A Riverside Christmas Mystery
Chapter 22
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
let your heart be light.
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
make the Yule-tide gay.
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away."
Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane
Jim's eyes opened and he stared at the ceiling for a moment, still more asleep than awake, before becoming aware that there was a body standing close by his bedside. He turned his head and saw McCoy with a mug of steaming hot coffee looking down at him.
"Bones" he croaked, his voice not fully functional yet. He cleared his throat. "How are you? And is that coffee I see before me?" he asked hopefully.
"I'm fine, not even sore this mornin', I bounced soft, and yep, your trusty country doctor has brought you the strongest caffeine laden brew your mother's coffee maker could conjure up. Drink up, Jim. I have messages to give you."
"Bones McCoy you are a true angel of mercy, and I'll love you forever," Jim said fervently, reaching for the mug of coffee.
McCoy huffed a small laugh as he handed over the mug and watched his Captain take a large gulp. "Cupboard love, if I ever heard any."
The hazel eyes met the blue ones, and Jim gave him a sunshine smile. "I'm glad you're fine," he said, giving him a once over. "What time is it?" Jim looked out the window, but snow was falling hard and the time was hard to gauge in the relentless whiteness without any sunlight to guide him. "And where is everybody?"
"It's 0730 my boy, you've slept the sleep of the just for four whole hours. I think a nap might be in order this afternoon for some of us." Bones cast his usual protective and keen eye on Jim's face and saw the dark circles under the hazel eyes. Obviously four hours of sleep had not been enough. McCoy knew Jim had been more worried than he'd let on about capturing the Clancy brothers.
"Let's see," he went on. "Spock is out in the barn feeding the animals, Uhura is in the shower, and Gavin is drinking coffee and talking to his office. I'm here waitin' on you hand and foot, which stops now that you're semi conscious and able to listen whilst I give you your messages."
Jim swung his legs out from underneath the covers and reached over to the foot of the bed and put on his warm woolen robe. "Go ahead, Bones. I'm listening," he said, settling back against the headboard.
"Okay, first off, your mama commed. Serena filled her in and there is much happiness and joy over at Jonathon's apartment. She said not to come pick them up. She and Violet are cleaning Jonathon's apartment and when they finish up, they'll come home in Gavin's shuttle and Serena will bring the cot and crib in the police shuttle. They'll be home around 0930 or so."
Jim chuckled. Jonathon had called it about them cleaning his apartment.
"I told her about the late breakfast and Jonathon coming over, and she said great. She also said not to wake you up, but what the hell, the rest of us got woken up, so why should you be the only one who gets to be sleeping beauty."
Jim looked at his CMO with reproachful eyes. "I take back the part about 'I'll love you forever,'" he said, into the mischievous blue eyes. "Go on," Jim said taking another gulp of the ambrosia that was Bones' coffee.
"Jonathon commed and said he talked to the state police and forwarded Violet's autopsy reports to them. He'll fill us in when he gets here, but to tell you that things are progressing very nicely."
Jim yawned and stretched. "That's great news, Bones. Now we can enjoy the rest of our leave without any worries."
"Yeah. That's something else your mama said. She wants for us to go ice skating this afternoon so we can have another lesson. How about it?"
"Sounds good to me. I love being outdoors this time of the year," Jim said getting up. "I'm off to shower." He stopped on his way out the door. "Bones, I'm going to ask Violet to stay until after Christmas Day. Ma's heart would be broken if that baby left us before Christmas. What do you think?"
"I think that's a great idea. Your Ma's heart wouldn't be the only one either. Even the hobgoblin would miss that sweet baby."
"All of us would miss him a lot." Jim sighed, thinking of his mother and how much she'd come to love Davy. He thought of her and Peter being alone here after they all left and how the house would seem empty. He was going to have to do something about that; he'd come up with some plan.
Jim took a quick shower and dressed warmly in his brown cords and cream sweater. The snow fall had stopped and the sun was beginning to shine, bringing a little warmth and golden light into the kitchen. He was beginning his second cup of coffee when Spock came in the back door.
