Chapter Seven

Matt and Maddie hurried down the corridor toward Honey's hospital room. They wanted to make sure they heard the doctor's report of the test results.

Pushing open the door, the first thing they noticed was Brian standing by the bed holding Honey's hand.

A flush rose up his neck to spread across his face as his hand moved to her wrist and he looked at his watch as if checking her pulse.

"How's Honey's pulse, Dr. Belden?" Maddie asked with a smirk, crossing the room to sit down in a visitor chair.

"She's doing fine, Mrs. Wheeler," Brian said with a smile and wink to the patient before he moved to stand by the window.

"Where have you been, Dad?" Honey asked quietly.

"Your mother and I went to see how Jared is doing," Matt answered. "He is resting comfortably. Roberts shot him with Versed, too," he explained with a frown. "The doctors say he'll be able to go home tomorrow."

"Well, that's good news," Jim commented. "Now all we need to know is how Carmelita is doing and the results of sis's tests."

"I'm sure everything will be fine," Trixie said with confidence.

An hour later, Dr. Sullivan tapped on the open door to Honey's room. She entered followed closely by a short elderly gentleman in a black suit and Lt. King.

"Hello, again. You have all met Lt. King with the Ithaca PD. I'd like to introduce you to Clifford Wilkins," she said, indicating the elderly man. "He is the director of the hospital."

Introductions were made around the room before the director addressed the group. "I'm sorry to meet you all under these circumstances. I'm very glad you weren't injured any worse than you were, Ms. Wheeler." He smiled kindly at Honey before glancing at her family and friends. "We have an issue that I need to bring to your attention. The media is crawling all over the ER and lobby of the hospital. We have asked the Ithaca PD to assist us in keeping them from disrupting hospital functions but they are here to find out everything they can about Ms. Wheeler's abduction, treatment and Mr. Roberts. They are quite insistent and we even discovered they attempted to bribe one of our ER nurses to get pictures and information for them." He made a disgusted snort. "That reporter from the White Plains Whistle was arrested for criminal trespass."

"Trent," Matt snarled.

Wilkins nodded, showing a slight smile. "That's the one. Bottom line here, folks, is that we need to come up with a plan to deal with the press, protect Ms. Wheeler's privacy and allow her to leave the hospital without being harassed by the reporters hanging about."

"Well, it sounds to me like we need a diversion to get Honey home," a deep voice drawled from the doorway.

"Dan!" Trixie cried as she rushed to the door where Dan stood, with Bonnie and Wilson. She hugged her friends, then pulled them into the room where they greeted Honey before moving on to say hello to everyone else.

"How's Carmelita doing, Wilson?" Honey asked quietly.

"She's doing well, Ms. Wheeler," the big man responded. "Dr. Sullivan here told her that if she'd received two more milliliters of Versed, she'd have gone beyond being knocked out," he remarked with a shudder. "I just wanted to let you folks know how Carm's doing and to get your friends, Dan and Bonnie, past Junior and the cop guarding the hall."

He moved forward as Honey held out her hand to him. "Thank you, Wilson, for taking care of me."

The bear of a man looked embarrassed. "I don't know that we did all that well, Ms. Wheeler. Roberts still got to you and you got hurt, so we failed you."

Honey squeezed his hand as she looked at the troubled man with sad eyes. "Wilson, you both did a wonderful job. I'm safe and alive. That's all that matters. Please make sure Carmelita knows that."

"Yes, ma'am," he said quietly. "I will. You take care, Ms. Wheeler. Oh, Mr. Wheeler," he paused in the doorway. "I'm supposed to tell you that Mr. Marlow said he owes you."

Matt's face looked as if it was carved of stone. "Yes, he does. You take care, Wilson." Standing he shook the man's hand before Wilson walked away down the hall.

"OK, Dan," Trixie demanded, pushing the door shut. "Tell us what you have in mind."

Brian stood watching Honey sleep, leaning against the window sill of her room. She was peaceful right now but she'd had a nightmare two hours earlier that had her screaming. When she'd finally awakened, she was embarrassed that the on-call doctor, night nurse and he had been witness to it. She wouldn't tell him what the nightmare was about before she rolled over to face the wall. He ran his hand over his face as he felt the exhaustion wash over him.

Once Dan had presented his idea and it was debated by everyone from Sleepyside, and then decided upon, they shared the idea with the IPD, Dr. Sullivan and Mr. Wilkins. After everyone knew their role in getting Honey away from the press, the rest of the day flew by while arrangements were made and supplies purchased.

As agreed, Chief Williams, along with Matt and Maddie, had made brief statements to the press explaining what happened just in time for the late news broadcast. They were flanked at the podium by Dr. Sullivan and Mr. Wilkins. At the end of their statement, Matt asked that Honey's privacy be respected, even though he knew full well that it wouldn't be. Another seed was sown.

