Author's Note: Okay, time for a little intrigue!
Holiday Vandals
The Monday before winter break MacGyver pulled into the Challengers parking lot to find a small group of people huddled against the building and a squad car parked nearby. He let out an audible groan. What now? As he approached, he recognized Evelyn, Joanna and Officer Carl talking animatedly to a young police officer. Some faculty members lingered on the edges of the activity.
Mac reached out, gently grabbed Evelyn's arm, and separated her from the others.
"What's going on and why wasn't I called?" He demanded.
Evelyn sighed. "More graffiti."
"Where?"
Evelyn led him to the side of the building. In large, block print letters were the words 'GET OUT'. Anger burned in MacGyver's gut. Not only had property once again been defaced, but the message could be considered a threat.
"Carl was the first one in and called the police. I figured you were already on your way," Evelyn explained.
"Any witnesses or leads?" Mac asked.
"Only that it happened sometime over the weekend."
"Have you checked the surveillance video yet?"
"No," Evelyn responded. "We were just about to go in and do that when you arrived."
Several minutes later, MacGyver, Joanna, Evelyn, Carl, and the young police officer were crammed in the small security booth looking at the video tape from the weekend. Mac fast forwarded the images until a dark shadow appeared on the screen. The perpetrator was clad all in black, including a black ski mask. Height and build suggested it was an adult male. The only recognizable feature was a shock of blonde hair sticking out the back of the face mask. The intruder moved stealthily and was missing from several frames of film indicating he knew where the cameras were placed and where the blind spots were.
"This guy is good," Mac muttered, eyes glued to the monitor.
"Our records show you reported graffiti before," the police officer stated.
"Yes," Joanna turned and responded. "But this is different."
"How so?"
"The first time there were two perpetrators and they were built more like teens. They didn't bother trying to avoid the cameras and the letters were rounded, cursive, and indecipherable," she explained.
"Um, thank you, ma'am," the officer replied. "Your observations are very helpful."
MacGyver smiled to himself and shook his head.
"I assume you'll want the video tape for evidence?" Mac asked, trying to help out the poor guy.
"Yes, of course, thank you." The uniformed man took the tape and started toward the door.
"When will I be able to clean that up?" MacGyver called.
"As soon as the crime scene techs leave," the officer answered before hurrying out the door.
"Did you ever think of going into law enforcement?" Mac asked Jo, trying to suppress his amusement at the way she handled the rookie officer.
"If they keep sending out twelve-year-olds to take our statements I just might," she grumbled.
"MacGyver, in my office…now!" Evelyn ordered.
Mac and Joanna exchanged questioning glances before he hurried after his boss.
"Do you have any suspects?" Evelyn asked as soon as she closed her door.
"Shouldn't you be asking the police that?"
"Don't get smart with me, honeypot," Evelyn warned. "That snot-nosed kid with a badge will give which video game to play next more consideration than this case. I know you, MacGyver. Your brain is already working on this."
Mac sighed. "You're right, but quite frankly, it could be almost anyone in the community who doesn't want us here. That message was loud and clear."
"But what about the way they avoided the cameras?" she prodded.
"Anyone with decent observation skills could figure out a way to evade them," Mac offered.
"Or anyone already familiar with the system."
"Are you suggesting it was someone from Challengers?" Mac was shocked. They had vetted all new hires very carefully.
"I don't know," Evelyn sighed. "I just don't believe it was random vandalism and I want some answers. Sooner rather than later."
"I'll keep my eyes and ears open," MacGyver promised. "In the meantime, I'm gonna go get that wall cleaned off."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"So all I'm asking is that you let me or MacGyver know if you notice anything different about one of the staff or faculty members."
"You don't really think it's an inside job?" Joanna asked Evelyn later that morning. "We did background checks on everyone ourselves!"
"I don't know what to think," the administrator confessed. "But I do know we need to be more vigilant. If this truly was a threat, it could be just the beginning."
A few hours later Joanna stood in MacGyver's office doorway and tapped lightly on the open door. Mac was staring unseeingly at his computer monitor much as she had been for most of the day.
"Got a minute?" she asked.
"Yeah, come on in." MacGyver leaned back in his chair and pushed his fingers through his hair. "What's up?" he asked casually.
When she failed to immediately respond he asked again, this time with more concern in his voice.
"I keep thinking about the surveillance video," she began, her eyes looking at her hands she had folded in her lap. "Between seeming to know exactly where the cameras were and the hair sticking out of the ski mask, that could easily be…you!"
"Oh come on, Jo, you can't honestly think I did that!"
"I didn't say that!" she shot back, standing up defensively.
"You didn't have to," Mac responded quietly. "The funny thing is, I thought the same thing myself."
Joanna's brown eyes grew wide.
"You gotta admit I fit the profile."
"What if the cops are thinking the same thing?" she asked, her concern growing.
