A Riverside Christmas Mystery
Chapter 19
"Brew me a cup for a winter's night.
For the wind howls loud and the furies fight;
Spice it with love and stir it with care,
And I'll toast our bright eyes,
my sweetheart fair."
Minna Thomas Antrim
It was still very early when Winona walked through the living room and saw that Gavin had folded Jim's borrowed sweats and the blanket neatly on the sofa. She could hear the guest room shower running as she walked into the kitchen. She stood at the kitchen window looking out at the pastoral beauty in front of her. Fresh snow had fallen and the world was mantled in white, pristine and clean. She took all the eggs out of the refrigeration unit to have them come to room temperature. There are seven of us, she thought, so fourteen eggs, and ten potatoes should do it. She counted out the potatoes and began to look for her special frittata pan. "Where the heck is it," she muttered to herself, looking through all her cabinets.
"May I be of assistance, Dr. Kirk?" Spock's soft baritone interrupted her search.
Winona, on her knees, pulled her head out of the bottom cabinet. "Good morning, Spock? Did you sleep well?" She got to her feet and turned to him and he almost smiled. Her long braid had come undone, and the hair on top of her head was sticking straight up like a coxcomb.
He reached out a gentle hand and patted it down softly. "I think your hair was caught on the top of one of the cabinets," he told her, his eyes glinting softly.
"Oh, thank you, Spock, "she said distractedly. "I've looked in all the cabinets for my special frittata pan, and I can't find it anywhere."
"Is it a large pan and does it have a long wooden handle?" Spock asked innocently.
"Why yes," Winona said surprised. "How did you know?"
He glanced up to the top of the refrigeration unit and there it sat.
Winona followed his eyes and let out a peal of laughter. "Oh my goodness. I must have set it up there when I got all those eggs out," she giggled. "Thank you, Spock. They say the mind is the first to go. Getting older is not for sissies, that's for sure."
"Who's getting older?" Jim asked, coming in.
"Your mother, dear, that's who." Winona's one dimple was peeking out the corner of her mouth.
"Not possible," said her son. "Not with that giggle, Ma; you'll still be young when you're a hundred."
"Thank you, sweetheart, for the loving lie," she smiled at him. "Now, would you please set the table. You know the frittata must be served immediately after it's done so I hope everyone is up. Spock, if you wouldn't mind peeling the potatoes and then dice them very small that would be lovely. I'll start the coffee. Jim, there's orange juice in the fridge and then please put some bread to toast in the oven and get the butter out. We'll need at least a dozen slices, so use the big cookie sheet for that."
There was a contented silence as the prep work continued. Winona hummed softly as she diced some garlic and a small onion, then cracked all the eggs in a large bowl, added salt and pepper, and mixed them well with a little milk. She poured olive oil in the large frittata pan and started sautéing the diced potatoes and onions. "Almost ready for the eggs, Jim. Please call everyone in," she said.
Everyone came in and sat expectantly at the table and when the frittata was golden and ready, Winona brought it to the table with a flourish. It looked beautiful and smelled delicious.
"My compliments to the chef," said Bones, eying it blissfully.
"It's delicious, Ma," said Jim, tasting his first forkful.
"Ma, Ma," yelled Davy, banging his spoon after finishing his small piece.
"Davy, no yelling," said Violet. "It's not polite, sweetie." "Here," she said, giving him a piece of hers. "Enjoy it, because it's a sacrifice for me to give some of it up, you little bottomless pit, you."
"Here, Davy, you can have a bit of mine, too, "said Peter. "Say thank you, Peter."
"Tank ooo," said Davy, grinning.
"Good boy, Davy!" Peter grinned from ear to ear.
They lingered contentedly over breakfast and coffee and then cleaned up the kitchen. Jim, feeling restless and determined to get some exercise, went to shovel the front walk again. Bones, Gavin, Spock, Peter and Davy in his bucket joined him outside. The early morning light was blindingly bright and the cold was invigorating.
After a few moments of hard shoveling, Jim, thinking this was as good a time as any, said, "Squirt, I want to tell about our plans for catching the two men who are after Violet and Davy. Here, Spock, you take a turn with the shovel."
