Not the way it's supposed to be… A Trixie Belden story
Part 1 of the tangled web
The Bob Whites get the opportunity to test rides in a new amusement park not knowing that they are being maneuvered by different people whose plans will change one Bob Whites life forever for either better or worse.
Daniel Mangan rode Spartan through the quiet preserve relishing the opportunity to be alone. He'd been in Sleepyside all of 6 weeks now and was just beginning to settle into the lifestyle. It was different to the City and certainly different to the streets.
4 months with the gang the Cowhands had left what Dan thought was an indelible stamp on his heart. Coming to this small town was a new beginning in more ways than one. He was getting to know a relative that had been a stranger in his life, William Regan, Regan to the other Bob Whites and Uncle Bill to him. The 22 year old groom was not a great deal older than Dan . He was firm with Dan setting tough boundaries. Not that Dan blamed him for that after all he only knew ex cowhand Daniel Mangan and not Dan as he'd once been. He stopped Spartan looked around and carefully took out his wallet. Flipping it open he looked at the only photo he had of his mother.
Dan put his head in his hands remembering when the photo was taken. Uncle Bill was gently trying to prod details of his sister from Dan. But all he got was a surly grump. Dan felt sorry for that, he just wasn't ready to talk about that former life with his Uncle. There was so much his Uncle Bill didn't know but Dan nursed his pain in silence not ready to tell anyone about the thoughts in his heart. Dan rubbed his eyes feeling tired again. It had started about 1 week ago this feeling. He'd just be doing something ordinary when he'd come over all tired. His Uncle Bill had noticed and told him it was probably just adjustment to things in Sleepyside. Dan dismounted from Spartan feeling the urge to just curl up and sleep. He better make his way back to Maypenny's, maybe something to eat would make him feel better.
Walter Maypenny returned from his patrol to find 6 Bob Whites clustered around his cabin. Trixie presented him with a jar of preserve while the boys dismounted to help him to stack wood. "We came to see Dan", Honey told Maypenny. "He'll be glad to see you, Walter replied., "should be back anytime now". The others continued to help the old woodsman. Time went on and Walter Maypenny frowned, "Daniel should have finished his patrol", he stated. "Maybe he got lost or had a problem with the horse", Brian replied calmly. Maypenny didn't look convinced. "He's got good at navigating these woods and Bill reckons he took to riding just like that", Maypenny snapped his fingers." If it wasn't for the fact he fell off Suzie that time Bill said he might suspect Dan's ridden before". Not that the boy will actually tell him about anything in the past," Maypenny sighed. "He's still getting to know his Uncle', Mart defended his friend.
Maypenny nodded then returned to regarding the woods, "he should be back", he repeated.
The boys were about to suggest the go looking for Dan when they heard a whinny, 'there he is now", Di stated. Maypenny smiled and waited. He was the first to see a rider less Spartan come through the trees. The Bob Whites exchanged glances.
They arranged a search party and set off to find Dan.
Bill Regan was busy in the stables raking hay. He looked over at the recent photo that he'd placed on his desk, Dan and he. They were so different, Dan all dark hair and darker skin and he with flaming red hair and the pale freckled skin that came with his colouring. Dan was almost 100 percent his father a man Regan had only met a few times and barely remembered. Yet there was something about Dan that reminded him of Patty. He had so many questions about his sister yet Dan met his requests with stony silence. Peter and Helen Belden reckoned that was just a form of protection, that Dan was shielding his grief. Something he'd probably picked up in the city. It would take time they said but eventually Dan would talk about his life with his mother.
Bill returned to raking but put down the rake when he heard a horse coming fast. Those kids should know better than running the horses that fast. He dropped the rake and marched out of the stables ready to let fly with some choice words. The look on Mart, Honey and Di's faces stopped him, "Regan, you'd better come quickly", Mart puffed, " the others just found Dan unconscious in the preserve".
Several weeks later…..