While everyone else had been busy settling the wheels in motion, Honey took a shower, then dozed or slept through the evening. She was never alone in her hospital room. There was always one of her family or friends with her. Mr. Wilkins even bent hospital policy and allowed them all to stay well beyond the normal visiting hours.

Brian glanced at his watch and saw that it was two o'clock. He'd had to argue with the Wheelers, Jim and Trixie over whether he should stay the night with Honey or if it should be one of them. He had finally convinced everyone that he was the best person for the job because he was able to sleep anywhere, plus he wanted to keep an eye on her medically.

Frowning, he watched as she began to moan softly and move restlessly in the bed. Quickly, he crossed to the chair beside Honey's bed and dropped heavily into it. Brian reached out and placed his hand gently over hers and she quieted instantly. He watched her sleep peacefully for another half-hour before he raised his feet to the footrest and closed his eyes. Moments later he was sound asleep.

It was only six-thirty but the morning shift moved efficiently through the hallway dispensing medicine, helping patients and assisting doctors on early rounds. Trixie slowly pushed open the door to Honey's hospital room and peeked around the edge.

Blue eyes softened as she watched her brother and friend sleep.

Jim palmed the door open wider and whispered gruffly in Trixie's ear, "This is starting to get old. Two days in a row I have to find your brother and my sister sleeping in the same room, all cozy-like."

"Pot meet kettle," she whispered. The beginning of a giggle escaped before Trixie could cover her mouth with her hand to stifle the laugh.

Honey's eyes opened and she smiled sleepily at her friend. "What time is it?" she asked softly.

"Six-thirty," Trixie said quietly, so as not to wake her brother. "How'd you do last night?" she inquired as her eyes scanned Honey's face watching Jim approach the bed.

"I had a nightmare," Honey sighed.

Jim leaned to press a kiss on his sister's forehead. "I think that's to be expected, sis," he gently assured her. "You've been through a major traumatic situation. If you weren't having them, I'd be worried."

"Thanks, Jim," Honey nodded. "Why are you here so early?" she asked, yawning.

Trixie and Jim each raised up a hand holding two plastic bags. "We have clothes for you guys," Jim grinned.

"And disguises," added Trixie with a giggle.

Honey smiled as she watched her brother move in front of Brian.

Jim grasped one of the bags in both hands like one would a basketball to pass and hurtled it into his friend's chest. "Brian!" he barked as he did it.

Startled by the bag slamming into his chest and winded by the impact, Brian woke with a yelp. "Wha-", he hollered, jumping up from the chair into a defensive posture.

"Morning, sunshine," Jim grinned at his best-friend, clapping him on the shoulder. "We brought you some fresh clothes, your razor and a few other things you'll need today."

"Dammit, Jim," Brian growled, shoving his friend in the chest. "You don't need to be so rude when you wake a person up."

"Hey, I was just fooling around," Jim retorted, rubbing his chest where Brian's hand had pushed him.

"OK, boys, that's enough rough-housing," Dan chastised from the doorway, where he and Bonnie stood holding more bags. "We have a mission today and we need all our troops in one piece," he chuckled with a wink at Honey.

"How are you this morning?" Bonnie asked her friend, setting the bags down where Trixie and Jim had placed theirs.

"OK," Honey answered. "I just want to get out of here."

"Is the press still swarming outside?" Brian inquired, moving to the window to open the blinds. "Is everything in place to transfer the queen to another hive?" he asked, winking at Honey.

A soft blush stole over her cheeks. "Did you manage to get everything arranged?" she queried, pleating the blanket with nervous fingers. "We saw the press conference on the late news. Daddy and Mom did a great job."

Trixie settled herself gently at the foot of Honey's hospital bed and then looped her hair behind her ear. "There is a print press reporter, at least a cameraman from every network plus a couple of the tabloid shows both here and at your apartment." Shrugging, she clasped Honey's hand in hers. "Your parents will be here just after eight to make an entrance. Tom's bringing them in the limo and delivering Sherlock to us. We'll all roll out of here at nine. Dan's plan is perfect. It will work. We promise."

Promptly at eight, the Wheeler limo rolled to a stop at the curb in front of the hospital entrance. Matt and Maddie sat inside watching the flash of cameras go off all around the vehicle. A low growl came from Sherlock, as she sat up on the seat between them.

"It's OK, baby girl," Maddie crooned. "You'll see your mama and daddy soon."

"Maddie," Matt sighed out, rolling his eyes.

"Matthew Wheeler, you know you talk to our granddog just like I do," she admonished. "Don't you roll your eyes at me."