Jim drew Peter aside and they sat on a bank of newly fallen snow watching Spock's rapid efficient movement with the shovel. In a soft voice, Jim described the plans to capture the two men. He told Peter how Violet, Davy, he and Noni, would be safe at Chief Romaine's apartment with an officer on duty, and how Jim would have five trained officers at the farm-house with him to help capture the two men.
'Do you understand what's going to happen and do you have any questions?" Jim looked down at Peter and wondered what was going in the small head. Peter's eyes were thoughtful, but clear and untroubled.
"I understand, Uncle Jim, and I don't have any questions. I just want you and everyone to be safe."
"We will be. I don't want you to worry and I promise I'll comm you and Noni as soon as Chief Romaine arrests them, Ok?"
"OK, Uncle Jim. Does my Noni know what you're going to do?"
"Yes, she does, and she's ok with it, Peter, so is Violet."
That seemed to satisfy Peter and he said nothing more. They sat in the cold snow in companionable silence as Gavin took a turn with the shoveling.
Uhura brought out mugs of hot apple cider for the workers. "Davy Palomino, it's too cold for you to be out here, young man. Your mama said I was to take you inside. She took Davy out of his bucket, carrying him to go back inside. Davy howled in loud protest.
"Ji, Ji," he wailed and held out his arms.
"Aww, Nyota, let him stay," said Jim, reaching for and rescuing the baby. "I'll hold him and he'll stay warmer that way," Jim hugged the little body close and kissed the soft rosy baby cheek. "His face is not cold at all."
Uhura blinked at the two pair of sad puppy dog eyes and said, "Ok, but if his mom gets mad, it's on you, Jim Kirk, " she said sternly, but her lips twitched after almost being blinded by Jim's mega watt grin as she walked back in the house.
"Here, Spock, you hold Davy and I'll finish." said Jim, still full of pent-up energy. He handed Davy to Spock and took the shovel from Gavin.
Davy, still enthralled with Spock's eyebrows, was having difficulty touching them with his mittened hands. "Just a minute, Davy-kam." Spock gently took one of his mittens off and guided the small fingers, letting Davy explore the upswept wings, before putting his mitten back on.
"Gentlemen, looks like we're finished. Hope the walk stays clear for a while. Let's go back inside," Jim said, taking the baby back from Spock. "I have to call Papa Salvatore and make our reservations for tomorrow night."
Inside, he put Davy down on the floor and went to the office to make his call. "Mama, this is Jim. Can you accommodate all of us tomorrow night for that dinner we talked about? Around 7 pm if that's a good time for you. I want you, Papa and Marie and Gio if he's back, to join us all for dinner. And guess what, Mama. Violet Sterling is in town with her baby; she's staying here with us for a few days. Jonathon Romaine is going to join us and a friend who's visiting from New York. That's ten of us with the baby, plus you, Papa, Marie and Gio if he's there, so that's fourteen."
"Jim, mi caro, it will be wonderful to see Violet and her baby. Marie will be very happy; and all your friends are welcome at Salvatore's." Mama said, sounding absolutely delighted. "It will be our pleasure, mio figlio! Not to worry, all will be ready for you. Papa and I will join you and I hope Marie and Gio too. See you tomorrow at 7," said Mama.
"Thank you, Mama, see you tomorrow night. We're all looking forward to it."
"It's all set, 7 p.m, for dinner." Jim said coming back to join the others. "I already told Mama that Violet is here, so word will start spreading now when people go in for lunch, and this afternoon Ma and Nyota will help it further along."
Jim picked Davy up off the floor and sat down, bouncing the baby gently on his knee. "Now let's talk about tomorrow night. I'm going to bolt and double lock the front door, so they won't be able to get in the front. We'll force them to use the back door and come in through the kitchen. It'll probably be 0100 or 0200 hours when they're sure we'll all be asleep. We have to get them before they start wandering around looking for the right room. Bones, you don't have a Phaser, so I think the attic would be a good place for you to hide. "
"The attic! I'm not goin' up there to hide! No way, Jim I'm not missing all the action."
"Bones, you don't have a Phaser, and you could become a target. I'm sorry; it's either the attic or you go with Ma and Violet to the apartment."
McCoy looked first at Jim's set and determined Captain's face and then at Spock's impassive one, and his heart sank. He knew there was no use arguing with Jim's decision. "OK, I get it. I'll go in the attic, but I don't have to like it," grumbled McCoy. "At least I'll be here if one of you gets hurt."
