A Riverside Christmas Mystery
Chapter 14
"Do you wanna build a snowman? C'mon out let's go and play I never see you anymore.
Come out the door"
Robert and Kristen Lopez
Jim's face was gleeful as he looked at his mother and down at Davy on his lap. He hugged Davy close. "Your mama is coming home, Davy. You'll see her tonight."
"Oh, Jim. I'm so happy. She'll be safe here, and Davy will have his mother." His mother's eyes gleamed. "I'll have to figure out accommodations," she mused already thinking of ways and means.
"Let's go tell the others, Ma, and I'll have to comm Gavin and Jonathon with the good news, but later for that." He hefted the baby up in the air then put him on his shoulders and Davy squealed in delight and grabbed Jim's hair. Jim went into the living room, looked at the waiting group, his happy face told the story.
"You talked her into it, didn't you," said Bones. "I knew you would, you silver-tongued Captain, you."
"Jim! that's wonderful," said Uhura. "How and when is she coming?"
"Spock and I will go get her tonight right after dark." He glanced at Spock, who nodded his agreement. "She's been hiding in the basement of the high school, the place is deserted for the holidays and she's been there since she disappeared. She told me it's been really cold. I can only imagine," said Jim, sorrowfully. "That basement is cold even during the summer, but she'll be warm tonight." His voice held deep satisfaction.
"Where is she going to sleep?" Uhura asked. "I'll be happy to sleep on the sofa so she can be in your room with Davy, Winona."
"I've been thinking about that," said Winona. "I think there's a better solution. Jim, let's put Violet in my sewing room. We can take out the sewing machine, the cutting table and the shelves with all my quilt material, yarn and threads, and put the large cot that's up in the attic in there with some quilts or a sleeping bag on top, it will be comfortable and will offer privacy for Violet which I'm sure she needs after all she's been through. Davy's crib will fit on the far wall where the shelves are now, and the cot will fit against the other wall. What do you think, son?"
"It's a great idea, Ma, but Peter and I are willing to give up our room too, aren't we, Squirt?"
Peter nodded. He didn't care where he slept as long as he was close to his Uncle Jim.
"So are Spock and I, Winona," said Bones.
"I know all of you are. But I think this will work best, and it's the least disruptive to everyone in the house."
"All right, Ma. However you want to do this is fine with us. Do you want us to start moving the stuff out?"
"Yes, please, Jim. Put the shelves, table and sewing machine in the barn and cover them for me, and I'll put the material, yarn and threads in a bin to keep them dry."
"I'll do that, Winona," said Uhura.
"Spock and I will move the furniture out, and move Davy's crib in. Bones you and Peter go up to the attic and bring down the big cot. Peter, give it a good dusting, okay?"
"I'll take Davy with me in the kitchen and he can help me with lunch, right Davy, sweetheart?" She reached up for him and Jim handed him down from his shoulders. "Ma," Davy said to her and grinned his sweet baby grin and her heart broke a little.
As she carried him into the kitchen, Winona sighed as she cuddled the baby and kissed his curly head. She was going to miss this child so much when he and Violet went home. She sat Davy in his high chair, gave him a cup of milk and an oatmeal cookie which made his baby grin even bigger then started with lunch. The sad fact was, she mused, that she and Peter would be very lonely after this houseful of loved ones left them after the New Year. It was a feeling with which she was all too familiar; the years of marriage to a man who roamed the stars, who came home, stayed for a while than all too soon left again, two sons who left Earth, one to fly a star ship, the other to live off world. Then the death of her parents, followed by her husband, her oldest son, and her daughter in law; terrible, irrevocable good byes. She tried to shake off her melancholy introspection determined to enjoy this time to the utmost. She would set aside these sad thoughts and think of something for Peter and her to do so the house wouldn't seem so empty after everyone left.
Jim and Spock came in carrying the sewing room shelves. "Something smells really good," he smiled. His smile faded as he saw the sad far away look on her face. "Ma, what's the matter, are you okay?"
"What?" Winona turned to him startled. She saw the faint worry frown on Jim's face and smiled at him. "Yes, dear, I'm fine. Just thinking how sad it will be when Davy has to leave. I've grown so attached to him."