"Morning" the pretty nurse greeted her young patient. Dan sighed and held out his arm ready to feel the prick of a needle as yet another blood sample was taken. He made sure he didn't bump the IV lure on the back of his hand, he knew how uncomfortable the reinsertion of those could be. The nurse smiled at him, "not taking your blood today honey", she assured him. She examined the IV site noting the start of some swelling. Dan looked on nervously, "don't worry about that either honey", she pointed at the lure, "I've got instructions to take it out." ' She smiled again," looks like they might be thinking of sending you home. "You must be looking forward to seeing those friends of yours." The nurse gestured toward the cards that decorated his room, there was one from each Bob white plus others from various citizens of Sleepyside. He hoped the Bob whites were still as friendly as the cards indicated , it'd been a while since he'd last socialized with them.
Dan caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His previously longish dark hair was now cut short . He decided he could cope with the style as it indicated a new Dan. His illness had washed away the ex cowhand and left a young man teetering on the edge of all these suppressed emotions. "The doctors will be here in about 20 minutes", the young nurse told him interrupting his thoughts. Dan nodded hoping that he would go back to Sleepyside today and restart his new life.
Chapter 1- Down memory lane
Bill Regan looked in puzzlement at the large parcel that Matthew wheeler deposited
On his doorstep. "I don't know who could have sent it", he told his boss as he lifted the parcel inside and placed it on his table. Matt shrugged as he replied, "well the return address states it's from some storage company in New York". Regan shrugged, "that doesn't tell me a thing", he complained. "Guess you'll have to open it and find out", Matt stated. "Yeah I will after I've gone to collect Dan", Regan told his boss somberly. "So he was cleared to come home today", Matt queried. "Yes, but I'm a little nervous, he has been fairly ill", Regan in fact was more than fairly nervous he was absolutely terrified. Dan would be livng temporarily at the Manor house until Regan was absolutely sure he was fine. Margery Trask was going to take on the role of nurse. He knew Dan would probably hate the fuss but he'd have to put up with the over protectiveness for a while.
"Nothing back from his test results yet", Matt inquired. Regan bit his lip, "yes, Dr Ferris will talk to us both later", Regan couldn't keep the tremor from his voice. "I'm sure everything's okay Bill", Matt told Regan reassuringly. But it wasn't one of his kids that had suddenly collapsed and been rushed into hospital. Dan had ended up in the ICU with Regan thinking all sorts of bad thought about drug abuse or something else that had resulted from Dan's months on the streets of New York. But drug tests had all been negative as had tests for everything else. Finally the hospital had sent blood samples off to some specialist services and Regan would know the results later today.
Dan certainly had been through a lot of trials and Regan was anxious about what the future held for his young nephew. Dan had only been in Sleepyside about two months and Regan was only just beginning to establish a relationship with his nephew. He'd discovered Dan's arrogant street manner had just been a cover for a very scared and insecure young man. He supposed though it was natural considering how his mother had died. Regan thought back to finding out that piece of terrible news.
He stood before the Judge, "Your sister died in a car accident Mr Regan", the judge explained.
"A car accident", a shocked Regan repeated. "Yes she was in a car behind a large truck when its load fell off and crashed right into the car crushing it almost completely. Daniel was waiting for his mother to pick him up from school when the crash happened. When she didn't arrive he started walking and arrived at the scene of the crash. One of the things that didn't get crushed was the license plate, he saw it lying there and went a little crazy. He basically ran screaming to the car and getting in the way of the emergency services. One of the fireman grabbed him and was going to make sure he got looked after. But Daniel managed to get away and ran crying into the streets of the City.
. He apparently ran straight into the arms of the Cowhands."
It was a terrible story but Regan had been relieved to find out Dan hadn't been a hardened criminal .Still getting him to talk about what had happened was extremely difficult but with their relationship beginning to strengthen Regan could see Dan may open up eventually.
Then had come his sudden collapse and hospitalization and Regan had faced the terrible possibility that he'd loose Dan altogether.
But after a period in hospital Dan had recovered and was finally coming home today.
"Tom will pick you up in about 30 minutes" Matt Wheeler told him as he closed the door behind him.
Regan walked into his room to get ready for his trip to the hospital .
