April, 2006
"Maxwell!"
Bill looked up from his desk to see a younger man stare straight back at him. He frowned, not only because of who the man was but because he was grading reports of his students at the FBI academy and was slightly behind.
"Villacana, will you please for once call me by my proper title instead of Maxwell, at least here," said Bill with a slight growl. "Geesh, 10 years on the force and you're still setting a bad example."
Tony smirked, knowing this always got the man, but deep inside, both had a great respect for each other. "Sorry, Mr. Maxwell, I just wanted to come by and tell you my big news."
Bill smirked. "Drove halfway across LA here to the academy to talk to me about some big news? What is it this time? Did you get another gold star on your nameplate?"
"Nope, we've got a lead on that missing girl case," said Tony. "And, we did it using one of your scenarios you taught us."
"That's great, Villacana," said Bill slightly wistfully and returning to grading reports.
Tony noticed the change of tone in Bill's voice and softened up just slightly. "Hey, Max- uh Mr. Maxwell, I know you want to be out in the field again, but they made you retire from active duty. Heard you do great as a senior teacher here at the academy though."
Bill scoffed as he finished writing his comment and grade on the paper. "Yeah, I'd still be out there knocking heads like in my prime, but someone's gotta teach these gumshoes which way to point a gun. Anyway, don't have time for this drivel. I've got to go to Whitney High and talk to Ralph. Don't know why, but he wants me to see this ring he's having made for the Counselor for their 23rd anniversary."
"Whitney High? That's where I'm going," said Tony. "Mind if I join ya?"
Though Bill also wanted to talk to Ralph about something regarding the jammies, he nodded. "OK, Villacana, so long as I drive. Last time you did, you got a ticket at the school and because it was my car, I had to foot the bill."
Tony rolled his eyes, but inside chuckled, remembering that day too well. "All right, let's go before Mr. H yells at you for being tardy."
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Ralph Hinkley was sitting in his office finishing up with some paperwork. Since he became the principal at Whitney, he was constantly busy keeping the school in order. Though he was a popular principal, the students also respected him, and as such the school excelled in education. He tugged at the collar of the jammies and shook his head, chuckling that even after all these years the collar still bugged him.
As he finished putting up his papers, there was a knock on the door. "Come in," he said, running his hand through his curly, but slightly thinning and graying, hair. He looked up and saw Bill walk in along with Tony.
"Hey Ralph, how ya doin' kid," said Bill as he shook Ralph's hand. "I'm sure you also remember our favorite ravioli Tony?"
Ralph smiled as Tony blushed a bit from Bill's comment and shook his hand. "Yeah, I do, Bill. How are you doing Tony? And how's your family?"
"Fine, Mr. H, and so's Rhonda and the kids," said Tony, though he was antsy to get down to business. "The youngest will be starting kindergarten this next year, and I'm already seeing the same mischievous streak I had in school."
Ralph chuckled. "Well, I'll remember to warn the teachers to keep watch on the playground car hubcaps," he said. "Listen, Bill, why don't we head over to the art department so I can show you the ring I had made for Pam."
"Sure kid, from what you said it sounds like a beaut," said Bill as they left the office. "So, did you design it?"
"No, but from the drawings I've seen, Pam's going to love it," said Ralph as they walked through the courtyard to a separate building. "I hope it's nearly finished. There was a delay casting the ring earlier today because of a hole in the acetylene torch, but found out they got the backup working. The ring was cast and it's being cleaned up and finished."
As they entered the art and jewelrysmith room, Bill and Tony looked in amazement at the variety of projects laid out on the desks. While most of the jewelry was simple, there were a couple of more elaborate pieces on the teacher's desk. Bill took a closer look at a blue goldstone and sterling silver locket on the desk when someone tapped him from behind. "Pretty neat, huh Bill? And that was her first semester work at college," said Ralph.
"Yeah, I'm actually impressed you have a teacher and students who can do this type of quality work. Beats some of the stuff I've seen in some classes," he said, giving a sideways glance at Tony. "People would pay a lot of dough to buy one of these."
"They have too. Anyway, I have a feeling she's in one of the polishing rooms, and they're in the back."
The trio walked to the back to see the teacher at a polishing wheel with a safety visor over her face. She was fairly young, trim, and had long blondish hair she currently had pulled back in a ponytail. She was wearing a brown paisley shortsleeved shirt, jeans, and burgundy hi-top sneakers. She also wore a handmade necklace around her neck and two watches on her left wrist. She had a block of something, Ralph surmised polish, and was rubbing it against the spinning wheel. She then picked up the ring and began polishing it. After a minute or so, she realized she was being watched and turned off the machine. "Oh, hi Ralph, I'm just about done," she said. "Give me a couple of more minutes with the jeweler's rouge and I think it'll be polished enough to set the stones."