Jim put the shelves down on the floor, and came over to her and put his arms around her in a warm hug. "I know, Ma. We've all fallen in love with the little guy. He's really something, isn't he? But he'll be back with his mother, and we wouldn't wish anything else for him."
"Of course not, sweetheart. He'll be where he belongs. I know that. Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm very used to goodbyes you know that." Her small chin lifted and her hazel eyes so much like Jim's took on a bleak, but determined look.
"I know you are, Ma. You've had far too many of them," said her son softly, as he gave her a tender kiss on the forehead.
Winona's eyes misted at his ready understanding, and she turned away from his too keen gaze. Her voice was steady as she said, "lunch will be ready in 20 minutes,"
Jim looked at her averted face. "We'll all be finished by then." He nodded to Spock and they carried the shelves outside.
"Jim is your mother all right?" Spock's voice was concerned. "I sensed distress from her."
"She's fine, Spock, but sometimes even strong people have moments of vulnerability. The farm is isolated and Ma and Peter are very much alone here, and when he's in school, she's completely alone. That's why she loves to have people here. As kids, Sam and I always had school friends over, and Ma and Pop invited friends and relatives here all the time. She encourages Peter to invite his school friends here often. It will be very lonely for her when we leave and Peter goes back to school."
"Then why does she stay here? Would not living in town offer her more social interactions with people she knows? It would be far less lonely if that were the case."
"Ma would never leave the farm, Spock. She and my dad made their lives here with Sam and I. They and we were very happy here and this farm has been in our family for almost 200 years and she loves it. It will be mine and then Peter's one day and she wants him to love it also. Most of the time she's very content here and she has her job to keep her busy, but sometimes I know she gets lonely." Jim sighed. Loneliness was something he was familiar with. Even doing the job he loved so well, even aboard his beloved ship, and even with the close-knit Enterprise command crew that was like family to him, sometimes he felt lonely just by the nature of his command and his responsibilities.
Spock looked at his Captain and nodded. He understood loneliness. From childhood on, he had stood apart and alone from others, had in fact been intimately acquainted with loneliness for 32 years. Then Jim Kirk became Captain of the Enterprise and and somehow (Spock still did not know how) he had broken down a life long Vulcan reserve to become his friend. Then through the magic of his interactions with Jim's dynamic personality, Spock had somehow acquired more friends and before he knew it, he was lonely no longer. Spock felt an unaccustomed heaviness in his chest at the thought of Winona Kirk feeling lonely. He would ask her, he decided, if they could set up a correspondence schedule such as he had with Peter. Yes, he thought, I could do that to help ease these feelings of loneliness. It is only logical to help one who is in need.
"Jim," he said, "I think I would like to begin a correspondence with your mother when we are back on the ship. I believe that hearing from one or more of your ship mates would do much to alleviate her feelings of loneliness. Do you think your mother would be agreeable?"
Jim smiled at him. "Why Spock, I think that's the best idea you've had in years. I know Ma would love it." His gloved hand curled softly around Spock's arm and he patted it gently. "Thank you, my friend," he said softly, the golden brown eyes soft, "for thinking of my mother."
The table and the huge bin filled with yarn and thread were moved out and the cot and crib brought in and set against the walls. There was plenty of room for both. Winona put sheets on the cot, then brought in her beautiful colorful quilts, covered the large cot with one, and the other she folded and placed it at its foot. A small floor lamp cast a soft light in the room and a large standing vase with some dried wheat stalks was put by the door. She set a colorful rag rug on the floor by the cot, then she hung a couple of her grandmother's paintings on the wall and put Davy's two stuffed toys in the crib. The small room now looked warm and inviting.
"Let's break for lunch," Winona said, "I think the room looks much better now."
"How did she do that?" Uhura asked softly, in an aside to Jim. "The room looks lovely, so comfortable and welcoming, as if it's always been ready for Violet and Davy, and with just a few things that are different."