"Spock, you'll be in the living room. Uhura, you'll be in the main hallway. Gavin, I want you in Violet's room; I'll be in the Master bedroom and Jonathon will be in the guest bedroom. It leaves the bathrooms without anyone, but it can't be helped. All the lights will be off, but we'll have time to get used to the darkness before they come in. These are cold blooded killers so I want your Phasers on heavy stun. This afternoon we'll check our positions. Any questions so far?"
No one said anything and Gavin stood. "Jim, if that's all then, it's still pretty early, so I'm going in to work. I also need to pick up some civilian clothes for the dinner. Can you take me to the main transporter station in Riverside? I'll be back here by 1800 hours tomorrow. Shall I just meet you at the restaurant? "
"Sure, I'll take you and that'll work fine."
"Just let me say goodbye and thanks to your mom."
Jim dropped Gavin at the transporter station, stopped off for another cup of coffee for him and one for Jonathon and walked to the Police station. The deputy at front door duty, ushered him into the back office where Jonathon was behind his desk with several padds in front of him.
"Looks like you have your hands full, Jonathon," said Jim, handing him the coffee. "Reminds me of my desk on board ship. I never seem to get it all done, even though Spock takes a lot off my plate."
"Yeah, well sad to say, I don't have a Spock here to help me, and this is never-ending," Jonathon said irritably pushing the padds away from him and clutching the coffee cup with a grateful smile. "What's up, Jim? Trouble?"
"No, nothing like that. Just dropped by to tell you dinner is set at Salvatore's for 1900 hours. I already told Mama Salvatore that Violet's visiting. I dropped Gavin off at the transporter station, and he'll be back tomorrow. Ma and Uhura will come into town this afternoon to set tongues wagging about Violet's visit."
"I've got my friend keeping an eye on those guys at the motel. They're probably still asleep; they stay up half the night searching. He'll comm me once they're on the move," Jonathon said. He yawned and drank from his coffee cup.
"You look really tired. Hot date last night?" Jim teased.
"Don't I wish," said Jonathon. "Had to process those pick pockets and petty thieves my deputies brought in last night. Don't have the budget to pay overtime for paper work, so I do all the processing. Once Serena comes on board as my new Assistant Chief, I'll be able to delegate some of this. And speak of the angel, here she is." He stood and pulled up a chair for the young woman who walked into his office.
"Serena, you remember Jim, don't you? Now Captain James Kirk of the Starship Enterprise."
"Of course I do," said Serena. "Jim, good to see you after so many years. I understand you're here on your Christmas leave. I'm sure Winona and Peter are thrilled to have you home."
Jim stood to shake hands. "Serena, great to see you again." His eyes, which never failed to appreciate a pretty woman, smiled into hers. And she was pretty, with thick red curly hair caught up at the top of her head in a vain attempt to restrain it, thickly fringed green eyes, and a faint sprinkling of freckles on the creamy skin of her nose and cheeks. She was not tall, but she stood ramrod straight and her figure was trim and athletic in her uniform. Jim remembered her well from high school. He darted a quick glance at her left hand, no wedding or engagement ring. Maybe after all this was over, he would invite her for coffee and they could catch up.
"Sit down, Serena, and we'll go over your assignment," the Chief told her. He brought her up to speed on Sanford's murder and the two suspects, the findings of Violet's autopsy, the two hired killers, their search for Violet and Davy, and their present location. "Jim, you want to tell her about your plan to arrest them?"
"Sure." He turned to Serena and explained every aspect of the plan in detail. "So it'll all go down tomorrow night. We hope it'll all be over then and Violet and Davy will be safe and able to go home."
Serena's green eyes narrowed as her demeanor turned coolly professional. "You won't have to worry about Violet and Davy, or your mother and Peter, Jim. I can assure you they'll be safe with me at the apartment. The Chief will vouch for me. I'm a good shot, and I've had hand to hand training. Chief Romaine believes that all his officers should be highly trained."
"All true, Jim. You don't get any better than Serena."
"I don't doubt it," said Jim. "So we'll all be at Jonathon's apartment around 2200 hours, Serena. One of us will take Davy's crib before then."
"I've made an extra key for you so you can take the crib when you want, Jim. Give it to your mom afterward."