Trixie Belden sped down the Sleepyside high corridor with Diana and Honey by her side. They barreled into the lunch room where excited chatter drifted up from nearly every corner. "Did you hear the news", Trixie blurted out to the male members of the Bob Whites of the Glen. "No", Mart mocked gently, gesturing to all the talking teens in the room, "I think we missed it". "Mart", admonished Brian but he smiled at his sisters' look of exasperation. "Alright so what are we going to do about it", Trixie stated as she paced up and down in front of her friends. "Calm down for a start", Brian told her seriously. "Trix it's just a competition and we don't know if Sleepyside stands a chance of winning", Brian cautioned. "But what an opportunity Brian", Di's eyes sparkled and Mart smiled fondly at her. "Yes but all the other towns will also be entering", Brian pointed out soberly. "So we can win, I know we can", Trixie bounced up and down.
"You have a way with words Mart, Honey told her friend, so you could think up some great phrases to use in the essay". Mart beamed at her but Trixie scowled. "They have to understand what is written", she told Mart firmly. Mart looked deflated. "So all we have to do is write an essay on the virtues of Sleepyside", Di told her friends .
"Yes but it's only two hundred words, Brian cautioned, "so you have to be concise".
"There are many great things about our town", Trixie told her brother. "Yes but we are talking about hosting a major competition with people from all over the States and from overseas. So we have to mention why they'd want to come to our town", Brian replied.
The essay competition was a unique one. Small towns had been given the opportunity to host an international competition that would begin in 8 months time. The type of competition would only be revealed after the close of the essay submissions.
Competitors would come to board and live in and around Sleepyside before and during the competition, bringing money into the town. Sponsoring the competition was the Harris foundation a big business from New York that gave money to underprivileged and other charities. They wanted a small town to be given the opportunity of boosting its economy. In recognition of the fact that most small towns could not afford the host of hosting this type of event the Harris foundation was putting up the money. All towns had to do was for their youth to submit essays on why their townships should be chosen as hosts.
The English teachers had given each class member the opportunity to write an essay.
Only five essays would be chosen to represent Sleepyside in the competition.
"I'll start thinking straight away", Mart told his fellow Bob whites. He stuffed papers outlining guidelines for the essays into his bag. "Is that in case you loose one", Di asked pointing out the two papers. "No I've been collecting things for Dan and this is something he may want to contribute to", Mart told her.
"He may be in hospital awhile longer", Brian pointed out. "Actually ", Jim told them, 'he's coming home today". Dad told me Regan mentioned going to the hospital to pick him up". Trixie frowned at her friend, "You should have told us straight away, she grumped, "there's lots we want to talk about with him."
"Dad told me that Regan won't let us see Dan today", Jim told her. "Why not", demanded Trixie," we've hardly seen him at all ". Regan thought he might be tired", Jim explained. Brian placed a hand on his sisters shoulder. "Dan was very ill Trixie and even though he's coming home he'll still have to take things easily."
"I know", Trixie sighed, "I just think he needs to know we're still his friends".
Jim smiled warmly at her. "We'll have plenty of opportunity to let him know Trix.
Just let him get home and settled first".
Trix nodded and joined her friends at the lunch table.
Bill Regan rested his hand lightly on his nephews shoulder as the car sped back toward Sleepyside. Dan sat back against the chair enjoying the comfort after the hardness of the hospital bed. He still felt tired and weak and knew he probably looked dreadful. Never well built to began with Dan had lost weight and condition in hospital. He was really looking forward to proper meals and a comfortable bed.
"We have to stop at DR Ferris's on the way back", Regan called out to Tom.
Dan tensed but said nothing. Regan felt Dan's muscles tense and explained, "he's got back the test results Dan". Dan swallowed dreading the moment when he would find out what was wrong with him, a lot of scenarios each worst than the last played through his mind. "Dan I'll be right there beside you and what ever we find out we'll face it together", Regan told his nephew reassuringly.
Dan made no reply but put his head on his Uncles shoulder and left it there feeling the warmth and remembering other times. Regan slipped an arm around his nephew, one thing this illness had done was bring them closer together.
Suddenly Dan pulled away and looked up at Regan with tear filled eyes. "What's wrong", Regan asked gently. "It's just that reminded me of…",Dan closed his eyes and drew in his breath trying to control his emotions. "Of your mother", Regan hinted wanting Dan to open up and tell him more. Dan looked at his Uncle, "I used to lie like that..," Dan stopped and turned his head away. "Dan it's alright to cry you know", Regan softly stoked his arm. Dan didn't reply just closed his eyes firmly and soon the swaying of the car made him drift to sleep.
