Chapter Thirteen: Ransom
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN
As they read them again, the words hit the gathered Bob-Whites like a thunderbolt.
“I guess they’re right about that. I’ve often imagined what this might feel like, but it’s so much worse. I should have told you, but I’ve had so many of these threats over the years and it’s never come to anything. I should have been more careful,” Mr. Wheeler said, dropping the paper onto the table and running his hand through his thick red curls. “If they’d only contact us; they can have anything they want.”
Jim patted his father’s shoulder awkwardly. “We’ll get them back, Dad. I know we will.”
The other Bob-Whites added words of encouragement and Mr. Wheeler’s strained expression cleared somewhat.
“What now, Trixie?” he asked.
Trixie felt a small swell of pride and gratitude at the question. “Would you like us to go through the information we’ve gathered so far, sir?”
Mr. Wheeler nodded, and Di passed her notes to Trixie.
“I think Mart and I should go and check on those residents we couldn’t speak to this morning,” the dark-haired girl said. “Trixie, Jim and Dan can explain everything.”
After Mart and Di left, it did not take the remaining three Bob-Whites long to go through what they had discovered so far. Mr. Wheeler was impressed.
“You’ve done a remarkable job,” he said, “especially with very little to go on.”
“It was mainly Trixie,” Jim said
“Everyone helped,” Trixie corrected, always embarrassed when people complimented her. “But it really is just a matter of deduction. Once Mart convinced me to stop panicking, and start using my instincts, things went a whole lot faster.”
“You seem to know more than the police, though that doesn’t really surprise me,” Mr. Wheeler observed.
“We know they’ll be talking to everyone too, but they can have copies of all our notes if it helps,” Dan said with an inquiring look at Jim and Trixie.
They both nodded and Jim said, “I’ve already started to type them up, so that they’re easier to follow. I can even email them, since the address is on the detective’s card.”
The others stared at him in obvious surprise. Jim shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep last night. I didn’t have much then, but at least I made a start.”
“I’m very proud of all of you. I want you to know that,” Mr. Wheeler said. “No matter what happens.”
“Everything will turn out fine,” Trixie cried, her expression stricken.
“Of course it will.” Mr. Wheeler gave her a swift hug. “Forgive me, Trixie, I’m a little rattled.”
“We all are, sir,” said Dan
“Do you have any idea on Campbell’s family, Dad?” Jim asked, as he fired up the computer. “Anything that might help us narrow it down?”
“The police are working on that now. All I really know is that he had a wife and several young children, although I believe the couple were estranged at the time. I think the woman may have remarried.” He frowned, his green eyes serious. “You never imagine the effect your actions might have.”
“From what we’ve learned, what happened was in motion long before you came along, Dad.”
“So the police said, Jim.” Mr. Wheeler offered a strained smile. “Unfortunately, at this particular moment in time, it doesn’t seem to ring true. Hopefully, we may have more exact information this evening.”
“I hope so, those details could really help,” Trixie said, blue eyes round.
Mr. Wheeler stood up, crossed to the living room window and for several moments stared into the darkening afternoon. Finally, he turned to face the three Bob-Whites. “I know I said you could be involved in this, but, Trixie, you frighten me.” Before Trixie could respond, he continued, “You’re so ready to dive in, to follow any lead, wherever it may take you.” He shook his red head. “These people are dangerous, even more dangerous than most of the criminals you’ve come up against, and that’s saying something.”
“We know that, Mr. Wheeler, honestly we do, but this is just so important.” Trixie couldn’t prevent her voice cracking and Jim hurried over to place a comforting arm around her shoulders.
Dan added his own thoughts. “We know we need to be guided by the police, and the FBI when they get here, and obviously they have to take charge, but we have an advantage, sir. We know Honey and Brian, and each and everyone of us would do anything to ensure their safe return.”
Trixie felt a surge of pride as her friend spoke. She could never have found the words, but she could see they had a deep effect on Mr. Wheeler.
“I do know that, Dan,” he said. “And I’m not really suggesting the Bob-Whites stay out of things. I just want to Trixie to promise me that she’ll be extra careful.”
“Of course, I will,” Trixie replied, without hesitation. “I would never do anything to put Honey and Brian in more danger.” She paused. “So, the FBI will get involved now?”
Mr. Wheeler returned to the sofa, and Trixie moved to sit beside him. “They have already been briefed by Sergeant Ryder and I’ve spoken to an agent in their field office. Frankly, I was anxious to keep a low-profile until I’d had a chance to get here and speak to you all. They seem sure there will be a ransom demand and then they will take over the case officially.”
“They have more experience with kidnappings than anyone,” Jim said, doing his best to sound confident and strong.
Dan had started organising their notes for Jim to transcribe, when he stopped suddenly. “Hey, I forgot to ask you guys, did you find out about your assignments?”
Jim nodded. “They were handed in on time. The girl in the office who checked for me, said that it wasn’t Brian who left them.” He gave a half-smile. “She knows Brian, because he’s helped her carry stuff up from the car park, a couple of times.”
