Disclaimer: I do not own Trixie Belden or the Bob-Whites. Not profit is being made from their use, just a lot of enjoyment.
A big thanks to everyone for all their support. Your comments kept me going. I hope you have enjoyed reading this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it.
And a special thanks to Karen who convinced me to end it with this chapter and leave an opening for future stories.
I Know (Final Chapter)
"Call an ambulance, Mangan," Detective Brennan ordered sharply. "She's still alive." As Dan used his cell phone to call 911, Detective Brennan shouted to her partner, "Joe, get over here. We need pictures fast."
"Are you crazy?" Jim asked in disbelief as the other officer began snapping photos of Trixie. Ignoring both officers, he gently cupped her face, delicately removing the duct tape from her lips.
"I know it seems harsh," Detective Brennan said, "but these photos will sway a jury far more than any testimony would."
"Fine," Jim said gruffly, "you have your pictures." Jim stroked Trixie's head while murmuring words of comfort. "Trixie, baby, it's okay. It's going to be okay."
Dan finished up his call and rushed to the trunk of the car to check on Trixie. "Can you hear us, Trixie?" he called. "We're going to untie you now."
As the soft words penetrated Trixie's restless slumber, she relaxed against the touch of the gentle caresses along her brow. Warm breath fluttered along her cheek, only to be followed by light brushes of soft kisses.
"Jim, Dan," Trixie smiled weakly, "you found me." She forced her eyes open as she tried to regain her focus and saw the intense concern in Jim's green eyes.
Pulling her into the support of his arms, Jim laid her against his chest, swallowing the golf ball sized lump in his throat and said, "We sure did, baby." Using one arm to hold her close, he began the tedious job of untying the knots holding her hands captive.
Dan bit back a groan as his own fingers clumsily pried the tangled ropes loose, taking care to go slowly and tenderly even as he fought the desire to rip the cords into bits. Unable to stop a soft moan escaping from her lips, Trixie blinked back tears of pain as the blood rushed to her limbs with excruciating tingles. Gingerly, Jim rubbed her hands and arms to help restore the circulation while Dan did the same for her feet. She was just starting to cling to Jim's hands when they heard the sound of sirens in the distance.
"Jim," Trixie whispered hoarsely, "Mr. Kramer, Missy…"
"We know, baby." Jim placed a quick kiss upon her lips. He glanced at the crowd around him, wishing desperately for a moment alone with her. "I know." Jim stared intently into her eyes, willing her to understand. "We'll talk soon, okay?"
Overcome by emotion, Trixie nodded in response, tightening her grip on Jim's hands.
The ambulance arrived at the parking garage within minutes and Trixie was carefully placed on a gurney in preparation for the trip to the hospital. "We're taking her to Community," one of the medics informed them. Trixie's blue eyes gazed back longingly at Jim. She felt the absence of his touch acutely, only wanting Jim to hold her and assure her that everything would be okay. Quickly, the roaring ambulance left, leaving Jim to stare anxiously at the departing flashing lights and sirens.
Impatiently, Jim turned to go after Trixie but the hand of Detective Brennan stopped him. "We need to ask you a few questions," she told him, "both you and Dan, and we need to find the owner of this vehicle."
"He's upstairs," Dan pointed the way. "He's in one of the offices. Can we go there now?"
"Secure the scene, Joe," Detective Brennan ordered, "and call for backup. Officer Mangan, I'll expect your full cooperation in this investigation."
Nodding, Dan led the way Win Frayne's office where Mr. Kramer sat. Jim followed reluctantly, wanting nothing more than to rush to Trixie's side.
"Honey," Jim spoke up, "Honey can go to Trixie. Someone's got to be there to notify her brothers about what's happened." Even as Jim said the words out loud, he felt a pang of remorse about what Trixie's family would be going through. It would be a wonder if they even let him within ten feet of her.
"We'll stop at your office on the way up," Dan assured him. "You're right. Trixie doesn't need to be alone."
Honey immediately called Brian to explain the situation. Understanding that his little sister had been abducted hadn't been easy for him. Tactfully soothing his frayed edges, Honey coaxed him into a calmer state.
"Tell me the truth, Honey," Brian demanded once his senses returned to normal, "is she going to be okay?"
"Jim said she was conscious and talking when she left in the ambulance," Honey reassured him once more. "I'm going to go sit with her until you get here."
"Thanks, Honey," Brian said gratefully. "Mart and I will be there as soon as possible. I think I'll wait until I see her before we call Moms or Dad. I'd like to be able to tell them that I know she's okay for a fact before they get the news."
"I understand," Honey said softly, "and Brian, she will be okay."
After another quick call to Diana to let her know what had happened, Honey finally turned to Missy who was crying inconsolably in one of Jim's comfortable chairs. She had still been waiting in the office with Honey when Jim and Dan had stopped by. Honey could see the girl was terribly shaken by what her father had done.
"I've got to go to Trixie," Honey told her. "Why don't you wait here? I'm sure Jim and Dan will be back soon to talk to you."
"They probably both hate me," Missy said between uncontrollable sobs. "I don't blame them. You've got to believe me. I never wanted Trixie hurt like this."
"I do believe you, Missy," Honey said as she headed out the door, surprised that she truthfully felt that way. "I don't think Jim or Dan will blame you for your father's actions."
As Honey, Diana, and her brothers rushed to the hospital to be with Trixie, upstairs in one of the Wheeler-Frayne offices the detectives were interrogating Mr. Kramer. In a separate office, Jim tried to remain patient as he repeatedly gave his statement to another officer. Finally, after what seemed like hours, he was free to leave.