Regan felt Dan's head slump against his chest, it was uncomfortable but he didn't dare move. He stroked Dan's hair and thought of his red haired sister Patty. "Billy, I've met someone", his sister came flying into his room at the orphanage her eyes twinkling in excitement.
"Who Patty", 7 year old Regan asked his 15 year old Sister. "Come see", Patty replied laughing and pulling him by the arm. She led him to where a young man was waiting, he was a few years older than Patty with dark brooding looks. "This is Timothy, Billy", Patty stated. Regan had looked into the dark eyes and smiled shyly but there'd been no accompanying smile. He'd gone away from Tim Mangan feeling chilled and had never told his sister that he didn't like her new friend.
Of course this was the interpretation of a 7 year old and not something he'd ever mention to Dan.
The car pulled up outside Dr Ferris's surgery and Regan gently removed Dan from his chest but didn't wake him.
Regan took a couple of calming breathes and exited the car leaving the sleeping Dan in the care of Tom.
"Morning Mr Regan", Dr Ferris greeted him with a handshake. "Morning Doctor, I left Dan in the car asleep but I can wake him if you like", Regan's tone indicated that he'd prefer not to wake his nephew. "It's alright Bill, you let him sleep. I'll fill you in on the details then you can talk to Dan.", the Doctor replied. "Sit down", Doc Ferris indicated the chair and Regan slid into it nervously. "As you know we got the results back from the latest blood tests and have come up with a diagnosis for Dan.", Doctor Ferris told Regan in a serious manner. "Yes", Regan replied as he twiddled his fingers together nervously. "Dan has a rare hereditary condition Mr Regan.", Dr Ferris stated.
It is present from birth but doesn't cause any problems until around puberty."
Usually treatment is given as an infant which avoids the complications Dan experienced". "So Dan can still get treatment", Regan asked hopefully. Dr Ferris sighed. "The treatment comes in the form of a serum made from antibodies produced by the affected parent. In Dan's case I would suspect it was his father as you show no sign of the disorder." So Dan can't be cured", Regan's voice trembled, 'What does…
He put his head in his hands and felt himself shaking. "It's alright Bill", Dr Ferris clasped his shoulders reassuringly. 'We can control the condition with medication but Dan will have to take it for the rest of his life. He'll also have to have regular blood tests to monitor that there is enough drug in his system to prevent his system shutting down again. Bill Dan was a very lucky young man; only about 30% of sufferers survive the sort of symptoms Dan exhibited. The hospital reports there were no adverse side effects so Dan can still live a productive healthy life."
Now he'll need some rest and building up but don't stop him doing what he would normally", Dr Ferris told Regan reassuringly. The doctor
took out a form and began to write, "I'll give you a prescription for the medication Bill. If he takes two tonight then one in the morning and one in the evening everything will be fine. If he misses a dose for any reason phone me straight away, I'll also give you a list of symptoms to watch out for that could indicate Dan is getting ill. But I repeat it's important he feels able to live a normal life. Dealing with medication will have to become a familiar part of his life but that doesn't make him a lot different from many others.", Dr Ferris told Regan firmly. "Alright Doc, I'll try not to fuss, Regan stated," but I have this vision of Dan lying in ICU going through my head".
"Yeah I know", Doc Ferris acknowledged. "But keep focused on the future Bill not the past"."Alright thanks Doc", acknowledged Regan . He frowned, as something occurred to him. "Something on your mind Bill", the doctor asked. "Yes , if this is a hereditary condition then Dan's father must have had it as well. So why didn't he arrange treatment for Dan", Regan mused. "We don't know much about Tim Mangan Bill, there are no medical records on file, seems they were lost somehow. Maybe he was a carrier of the condition and therefore didn't know about it's effects. I'm sure he would have had Dan treated otherwise", the Doc concluded. Regan nodded and shook Doctor Ferris's hand as he bid him good bye.
He hadn't asked about the cost of the medication but did worry how he could afford Dan's long term medical care. He'd just have to find a way .
