AN: I love your reviews! Please keep them coming! Here's a nice long chapter for you all! :)
Trixie had never been more relieved to see a dessert course. Though she normally loved a chance to talk to Mrs. Vanderpoel, who was full of interesting stories about the old Sleepyside, as well as the Webster brothers, Spider and Tad, longtime friends of the Bob Whites, tonight she couldn't wait for dinner to end. The anticipation of multiple mysteries was killing her.
Ms. Trask had come back in while the first course was being served. Jim, along with Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, arrived a few moments later. Trixie's sharp ears caught Mrs. Wheeler apologizing to the rest of her table for their late arrival, saying something about how family pictures had taken longer than expected.
Trixie didn't buy that for a minute, though she knew Mrs. Wheeler had to give some excuse.
"If that had been all, Ms. Trask would have just said so," Trixie thought. Plus, though Jim was smiling when he came in, Trixie noticed he looked a little pale. She had managed to catch his eyes once during the second course. She raised her eyebrows at him in a questioning expression she knew he would understand, but all he could do was give his head a quick shake.
"Who split us up at different tables anyway?" Trixie grumbled to herself. That was another little mystery she wanted to solve. She wasn't even sitting with her own parents, since they were seated at the head table along with Brian, the Wheelers, Jim and Honey, and Dean Bellerson. Mart, however, was at a table with their school principal, Mr. Geller, and Coach McGhar, the Sleepyside baseball coach. Dan was sitting on the other side of the room with Regan, Mr. Maypenny, and Ms. Trask. Diana was with her parents at a table full of mostly local country club members, most of whom Trixie didn't know well. Bobby and Diana's brothers and sisters were all back at the Lynch home for the evening with their nurses.
"I guess it makes sense," Trixie had to admit to herself. "They had to arrange the tables to make space for the dance floor, so there wasn't room for larger tables. And we couldn't all sit at the head table, especially since our families are here tonight too." The more she thought about it, she realized that someone had actually been pretty thoughtful to carefully put all the Bob Whites with someone else they had something in common with.
It didn't make her feel much better though. Even if there was a good reason, the Bob Whites were split up that night, and Trixie found that she didn't like that. At all.
As if reading her mind, Mrs. Vanderpoel gently reached over and tapped Trixie's hand, which had been absentmindedly playing with her dessert spoon.
"Is something bothering you tonight, Trixie?" she asked in her grandmotherly way.
"I sure hope it's not some mystery you're digging into," Spider said gruffly, but he smiled to take any sting out of his words.
"I sure hope it is," Tad grinned. "Trixie keeps life interesting around here."
Trixie smiled then too. "Thank you, Mrs. Vanderpoel, but it's nothing really. I guess I'm just a little sad to think about Brian leaving home. Sorry to disappoint you, Tad," she said, turning to her friend.
He shrugged. "I'm sure it won't be long before you turn something up."
"You never know," Trixie answered. "It might even be tonight," she thought to herself.
Suddenly their conversation was interrupted by the oohs and aahs of the crowd. A pair of waiters was rolling in a cart carrying in an enormous cake in the shape of a lion.
"Wow, it's so lifelike," Tad admired.
"A Hudson lion for Brian and Jim," Spider observed. "Very appropriate, since the school mascot is a lion. And looks like chocolate too."
The crowd cheered as Jim and Brian stood to cut the first slices of cake. Waiters deftly served the rest of the slices with impressive speed to the waiting guests. Trixie was trying to take her mind off all the questions swirling around in her head by enjoying her cake when Honey appeared behind her chair. Trixie looked up at her with an eager glance.
"Hello, Mrs. Vanderpoel, Spider, Tad," she greeted the table, smiling at everyone with her typical good manners. "I hope you are all enjoying the party. Could I steal Trixie away from you? The band asked for a song list for tonight, and I was hoping she could help me come up with some good ideas."
"I can help too," Tad volunteered. "I'm really into music. I know some swell dancing songs."
Trixie saw Honey hesitate and was about to jump in with something about powdering her nose when Spider came to their rescue. "Sorry Tad, but we've got to get going right after dinner. We're taking Mrs. Vanderpoel home and then I've got the night shift this evening."
Tad looked downcast, but Honey smiled broadly at him. "I'm sorry you'll all miss the dancing. Tad, I'm glad you told me you're so interested in music. I'll remember that for next time."
Trixie quickly slid out of her chair and said her goodbyes to everyone at her table. She followed Honey out of the dining room and back into the foyer. Suddenly Honey grabbed her hand and practically dragged Trixie over to the library, one finger over her lips to warn Trixie to stay quiet until they were alone. Once they were both inside, Honey closed the French doors behind them and sank down into an armchair.