"OK, take your time. Pam's ring is pretty special you know," said Ralph, and she nodded, turning the machine back on. As the girl continued work on the ring, the trio decided to spend some more time looking at the art projects. After a few minutes, Ralph turned to Bill and Tony. He noticed the two were preoccupied with something else other than the projects. "All right, you two, is there something going on I don't know about," said Ralph with a slight quizzical look.
"No, nothing that can be said right now," said Bill, hoping he was hinting he wanted to talk about the jammies.
"Well, Mr. H, you see. ..."
"Hey, Ralph, uh, excuse me gentlemen," said the art teacher as she noticed the other men. Tony and Bill nodded as she continued. "I've got it polished up, but wanted your approval before I set the birthstones."
Ralph took the ring, looked at it and smiled. "That's terrific, go ahead. It's still the amethyst and aquamarine hearts right?"
"Oh no, I thought you said you wanted trillions instead," she said, smacking her forehead with her hand. When Ralph's eyes widened at the comment, she grinned. "Don't worry Ralph, I'm just kidding, it's hearts."
"Go on, hurry up, or Pam'll see it too soon when she gets here," he said. Ralph and turned to Tony again. "All right, Tony, what's going on?"
Tony cleared his throat, knowing his next question was serious. "Mr. H, I hate to tell ya this, but I'm not here just to shoot the breeze. I needed to talk to someone about a missing girl who goes to Whitney."
"McKenna Lazuli. Yeah, we've been trying to get the students to help us with leads too," said Ralph.
"Well, we got a great lead on the case, and it's one of your teachers who might have seen the creep," said Tony.
"I'm sure the teachers would be glad to help out anyway they can," said Ralph. "Who do you need to talk to?"
"This is going to sound strange, but it's a fellow by the name of Aidan Hinkley. Relative of yours?"
"You can say that. Shouldn't be a problem," said Ralph with a slight cough just as the teacher came back and handed him a box with the ring.
"Thanks, listen do you have a couple of moments? I wanted to introduce you to my friends." Noting Ralph's look, she nodded.
"Hey, Mr. H, it's nice to talk to your fellow teachers, but I need to talk to Aidan Hinkley as soon as possible," said Tony impatiently.
The girl started to say something, but was interrupted by Bill. "Yeah, I mean it's nice to meet Artie here and look at the ring for the Counselor but I need to get a move on, and I'm sure you need to too," he said again trying to hint he needed to speak to Ralph alone about the suit.
"Artie?" the girl asked Ralph questioningly. The blonde-haired man shrugged and said, "Uh, Tony, Bill. ..."
"Come on Mr. H, I need to talk to him as soon as possible if the FBI's going to help Lazuli."
"I don't think he'll help you," said the girl bluntly, but with a glint in her eye.
"Why not?" said the two agents.
"Well, Aidan's not a he ... she's a she."
When the two men looked at her in confusion, Ralph realized he needed to properly introduce everyone. "Tony, Bill, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Aidan Hinkley. Aidan, these are Agents Tony Villacana and Bill Maxwell."
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Judge Pam Hinkley finished fastening the jewelry clasp around her neck and brushed down the front of her purple dress. It had been a long day in court, so she was looking forward to tonight. Pam smiled, knowing that Ralph's jaw would drop when he saw her in the dress. She picked up a box and looked at the ring inside for Ralph. Aidan designed the ring, and knowing that Ralph had requested a ring for Pam, kept both secrets but made sure the two were the same save the addition of stones in her ring.
Pam put the box into her handbag and taking a final look into the mirror, headed out the door to the beetle. She was going to meet Ralph and Aidan at the school so all three could go in one car to the restaurant. As she drove off, a tan van followed her to the school.
Inside the van, the driver groaned. "Come on, why do we have to follow this dame," he said. "We've got Lazuli, and she's proven useful."
"Yeah, but she's just small fries, kid," said the other man. "We need to take the principal's wife or kid as insurance to make sure he listens. Also need to scope out the school so when the time comes, we can take the whole school hostage and keep people from getting in to rescue them. All those parents will be more than happy to pay or do anything to see their sons and daughters again, especially the judge."
As they arrived at the school, they waited for the right moment to kidnap Pam, little knowing they would start a chain of events that would change the lives of several people forever in a short amount of time.