Returning to the car Regan found Dan was still asleep. He settled back in beside his nephew and asked Tom to drive to the pharmacy for Dan's medication.
Awhile later they finally pulled up outside the manor house and Regan found Margery Trask and Matt Wheeler waiting. Dan was still asleep so with Matt's help Regan carried him up to his apartment and placed him on the bed. Miss Trask promptly covered Dan with a blanket."Let us know if you need anything", she told Regan with a smile before departing with Matt Wheeler.
Bill checked Dan's sleeping form then quietly left the room.
He roamed around his apartment for awhile aimlessly thinking about his nephew.
Then his eyes fell on the box waiting silently on the floor. Regan retrieved some scissors from a drawer and cut the bindings away. Inside was a stack full of what looked like papers. Regan took the envelope from the top of the pile and opened it.
"Dear Mr Regan, We have held in stock items sent from the Valley view Orphanage.
On contacting them they instructed us to forward these items to you. We believe they belonged to your sister Patricia Clare Regan".
With shaking hands Regan emptied the box. There nestled almost at the bottom was the item he'd hoped to see the only remaining link to his family, the Regan/Mangan family photo album. He'd thought it had been lost all these years but obviously his sister had taken good care of it. Regan would give Dan the album first and then wait for Dan to share the photos with him . Regan was preparing himself for the probable emotional storm that would follow for both of them.
Placing the album to one side Regan looked at the other items. There in a pile were letters to Patty. Patty had never shown him these as a child so overcome with curiosity Regan opened one.
"My darling Patty, I miss you so much all I've been thinking about is the way the sun shines on your hair and makes it look like it's on fire, that's exactly how my heart feels, on fire for you. Oh my Princess the fairy tale can come true, if you let it…
Regan felt his cheeks grow warm as he continued to read, love letters.
He skipped to the last line, I will always love you, your shooting star."
Tim had obviously been a mushy sort thought Regan as he eyed the stack of letters.
He didn't really know what to do with this correspondence, he couldn't throw it away but thought Dan was possibly a bit too young to read it without Regan at least censoring it first. Regan moved the stack to one side and reached to get a box that nestled beneath the letters. He opened the lid and his eyes bugged, inside lay a gold looking chain. It had a heavier type chain, like the sort a man would wear. Regan picked up the card that lay beside the chain, "my dearest love from your shooting star".
It must be plated was Regan's thought as he reached in and pulled out the chain.
He watched a something flopped down on the links, a pendant that had been hidden in the folds of the material. He fingered it gently thinking it was an odd pendant for Timothy Mangan to give his sister. Regan went to the drawer and scoop out a magnifying glass. From study of Madeline Wheeler snr, he knew how to identify if something was gold. Regan held the chain up to the glass and studied the clasp looking for a hallmark. He swallowed as he saw 24k engraved and a small hallmark.
The thing was solid gold and probably worth a lot of money. He had been sure Timothy Mangan had not too much money to his name, certainly not enough to buy his love a solid gold chain or to even own something like that himself.
The possibility that it was stolen flitted across Regan's mind, he smacked away the thought. Yet he had to accept it was possibly stolen merchandise and he'd have to see if he could contact the rightful owner.
Regan decided to ring Sgt Molinson and at least find out of the necklace was listed as stolen. There'd be no consequences for Dan if it was because Regan simply wouldn't tell him his father had been a thief .
With that thought in his mind Bill Regan went to the phone.
Earlier that day
In an office in downtown New York
Roger Pettigrew straightened his tie as he stepped out of the elevator and into the office of his boss Mr Jonathan Harris, head of the Harris foundation.
He was one of the few that had met and talked to the highly reclusive multi millionaire .Jonathan made very few visits out of his building and only talked personally to a handful of his employees. "The essay competition is under way sir, "Roger informed his boss as he settled into a chair. "Good bring all the essays to me and I'll get the reading under way", Jonathan requested. "Right", Roger thought his boss had set himself a huge task but wasn't going to argue. Jonathan would request assistance if he needed it.
"What about the other matter Roger", Jonathan turned his dark brown eyes intently on his employer. "Nothing Sir", Roger saw the frown that response prompted and swallowed nervously. "Nothing, that can't be right. I want to know where he is Roger.
