’ve had more than one day off at a time.” And no chance at all to spend time alone with you! He thought but didn’t say.

Trixie giggled, “Well it seems to me you could find something better to do with your time off than kissing me all night.”

“I can’t think of anything better than that,” Jim said as he kissed her yet again. “Well I can, but after all we are at your parent’s house,” he whispered in her ear.

Trixie blushed furiously now.

“So do you have any time for me this weekend?” he asked her slipping his arms around her shoulders and giving a squeeze. He suddenly wished he could tell Mr. Stratton they were getting married. He wanted nothing more than to introduce Trixie to their friends as his fiancée.

“Oh, I do have a pretty busy and full social calendar, you know?” she teased him; the sparkling china blue eyes looked up at him. “My calendar fills up pretty quickly and I’m usually booked weeks in advance. I’ll need to check and see if I’m still available or not.”

“A real social butterfly, huh?” He teased back as he pulled her curl. “Listen; don’t forget the first annual Frayler Christmas Program next month. Do you think you might find room on that busy and full social calendar for the premier Christmas event of the season?”

“Hmm, I’m pretty sure I could be available for something like that. Of course, if I had a worthy escort to the event...” Trixie’s fingers ran sexily up and down Jim’s arms.

“Okay, I’ll make sure you have a worthy escort, maybe even seven worthy escorts.” Jim stole a kiss. “I hope you’ll be there,” he added in a more serious tone.

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t miss it.” Trixie said solemnly.

“Okay, then what about tomorrow? Will your busy and full social calendar allow room for you to spend some time alone with me tomorrow afternoon?” Jim asked her, grinning.

“Yes,” she answered before adding as an afterthought, “Liz made plans tomorrow night.”

“Oh, and dare I ask with whom?”

“She’s got appointments to look at some apartments in the city but I heard Dan ask her to go see the latest spy flick tomorrow.” Trixie explained.

Jim nodded. Things were working out better than he had hoped, “So just you and me tomorrow?”

“Just us,” Trixie confirmed, as she turned to leave the kitchen.

Jim smiled as he dropped his arms and placing a freckled hand on her back and they casually walked out of the kitchen and into the den to speak to their friends.

 

 

The Friday after Thanksgiving seemed more of a holiday for the Bob-Whites than Thanksgiving Day had. The obligations associated with the open house were behind them, and this was a day they could all relax and enjoy. The only downside was Bobby’s late night departure to return to school.

Jim started his day early with a run. The snow was still falling, but it wasn’t enough for sledding yet. He smiled, as he remembered the students’ constant distraction with the weather that morning. The boys were as anxious as Liz for a really good snow.

The snow didn’t slow down his run and before he knew it, he was sitting in his office. He had some plans to finish before his date with Trixie.

Jim sat down and pulled out a well-worn sheet of paper covered in stick figures. It was tedious, but he managed to construct several messages that would accomplish what he had in mind. He smiled as he looked at the one on top:

He wondered how long it would take her to figure out the code. He studied them, arranging the messages in the order he wanted. He sat back in his chair as he debated where he could put the notes, so that she would discover them without immediately realizing he had planted them. Suddenly he smiled. The solution was obvious.

 

 

The Belden Wheeler Agency had a full morning planned. Trixie and Liz were meeting Honey first thing to discuss Liz’s partnership.

“What do we have to do today?” Liz asked, grumpily. Trixie smiled as she remembered Liz was not a morning person, in fact, she was never with it until she had her first cup of coffee.

“Meet with Honey by eight. You have appointments to look at apartments. We can discuss things at breakfast and the ride into the city with you if you like to look at apartments.”

“Thought you had a hot date?” Liz mumbled as she stirred half and half into her coffee.

“This afternoon, he said to dress for riding.” Trixie replied a smile appearing on her face as she sipped her own cup of java.

Liz managed a half-smile, remembering. “Oh yeah, Agent Belden is going to get her man!”

“Cut it out, Liz. It’s just a date, it’s no big deal!” Trixie muttered, embarrassed.

“Come on Trix, you are grumpy this morning, I was only kidding. But weren’t you the one telling me soon.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s going to happen soon, I mean as long as he’s ready and I’m ready and the time is right and the place is right, and you don’t need to worry about walking in on anything, well embarrassing tonight!”