Jim looked at his mother's retreating figure. "It's a gift, Nyota. She's always had that knack of somehow making people feel welcomed and loved no matter where she is. Remember how she was with Gavin Bradford, and how even that cold Vulcan Embassy was warmer with her being there."(1)
Lunch was delicious. Everyone yet hungrily and the Lemon Ricotta Cookies were a huge hit. Jim ate 5, Bones also ate 5 and even Spock had 3. Peter and Uhura each had 4 and Winona had 2. She was well pleased that her mother's recipe was such a success. "I think I'll make another batch of these cookies," she said ruefully as they all eyed the one remaining cookie still on the plate out of the two dozen she had baked. Peter looked at the others and slowly reached for it, but Bones' quick hand got there first. "Ha," said Bones. "Old age and treachery beats youth and skill every time. But here, Peter, I'll be generous and give you a small piece," he told the child, who grinned at him as he accepted the tiny piece.
Jim's comm beeped as they all laughed, and he looked at the ID code. "It's Jonathon," he told everyone. "I'll take it in the office."
"Kirk here."
"Jim, we found them! In Des Moines just like I thought. My police contacts there tracked down their shuttle. They're staying at a motel just outside of Des Moines. I told them to keep a very discreet eye on them, not to alert them in any way, and not to pull them in for questioning. After what you told me about their high price lawyers I think it's better not to arrest them at this point. They'd only post bail and be forewarned that we're after them."
"I agree. Tell your contacts to be very careful, we don't want to alert them that we know what they're up to. Violet commed me a while ago, Jonathon, she's ready to come in. Spock and I are picking her up this evening just after dark. I'd like for you to talk with her but we don't want to risk her being seen by anyone, so taking her to the police station is a bad idea. How about if you come here first thing in the morning, we'll give you breakfast, and Ma would love to see you."
"Sounds great, Jim, I'm glad you were able to convince her and I agree with you, best for her not to step out of the house once she's there, at least for the time being."
"Thanks for all your help. Great police work. We'll see you in the morning. Kirk out."
He went back to the kitchen and helped with the cleaning up and with a wary eye on Peter, told them the bare bones of Jonathon's report and his visit to them in the morning. "Let's put this aside for a while because in my opinion, I think it's time for another snow activity this afternoon. We have yet to build a snowman and there's plenty of soft snow on the ground. What do you say, Peter?"
"I say yes, Uncle Jim. It's perfect weather for a snowman. He won't melt for a long time."
"That's what I think too," said his Uncle. "Let's see, we need a carrot, some coal pieces, maybe some big buttons for eyes, an old scarf, and an old hat, maybe an old broom. We'll see what we can come up with. Ma, do you have any of that stuff?"
"I have all of those things, dear. In fact I still have some of the same things you and Sam used to use in the same old box up in the attic. I'll go up and find it for you."
"Thanks, Ma. Is Davy going down for a nap? If so, we'll wait until he wakes up to build the snowman, I want him to be with us, and you too, Ma."
"Yes dear, he's going to nap for a while. I think I'll do the same, I feel a little sleepy," said Winona. "I'm looking forward to the snowman, Peter and I haven't made one this season yet."
"Me too," said Bones. "I've never made one."
"Me either," said Uhura.
Everyone looked at Spock, whose eyebrow climbed to his bangs. "Snowmen are unknown on Vulcan, but I am familiar with a Sandman," he said with a twinkle in his eye. They all burst out laughing.
"Spock you've made a pun," Jim said unable to control his chuckles. "The lowest of all human forms of humor. Mr. Spock, I'm surprised at you!"
Spock merely raised his other eyebrow. "Vulcans do not make puns, Jim. It would be totally illogical to use language in that way."
"Of course, Spock, totally illogical, I understand." Jim's smile at his friend said, I'm happy you're enjoying yourself, Spock, it's what I hoped for.
"Why don't we all rest for a while," he said. "We have a full afternoon and evening ahead of us and I'm waiting for Gavin to comm me with more Intel on the heirs. I think I'll go in the office and finish reading my book while I wait."
