Chapter 2

When Janet arrived home eager to tell Terri they had dinner plans, she found her friend talking on the phone. The smiling blonde indicated Jack Tripper was on the line. Janet nodded happily.

"Jack, I think it's great," Janet heard her say. "I'm looking forward to it, and I know Janet will be, too. In fact, she just walked in. I'll let you tell her the news."

They said their good-byes, and then Janet, after giving Terri a questioning glance, took the receiver from her hand.

"Hi, Jack," Janet said, anxious to hear the news. "How's it goin'?"

"Things have been okay. How about you?"

Janet made herself comfortable on the sofa and placed the phone in her lap. "I've been doing well."

"You sound happy."

"I am. You have a bit of excitement in your voice. What's your news?"

"I was just telling Terri that I'm going to be visiting you two soon."

Janet sat up straighter on the couch. "You are? Jack, that's great. When are you coming?"

"This weekend. I arrive Friday night."

"What! Jack Tripper, how long have you known about this trip?"

He laughed because he could so easily picture his friend's indignation. She had probably balled her free hand into a fist and was aiming it for the receiver. "For almost a month," he admitted. "But I didn't want to say anything until I was sure I could swing it."

"Are you coming with someone? How will you be able to fly such a long distance, non-stop?"

"I'm coming by myself, and I'll be fine."

She doubted that, but she wanted to give her former roommate the benefit of the doubt.

"Well, you know we can't wait to see you. It'll be like old times."

"It sure will. I have to attend conferences during the days I'm there in place of Mr. Angelino, but that shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Not at all. Terri will be working, and if I'm not at the flower stand, I'll probably be with Magnum, so it should work out great for us to spend the evenings together."

"What's a 'Magnum'?" Jack asked, clearly confused.

Janet laughed. "It's not a what, Jack, it's a who."

"Okay. Who is 'Magnum'?"

"I just started working for him part-time. He's a private investigator."

"A private eye?" Jack asked, sounding dubious. "Janet, why would you want to work for a PI?"

"Thomas Magnum prefers the term 'private investigator', and it's actually kind of fun."

"Oh, well, excuse me. But fun? I can't picture you hanging out with a private whatever. What happened to the flower stand job?"

"Oh, I still have that and love it, but working for Magnum is giving me a little extra cash, which I can use, believe me."

"You're not following him around on his seedy cases, are you?"

Janet rolled her eyes. Jack had watched too many movies. "No. I work out of his home."

"That's even worse!" Jack declared.

Janet couldn't help but laugh at her friend's obvious outrage.

"Jack, what is wrong with you? I'm not doing anything wrong, immoral or illegal."

"Well, we'll just see about that," Jack said. "Now, I really can't wait to get on that island and find out just exactly what my girls have been up to."

"Your girls?" Janet questioned.

"Yes. I still think of you and Terri as the women I like and need to protect. Is there something wrong with that?"

"No, but we're not exactly close enough for you to protect."

"I know. But I will be once I land on Oahu, so this Magnum person better watch out because Jack Tripper will soon be on his way."

Janet couldn't hide a smile. "I think we'll all be fine, Jack. You just have a safe trip and get here as soon as you can."

Janet continued to hold the phone in her lap after the call had ended. She took a moment to reflect on their conversation. If she didn't know better, she would have sworn she had heard a touch of jealousy in Jack's voice. But there was no way that could be possible, was there?