Win halted his son's frantic steps. "Son, is Trixie going to be okay?" he asked worriedly.
"I think so," Jim answered a little uncertainly, "at least, physically. I really need to see her, Dad. You don't need me to hang around here, do you?"
"No, of course not," Win hugged his son. "Go check on Trixie. We'll stop by later, but call us if she needs anything."
Jim made a quick stop by his office for his keys and jacket. The sight of Missy sobbing at his desk startled him. He stood quietly observing her while she continued crying, ignoring him altogether. Part of him wanted to comfort Missy, knowing that her father's actions had shaken her world apart. But then he remembered how she had spoken to Trixie on the tape and the pain he had seen in Trixie's eyes. Jim felt sorry for Missy, but he couldn't forgive her, not yet.
"I'm sorry," Jim said simply, knowing that nothing he could say would make her feel better.
"I'm sorry, too," she mumbled. Looking up, she added sincerely, "And tell Trixie that I'm sorry, too."
"I will," Jim nodded soberly as he walked out the door.
Trixie lay confused and dazed in the emergency room as she was surrounded by the various techs, nurses, and doctors attending to her. Reassured by calm and quiet voices, she listened as they explained the different procedures they were performing. Trying to absorb their words, Trixie would nod at what she hoped was the appropriate time as if she understood. She was sore and her head hurt viciously, and she couldn't resist the lone tear that fell down her cheek. It was silly, she reasoned, but at the moment she felt lost and all alone. When she saw the beaming smile of Honey, she grinned as relief washed over her.
"Honey," she called out hoarsely, "I'm so glad to see you."
"Jim told me what happened," Honey said, "and then he insisted that I get here ASAP, not that I wouldn't have come anyway."
"I'm glad you're here," Trixie smiled and grabbed Honey's hand.
"How are you, Trixie?" Honey asked gently.
"I'll be okay," she assured her. "I didn't mean to worry everyone."
"Don't be concerned about that," Honey lightly admonished her. "It definitely wasn't your fault."
"Still," she continued, "I hate that I seem to always end up in crazy situations like this."
"I did call Brian," Honey told her. "He and Mart are on their way. Diana is, too."
"Oh," Trixie grimaced, "they'll be frantic."
"We all were but now we are just relieved that you are safe and sound."
"My parents are going to insist I drop out of college and move back home," Trixie joked, not all together certain that it wasn't true.
Honey just smiled reassuringly at her and waited for everyone to arrive.
When Jim entered Trixie's room, he was not surprised to see her surrounded by her brothers and parents. Honey and Diana had managed to stay, as well. A little ill at ease, Jim approached the group. He forgot the others, however, when Trixie smiled happily up at him. He didn't even notice the exchanged glances between her parents and brothers at the starry-eyed look on Trixie's face.
"Hey, Trixie," Jim grinned back at her, his upper lip cocked a little crookedly, "you look much better than earlier."
She rubbed the bruise on her forehead a little self-consciously before answering him. "Well, I've had better days."
"Dan sends his regrets that he couldn't be here," Jim added as he moved noticeably closer to her bed. "He's helping with the investigation."
"I guess they'll need to talk to me," Trixie shuddered as she imagined discussing the past few hours with the police.
"It'll be okay, Trix." Concern clouded Jim's green eyes as he tried to reassure her."
"Ahmm," Mr. Belden discreetly cleared his throat and looked expectantly at his only daughter.
"Sorry, Dad," Trixie looked at her father. "This is Jim Frayne. He's a friend of ours. I met him through the CAP. Jim, these are my parents."
"Nice to meet you, Jim," Mr. Belden shook Jim's hand. "I think we have a lot to thank you for. Trixie and Honey have told us quite a story."
"I'm really sorry that Trixie got involved in this mess," Jim apologized.
"Jim," Mrs. Belden patted his arm, "we know you were only trying to help Trixie." She cocked her head toward Brian and Mart, "You can ask them about her ability to get in dangerous situations all by herself."
"Let's see, Jim," Mart started counting on his fingers, "is this the ninth or tenth time she has been rescued?"
"Hey," Trixie shouted grumpily from her bed, "I can hear you. Don't give Honey and Jim the wrong impression about me."
Mart and Brian chuckled. Turning to Jim, Brian added, "As the oldest, it always seems that I'm the one getting those two out of trouble. You just saved me a trip this time."
The room filled with laughter as everyone shared in the relief that she was going to be okay. Jim looked tenderly at Trixie as he moved closer to her side. He held back a sigh of longing. He needed to speak to Trixie alone and right now everyone was hovering over her. As his eyes met hers, the look that passed between them spoke volumes as they lingered on each other. Shyly, she tucked her hand in his, her innocent gesture a plea for forgiveness, regretful for her momentary lack of trust. Pleased by her boldness, Jim squeezed her hand in return, knowing that he was bound to the little spitfire forever.
Brian frowned as they continued to cast glances at each other. He wasn't sure he would ever be able to accept the idea that Trixie was attracted to Jim. He shared a meaningful look with his father. Both men were reluctant to allow Trixie to make her own decisions. It was only as he smiled over at Honey that Brian realized his baby sister was capable of a romantic relationship. It made him feel uncomfortable even though he was starting a relationship with Honey, who was not only Trixie's friend but who was also even younger than Trixie. Biting back the desire to interfere, Brian walked away before he said something he would later regret. Noting his actions, Mrs. Belden smiled at the men in her family. She was pleased that they had behaved well. It was time to let Trixie test her wings even if it was a little scary to think that she might fall. She had earned their trust.
THE END