A Riverside Christmas Mystery
Chapter 18
"And for the season it was winter,
and they that know the winters of that country know them to be sharp and violent,
and subject to cruel and fierce storms. "
William Bradford
Before Jim could answer, Peter and Bones came back into the living room. "Dinner is on the table, Uncle Jim," Peter said. "I put everything out in bowls so we could help ourselves."
"Thanks Peter, we're coming," Jim told him. "But first, Squirt, I want you to put the star on the tree. Your dad always did it for us, so from now on, that honor is yours, Okay?"
Peter eyes glistened as he nodded. Everyone watched with soft eyes as Jim handed him the star and lifted him to his shoulders so he could reach the top. Peter placed the very old and fragile gold tinsel star carefully on the top branch. "Is it straight Noni?" he asked.
"Yes, darling, it's straight, and it looks wonderful." Winona blinked back hot tears and walked over to Jim and kissed him softly on his cheek. "And you're wonderful too, sweetheart," she whispered in his ear.
Jim cleared his throat of the sudden lump that had lodged there. "Let's go eat," he said, his voice husky, setting Peter down. "Lead the way, Peter."
"I'll tell you what the plan is, what we're going to do after Peter and Davy are in bed," he told the others quietly as they walked into the kitchen. The moon light streamed through the large window and cast a soft glow on the table that Peter had set with the old-fashioned white ironstone dishes that had belonged to Winona's mother.
"This looks great, Peter," said his Uncle.
"Piti," said Davy.
"Oh! He said my name, Noni," Peter said excitedly. "Wow, Davy! Peter is a hard name to say."
"That only leaves you, Nyota," said Bones.
"Ota," said Davy. Everyone burst out laughing and the baby chortled with glee.
Violet hugged her baby. "You're so smart, my Davy. You know everyone's name now, don't you."
"Takes after his mother," said Jim, grinning at Violet. "She was Valedictorian of our class," he told Gavin. "I was Salutatorian, and that was only due to the heroic efforts of the slave driver was Valedictorian in his class, and Jonathon here was number 3." He clasped Jonathon on the shoulder. "Ma always said that when the three of us were together, we could do anything, right Ma?"
"And so modest too," teased Bones.
"It's true, Doctor," said Winona, looking proudly at the three of them. "These three could solve any problem, tackle any obstacle. It was amazing, really, they were just kids."
Spock was not surprised. He thought of his service with Jim. During that time there had not ever been a situation Jim could not shape to his advantage, a prison he could not break out of, or an enemy he could not convince or defeat in battle. Spock had never met any individual whose force of will matched Jim's, not even Sarek, his formidable father. Some in Star Fleet said that was why Jim so seldom lost. He never doubted or looked back long enough to see what had happened; he knew the universe had cooperated and that he'd already won. Spock did not foresee that the present situation will be any different from all their past experiences. He was confident that Jim's plan to catch the two would-be murderers would be successful.
They ate hungrily of the take out food, and for dessert Winona brought out a deep dish apple pie, vanilla ice cream and coffee.
"I could get used to this," sighed Bones.
"Me too," Gavin agreed blissfully.
"Me three," said Jonathon. "You've always been a fine baker, Winona. I remember all the cookies, cakes and pies when we were kids. Jim and Sam were the envy of a lot of our classmates who never got home-baked goods."
"Jonathon, any time you're in the vicinity, you're welcome to come eat dinner or Saturday breakfast with Peter and me, and Gavin you know that too," she smiled at the hungry men.
"I may take you up on that, Winona. Bachelor cooking in my apartment is done only by the replicator," Jonathon said ruefully.
After dinner and cleanup, the group adjourned to the living room and Peter said, "I need to go feed the animals, Noni. I haven't done it yet."
"I will go out with Peter," said Spock, nodding at Winona and Jim. None of them were willing for Peter to go outside the house alone anymore.
"Thank you, Mr. Spock. Would you also please get the eggs? I didn't get them this afternoon. I hope we have plenty, tomorrow I plan to make a frittata for breakfast."