Liz laughed and offered Trixie first shower. The two former roommates continued to laugh and joke as they got ready and headed out the door. They were so busy teasing that contrary to both their natures; neither noticed they were being closely watched. This time the car was a beat-up gray Honda and the driver was wearing a ball cap. As soon as they left the parking lot, the car pulled out as well, carefully following them the few blocks to Honey’s.

Honey was waiting, and quickly jumped into Trixie’s car. “You ladies, ready?”

Honey was not as distracted as her friends, when they arrived at the diner; she turned and frowned, looking in the direction of the gray Honda, speculating as she stared, “Does that car look familiar to either of you?”

Trixie and Liz both turned to look in time to see the Honda speed up and drive away, with only a glimpse.

“Must be my imagination!” Honey laughed as they entered the diner, the feast of the day before long forgotten.

The three spread out notes, papers and coffee as they started talking. Liz went first.

“Listen, I know this is the Belden-Wheeler Agency, and I don’t care if my name is ever part of it or not, but I want a partnership. If I’m going to relocate to New York and throw myself into this job for the next few years, I want this to be just as much my business as it is yours. That’s all I’m asking for. I’ll do whatever you ask, whenever you ask me, but I’m adamant about this. I want to be part owner!”

Trixie and Honey exchanged knowing looks. Trixie had already warned her best friend that Liz would want to be a partner in the business. They believed they had a solution ready.

“Liz, is it important to be an equal partner or just a partner?” Trixie asked carefully.

“Well, ideally yes, I would want to be an equal partner, but what do you have in mind?”

Honey replied, “Dad suggested we consider incorporation instead of a partnership. He loaned Trixie and me some money to get our business going at the first of the year. He’s asked that we consider converting that to an investment and giving him stock in the firm.”

“Okay, so basically, I can buy in with a certain dollar investment or I can earn a specified equity position by the end of my first year, is that what you’re telling me?” Liz frowned. Business matters bored her to tears, another reason she did not want to stay and take over from her father. She understood the basic tenets of the business world well enough but running the business side of the business would be left to Honey or Trixie. Liz wanted to run the computer investigations. If she wanted to embroil herself in the profits and costs of the business, she wouldn’t leave her father’s company, Wilco Security Systems.

“Basically, yes.” Trixie answered. “You can elect to defer part of your salary to the end of the first year towards shares and if you don’t want to wait, then we’re willing to let you invest a stake now. We’ll get Honey’s cousin, Ben, to draw up all the papers since Honey has a conflict of interest since she’s part owner.”

“Sounds good to me! I have a stake I can put down now. You have that nice, handsome, Cousin Ben draw it up so I can put part of my salary towards more shares at the end of the first year. I don’t have to own the same amount, but I want to be a significant stakeholder.”

“So, speaking of Ben, what’s the story there?” Honey asked Liz directly. She was ready to move on to more personal topics of discussion. “He’s still hanging around the house, hoping he’ll have a chance to go out with you this weekend.”

“Oh, he has a chance alright. He’s a cutie --that much is for certain. I could really fall for him if I didn’t know what I already know.” Liz explained.

“What do you mean?” Honey asked.

“Well you know, just what Trixie’s told me.” Liz shot a look at her friend and realized Honey had never been told about the situation.

“What did Trixie tell you?” Honey was bewildered now.

“Oh! Just your old stories, Honey. Switching the salt for the sugar and you eating that salty oatmeal, those kinds of things,” Trixie explained hastily.

Honey knew there was more, but she went along with Trixie’s explanation for now. “Liz, what I really want to know is why?”

“Why what?”

“Come one, you’re already working for your Dad in a related business. You could be running it someday if you’d stay with him. Why come on board with us?”