"Morning, Spock. Cold enough for you?" Jim asked eyeing the bundle that was his First Officer with a twitch of his lips. Spock wore a hat pulled down around his ears, a muffler wrapped around the lower part of his face, a long coat, gloves, boots, and as he discarded the coat, Jim saw a sweater over a long sleeve shirt and two thermal undershirts peeking out.
"Good morning, Jim. Indeed it is cold enough for me," he said. "The barn was less cold, but feeding the chickens outside was chilling."
"Thanks for doing that. How about some hot Earl Grey tea. It'll warm you up." Jim handed Spock a mug of hot tea and looked at him with concern. Spock was visibly shivering even under all the layers of clothing he had on. "Spock, I don't want you going out to feed the animals again. One of us will do it, okay?
"I want to help your mother. She has so much to do with all of us here, and I know the animals are very important to her and everyone else was busy this morning."
"I don't care, Spock. It's far too cold for you; your body just isn't made for this kind of frigid weather. You can help Ma some other way. Peter or I will do it, we're used to Iowa winter weather. Maybe you shouldn't go ice skating with us this afternoon; it might still be too cold for you." Jim looked worriedly at him. Hypothermia was always a real concern for Vulcans when the ambient temperature around them dropped to freezing. A Vulcan's core temperature dropped quickly when they became chilled. "I'll check with Bones, but if you really want to skate, I think we'll take the big sleigh and you can wrap up warmly until we get there."
"I would like to go. I want to practice what you have taught me. I found that ice skating is a most enjoyable pastime. I will dress warmly just as I did the last time we went to the lake and the exercise will keep me warm."
The back door opened suddenly and Winona, Peter, Violet with Davy in her arms came rushing in. Suddenly Jim was accosted by three people pressing up against him, hugging and kissing him.
"Whoa," laughed Jim. "What's all this? Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but to what do I owe all this extra loving attention."
"Noni," said a muffled voice at Jim's waist, "you're squashing me! I can't' breathe!"
Winona laughed. "I'm sorry, Peter," she said pulling back. "Jim, darling. We're just so happy! Violet and Davy are safe now," said his mother patting him on the cheek and giving him another kiss.
Davy reached out his little arms and begged to be carried, "Ji, Ji," he yelled, and Jim took him from Violet's arms. "Yes, thank you from the bottom of my heart, Jim, and all of you," said Violet, her shining brown eyes encompassing Spock, Bones, Gavin and Uhura who had just come into the kitchen. "I can't tell you how relieved I feel to know that Davy and I are safe. Thanks to you all I can get back to living a normal life again."
The back door opened again, and Serena walked in carrying Peter's folded cot. "Good morning, Serena," said Jim, handing Davy back to Violet and taking the cot from her. "Thanks for bringing the cot and crib for Ma. I'll go back and get the crib out of the shuttle. Can you spare a few minutes for some coffee?"
"Thanks, but I can't. I've got to get back to the office. Jonathon is coming over here and I've got to go hold down the fort and check in with the next duty shift."
"I'll walk with you back to the shuttle then and bring the crib," said Jim, putting on his coat and closing the door behind him. "Jonathon said he'd fill us in when he gets here, but it looks as if the Clancy brothers won't cause us any more problems," he said, casting a side glance at her pretty face. "Serena, will you have any free time after Christmas? Maybe we can get together for lunch of afternoon coffee?" he asked.
"I'd like that. It'll give us a chance to catch up. Let me check my off duty hours after Boxing Day and I'll get back to you."
As he walked back to the farm-house carrying Davy's crib, Jim whistled softly, a smile on his face. He felt lighthearted; the danger to Violet and Davy was gone and the rest of their Christmas leave promised to be nothing but fun, food, music and good company mixed in with plenty of love and affection. What more could a man ask for?
His mother was already in cooking mode when he walked back in the house "Jim dear," she turned and flashed her lovely smile at him. "I've asked Violet if she and Davy can stay on here until after Christmas and she's said yes. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Ma, you read my mind. I was going to ask her the same thing." Jim looked over at Violet sitting with Davy on her lap and said simply, "I'm glad you and Davy are staying, Violet. We would all miss you both very much if you left."