Matt leaned over and gave his bride of twenty-seven years a quick but passionate kiss. "Time to put Sherlock in her kennel. It's show time," he grinned evilly out the window toward the press.

"Sherlock, kennel," Maddie ordered, watching the dog jump down off the seat and then into the kennel on the opposite seat. "Good girl."

"Tom, don't forget. Jim's rental is on the other side of the hospital in the last row of the parking lot," Matt directed his long-time employee and friend. "You need to place Sherlock in the SUV at ten till nine and then make a big show of driving up to the front door on the circle drive precisely at five till. We'll bring Honey out right at nine."

"Got it, Matt," Tom answered. "Ready?" he asked, turning off the engine.

"Yes, it's time," Matt agreed, straightening his tie as Maddie checked her lipstick.

"Yes," she nodded.

Tom exited the limo and then opened the rear door with a flourish.

Matt stepped out, adjusted his dark-grey suit coat, then took Maddie's hand to help her step from the vehicle. She tweaked the bottom of the fitted jacket of her ivory skirt suit nervously when the barrage began.

"Mr. Wheeler, when can your daughter go home?"

"Mrs. Wheeler, how is young Madeleine?"

"Will you all be going back to Sleepyside?"

"Will you be taking her to a psychologist?"

Several more questions were asked while Matt and Maddie hurried to the door of the hospital where Mr. Wilkins and two of his security guards waited. Before entering the doorway, Matt turned and faced the press. "My office will issue a statement about our plans this afternoon, after we have a chance to get Madeleine home," he informed them. "We'll not make any statements until that time." He waved a hand as they slipped inside the building.

Tom Delanoy pulled the Wheeler limo up beside the large black SUV parked next to a grassy area. Jim straightened from where he had been leaning against the driver's door, waiting.

"Hey, Tom," he called, as he opened the back door. "Thanks for taking care of Sherlock for a bit," he said, opening the kennel and clipping the lead onto her collar. "Come, Sherlock," he commanded as the dog hopped out of the limo and Jim picked up the carrier. "We'll see you back home."

"Sure thing, Jim," Tom replied. "You and Trixie take care getting home," he added with a wave to the curly-haired blonde.

Setting the kennel down on the pavement by the SUV, Jim walked the brown and tan dog over to the grassy area and watched the limo pull away, as Sherlock took the last opportunity to use facilities that she'd get for a while.

At exactly five till nine, the Wheeler limo pulled into the circle drive at the main entrance to the hospital. Security guards allowed the vehicle to pass through before they stopped the press from getting closer than three-hundred feet to the door.

Tom exited the car, watching the crowd for a moment. They seemed to grow restless before his eyes, as he moved to stand by the limo's right rear door to wait.

A distant church bell began to ring the hour as the hospital's door opened to reveal the Wheeler family leaving the building. Tom saw Honey for the first time since her attack and abduction. She sat slumped in the wheelchair. Her eyes hidden by dark glasses and her honey-colored hair draped across her face. The carnelian Cornell sweatshirt she wore over her jeans seemed to swallow her body. Accompanying the Wheelers was a dark-haired man wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, pushing Honey's chair as an orderly followed behind.

Tom moved quickly to open the rear door of the limo before stepping back a few paces. Maddie entered the car as Matt and the young man helped Honey into the vehicle before joining her. The orderly turned the chair back toward the hospital as Tom shut the rear door before jogging around the car to the driver's seat.

"Ready?" he inquired, starting the car.

"Whenever you are, Tom," Matt replied. "When you get close to the press, pull up near the barricade and stop for a few minutes," he ordered.

"Yes, sir." Glancing at his boss in the rearview mirror, Tom saw Honey, seated between her parents. As he continued to watch, she tugged at her hair and pressed her hands against her head as if in pain.

Putting the car into gear, they started down the driveway. As they neared the press corps, Tom stopped the car as directed.

A motor hum was heard as Matt powered his window down half-way and positioned his face in the opening. "Thank you all for your interest in the welfare of our daughter, Madeleine. As you have all seen, she is just fine and we are heading home. We ask that you respect her privacy and the privacy of our family as we get past this traumatic event and heal. Good day." Matt sat back on the seat before running the window closed which allowed a few lucky reporters the opportunity to click a few pictures of Honey.

"Let's go home. Please, Tom," Maddie said quietly, slipping off her shoes.

At the same time as the limo left Ithaca for Sleepyside, a black SUV sped toward the rental car return at the regional airport. Once there and the vehicle returned, the passengers took the pet carrier and luggage then boarded the waiting private jet.