By mid afternoon, Gavin had not commed, so everyone put on their coats and hats and went outside. Davy, in his snow suit, sat in his bucket again and watched, his big brown eyes going back and forth from person to person. Jim split them into three teams. He and Spock, being the strongest, made the biggest snow ball. Uhura and Winona made the middle one and Bones and Peter made the smallest one. Once the big one was finished, they lifted the middle one on top of it and the little one on top of the middle one. They stepped back to view the proportions and Peter declared the head was too small, so it came off and was rebuilt. Uhura went in the kitchen and returned with hot chocolate for the building crew and then the snowman was given his carrot nose, button eyes and coal smile. His red muffler and fedora were put on him, and the broom tucked into his side. Spock stepped back and pronounced him aesthetically pleasing in his attire. Bones had them all pose with the snowman and took a holo to share with ship and friends.
Back inside the warm farmhouse, Jim built a fire and looked outside. Darkness came early in Iowa during winter, and it was already dusk. Gavin had not commed which meant he was still working on getting Intel on the heirs. He gathered Spock with a glance and they got ready to go.
"We'll be back as fast as we can, Ma. Save dinner until we get back, okay?"
"Of course, Sweetheart. You and Spock be careful, we'll be on pins and needles until you get back."
Jim picked up the big flashlight on their way out. He and Spock checked their Phasers and made sure they were fully charged and they walked to the shuttle, Jim scanning the perimeter. Night was falling fast as he took off. He did a fast 360 around the farm house and headed west to Riverside High School. It didn't take long for it to be in sight. Jim looked down at the old brick building where he had spent his growing up years. It hadn't changed at all.
"Spock see if you can spot an inconspicuous place for me to set down. I'd like to avoid the shuttle being seen from the air if possible."
"There, Jim." Spock pointed to the long covered drive way in front of the school, built for bus pickup of the students during rain and snow storms. It was very dark and the shuttle would be hard to spot from above. He set the shuttle down smoothly under the roof.
"The basement window is in the back, Spock. Violet is waiting there just inside." They walked quietly around the building through the soft snow until Jim pointed to the basement window. The night was cold and clear, the stars brilliantly visible and the moon three-quarters full. Jim stood in front of the window.
"Violet," he whispered, and tapped softly on the window. "It's Jim. You can come out now. My First Officer is with me."
"Jim, I'm coming out." The basement window was quietly opened. A large duffel bag was thrown out and Spock picked it up. Jim could see a long slim leg come across the sill, and then he pulled Violet out and straight into his warm waiting arms. He felt her shuddering against him, and a quiet whimper escaped her. "Jim, oh Jim! Thank God, I've been so frightened."
"Shhh, Shhh, it's okay, I've got you," Jim whispered fiercely. "I've got you, Violet, everything's going to be all right. You and Davy will be just fine." He drew her away from him and looked into her face. He saw the same large brown eyes as Davy's, the long dark curls he remembered from school days, the same sweet lovely face now drawn and pale with worry and fright. She still clutched at him frantically, reaction setting in. He gave her another reassuring hug, and turned her around.
"Violet, this is Mr. Spock, my First Officer. Mr. Spock, this is Violet Sterling Palomino, my dear friend and Davy's mother."
Violet looked at the impassive Vulcan face in front of her, the deep calm eyes, and the gentleness that radiated from him and Jim could feel her body begin to relax.
"I am most gratified to finally meet Davy's mother," said Spock, his deep baritone voice calm and soothing.
"Hello, Mr. Spock," Violet whispered, still unwilling to detach herself from Jim.
"Violet, sweetheart, listen to me," Jim said, as he turned her around to face him. "We have to get out of here. Davy and Ma are waiting for you. Are you ready to go?"
Violet nodded, a very faint smile tugged at her mouth at the sound of Davy's name. "Oh yes, Jim. More than ready."
They walked quickly to the shuttle, Jim holding on to Violet and Spock carrying the duffel bag, when Spock suddenly lifted his head. His eyes met Jim's. "The shuttle, but still some distance away, Jim."
"Come on, Violet, we have to get out of here, and fast." Jim opened the shuttle doors and pushed her in. Spock threw the duffel bag in and got in after it and Jim started the shuttle engine. His communicator beeped, and he glanced down. It was Jonathon.
1See "Ring of Treason"