"I'm glad we're staying too," she said softly. "It's our first Christmas without Robert and it won't be so hard with all of you here." She shifted Davy and looked into the sweet baby face. "He looks a lot like his daddy," she told Jim.
Jim laid a gentle comforting hand on her soft dark curls, picked Davy up and tossed him in the air. The baby laughed with glee. Jim kissed him and set him down on the floor. He toddled over to Sorrel who wisely took off running. Peter laughed at the sight of cowardly cat running into the bedroom.
"Ma, what are you making for breakfast? Jonathon said he'd be here in a little while. I'm getting really hungry and it already smells good in here."
Winona interrupted her own soft rendition of "The Holly and the Ivy" and said, "I'm making that Pepper and Potato Tortilla; you remember, Jim, your dad, you and Sam used to love it. It has everything you like in it, eggs, potatoes, onions, peppers and lots of cheese. Nyota, will you wash the potatoes really well, but don't peel them. Put them into that big pot with water just to cover and set them to boil. Leonard, I need all that cheese grated, please, and Spock, if you would chop those two big onions for me, I'd appreciate it. I need the big cast iron skillet, Jim dear, if you'd get it down for me, and after that please set the table with the ironstone dishes and set out the juice glasses. Peter please put all the toast on the cookie sheet and turn the oven on to 300 degrees so we can pop the bread in when Jonathon gets here. Violet, would you start another big pot of coffee?"
Everyone hurried to do as Winona asked and when Gavin came in, she said, "Gavin, I know you have to leave soon, breakfast will be ready in just a few minutes."
Violet turned to Gavin. "Could you give Davy and me a ride to Des Moines, Gavin? I really need to pack more appropriate holiday clothes for Davy and I, and I need to go to the bank for some money and there are bills pending I'm sure. If you can drop us off at the house, I'll take care of those things and come back in my shuttle. I'll be back by 5 or 6, Winona, in time to help you with supper. My shuttle is in a long time parking garage, out of sight. I came here with Davy on public transport. It was much safer for us that way."
"Sure, I'll be glad to," said Gavin, happily thinking of Violet and Davy alone with him in the shuttle. "I'll drop you off and head for New York." He turned and smiled at Winona. "I'll be back Christmas Day, Winona, and I'll bring Tom with me."
Everyone's eyes turned to look at the back door as Jonathon walked in. He carried a bag of breakfast pastries with him. "Morning, folks. Something smells mighty good in here," he said, giving Winona a kiss on the cheek and handing over the bag.
"Thank you, Jonathon," said Winona, giving him a welcoming smile. "Gavin, please put these in that basket over there and let's sit down to eat, the food is ready."
They all crowded around the kitchen table, enjoying the closeness and the release from tension. Jonathon filled them in on what had transpired with the Clancy brothers. "The Iowa State Police arrested the Williams siblings and the husband first thing this morning. I forwarded the autopsy report to them, Gavin's report on their financial and contract killing transactions, my official report on what happened here last night, and I just got word that their attorney's bail request was denied on the grounds that they are a flight risk and dangerous felons. I don't know about bail for the others yet. Jim, you and your crew will be deposed before you leave, and Violet, you will be also. I doubt that the Enterprise crew will have to be present for the trial, your depositions should be more than enough." He leaned back and yawned. "Sorry, folks, but I haven't been to bed yet; just too much to do this morning. I'm headed home for a nap, Serena is holding down the fort, and she'll comm me if anything else comes up." He rose from the table and said goodbye." Great breakfast, Winona, it was delicious. Thanks. I'll see you Christmas Day and I'll bring some good wine," he smiled down at her. "I'm looking forward to some wonderful food," he said and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "No better cook in these parts, that's for sure," he said walking out the door.