He's not listed in the deaths so he's got to be out there somewhere", Jonathan banged his fist hard on his desk for emphasis .Roger looked at the photo of the man he'd been requested to locate and wondered again what the Harris foundation boss wanted with him. But he knew from past experience that too many questions would get him booted out of the 'inner sanctum' for good. If he wanted to stay working for this man then don't ask why, just do, that was the philosophy . 'I'll keep enquiries up Sir", Roger stated reassuringly. "Good but I want him found Roger and soon", Jonathan leaned forward intently his brown eyes raking his employee seriously.
"Yes sir", acknowledged Roger.
"Good, now moving onto to other things how go the arrangements for the trial of my new amusement park", Jonathan requested. "Ah, Roger was nervous again, well, things have hit a snag sir", Roger confessed. "What", shouted Jonathan. "Ah Sir it's nothing serious, just those teens that were supposed to help us test the rides have backed out.", Roger told his boss. "Damn", Jonathan hit the desk again. "
He sat quietly for a few moments as if thought, "Didn't you say that business associate of yours has kids, what's his name, Matthew Wheeler", queried Jonathan intently. "Yeah he has a daughter and adopted son plus they have a group of friends", Roger stated happily. "How many", asked Jonathan. "Umm I think there were about 7 of them altogether", Roger told him. "7 just might be enough
But it's an all or nothing deal Roger all 7 or none any less and we won't get everything done in time.", Jonathan stated. "Right, well I 'll contact Matt Wheeler and see what he can do", Roger smiled glad he could help his boss.
"You do that and report back to me with an answer ASAP", Jonathan acknowledged.
Roger nodded and backed out of the office on his mission to do his masters bidding.
Jonathan Harris waited until he was long gone then opened a drawer in his desk and drew out a newspaper article, "help others just in a days work", it read. It detailed a fund raising effort by teens in a town called Sleepyside . But it wasn't the article Jonathan had been interested in, it was the picture of 7 smiling teens in red jackets.
He needed a way to get close to one of those teens and looked like he might have found it through Roger.
Reaching into the drawer again, Jonathan pulled out another photo and touched it gently with his hands. "Where are you", he demanded. "You need to come out of hiding". He drew the picture close and cradled it to his chest, "no matter what, I'm going to find you and when I do I'm going to fix my mistake that I promise you."
He touched the picture lovingly one last time and then put it back into his drawer.
He looked at the Bob Whites smiling faces on the newspaper article, "You I've already found", he stated to the picture," and it's just the beginning of your journey."
He touched one particular picture tenderly and hoped he could make his plan work out.
Another day had gone by before Roger Pettigrew could arrange a visit with Matthew Wheeler. Finally though he was usher into the millionaires office. "Roger good to see you", Matt smiled. 'You too Matthew", acknowledged Roger. "So what can I do for you", Matt asked sensing the other man had something important to ask. "Well I've been given a task by Jonathan Harris", Roger explained." He's opening an amusement park soon, one for mainly the underprivileged or children with illnesses. Anyway he'd like the opinion of some teens on the rides and sideshows before officially opening. He's needs at least 7 of them to get through the testing in time. I was thinking of your children and their friends", Roger stated. Matthew smiled, "it sounds like something the Bob whites would really enjoy", he remarked." There should be no problem with the timing as school breaks are about to start. There might be a problem with getting 7 though.", Matt told Roger. "Unfortunately Jonathan stated that it was an all or nothing deal', Roger frowned. The Harris Foundation is meeting all costs if that's an issue on getting everyone there". "That is reassuring and I'm sure that'll help convince the Belden's. The issue is that one of the Bob Whites has just been released from hospital after a serious health condition. I doubt his guardian will be comfortable in letting him go", Matt explained. "Ah so he's too ill, that is unfortunate ", Roger sighed. "Well", Matt stated, "actually he's on medication to stop him getting ill, so there shouldn't be a problem. I think 'I'd be more that his guardian would be worried", Matt remarked.
"Ah well perhaps if I talk to him we can reassure him. The teens wouldn't need to leave until 1 week from now so he has extra time to recover, " ,Roger was feeling more positive.