Two and one-half hours later, the limo turned onto Glen Road, followed by the same two news vans that had been with them the entire way. Each side of the road near the driveway to the Manor House was full of reporters, news vans and satellite trucks. The drive itself was flanked by two Sleepyside Police cruisers. Spider Webster and Chief Molinson moved the barricades blocking the drive out of the way for the limo to pass through and proceed a short way up the drive.

A grinning Tom parked and hopped out to open the rear door closest to the road.

Slowly Matt Wheeler exited, then helped his wife out to stand at his side.

The young man who had accompanied them from the hospital came next. He removed the glasses and the ball cap he'd been wearing to reveal dark hair and chocolate-colored eyes. A grin flashed showing perfect white teeth. He turned and stuck his hand back into the limo. "Come on, babe, we're home," he chuckled.

A slim hand with unpolished short nails slid across his palm then closed around his. "Pushy aren't you," the young woman said, stepping out of the limo but leaving her hand in his. Her lightly-curled, light brown hair drifted over her shoulders in the spring-time breeze.

"Madeleine! Madeleine!" the reporters called out.

"Should we walk over and see them?" the young man asked.

"Sure, why not." she replied.

They walked hand in hand a few feet down the drive.

"What's up, press?" he called, chuckling.

"Ms. Wheeler, do you want to make a statement?"

The young woman pulled the sunglasses off her face and smiled, a twinkle in her green eyes. "Ms. Wheeler, wherever she is, does not have a statement," she replied, with a laugh.

"You!" Paul Trent yelled. "That's not Honey Wheeler," he snarled. "That's Bonnie Martin. She's a dispatch supervisor and deputy for Westchester County."

"Where's Ms. Wheeler?" a female reporter asked, shoving a microphone at Bonnie.

"She went on vacation," Dan answered for her.

"Who are you and do you have a statement about Ms. Wheeler's abduction?"

"I'm her friend, Dan Mangan. We definitely do not have a statement. Please move along. There is nothing for you here," he advised.

"Mangan, you owe us some info," Trent yelled, as the Wheelers and Bonnie re-entered the limo.

"No I don't, Trent. Why don't you go chase an ambulance," Dan suggested with a laugh and a wave out the window of the limo rolling slowly up the drive.

Meanwhile in the air over Vermont

"Well, Bob-Whites, I am happy to announce that we are about thirty minutes out, so if you want to settle into your seats, I'll have you on the ground by noon."

Trixie looked around the plush cabin as she continued to rub Sherlock's ears. Jim was on his cell phone, talking to his parents. Brian was pretending to nap, leaning against the window. Honey was bundled under a blanket, curled up. She had been dozing throughout the trip; her sleep fitful and restless. Trixie knew getting to the cabin would help ease everyone's mind. They weren't 100% sure their ruse had worked.

Jim turned his smartphone off and put it back in his pocket. He moved to the leather seat next to Trixie, scooped up Sherlock and placed her in her kennel. "Time to get ready for landing, puppo." Sitting down, he buckled up and took Trixie's hand in his; he wove his fingers with hers and leaned back. "Dad said the trip back to Sleepyside went well. When they pulled into the driveway, the press was there as expected. Dan and Bonnie got out of the limo and started talking to the press. It was a few minutes before Trent realized it wasn't Honey. Dad said the press went wild."

Trixie snuggled into his shoulder. "Oh, I woulda loved to see Trent having a fit. He is such a schmuck."

"Yeah, he's a weasel," Jim agreed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Dad said Trent was fired by The Sun last week and has gone to work for some tabloid in the city."

"I don't know what universe that could happen in," Trixie murmured as she placed soft kisses along Jim's jaw. "Who in the world would hire him to write for a tabloid?"

"There's always someone who will read one. Some people think it's exciting to be in a tabloid, Trix," he answered with one of his crooked grins, as the chimes rang signaling the landing.

After picking up the same rental SUV they'd used before and stopping to replace the groceries they had thrown out, plus buy additional supplies, the four Bob-Whites were on the last leg of their trip back to the cabin at Mead's Mountain.

"I'm glad we had the cabin reserved for the whole week and they hadn't rented it to someone else for next week," Trixie said from beside Honey in the back seat. "This works out perfectly perfect," she explained to her friend and oldest brother. "Since it's large and extremely private, we can protect against any 'inquiring' individuals that may think it'd be fun to try to get a picture of us."

"And, it has the hot tub lap pool which is super relaxing," Jim continued, winking at Trixie in the mirror. "The thing is big enough that we can all be in it. The cabin itself is secluded so we don't have to worry about nosy, pesky neighbors."

"It sounds amazing," Honey said quietly, laying her head against the vehicle's window. "I'll try out the pool after I take a nap."

Jim's worried eyes met Trixie's in the mirror. "Sure, Sis. All we want is for you to get loads of rest and get well."