Peter and Spock went into the barn and Ginger whinnied softly when he saw them. The old horse knew his oats would be served soon. Dapple stood patient and still and Spock scratched him between the eyes, while Peter gave him his oats. They went out into the cold to the chicken coop and fed the chickens and Peter looked for eggs and found several to put in the egg basket.
Spock watched Peter, who now stood very still by his side in the bitter cold looking up at the ethereal beautiful night sky. The moon was almost full with a nimbus surrounding it; a radiant halo whose light chased away the starlight around it. Spock looked down at the small, silent figure and took one of the cold small hands in his. "Something troubles you, Peter?"
Peter nodded. "Mr. Spock, will Davy and his mother be all right? I don't exactly know what's going on, but I think those bad men are after her and Davy," he said. His golden eyes, so much like his Uncle Jim's, were wide and troubled as he looked up at Spock. Spock clearly sensed the anxious, worried thoughts of the child through his contact with Peter's hand.
So, Spock thought, we have not been as circumspect with our discussions as we should have been. I must tell Jim, but until Jim has an opportunity to speak with him I must be the one to reassure Peter.
"Peter, you are not to worry about Dr. Palomino or Davy. No one will hurt them; all of us here, and most especially your Uncle Jim will make sure of that." He tilted the small chin up to face him. "I promise you, Davy and his mother will be safe and you know that a Vulcan always keeps his word, do you not? Those men will not get anywhere near them. Do you believe what I am telling you?"
The clear amber eyes looked up at him searchingly and read the reassurance that was on Spock's face; Peter sighed a deep heartfelt sigh. Spock felt the relief surge through him. "Yes, Mr. Spock."
"Good. Now let us go inside with these eggs. Your Noni will not want them to break, and I must confess I am very cold standing here. Vulcans are not really acclimated for the cold," he told the child solemnly.
They went inside to the warm living room; the lit tree cast a lovely rainbow of colors throughout the room, and the fire light flickered on Sorrel's fur as he lay in front of the fire guard.
As they walked in, Jim's keen gaze searched Spock's face and noticed the tiny break in the Spockian composure. He saw that Spock was holding Peter's hand and read the situation without difficulty. "Peter, it's bath time and pajamas for you. Let's give Noni a break tonight and I'll tuck you in."
"It's bedtime for Davy also," said Violet. "He's very sleepy, aren't you, Love. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"As soon as the children are asleep, we'll go over the plan," said Jim quietly to the group after Peter left the room.
He turned anxiously to the Vulcan. "Spock, is Peter all right?"
"I believe so, Jim. As much as we have been careful, he has overheard some of our conversations and he was very worried about Davy and Dr. Palomino. He is not slow, that child. He knows those two men are looking for and trying to hurt Davy and his mother. I have done my best to reassure him, but I believe further intervention by you would be beneficial."
"Damn," Jim looked at his suddenly worried mother. "Ma, don't worry. I'll take care of it. I'll talk to Peter when I tuck him in."
Jim heard the shower stop and went in to the bedroom to wait for Peter. He sat at the foot of his bed and considered how best to reassure the child. Peter came in looking flushed from the hot water, his curly head still wet. He sat on his cot facing his Uncle.
"Squirt, Mr. Spock told me you've been worried about Violet and Davy and those two men, right?"
Peter nodded, his eyes enormous.
Jim pulled him close and faced the child to look deep into his eyes. "No one will hurt Davy and Violet, Peter, I promise you. We are going to catch those two men, and when we do, Violet, Davy, you and Noni will be nowhere close by. The four of you will be safe somewhere else. Remember that Mr. Spock, Dr. Bones, Lt. Uhura and I are Star Fleet officers, we know how to do these things, we're trained for this sort of situation, plus we also have Gavin, also a Star Fleet officer and Jonathon, the Chief of Police to help us. We will be ready for anything they come up with. Will you promise me you won't worry anymore?"
Peter put his arms around Jim's neck and snuggled in close. He breathed deeply, the faint scent of Jim's after shave soothing him, the tense set of the small shoulders finally relaxing. "I promise, Uncle Jim."
"Good," said Jim returning the hug. "Bed time for you young man. In you get," Jim said, tucking the blankets around the small figure. "Good night, Squirt," he said planting a light kiss on the curly head.
