Disclaimer: I do not own Trixie Belden or the BWG's. No profit is being made from their use.
Time For A Plan
The meeting of the CAP students was a serious affair. The frown on Mr. Kramer's face indicated that something was very wrong. Missy Kramer sat near her father with a decidedly blank expression on her face. She held a pen and paper, prepared to write down any information her father deemed necessary. Suddenly Trixie felt quite uneasy about the upcoming discussion.
"I'm not sure how to handle this," Mr. Kramer told them frankly, "so I'm just going to be straightforward. We have quite a large amount of funds missing from my office. I'm not accusing anyone, but I have to check out every possibility. All of you have access to my office. Does anyone here object to a search of their locker?"
Dan looked uncomfortably at Jim. Whispering to him, Dan said, "If anyone objects they'll have to get a search warrant to go through their personal belongings."
"I don't like this one bit," Jim replied in a low voice. "I hate to think it could be one of the students."
When none of the students objected, Missy made a suggestion. "How about letting Dan search the lockers? He is a policeman."
"Dan, would you?" Mr. Kramer asked, looking relieved that he wouldn't have to be the one to search the student's possessions.
"Mr. Kramer," Dan answered awkwardly, "maybe you should have security do this. I really don't like doing this even in an unofficial manner, especially without a search warrant."
"This would be better, Dan," Mr. Kramer assured him. "None of the employees would be involved this way and none of the students object. It would be more professional and objective."
Against his better judgment, Dan reluctantly agreed. He accepted the master key to the lockers and entered the student lounge. Mr. Kramer and Jim followed close behind. Quietly, Dan began the unsavory task of going through the personal items stored in the lockers. With a list to check off to whom each locker belonged, Mr. Kramer watched intently as he finished with the names beginning with an A. Starting with the B's, he first checked off Baker.
"Belden," Mr. Kramer called out as Dan began searching Trixie's locker.
Unable to stop, Jim looked curiously as Dan probed though her backpack. They both jumped when Mr. Kramer gave a small gasp.
"That's it," Mr. Kramer said with a stunned expression. "That's the envelope that's missing. It should contain some of the donations from Saturday night. I was going to deposit them this afternoon when Missy interrupted me."
Dan dropped the envelope like it was poison. "You don't honestly believe that Trixie took this, do you?"
"Just check inside Dan and see if the money is all there," Mr. Kramer instructed him.
"No," Dan said staunchly, looking at Jim for reinforcement, "Trixie did not take any money."
"We have to look, Dan," Mr. Kramer said seriously. "I'll give Trixie a chance to explain."
Jim, feeling like he had been kicked in the gut, remained silent. Suddenly he doubted himself. Would his feelings for Trixie interfere with the investigation? Grabbing the envelope, Jim looked inside. It was what he expected, full of the donations. There had to be some other explanation. Trixie was not a thief, of that, he was sure.
"Can you dismiss everyone?" Jim asked Mr. Kramer. "I'll ask Trixie to meet us in your office."
"Sure, Jim," Mr. Kramer agreed. "You are coming with us, aren't you, Dan?"
Unfortunately for Dan, the look Jim gave him made sure he wouldn't go anywhere else.
Discreetly, Jim had arranged for Trixie to accompany him to Mr. Kramer's office after the other students had left for the day. She looked surprised to see Dan, Honey, Missy, and Mr. Kramer waiting for them. Wide-eyed, Trixie found herself looking to Jim for reassurance. He squeezed he hand tightly when he saw her nervousness.
"Honey and Missy, do you care to step outside?" Mr. Kramer asked, holding open the door.
"That's okay," Trixie interrupted him. Whatever it was, she knew she would have an ally in Honey. "I don't mind if they stay."
No knowing exactly how to handle another awkward situation, Mr. Kramer placed the envelope on his desk. "This was found in your backpack, Trixie," he explained.
"I don't understand," Trixie said weakly, looking at the envelope in confusion. "Are you saying..?" her voice trailed off.
Unable to return the troubled glances of Honey and Dan, Trixie risked a quick peek toward Jim. His pained expression met hers. Does he think I'm guilty? Her face paled at the thought. Still aware that Jim held her hand tightly, Trixie pulled away, instinctively seeking self-protection.
"Trixie," Mr. Kramer said, disbelief tinting his voice, "you were so close to getting that scholarship."
Tears welled up in Trixie's eyes as she saw the looks of anguish shared by Dan, Honey, and Jim. They doubted her. That seemed to hurt more than being falsely accused.
"You'll have to have her arrested, Dad," Missy said when silence fell upon the group.
"No," Jim said fiercely. Observing the astonished gazes upon him at his strong outburst, Jim flushed before adding, "It would be bad publicity for the program."
The program, Trixie thought. Not me. Trixie continued to look down at her hands, knowing that if she tried to speak or look at anyone she would burst into tears.
"Perhaps Jim is right, Missy," Mr. Kramer agreed. "If you'll get your stuff, Trixie, I'll have Dan escort you out." He sighed sadly, "We'll make sure to mail your check this week."