Gavin, Violet and Davy left soon after. "We'll be home from ice skating by the time you get back, Violet," Jim said as he walked them to Gavin's shuttle, He kissed Violet and Davy goodbye and had a quiet and private word with Gavin. He waved goodbye as the shuttle took off, and walked back to the house with a satisfied look on his face.
There was no chance for a nap, because by mid afternoon, the sun had come out and it had warmed up a little for ice skating. Jim, ever mindful of Spock's sensitivity to the bitter cold, and with McCoy's approval, pulled out the big sleigh and harnessed Ginger to it for the trek to the lake. Nyota and Winona again brought out the heavy quilts and the big basket filled with snacks and two flasks filled with coffee and hot chocolate. They put all the ice skates in the back and piled into the sleigh.
"Move over, hobgoblin, you're hoggin' the seat," McCoy said to Spock. "You'd think your skinny back side, would take up less room," he grumbled.
"I believe it's your 'skinny backside' that is taking up most of the room, Doctor. I cannot move any further, so I suggest you do what you are always telling me to do, 'make the best of it.'
Jim chuckled. "Stow it, you two. We're all tight and cozy, but that's the way it has to be." He turned to Peter. "You take the reins, Squirt. I'll just sit here and relax, you're in charge."
Peter gave his uncle a huge grin and with shining eyes, he took hold of the reins. "Come on, let's go Ginger, giddy up."
The sun light shone silver on the lake and the ice glistened, brilliant against the blue sky. Jim tethered Ginger and draped a long warm blanket over the old horse to keep him from getting chilled. They tumbled out of the sleigh and put on their skates and ice skating lesson number 2 began. Jim took hold of Spock's hands and led him out to the middle of the lake, Winona took Bones, and Peter skating backwards held on to Uhura's hands. Soon the three novices were skating with more confidence and gliding around the lake without help. Jim, Winona, and Peter looked on proudly at their pupils. "Spock," Jim called, "relax your upper body a bit more and swing your arms less." He looked on critically. "That's it, you're getting it. Keep going."
"They've really improved a lot, Ma," Jim said. He grinned at his mother and Peter. "I guess we're pretty good teachers. Come on, let's skate. It's been a long time since you and I skated together." He took her gloved hands in his larger one, and they glided on to the middle of the lake. It had been Winona who had taught Sam how to ice skate and then taught Jim with Sam's help. Winona was a very proficient skater and Jim had not forgotten any of Sam's and his mother's lessons. Peter, Spock, McCoy and Uhura, stopped skating to watch as they went on the ice. Jim took his mother in his arms and they waltzed gracefully around the perimeter of the lake, they separated and joined hands and twirled each other first clockwise and then counter-clockwise; then with crossed and joined hands, they skated backwards and forward, let go and raced each other faster and faster around the lake. They skidded to a stop in front of their audience, laughing and out of breath.
"That was lovely," said Nyota. "You two are really good," she added admiringly.
"Long winters of practice," said Jim grinning "and an exacting pair of teachers. That was fun, Ma. You haven't slowed down a bit. You're still as good as you ever were."
"I can't slow down," she answered him laughing. "I have to keep up with Peter and continue with his lessons. He's picked it up really fast, so I have to stay ahead of him." She beckoned to the sleigh. "Why don't we take a break and eat our snacks and drink that hot chocolate and coffee and then we'll skate for a while more."
"Excellent plan, Winona," said Bones. "I like the way you think."
They all piled into the sleigh and huddled closely together under the quilts and munched contentedly on the cookies, fruitcake, and left over breakfast pastries. The hot coffee and chocolate made steam in the frigid air as they sipped. Jim looked over at Spock, ready to intervene if he saw that the enforced shoulder to shoulder togetherness was causing Spock any mental distress, but looking at the calm face with its almost smile as he spoke quietly to Peter, Jim relaxed. Spock was enjoying himself. It was clear in the relaxed stance of the long lean body and the soft look in the dark brown eyes. In fact, everyone was enjoying themselves. The strain and tension of the danger to Violet and Davy was gone and all that was left was contentment and pleasure at being together. Jim sighed, gladness rising in his heart like a tide. It promised to be a glorious Christmas.