"Good night, Uncle Jim," said the sleepy voice. Jim turned out the light and walked quietly back to the living room.
"He's okay," he told his worried mother. "Just anxious about Davy and Violet, but I reassured him and he dropped right off to sleep." Jim ran his fingers through his hair worriedly. Just when they thought Peter was totally fine, something would happen that threatened to derail his hard-won recovery from the horrors of Deneva, the loss of his parents and everything else that had happened to the child.
"Stop worrying, Jim, Winona. Peter is doing fine. These little blips in the road are to be expected. He's very resilient, and you can't expect that his life will be totally carefree and without some stressors. He has to learn to deal with some worry, stress and anxiety in life," said McCoy.
"He's had enough pain, stress and sorrow for a whole life time, Bones. The attack from the parasites in Deneva, losing both Sam and Aurelan and then having to leave his home to come here, the kidnapping in San Francisco, then the derailed New York trip, and now this.(1) It's too much for one small boy, hell it's too much for anyone!" Jim sat down next to his mother. She took one of his hands in her own, her touch comforting and reassuring.
He looked around and saw everyone's eyes filled with sympathy, sighed in frustration, and then determinedly turned his mind to the matter at hand.
They saw him visibly shake off his worry about Peter and put on his command persona; his voice took on that staccato tone that always accompanied the transition. "Here's the plan I've come with. If anyone has anything to add, don't hesitate. As I see it, the two hit men need to be enticed to come after Violet and Davy. They know or seem to know that they're around here somewhere. My plan is to let them find out for sure. What I want to do is have Ma and Uhura shop down town late tomorrow afternoon and let slip that we're going to have a friend and her baby visiting the Kirk farm-house. That's step one. Step two, we wait for the next day so the gossip spreads, and then that evening, we'll all to go to Salvatore's for that dinner I promised Papa and Mama. Violet and Davy will be with us and very visible. What better place for Violet to be seen than Salvatore's where everyone sees everyone. I'm sure that by the next morning the Riverside gossip mill will soon have it known all over town that they saw Violet and Davy with the Kirk's at Salvatore's. Step three, as soon we've finished with dinner, we'll take Ma, Peter, Violet and Davy to a safe place. Step four, the rest of us will wait here at the farm-house for those guys to make their move. We'll be armed and waiting for them to show up." Jim paused and looked around to see what they thought of his plan so far. "What I haven't figured out yet, is where is the safest place for Ma, Davy, Violet and Davy stay; a hotel, or out-of-town, or with Marie or Papa and Mama Salvatore. Somewhere those guys wouldn't think to look for them. Any ideas about that?" he asked he asked them?
Bones spoke up. "I don't like it Jim. You know I hate it when you set yourself up as bait."
"Bones, it's not as if I'll be alone in this. Spock, Uhura, and Jonathon will be here too. You didn't bring a Phaser, so I think you should stay with Ma, Peter, Violet and Davy."
"In a pigs, eye. I'll be needed here in case I have to patch one of you up. I'm not goin' anywhere, and I brought my full medical kit, if you remember, Captain. Nope, no way, no how. I'm stayin' right here with you."
Gavin spoke up. "I'll be here too. Nothing could keep me away. I'll take a sick day or something, but I will be here."
Jonathon said, "I've been thinking that the best place to hide everyone might be my apartment. Who would think of looking for Violet and Davy at the Police Chief's home? I have two bedrooms, Winona and Peter can sleep in my bedroom, and Violet and Davy can sleep in the guest room. We would just have to set up a cot for Peter and take Davy's crib to the apartment. We can do that easily enough under cover of night. I could also assign one of my deputies to stay with them. Maybe Serena James, do you remember her Violet, Jim? She was in the class behind us. She's turned out to be my best deputy and she's due for a promotion early next year to Assistant Chief."
"Good idea." Jim turned to Spock. "What do you think, Spock?"
"The idea has merit, Jim. Strategically it has the advantage of being a place no one would think of looking, and the addition of a deputy provides an extra level of security for everyone. I concur with the Chief that his apartment is a good hiding place."
Uhura spoke up. "If for some reason your deputy can't do the job, Chief, I'll have my Phaser and I can do protection duty at your apartment."