Trixie couldn't hold back the tears once she had exited the office. Dan didn't speak as he followed closely behind her.
When Jim and Honey made a motion to go with them, Mr. Kramer halted their steps. "Jim, Honey," he called out, "I'd like to speak with you both for a minute."
Both Jim and Honey cast a longing glance toward the door that Missy immediately closed. There was nothing more they wanted to do than to follow Trixie and Dan.
Missy placed a comforting arm through Jim's saying, "You were more than generous with her, Jim. It will be a good lesson for her. Perhaps this will be the last time she tries something like that."
Releasing Missy's hold on his arm, Jim placed an arm around Honey's shoulders in support. Whatever had happened, Jim refused to believe that Trixie was at fault. He could tell by the sick look on Honey's face that she felt the same way. Convincing Davis Kramer would be a different matter.
Retrieving her things from her locker, Trixie tried to block the tears coursing down her cheeks. Shaking with pent up emotion, she was having a hard time gathering everything. Gently, Dan removed the backpack from her fumbling fingers. After he had returned everything to its rightful place, Dan offered her a tissue and wiped away her tears.
"It's going to be okay, Trixie," he assured her. "Just give Jim and Honey time to sort this out."
"You don't think I'm a thief, do you?" Trixie sniffed.
"No, of course not," he smiled gently, "and neither do Honey or Jim."
"Why didn't they say something?" she asked, uncertain of his assumptions.
"Why didn't you?" Dan returned with the same line of thinking.
"I was so shocked," Trixie choked out.
"So were we," Dan said as they started walking toward the elevator. "Once the shock wears off, I'm sure Honey and Jim will talk with Mr. Kramer. In fact, I bet that's what they are doing right now."
"Okay," Trixie said in a small voice, still shaken by the turn of events.
Taking hold of Trixie's trembling hand, Dan gave it a comforting squeeze. "Come on, Trix," he said in a cheerful voice, "I'll get you a cab."
"That's okay, Dan," she shook her head, "I can take the bus."
"No," he insisted, "you're in no shape to be riding by yourself on a bus."
"Dan, it's okay."
"Absolutely not, Trixie," he said emphatically. Stroking a finger down the side of her cheek, he added in a more gentle tone, "Just let me do this, okay, Freckles? I'd feel better if you did."
Nodding reluctantly, Trixie agreed and thanked Dan for the ride before the taxi drove away. It had been a long day and she felt extremely grateful for Dan's thoughtful gesture. Knowing that her reputation could very well be in shreds, Trixie tried to put the ugly matter out of her mind. Whatever happened, she knew she would not forget the look on the faces of her three friends for a long time.
Dan felt an unexpected sense of remorse as he watched the cab pull away. Perhaps he should have accompanied Trixie. She had looked completely shattered by the turn of events. However, he had his suspicions about the entire affair. Proving them was going to be a difficult task, but one that Dan was willing to attempt. He was sure that Jim and Honey would be eager to help. Now if he could only come up with a plan, then they could begin to help Trixie.
Dan headed back inside and met Jim as he was exiting the elevator. The look on Jim's face told him more than any words could ever say. Honey was close behind, her eyes red from recently shed tears.
"Why don't we talk in my office?" Jim suggested. Dan and Honey nodded in silent agreement.
The trio remained silent until they reached Jim's office.
"It wasn't easy, Dan," Jim told him, "but we persuaded Mr. Kramer to allow Trixie to come back."
"How did you manage that?" Dan asked with astonishment.
"A lot of pleading and begging on my apart," Honey admitted, "and Jim promising that he would take full responsibility."
"That means she'll be working with me most of the time," Jim grinned sheepishly.
"Well, that solves that problem and maybe more," Dan said with a curious look at Jim before turning serious. "Just how are we going to prove her innocence?"
"We know she was set up," Honey deduced as she sat in the chair that had been occupied earlier by Trixie. "Now we have to figure out the who and the why."
"I have a theory," Dan offered. "Missy."
Jim frowned at Dan, but didn't contradict his words. If Missy were to blame, Jim knew he would feel guilty for putting Trixie in that predicament.
"Why do you say that, Dan?" Honey asked. Although she knew that Jim was with Missy a lot, he never talked about her as a girlfriend. Would Missy feel so threatened that she would stoop to such tactics?
"It's just the things she said during the fundraiser," Dan explained. How could he explain that it wasn't so much what she said as it was the way she said it?
"Like what?" Honey prompted him.
"I can't be definite, Honey," Dan said worriedly. "I just felt uneasy when I talked to her. She wasn't exactly happy to see Jim and Trixie together."
"Well, if it is Missy," Honey concluded, "she will be even more upset when Trixie starts working with Jim."
"If Missy is the culprit, she'll try again," Jim sighed. "We've got to catch her this time or Trixie will be in a lot of trouble. Are we willing to take that risk?"
"Is Trixie willing?" Dan speculated. "I think we need to tell her what's going on."
