CHAPTER TEN

Wanda shot through Fairy World like a bullet. She was heading for the rainbow bridge and was almost there when suddenly a butterfly net came down on her and trapped her.

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A.J. was following a set of tracks in the cave. Whoever it was considerable was larger than Timmy. He seemed to be carrying him because there was no evidence of Timmy being dragged on the ground. At least that was something. He hadn't seen any bloodstains since what he found his friend's pink cap, which he still held tightly in his hand.

"Hang in there, buddy," A.J. said to himself, "I'm coming.

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Timmy stared at Remy in disbelief. He couldn't believe what Remy asked him to do.

"Gold?", said Timmy, "you did all of this so I could get you some gold."

"Oh, yes," said Remy, "the old fashioned way to get rich."

"That's the point, what do you need gold for" said the buck toothed boy, "you're already rich."

"Well," said the blond rich boy, "you know with the economy being bad and all."

Timmy looked at Remy like he was crazy and then said,

"I may not be the brightest person in school, but even I know that the Buxaplentys are not hurting." He paused. "In fact, my understanding is that while even Trixie Tang's family has had to cut corners, your parents are living it up." He paused. "Living it up enough to buy another home in Brightburg, which I thought is where you were staying."

Remy Buxaplenty paused, almost as if he were thinking.

"Well, I can see I can't fool you Turner. You see my dear Timothy, you're right. My parents are not hurting, but I could be soon." He stopped and looked up while scratching his chin. Then he continued.

"You see my dear old Dad and Mom think that I've been living a little too frivously. They think that I should be taught a lesson. That I am too irresponsible and if necessary, they'll cut me out to show me that, uh, money is actually supposed to earned, not just given to you."

"Well, wonder of wonders, " said Timmy, "I never thought I'd EVER agree with your parents."

"Spare me the self righteous act, Turner," said Buxaplenty gritting his teeth together, "you don't have the luxury of being such a moral paragon, especially with your best friend's life on the line."

Timmy shook his head and said, "Now where am I supposed to find gold?"

"Oh, Timmy," said Remy shaking his head, "you disappont me. Think of where you're at Goldenmill; the old mining town?"

"That goldmine's been mined out for years," said Timmy, "it's empty."

Remy shook his head again, "It's not IN the goldmine." He paused. "It's in the cellar of the old mining supervisor's house."

"And you know this how?," said Timmy, very incredulously.

"Guess which family used to own the goldmine."

"Oh," said Timmy, "and you want to get that hidden cache of gold before your parent catch you." Timmy paused. "But why do you need me to get it? Surely you can find someone else."

"Not one who can keep a low profile. You're very good getting in and out of places, Turner. It's actually in a secret space below the cellar, you're the only one I know who's small enough and scrawny enough to fit in there. Plus, I've learned some things about you Timothy. It's very dark, narrow and scary down there. And I know you have no problem going into a dark place especially when your friends lives are on the line."

Timmy looked at him stunned. Remy knew about the darkness incident.

"I see by the look on your face, you know what I'm talking about." Buxaplenty, then, resumed, "Plus you owe me for costing me Juandissimo. It's not like I have the,uh, magic to do it anymore."

"Ah ha", said Francis, "I figured it out. I know who Juandissimo is!"

Timmy and Remy looked at Francis stunned. Had this dull witted bully figured everything out.

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"Man," said A.J., "this is one long tunnel. I've been down here thirty minutes." Then A.J. paused. The eleven year old paused. He had tried his cell phone earlier when he was above ground. There was no service. In fact, he remembered that the supervisor couldn't get a signal, and the landline was down. In addition, something had happened to the traffic signals as well as the 911 system in Dimmsdale, at least according to the report by Chet Ubetcha eariler that day. Now perhaps, this was just a coincidence but his gut told him that somehow this was all connected with the disappearance of Timmy. He had a feeling that any adult help had been completely circumvented, so it was up to him.

"I just hope I'm not too late," said A.J.

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"Who do you think Juandissimo is, Francis?" said Timmy.

Francis smiled, "He's Buxaplenty's Italian lover!"