“That’s just like Brian,” Trixie declared. “Everywhere he goes, he helps people.”
“And they always remember him,” Jim added.
“I don’t want to interrupt the love fest,” Dan interjected, “but?”
“Sorry,” Jim said. “She didn’t remember who dropped them off, only that it was a guy, and he said Brian had asked him to drop them off.”
“Does that help us?” Mr. Wheeler asked.
“I think so,” Trixie said, blonde curls bouncing as she nodded her head. “It’s not likely that the kidnappers would drop the papers. They couldn’t risk being identified by the woman in the office.”
“That’s right,” Jim agreed.
“And that means that whoever it was got them from Brian, so if we can find out who it was, we can at least find out what time they saw Brian, and they might help us with our time line.”
“That’s excellent reasoning, Trixie, but if we don’t know who it was, how do you propose we do that?” Jim’s father was more than a little impressed, but he wanted, he needed, more.
“Dad’s right,” Jim said dejectedly. “Lisa, the girl in the office, sounded totally vague on the ‘who’ issue.”
“Then we’ll show her pictures and see if that jogs her memory,” Trixie said, undaunted. “Or we’ll get a list of all the students who handed in those assignments yesterday, and we’ll ask them, all of them.”
“That’s a great idea,” Dan said, while Jim rushed over to hug Trixie.
Mr. Wheeler smiled, genuinely this time, and clapped Trixie on the back. “They really are very fine ideas, Trixie.”
Trixie nodded, slightly embarrassed by the attention. “Do you think we could talk to her tonight, Jim?”
Jim shrugged and consulted his watch. “Gee, I don’t know if she’d still be there.”
“Call her,” Dan suggested. “It’s worth checking.”
Jim nodded and dashed to the phone. The other two Bob-Whites and his father sat in silence while he made the call.
“We’re in luck,” he announced as soon as he’d placed the phone back in its cradle. “She’s going out for about an hour, but she has to come back. She said if we pop in around six, she can give us a list of the students who handed in the same assignment.”
“Is she allowed to do that?” Dan asked
“I honestly don’t know, but when I said that Brian was in some trouble, and that I was pretty sure the police would okay it, she said yes.” He picked up the assortment of papers and began to type.
Di shivered as she hurried along the last of the first-floor terraces and Mart reached out an arm to gently pull her back. “Di, let’s go back to the apartment; you’re freezing.”
Di shook off his hand. “No, we need to see these people. One of them might know something.”
Mart shrugged. “I really don’t think someone this far away from Brian and Jim’s could have seen much.”
“So, we’re just wasting our time?” she demanded, violet eyes flashing.
“No, of course not,” Mart said. “I just think we should go back and get you a sweater. If I was wearing one, I’d give you mine.”
“Of course you would. That would be just like you,” Di’s tone was accusing. “Don’t you realise it doesn’t matter if I’m cold! Goodness knows what’s happening to Honey and Brian. They’re probably cold and hungry and frightened.” Her voice broke, and Mart threw his arms around her.
“Di, it’s okay.”
“No, it isn’t!” she wailed. “How can it be, with Honey and Brian missing?”
“I know,” Mart said. “I’m just as worried as you are, I mean Brian is my brother.”
Di returned his hug. “I’m sorry, I’m not helping much, am I?”
Mart managed a weak smile. “You’ve been great, Di. I’d never have got through this day or last night without you.”
Di took a deep breath. “Let’s go back, I do need a sweater and something hot to drink.”
Hand in hand, the two headed back to the apartment.
The light had pretty much died away by the time the group had finished exchanging their most recent information. Dan, who’d been out to take another look around, had some unsettling news. “The press have been here. I don’t know how much they’ve been told, but they’ve definitely got wind of something.”
“That's not good. Now, I’m even more grateful I finally got to speak to my dad,” Trixie said. “I’d have hated for something to be in the papers before they knew.”
Her father had called Mr. Wheeler’s cell and although the news had naturally upset him, he’d still been able to make her feel reassured. Her mother had been out with Bobby and their uncle, but as soon as they returned, the Beldens were driving down from Canada to the nearest airport.
“I wish I had too,” Mart said with a sigh—his father had called while he and Diana were out. “I’ll tell you this— our parents are never going on some stupid, hard to contact, back to nature, hiking vacation again!”
Diana squeezed his arm reassuringly.
“They’ll call back as soon as they have details, Mart,” Mr. Wheeler said. “And I’m sure you’re right about the vacation. The only reason they went was because I promised them I would keep an eye on you all while they were away. I don’t imagine they’ll ever forgive me or trust me again.”
“They know it’s not your fault,” Trixie said, hating to see her friend’s normally strong father looking so vulnerable.
He patted her hand and cleared his throat. “What do you say to hot drinks all round?” He asked and Mart and Di scrambled to their feet.
As they nursed cups of tea and hot chocolate, Jim glanced a little anxiously at his watch. “I’d like to get going soon.”
Mr. Wheeler nodded. “I should have hired a car at the airport, instead of taking a cab.”
“We’ve got the station wagon, Dad, and there’s room for all of us,” Jim said.