"I can go," offered Honey.
"I'll go," Jim insisted, ignoring their amused glances. "She will be working with me after all."
"I think that's an excellent idea," Dan grinned broadly. While Dan hated what had happened to Trixie, a part of him couldn't resist teasing Jim just a bit.
"Just how are we going to catch Missy," Honey asked, trying to get the conversation back on track, "and are we going to let Trixie in on the details?"
"You're right, Honey," Dan agreed. "We need to consider that."
"If we trust Trixie," Jim said, meeting their eyes as he spoke, "we need to be completely honest about our plans. She deserves that much."
"I agree, Jim," Honey stated, "but just what are our plans? We can't tell anyone else. How can we catch Missy or whoever it is?"
"Hidden cameras," Dan suggested. "It wouldn't be too hard to install them and I could get some tonight. There are lots of weird shops that sell that kind of stuff."
"I'll go with you, Dan. What about you, Jim?"
"Right now I'm going to go visit Trixie," Jim said as they prepared to leave. "I'll meet you back here around nine. The offices should all be cleared out by then."
"I'll stay home and let you guys handle that," Honey volunteered. "I want to call Trixie later anyway. Make sure you tell her we think she's innocent."
Grateful that Di had an evening class, Trixie unlocked the door and entered the silent dorm room. She knew she should do something productive. Take a shower, study for her upcoming Biology test, or even prepare a snack. With so much going through her mind however, Trixie chose to collapse on her twin bed and replay the events of the day. She felt like she had been on a roller coaster for the past week. The excitement of spending time with Jim was tumultuous. One minute they had been arguing, the next minute sharing intimate moments. Her last encounter with Jim was now shadowed by the horrific turn of events she had suffered at work. The embarrassment of being in that predicament warred with the outrage of being falsely accused. She felt that she had no other option but to accept the decision of Mr. Kramer.
As she lay there, Trixie thought of the kiss she had shared with Jim. Would he even want to see her again? Blinking back hot tears, Trixie cursed the situation once more. So intent on her plight, she almost didn't hear the soft knock on the door.
"Jim," she said warily, "you're here." It was all Trixie could think of to say, so surprised to see him standing there.
"Trixie," he replied gently, pulling her quickly into his arms.
It was all Trixie needed. She had been for the most part successful in keeping a tight rein on her emotions, only shedding a few quiet tears. Now with Jim's arms around her, the flood of relief she felt caused the tears to flow freely, huge gasping sobs shaking her body. Trixie couldn't help it. Never having experienced such intense emotional release, Trixie briefly wondered if she would ever be able to stop crying.
Jim understood more than Trixie gave him credit for. He murmured soothing words and waited patiently for her tears to subside. When she had calmed herself down to an occasional sniffle, Jim placed his handkerchief in her hand and walked Trixie over to her small bed.
Sitting beside her, Jim drew Trixie close to him once more. "I've some news for you," he said in a deliberately casual tone.
"You have," she looked curiously at him.
"We want you to come back to work," he told her.
"I can't, Jim," Trixie protested with embarrassment. "They think I'm a thief."
"Not the people that count," he assured her. "Not Honey. Not Dan. Not me." He didn't add that it took the combined efforts of Honey's pleadings and his promises to convince Kramer to give Trixie another chance.
"I still don't know, Jim," Trixie said hesitantly. The conflict of maintaining her pride battled with her need to keep the job.
"There's more," he added encouragingly.
"More?" she questioned.
"We want to catch the creep who did this," Jim explained, a trace of anger coloring his voice. Noticing Trixie's interest, he continued, "We have a plan, Trixie."
Feeling hopeful for the first time since she saw the envelope, Trixie eagerly asked, "Can you tell me about it? I'd like to help."
"We're going to set up a little surveillance on the premises," he explained. "With you coming back, Dan, Honey, and I feel like the culprit will try again."
"Who would want to frame me?" Trixie inquired, unbelief shrouding her voice.
Jim hesitated for a moment. "We have a few ideas," he answered slowly. "We could be wrong though. That's why we want to keep this a secret from everyone else."
Trixie narrowed her eyes at Jim. "There's more to it than that. What else aren't you saying?"
"Trixie," Jim took both of her hand into his before continuing, "if we mess this up, you could get into worse trouble. Are you willing to risk it?"
A broad smile creased Trixie's face. "You still have a lot to learn about me, Jim. There's nothing I would like more."
"Something tells me I should be worried about that statement," he grinned back at her, "but I'm too eager to learn everything about you."
"Just leave the worrying to my big brother, Brian," Trixie informed him. "Although right now, he seems more interested in Honey than in anything I'm mixed up in."
"Honey," Jim repeated with arched brows.
"Just who do you think she ditched you for Saturday night?" Trixie joked. "She wasn't just trying to be a matchmaker, you know."
"When this is all over, remind me to thank her." He pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
"I promise," Trixie vowed, "now let's here all about those plans you have."
Thanks once again to Karen for making this story so much better.