Peter stirred and opened his eyes. He immediately became aware that something was lying partway on top of him. When his vision cleared he could see that the thing was not what, but whom, Wendy was laying partway on top of him with her head on his chest rather than her pillow.
Moving slowly so as not to wake her he gently moved he head over and laid it on the pillow. The he slipped out from under the blanked at sat there on the grass watching her and the sunrise.
Wendy stirred and opened her eyes she saw Peter sitting nearby watching the sky, and turning something over and over in his hand.
"Morning Peter," she said a little groggily. He turned and smiled at her.
"Morning," he said, "I woke up a few minutes ago and didn't want to wake you." Wendy smiled, but immediately her eyes went back to Peter's hand.
"What have you got in your hand, Peter?" she asked. Peter looked down at his hand.
"Oh this," he said, he opened his hand to reveal a ring with the largest diamond she had ever seen, " I found it among the treasure that a took from the pirates."
"Why do you keep it with you?" she asked
"Well," began Peter, the he stopped and shook his head, "you'll think that it's silly."
"No," said Wendy, "Tell me, I promise I won't laugh." Peter relented and began again.
"I kept it with me because I kind of hoped that I wouldn't always have to be the guardian alone. I hoped that I'd find a special someone that would want to always be with me. I planned to give this ring to her if that ever happened." Peter gave a dejected sigh and suddenly flung the ring away.
"Oh, who am I kidding," he said, "It's never going to happen." Wendy fought the urge to cry as Peter stood up.
"Come on," he said as he helped her up, "it's time to figure out where they are keeping that book." Wendy turned and gathered up the blanket at the pillows and she and Peter took off and flew toward her house to drop them off.
As they neared the house the tranquility of the morning was shattered by a blood- curdling scream coming from just inside the nursery window. Peter and Wendy increased their speed and covered the remaining distance in a matter of seconds. When they touched down in the nursery they found a teary-eyed Mrs. Darling staring down at Michael's empty bed.
In the middle of the bed was a note pinned to bed by a bejeweled pearl-handled dagger. The note said,
"IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR SON ALIVE AGAIN, KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT AND TELL PETER PAN TO STOP INTERFERING."
"Oh, Peter," sobbed Wendy, "What do we do now? We don't even know where to look for Michael much less the Book."
"Oh yes we do," said Peter. Wendy wiped her eyes,
"What do you mean?" she asked
"The dagger," said Peter, "Don't you recognize it? It's the one that was lying on the bottom panel at the royal weapons display case at the British Museum." Wendy now looked less sorrowful and more hopeful.
"Does that mean what I think it means?" she asked.
"Yes," said Peter, "this particular dagger was a weapon of opportunity use to make the not seem more threatening. But it tells us that whoever is behind all this works at the British museum and has access to the exhibits." Peter drew his sword and checked the blade.
"Our next stop is the British Museum."
"You sir, will do nothing of the kind!" Peter whirled around and came face to face with Mr. Darling.
"Well I certainly don't intent to sit here do nothing while Michael is in the hands of those cold-blooded killers!" retorted Peter looking George Darling straight in eye.
"And I don't intend to let you further endanger my son's life by your persistent meddling!" Snapped Darling stepping so close to peter that they were practically nose to nose.
"Don't be so naïve, sir, as to think that giving into their demands will keep Michael safe!" Retorted Peter, "Because it won't!!"
"STOP IT!" shouted Mrs. Darling and Wendy in unison.
The two men stopped glaring daggers at each other and turned to look at the women.
"Listen," Said Mary Darling, "we all want to get Michael back but we won't do him any good if we stand here fighting amongst ourselves!!" Peter nodded slowly.
"She's right you know," he said turning to Mr. Darling, "Shall we call a truce until this is over." Peter extended his hand, and Mr. Darling accepted it.
"My apologies young man," said Mr. Darling, "it is obvious that you do care about Michael, I was being-,"
"A father," interrupted Peter with a smile, "you were just being a good father, and there is no reason for you to apologize for that."
"Thank you," said Mr. Darling.
"Listen," said Peter, I already know who one of the culprits is and I know how he thinks. He'd Kill Michael with out even thinking twice if he even smells a Police officer on the premises."
"What is going on here?" asked Mrs. Darling.
"I'll explain the whole thing to you on the way to the Museum," replied Peter as he walked toward the door.
"Peter," said Wendy, "why do we not fly there?"
Because," replied Peter, "They'll expect us to arrive by air, that's why we're not going to."
"Fool!!" thundered Mydar at his Partner, "That dagger you left them will lead Peter Pan right to us."
"Isn't that what you want?" snapped the mysterious man who was sitting at the table that Mydar was standing on.
"Not yet," said Mydar, "he wasn't supposed to find us until after I have gained the power of the book."
"So," shrugged the other man, "Let's just get the little brat we grabbed and open the book right now." Mydar glared his partner.
"Don't you remember anything," he snapped, "We must wait until the full of the moon tonight before the touch of that child will open the book, but now thanks to your stupidity we have to move before Peter arrives!"
Peter kicked open the door tothe large back room of the museum that was closet to the sword and dagger displayand he and Wendy rushed in with their swords drawn.
"Their not here," said Wendy who seemed on the verge of tears. Peter pointed to the ground near the wall there on the floor was a torn piece of Michael's nightshirt.
"They may not be here now," he said, "but they were!"
TBC PLEASE READ AND REVIEW