Jim nodded at her. Good to have a back up just in case. "Ma, Violet? What do you think?" Jim looked at them, hoping for their agreement to his plan; he wouldn't be able to go ahead in good conscience if they were against it. But he felt an urgent need to finish this so everyone could get back to some sort of normalcy in their lives and enjoy the rest of their holiday time together.
Winona looked at her son, her face calm. "It sounds like a good plan to me, Jim. As long as Violet and Davy are safe and well guarded, that's the most important thing."
"Not just Violet and Davy. No one is more important to me than you and Peter. Your safety is the most important thing in the world to me. I would never take any risks with either your or Peter's safety, you know that Ma, right?" His eyes didn't waver from his mother's.
"Yes, I know, sweetheart. We'll be fine, won't we, Violet." She looked at the sweet face next to her and found agreement there.
"The plan sounds good to me, Jim. It's simple, and that's always the best kind of plan. And I agree all this has to come to an end. I very tired of running and hiding. I need to turn in my autopsy report so that justice is done. I need to get back to work, Davy needs to get back to his routine, and we both need to go home." Violet sighed. She missed her little house, the everyday routine of their daily life and the peace and freedom of going about her life and work without fear for Davy and herself.
Gavin looking at her, thought what a brave woman she was, and how much he admired her determination and her will to do right.
"Any other comments, ideas, or qualms about this plan?"
"Jim," Bones looked troubled. "Seems to me that Peter is already anxious because of half heard and imagined conversations and information. I'm thinkin' that it would be best if you tell him what's gonna' happen. Not in any great detail of course, but why they all have to go to the Chief's apartment and what you're tryin' to do. Hearin' the facts from you will be better than any horrors he might imagin'. You know how much he worries about you, so it might be best if you have a man to man talk with him before things start happenin'."
"You're right. Truth is always the best way to go, and I agree that Peter will do better knowing what's going on. What do you say, Ma."
"I think you're right. It's best he knows instead of wondering and being anxious. He's had enough uncertainty in his life. You can talk to him tomorrow, Jim. "
"Gavin, can you come back day after tomorrow? And can you get hold of a couple of extra Phasers? I don't know what kind of weapons those guys have, so it's best to be ready."
"Yeah, I can. I'll have to take another day off, or call in sick, but I'll be here first thing that morning, and I'll bring extra Phasers, maybe even the new up-graded ones that only SIS has used so far. In fact I still haven't turned in the back up I checked out for my mission. I'll just keep it an extra day, a lot less questions that way," he added thoughtfully.
"Sounds like we're all set," said Jim. "I'll make the reservations for Salvatore's tomorrow morning. I'll tell Papa and Mama you and Gavin will join us, Jonathon, and give them the news that Violet and Davy are in town."
"I'd better be getting home." Jonathon got up and stretched. It had been a long day. He wished everyone goodnight and Jim escorted him to the door.
"Is your shuttle around back?"
"Yeah."
"Let me get the big flash light and I'll walk with you. Good idea to check outside anyway," Jim said as he put on his heavy coat, gloves and hat. He turned at footsteps behind him and was unsurprised to see Spock there.
"I will walk with you Jim. My eyes and ears are sharper than yours," he said, a sparkle in the dark eyes.
"Don't rub it in Spock," Jim grinned.
"We'll talk again tomorrow, Jonathon. Thanks again for the food and for coming out. Good night."
Spock and Jim watched the shuttle take off and then walked silently back to the farm-house through the soft snow. It was a beautiful night, the moon high overhead, the sky so clear, luminous, and crisp, it felt as if you could cut the stars out of the heavens with a knife. Jim stood still for a moment and tilted his head to see the glory and splendor of the night sky. The snow deadened all sound and the silence was profound. As he looked up, he quoted softly,
"Lord, I do fear
Thou'st made the world too beautiful this year;
My soul is all but out of me,—let fall
No burning leaf; prithee, let no bird call." (2)
"Indeed," said Spock quietly, beside him. "Your Earth is quite magnificent, Jim."
1 See TOS episode "Operation Annihilate" Hostages" and "Ring of Treason,"
2 Edna St. Vincent Millay Renascence and Other Poems (Harper & Brothers)