"Thanks." He stood. "I better be getting back to the farm. Great to see you again, Serena, and I'll see you at the apartment. Jonathon, I'll see you tomorrow evening at Salvatore's. Thanks for all your help, both of you."
Jonathon walked him out. "I'll comm you if I get an update from Des Moines, Jim. See you later."
Jim did a fly by around the farm before landing. The landscape was free from any air traffic which was good, but it was still early. He landed the shuttle and walked into the barn.
"Ginger, how about a ride this afternoon, it's a beautiful day, and I feel the need for some fresh air," Jim said. Ginger whinnied his agreement, and Jim smiled at his old friend. "I'll be back after lunch, ok?"
He walked in through the kitchen and carefully locked the back door again. Something smelled delicious. "Ma," he called, "I'm back. Where is everybody?"
"We're in here, dear," his mother called from the dining room. Everyone was on the floor with a monopoly game in the middle. It looked like the game was well in progress and from the look of things, Peter was doing very well. Jim noticed he had both Park Place and Boardwalk with two houses on them and two Rail Roads too.
"Hey, Squirt, you're doing well," said Jim squatting down beside him and ruffling the curly head. He glanced at Spock, who raised an eyebrow at him. "How are you doing, Spock?"
"I am presently learning the game, Jim. I now know it to be a game of chance as well as strategy. I predict that I will be bankrupt quite soon, as Peter is leading with property and cash accrued," Spock said. "Also we have decided this will be a timed game of 60 minutes and the time is almost up. It has been a most interesting experience to learn this game," Spock remarked looking thoughtfully at the board.
Jim looked around and saw the suppressed smiles on everyone's faces at Spock's bemused comment. Bones openly grinned at the Vulcan. "It's not often you lose at anything, Spock."
"Indeed," said Spock, almost, but not quite, smiling at Peter.
"What smells so good, Ma?"
"It's Grilled Corn and Potato Chowder, with some toasty French bread, Jim. Hope everyone likes it."
"Are you kidding, Ma. Of course we'll like it."
Lunch was as good as it smelled. The corn chowder with French bread was voted the winner of all the lunches so far. After cleanup Winona and Uhura went to get dressed for the trip into town. They would shop at various stores to discuss the news of Violet's visit. Violet went to her bedroom to put Davy down for his nap, and to lament her current meager wardrobe while trying to decide what to wear for the dinner. Bones and Spock settled in with their padds and Peter went to the computer to write to Scotty, Chekhov and Sulu.
"I'm taking Ginger out for a gallop," said Jim to Bones and Spock. "Don't let Peter outside by himself, Spock."
"I will not, Jim. Please do not worry."
Jim went to the bedroom to speak to his mother. "Ma, I'm taking Ginger out for a ride; I need the fresh air and exercise. I want you and Uhura to be careful. If you spot those guys anywhere in town, get to the shuttle and come home right away. Jonathon will comm me if his contact says they're heading towards Riverside, and if that's the case, I'll comm you or Uhura right away."
"All right, dear. Try not to worry, we'll be fine, and you enjoy your ride on Ginger. It's a beautiful day for a horse ride," she said as she kissed him goodbye.
Jim went into the barn and saddled Ginger, first putting a wool blanket under the saddle to keep Ginger warm. He mounted and started off slowly down the lane toward the lake. He let the old horse warm up a little before breaking into a trot and heading to the other side of the lake and up a small hill. He didn't want to stress Ginger, but the horse was breathing well, and seemed happy to be out in the clear crisp cold weather. Jim let Ginger trot where he wanted, holding the reins loosely in his hands, avoiding old felled trees and branches. He stopped at the top of the hill and looked down. He could see the farm-house in the distance, pale white smoke curling from the chimney, and the frozen lake shimmering below him. He took a deep breath of the pine scented air and looked at the beauty around him. Snow flakes were starting to fall, and the view below looked like a snow globe world. He raised his head to feel the soft cold snow on his face and opened his mouth and let the flakes fall on his tongue and melt just the way he and Sam had always done it long ago. In spite of his worry about Violet and Davy, as he looked down, he had one of those rare moments when perception shifts and time seems to stand still. Suddenly he was filled with a sense of wonder and joy and he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so absolutely dazzlingly happy. He savored the moment, then turned Ginger and made his way slowly toward home.