“Oh, that!” Liz waived her hand airily. “Look, Daddy’s business is great and I’ve enjoyed working for him. You’re right, I could be the CEO someday, but I want my own. I want to build my own and have what I have because I did it, not because it was my Daddy’s. Besides, Daddy demands too much from me. Besides pushing me into the business side of work that I just detest, he wants to interfere in my personal life. I do declare, that man would arrange a marriage for me if he thought he could get away with it. He tries so hard to fix me up with men he thinks would help the business. He’ll never let me really run it. If he would quit trying to run everyone’s life like he runs the company, then he and Mama wouldn’t have – well, I suspect they would still be together.” Liz sighed deeply. That was another reason altogether, being put in the middle of the parents. “Wilco Security is the top security firm in the country. If Daddy would be content to let me run the security operations, I would stay, but he wants to push me into the business operations and I don’t care about the profits and the bottom line. All in all, I’d rather be a part of making the Belden-Wheeler Agency into the top investigations firm in the country. Do you understand?”

Honey understood perfectly. Getting advice from her Dad was one thing, but he didn’t try to run their business for them and he had never given them unsolicited advice!

“You don’t think you’ll change your mind, some day?” Honey asked softly.

“Nope! If all the stock were owned by the family it might be one thing, but having to answer to the board, not being able to do what you want because of regulatory constraints, listening to stock holders whine about costs and demanding a higher return. I want my own business I can run my own way.” Liz smiled brightly. “With y’all of course! Can you imagine the top investigative business in the world being run by three women?” Liz had a dreamy look in her eye that had Honey and Trixie exchanging looks.

“Uh, Liz how about we start with the stop investigative business in Manhattan?” Honey suggested.

“I think we can start there as long as we don’t stop there! Have you hired some office help yet?” Liz said changing the subject. She knew Honey would understand.

“Not yet, but I interviewed someone last week that looks really good for our receptionist. If you were going to be around next week, I’d say for you to interview him as well.” Honey answered.

“Him?”

“Yep, he’s fresh out of college and eager to get a job. He has no work experience whatsoever, but he’s anxious and excited about learning.”

“What’s his degree?”

“Statistics,” Honey replied with a grin. “He’s a hacker wannabe, and he has enough pre-law electives to make him useful as a paralegal. Face it; he’s a Jack of all trades, literally. His name is Jack Miller.”

Trixie rolled her eyes. Why did it seem she couldn’t escape men whose names began with the letter J? “What time is your first appointment Liz? We should probably leave to catch the late morning train.”

“Sure, let’s go.” Honey backed up her files neatly, while Trixie simply shoved all of hers into the bag she had. Liz had taken all her notes directly into her PDA and she simply closed it up and slipped it into her purse.

 

 

Jim couldn’t stop whistling Christmas carols. He was determined to make the school’s first annual Christmas program a community event. Christmas carols, a play, all the traditional trappings. Diana had already found the play for the students.

His secretary had the day off, as it was technically a holiday. The students did not have classes and Tad was sharing the responsibility for supervision with Mart and Regan. Jim took over for a couple of hours in a failed attempt to stop checking his watch every few minutes. The boys had a different idea.

“Mrs. Professor Belden told us that we had to practice our play!” Harry informed Jim when he stuck his head into their common area to check on them.

“Well yes, we’re planning to put on a Christmas program this year,” Jim reminded them.

“Miss Trask said we would have to sing!” Benji added his complaint to the conversation.

“What’s wrong with singing?” Jim asked the boys.

The six of them exchanged looks. Nothing was wrong with singing – it was just singing!

Dennis changed the subject, and finally brought up the question he had been worrying about since he arrived at Frayler. It was the question on most of their minds. “Where will we be spending Christmas? Will we be here at Frayler, or will we have to go back?”

Jim took a deep breath. He was still arguing with the state. “I’m not sure yet. We will definitely have Christmas here at Frayler, but some of your families have requested to check you out over the holidays.” Jim explained.

Stephen paled visibly. He couldn’t help it, but the thought of going back to his stepfather and mother, it made his stomach hurt. “Do we have to go?” he asked weakly.

“I don’t know yet.” Jim was honest. “It’s something that we’re still discussing. But if it happens and you do, it’s only for a day or two. We’ll still have our own Christmas here at the school with all of us here.”

“But what if we don’t want to leave, not even for a day?” Charlie asked what they all wanted to know. Charlie and the other students were at Frayler for good reasons, the lack of family support being the source.

Jim shook his head, “Boys, Christmas is still a month away. Give me a chance to work this out with the right people. I can’t promise you anything, but I can make sure they understand what you want. Do any of you want to go home for Christmas?”