His father ran his hand through his thick red hair. “Of course you have; I’m not thinking clearly.”
The group was soon on its way to the college campus. The night had turned chilly and a light rain had started to fall. Jim turned on the windscreen wipers and adjusted the car’s heating. After some conferring, it was decided that Jim and Trixie would go in and talk to the woman, while the others waited in the car.
“All of us together is a bit daunting,” Dan had said, summing everything up.
Mr. Wheeler had agreed, but added that Jim should come back for him immediately if the young woman seemed reluctant. “I’m sure I could explain the seriousness of the situation,” he said. “And I can get hold of the police, if necessary.”
As they dashed across the car park, Trixie clutched the pen and notebook Di had thoughtfully provided in one hand and Jim’s hand in the other. “I just hope this helps,” she said as the wind bit through her clothing.
“It’s a good idea, Trix,” Jim replied as he led the way to the psych administration office.
Lisa Chenh, a woman in her mid-twenties, invited the two Bob-Whites in, and Jim hurried to introduce Trixie. The woman nodded and regarded them expectantly. “I’ve put together a list of those students who handed in their assignments yesterday afternoon, but before I give it to you, I would like something of an explanation.”
Jim and Trixie exchanged glances, and the latter spoke. “Brian, and one of our other friends, is in trouble. We really can’t tell you all that much about it. I wish we could, but I promise when we can, we will come back and explain everything. Please, Miss Chenh, all we really need is a list of the people who might have handed in Brian and Jim’s assignments. We need to talk to that person desperately.” There was no mistaking her sincerity, and Lisa was visibly moved by Trixie’s plea.
“Honestly, Lisa, we are really in a bind or we wouldn’t ask,” Jim added.
The older woman smiled. “Well, Jim, both you and Brian have helped me out plenty of times,” she said.
Jim flushed. “We haven’t done anything anyone else wouldn’t do.”
“That’s not actually true.” Lisa shook her head. “Not everyone will lug heavy boxes to and from a car, and no one else would patch up a scrape after a fall, and check on my recovery the next day.”
Trixie felt tears pricking at the back of her eyes at the mention of her brother’s kindness. “Brian’s a pretty special person, and so is Jim,” she said.
Lisa nodded. “I’ve learned that, Trixie.” She handed a typed piece of paper to Jim as she spoke, and he accepted it gratefully. Trixie craned her neck to look at it, and her brow puckered.
“There are only five names here,” she said.
Lisa nodded again. “A lot of students had handed in their assignments early for once, so I’d already marked all their names off. These are the ones from yesterday afternoon. Now, I don’t remember exactly what time yours’ were dropped off, but it was really late in the day.”
The two thanked her again, and renewed their promise to return when they could. As they hurried out of the building, Jim handed the paper to Trixie. “You’d better put this in your pocket, Trix; that rain’s coming down pretty hard now.”
Hand in hand, they ran to the car.
Mr. Wheeler, after checking in with the police, insisted they all go out to dinner. “We need to eat, and this will save any fuss.”
Hungry, tired and worried, the Bob-Whites offered no resistance.
In spite of that worry, the group ate well, with Mr. Wheeler doing his best to keep the conversation light and the focus on the food. Trixie couldn’t help but marvel at Honey’s father. I know he’s sick with worry, she thought. He loves Honey so much, but he doesn’t let it show. He’s in control and he’s making sure that we’re all doing okay.
As if he could read her thoughts, Mr. Wheeler reached over to refill Trixie’s glass. “Doing all right, Trix?” he asked.
“Yes, sir,” she replied.
“Let’s finish up,” he said, motioning to the waiter for the check. “I think we all need an early night.”
Twenty minutes later, Jim guided the station wagon into an empty space next to Brian’s jalopy. The group filed inside and Jim pulled a couple of sleeping bags from the closet.
“Dan and I can bunk down on these,” he said. “Di can have Honey’s bed.” His voice shook a little as he said his sister’s name. “And, Dad, you and Mart can have the sofa and the camp bed.”
Matthew Wheeler nodded gratefully. “I’d planned to organise hotel rooms at the place a few doors down, but never got around to that.”
“We’ll all be fine here,” Jim said.
Within minutes they were all undressed and in their respective billets for the night. Although sleep eluded a number of them for some time, the apartment was eventually quiet.
They weren’t really aware how long they had slept when an insistent car horn ripped through their troubled rest. One by one, they staggered to their feet to crowd around the living room window. Blearily, they stared out into the early morning light. Trixie gave a sudden cry and ran to the front door; within seconds, the others had followed her down the stairs and to the Queen. The Bob-Whites and Mr. Wheeler crowded around her. Tucked under the windshield was an envelope. Across its front was written one word: RANSOM MBW:MAIN NEXT
Author's notes: I have made more changes here than in previous chapters and apologise for the likely increase in errors. Dana's edits remain perfectly perfect— all the muck-ups are mine and mine alone.
Word count: 2950
Disclaimer: Trixie et al belong to Random House and not to me. No profit is being made from these scribblings.