"What's going on, Honey?" Trixie demanded. "You've got to tell me. I've been dying all night!"
"Oh Trixie, it's so perfectly awful I don't even know how to begin!" Honey moaned. Trixie felt a stab of fear in her stomach when she realized how upset Honey really was.
"What is it, Honey? Please tell me," Trixie begged.
"I've had to pretend to be cheerful all night. I can't do it anymore. Trixie, it's Tom," Honey said, her voice heavy with tears.
"Tom Delanoy?" Trixie asked, aghast.
"Just before the party, Daddy got a phone call. Our car was found in a ditch off Old Telegraph Road. Tom had been out picking up guests for the party but there was no one in the car but him."
"Oh Honey," Trixie gasped, "he's not –?"
"No," Honey sniffed, "but he's at the hospital. It sounds like he may have been badly hurt. He hasn't regained consciousness. Celia is there with him."
Trixie reeled. How could this happen to cheerful, handsome Tom, who had always been such a staunch friend of the Bob Whites?
"I haven't told you the worst part," Honey said in a small voice.
"You haven't?" Trixie asked, shocked.
"The police officer told Daddy that it was just a single-car accident. It was Tom's fault. Oh, Trixie," Honey said, starting to cry in earnest, "Tom was driving drunk!"
"No!" Trixie protested. "I can't believe that." Though Tom was a lot of fun, he had always emphasized the importance of responsibility when spending time with his younger Bob White friends, whether he was teaching them to shoot a gun or drive a car. Trixie knew he would never be so reckless.
"I've never even known Tom to drink at all," Trixie continued. "How could they be sure, if Tom was hurt and unconscious?"
"The officer said it was obvious, that he smelled it on his breath," Honey said sadly. "I just can't believe it. And poor Celia! I can't even imagine. Tom's hurt in the hospital, maybe in trouble with the law, and she has a baby on the way."
"I can't believe you've gotten through the whole party knowing this," Trixie said shakily.
"I didn't know most of the time," Honey admitted. "Jim passed me a note under the table. He must have written it when he excused himself and went to the restroom before the entrée course. I noticed how pale he looked when he and Daddy came back in."
"Poor Jim," Trixie said. "This party was for him! Why did your father have to tell him about Tom?"
"Because," Honey explained, "Tom was actually driving Jim's car. The police had to talk to him since it's registered in his name."
"Oh no," Trixie moaned. Jim wasn't much of a car person, she knew, but the green Corvette Sting Ray had been just his style, and an early birthday present from the Wheelers too.
"I know," Honey said miserably. "But he had to go on with the party. All these people came, our friends and teachers, and of course Dean Bellerson. And we don't want anyone to know that Tom was…well, about what the police said. We felt we should keep that private. So Jim has done his best to act happy all night."
"Wait, Honey," Trixie suddenly interrupted, "you said it was a phone call that came about Tom?"
"Yes," Honey answered as she dried her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Not a letter?" Trixie asked.
"No," Honey replied, confused. "Why would they send a letter?"
"I know, that doesn't make sense. I'm just thinking out loud. But you know how we ran into Ms. Trask as Jim was walking us down to the party?"
"Of course," Honey said.
"I turned back to look at her just before we went in and she was reading a letter from today's mail. She looked terribly worried."
"Oh dear," Honey fretted. "I have no idea what the letter could have been about. I haven't been able to talk to her all night since she wasn't at our table."
"Tell me about it," Trixie sighed. "I've been on pins and needles all night, but now I'm glad I didn't know."
"We've got to go back in though," Honey said. "The waiters have probably cleared the tables by now, and the dancing is about to start."
"It doesn't feel like we should be at a party," Trixie said sadly. "Maybe Jim and Brian have to stay, but shouldn't some of us go to the hospital?"
Honey shook her head. "There's nothing we can do right now. Jim whispered to me that they had called Celia and Tom's family members. They were going to meet them at the hospital. No other visitors will be allowed until Tom is better."
"Does anyone else know?" Trixie asked. "Did you tell Brian?"
"No," Honey answered. "He was sitting right next to Dean Bellerson, so I didn't even want to risk whispering to him. Only my parents, Jim, Ms. Trask, and you know right now."
"We have to tell the others," Trixie said grimly. "We should go back in and find everyone."
"I think so too," Honey replied. "It won't be much of a party for us Bob Whites, but I know they would be angry with us if we didn't tell them right away."