Sam and Harry were the only ones who would have given anything to go home for Christmas. Unfortunately, they had no one to go home too. The remaining four exchanged looks, and finally Benji spoke up. “I don’t want to.”

The others chimed in and agreed. Jim took a deep breath, he wasn’t sure he would win this one, but he would try.

“Understood,” he said succinctly. “Now, what are your plans for the rest of the day?”

His ears were filled with chatter about hikes, target practice and a horseback ride. Jim smiled, thinking that his school was exactly what he wanted. Now if he could just cut through some of the red tape the state was imposing on him.

 

 

Trixie, Honey and Liz were walking out the door when they ran into Dan. He had learned of the plans to search for an apartment in the city and decided to offer his services as a driver. Honey and Trixie exchanged looks. Neither had ever seen this kind of reaction from their friend over a girl before. Before Elizabeth Wilson realized what had happened, she was heading into the city, alone with Daniel Mangan. Honey and Trixie had quickly developed urgent appointments and things that simply had to be done that morning. Both girls favored their fellow Bob-White, Dan over Honey’s cousin as a match for Liz.

Trixie and Honey cheerfully smiled and waved as their friends drove out of sight. Then Trixie turned to look at Honey and grinned. “Now that my day is free, can I interest you in another cup of coffee?”

“Absolutely!” Honey replied. “Just promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Please don’t tell Ben what I just did. I promised him I would remain unbiased.” Honey laughed.

“He’ll never hear it from me!” Trixie replied vehemently. “Should we go and keep him company for a while after we have coffee?”

“It’s the least we can do, don’t you think?”

“We could go into town anyway, check things at the office?” Trixie offered.

Honey smiled. “We’ll let Liz pick out her office another day. Come on , let’s go on over and have coffee with Ben. My conscience is starting to bother me.”

“Phooey! He was going whether we went or not, nothing you could do about that Honey.”

The two friends headed out to Trixie’s car. Honey looked around but there was no sign of a gray Honda. As she settled into the front seat, she asked Trixie about the office again.

“Do you think Liz will be okay with our offices?”

Trixie smiled, “Yeah, she’ll be fine with them. After all, thanks to you and your Dad, we have premium offices!”

Honey smiled as she remembered.

 

 

“Are you sure your Dad isn’t going to rent this to anyone else?” Trixie asked, her fingers running through her tangled curls.

“No, I even checked around him.” Honey chuckled. “Dad’s secretary put me in contact with his facilities and space manager. Either we rent it or it’s going to be empty for the next two years. So whatever we give him for rent is more than he would have received. The only catch is we are on our own for furniture and equipment. No desks, file cabinets, coffee pots, copiers, fax machines, networking, nothing comes with it. Not even a security system. It has to be ready for expansion for some other deal. But if we have to move we’ll only get two weeks’ notice.”

Trixie nodded, “Let’s do it!”

They had signed the lease with Wheeler Industries and then returned to the office with a bottle of champagne. Both of them ended up sleeping in the office on the floor that first night, giggling that at least the carpet was soft!

 

 

Trixie fidgeted as she pulled into her parking lot. Honey and Ben had offered to help Mrs. Wheeler begin decorating Manor House for Christmas. Of course, she felt she should stay and help. It had been fun climbing into the dusty attic and bringing down the boxes, exclaiming over the lovely ornaments and decorations. Grace Wheeler had served them a delicious lunch. But now, she was later than she had planned to be.

She looked around, back to her normal habit of paying very close attention to what cars were there and where they were parked. Seeing nothing unusual, she hurried inside. Jim was picking her up at three-thirty. Checking her watch for what felt like the fiftieth time that day, she noted she should have enough time to shower and change, if she hurried. It would only take her a minute to pull on the casual clothes she needed for riding.

She was out of the shower and trying to do something with her hair when she heard the knock at the door.

She groaned inwardly, “Why does he have to be early today?” Still toweling her hair she pulled the door open as the expected second knock had finished.

“Hey, you’re –“

Trixie moved quickly to slam the door, but it was too late. A sharp blow to her head and she had crumpled to a heap on the floor.

Two faceless figures exchanged looks. The tall, stoop shouldered man spoke hurriedly, “Get her tied up quick. We need to get the hell out of here.”