"Dan wanted us all to have a bonfire down by the lake afterward," Trixie said. "Maybe we can stay just another hour or so. It would be easier to talk about all of this in private."
"That's for sure," Honey agreed. "Do you want to tell your family? I can go find Diana and Dan and let them know."
"Okay," Trixie said. She let out a long breath. "Honey, I'm just sure Tom wasn't driving drunk. We have to help him."
"I don't know how we can this time, Trixie," Honey said sadly. "Now come on, you can't walk back in there looking like that. Everyone would know right away that something was terribly wrong."
Trixie managed a wan smile. "I'll try. For Tom's sake."
The girls returned to the dining room arm in arm. All the tables had been cleared and the band was playing upbeat dance music. Many of the guests were dancing or mingling with cups of coffee and punch.
"My parents are over there," Trixie told Honey. "Meet you upstairs in an hour to change?"
Honey nodded. "I'll ask Diana to come with us too. You can both borrow clothes from me to change into for the bonfire."
"Okay," Trixie said. She gave Honey a quick hug. "It's going to be okay. Tom's going to get better, and we're going to fix this," she whispered.
"Oh Trixie, I hope you're right," Honey whispered back before hurrying away to find Diana and Dan.
As it turned out, Trixie didn't have to tell her parents the sad news. She found them in a corner of the dining room talking to the Wheelers. Right away, she could tell from their pale faces that Matthew and Madeline had already told them everything.
"Trixie, dear, come here," Helen said, capturing her daughter in a big hug. "Honey told you?"
"Yes," Trixie said. "Oh Moms, this is the worst thing that's ever happened!"
"We are all very upset," Madeline Wheeler said in hushed tones. "Tom has been a model employee for the past two years, and of course Celia has been with us for even longer. They are like part of the family."
"You don't believe what the police said, do you, Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler?" Trixie asked imploringly.
The Wheelers exchanged a glance. "We don't want to, Trixie, of course. But it's hard to argue with the facts," Matthew Wheeler replied.
Peter Belden broke in then. "Trixie, we know that of course you are upset. But what's best for Tom and Celia right now is for us to go on with the party. We shouldn't talk about it anymore here. We can discuss it at home."
"May I stay after the party for a bonfire with the Bob Whites, Daddy?" Trixie asked. "We won't be late. Brian and Mart will walk me home."
"Honey and Jim had already mentioned it," Peter replied. "I know all you kids would probably like a chance to talk in private. Just make sure you are home by ten."
"We will, Daddy," Trixie said. "Has anyone told Brian or Mart yet?"
"Jim was going to tell Brian after Dean Bellerson left," Matthew said. "He couldn't stay late tonight, but he is going to come back tomorrow for lunch with the boys before heading back up to Albany."
"Isn't he staying here?" Trixie asked in surprise. Guests often roomed at Manor House when visiting the Wheelers since there was plenty of space.
"He is staying at the Sleepyside Inn," Madeline replied. "He mentioned that he had a few other appointments here and wanted to be closer to town."
"Oh," Trixie said. She frowned. She found it a little odd that he wouldn't have stayed at Manor House anyway, since she suspected Dean Bellerson would love to get to know the Wheelers, potential new donors, as well as he could. But Glen Road was a little isolated. Perhaps he didn't feel comfortable driving in the dark.
Thinking of driving reminded Trixie of Tom, and she shuddered a little. "I'm going to go find Mart," she told her parents. "In about an hour I'm going to meet Honey and Diana upstairs to change."
Helen kissed her daughter's forehead. "Alright, sweetheart. I know this has been a shock, but try to enjoy the party if you can. Have a few dances."
"I'll try, Moms. For Brian and Jim," Trixie said.
It wasn't hard to find Mart. He, Diana, and Honey were all clustered together back by the punch bowl.
"I guess they already told you," Trixie said, noticing his dour expression.
"They sure did," Mart said glumly.
"Poor Celia," kindhearted Diana said. Trixie noticed she was barely holding back tears.
"You don't believe it, do you, Mart?" Trixie asked.
"No way," Mart said staunchly. "Tom would never do that."
Her brother's confidence in Tom, which matched her own, made Trixie feel better. She surprised him by giving him a quick squeeze.
"Thanks, Mart," she said. "But guys, we can't stand around looking so pitiful. Daddy told me not to talk about here."
"The fewer people know the better," Honey agreed. "At the bonfire tonight we'll have more privacy. We should act like we're having a good time for now."
Mart exhaled. "Well, in that case, do you want to dance, Diana?" he asked suddenly.
Diana looked surprised. "Why yes, Mart. I would like to."
"Then let's try to forget everything for a minute and go cut a rug. See you girls in a little while," Mart said, grabbing Diana's hand and heading to the dance floor.
Honey and Trixie watched them go with some amusement. "Well, what do you know? Someone's feeling brave tonight," Honey said with a little smile.
Trixie laughed. All the Bob Whites knew that Mart and Diana had a special affection for one another. But since Diana wasn't permitted to date until she turned sixteen next July there hadn't been anything official. Mart was still fifteen for now too, since he and Trixie were "almost twins." He would turn sixteen on June 1st in just two more weeks.
"I didn't see Dan with you," Trixie said. "Is he still here?"
"No," Honey said. "Regan volunteered to drive a few of the guests home since…well, since there wasn't anyone else to do it. And you know how much he hates driving."
"I sure do," Trixie said. "Dan went with him?"
"Yes," Honey confirmed. "He said he would be back for the bonfire though."
"What about Ms. Trask?" Trixie asked.
"She went upstairs to take care of a few things Celia would normally do. The other maids don't sleep in, you know, and won't be back until tomorrow."
"She's always such a good sport," Trixie sighed. "I wonder what was in that letter."
"It might have been private," Honey said. "We can't ask her about it."
"I know," Trixie grumbled. "Still, Honey, there are just so many things swirling around in my head right now! The letter, Tom of course, and what Jim was trying to…" Trixie suddenly clamped her lips shut.
"What about Jim?" Honey asked, confused.
"Did I hear my name?" the tall redhead said, walking up to them. Brian was with him. Trixie sighed in relief. She told Honey almost everything, but she hadn't meant to blurt that out. She wanted to keep her conversation with Jim private – at least until they could finish it.
"Of course," Trixie replied, turning to him. "This is your party, after all."
"Some party," Jim said. "I don't feel one whit like celebrating at the moment."
"I don't either," Brian admitted. "And that makes me feel even worse. Your parents went to so much trouble for this."
"It wasn't any trouble," Honey insisted. "You know Mother loves hosting big events like this. And whatever happened tonight doesn't change the fact that you two deserve to be celebrated."
Brian smiled at her then. "You always know the right thing to say, Honey Wheeler."
It was Honey's turn to blush then. Just at that moment, the band started playing a slower song. Brian bowed to her and asked, "Could I have this dance?"
Honey smiled and nodded, allowing the handsome boy to lead her to the dance floor.
Jim turned to Trixie. "Finally," he said, grabbing her hand. Trixie's heart sped up, wondering if he was going to ask her to dance too. Instead, he surprised her by leading her out of the dining room and into the library. Just as Honey had done earlier, he shut the door behind them, making sure they were alone.
"This is the second time tonight someone has pulled me in here," Trixie thought. "Here we go again!"
"Trixie, I've got to talk to you," Jim said seriously.
"I know, we got interrupted earlier," Trixie said breathlessly. "I've been waiting all night to hear this."
A shadow passed over Jim's face. He looked down at Trixie's hand, clasped in his own, and gently squeezed it.
"I do want to finish that conversation too. Very much," he said, tracing over the bracelet again. "But right now I need your help."
"What is it?" Trixie asked, concerned.
"Right after I got done talking to the police on the phone, I was waiting outside my father's office. They had a few more questions for him and my mom and I wanted a minute to get my thoughts together. You know, it was all pretty shocking."
"Oh, I know, Jim. And it was your new car, too!"
Jim shrugged. "You know I don't care about that part of it, and the car was insured anyway. Only get this, Trixie - the police thought it was me that had crashed it at first since Tom was out cold and the car was registered to me. They called my parents thinking that they were going to have to tell them I was in the hospital and that I had been drinking and driving underage."
"Oh, Jim," Trixie gasped. "How awful!"
Jim nodded grimly. "Fortunately that rumor couldn't go anywhere since Ms. Trask brought me to Dad's office right away. Mother looked white as a sheet even though Ms. Trask told her she had just seen me downstairs."
"Well, no mother wants to get a call like that," Trixie said.
"Of course not," Jim agreed. "But anyway, Ms. Trask was still there, and after I left Dad's office she told me she had to talk to me privately too. She showed me a letter that came in the mail today."
"The one that had her so worried this afternoon?" Trixie asked excitedly.
Jim gave her a strange look. "How did you…? Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that somehow you already knew about it," he said, shaking his head. "Not much gets past you."
"I saw her just before we went into the party looking at it, and she had such a concerned look on her face. You know how unflappable she usually is," Trixie replied.
"Well, this one has me worried too," Jim said. "Trixie, I think Brian and I are being blackmailed."