"Don't worry. At this point it's a minor crime. They can't do anything to anyone unless Evelyn decides to press charges."
"And of course she'd never press charges against you. Maybe that's what you're counting on!" Joanna couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth, but she had no way to stop them.
MacGyver rounded his desk so they now stood face-to-face. "I swear to you, I have as much invested in Challengers as anyone. Why would I do anything to jeopardize that?"
"I'm sorry, Mac, I was way out of line—"
"Don't worry about it. A few more days and we have a whole month off. By then this will just be a bad memory."
He reached out his hand and gently cupped her cheek. A year ago, she would have instinctively recoiled from his touch, but today she leaned into the warmth and comfort he offered.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"You want to what?!" Joanna stared at the large group of teenagers that had gathered around her in the rec room.
"We want to have a New Year's Eve party." A tall girl reiterated.
"Here, in the gym." A small, Asian boy added.
"We'll do all the decorating and everything! Even bring food!" Yet another student spoke up.
Joanna took a calming breath and shook her head. The gym needed a thorough scrubbing and…well, let's face it…a miracle! That was the one aspect of Challengers that had been ignored. Mainly because no one wanted to take on the project.
"But it's only two days until winter break," Joanna protested. "Whose idea was this, anyway?"
As if that was their cue, the entire group turned to look at MacGyver who was standing in the back watching the scene play out, amusement on his face. Joanna locked eyes with him but addressed the students.
"So, Mr. Mac gave you the idea," she said accusingly. Suddenly, multiple voices erupted around her.
"He was telling us about the party the Challengers Club in L.A. had last year," one voice said.
"They even have a yearly Christmas pageant!" voice number two spoke up. "But we figured it was a little late for that."
Thank God for small favors, Joanna thought.
"It'll be awesome!" a third voice echoed through the room. "We can have music and dancing and…" the voice was soon drown out by others joining in.
"Mr. Mac, could I please have a word with you?" Joanna called over the noise.
MacGyver joined Joanna in the hallway where the exuberant voices were now muffled.
"Why did you tell them they could have a New Year's Eve party here?" she ground out.
Mac held up his hands in surrender. "Now hold on. I did not say they could have a party here. They were asking me questions about what the other Challengers was like and it sorta came up."
Joanna remained silent.
MacGyver shrugged. "It's not an impossible idea, you know. Besides, what better way to keep the kids off the streets and out of trouble on the biggest party night of the year?"
"But Mac, these things take time and planning and resources we just don't have!"
"Don't worry. I'll handle everything," Mac assured her. "We still have a couple days when the kids can work on the gym during their free periods, and next week I'll come in with small groups to handle the finishing touches. The kids don't want much. They just want a safe place to have some fun. You'll see, it'll all work out."
"What about chaperones?" Joanna challenged him.
"I figured we'd be there."
"Did it ever occur to you that I might have plans?"
"Well, do you?"
Joanna sighed in defeat. "Yes. I'll be chaperoning a high school party. But we'll need more adults than just the two of us."
"Sam will volunteer, and I bet we could even get Evelyn to come in and help," Mac replied.
Jo knew she didn't stand a chance. The man had an answer for everything.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
MacGyver had the teens working in shifts between classes and soon the gym was gleaming brighter than he ever thought possible. They even had time to start planning the event in more detail. The boys insisted that pizzas, soda and a boom box was all anyone needed, but the girls begged to differ.
"Mr. Mac," a blonde girl whined, "we can't have a party without balloons and streamers and confetti to toss at midnight."
"And you can't serve pizza! You have to have punch and those little finger food thingies," a brunette chimed in.
"We can't dance to music blasting from a boom box, we need a real DJ!" a red-head proclaimed.
Mac ran his hand down his face. What had he gotten himself into? Joanna had been right. Pulling off a party like this at the last minute was impossible. Maybe.
Joanna was sitting at her office desk when he tapped on the doorjamb and entered before she invited him in. He sat down across from her and took a deep breath.
"Before you say 'I told you so', I admit it. You were right. I bit off more than I can chew with this party." She turned to face him, giving him her full attention.
"Go on," she prompted with a grin.
"I need help," he moaned and hung his head, not wanting to see her gloating smile.
"What can I do?" she asked. Her voice soft and genuine. He raised his head and met her compassionate gaze. He sighed and started telling her the list of student demands.
"OK, here's what we'll do," Joanna instructed when he finished. "The day after Christmas, go out to a party supply store and get plates and decorations. Everything will be on sale. I have a friend who used to own a DJ business. He still has the equipment so I'll convince him to help out."
"How can you be sure he'll agree? It is New Year's Eve."
"Don't worry. He'll do it," she replied confidently.
"What about food?"
"We may have to do the pizza thing. But we can still have punch and put out some other junk food. I doubt the girls will mind," she smiled.
"Thanks, I owe you one," he promised before leaving her office, feeling back in control of the situation.
Christmas Day arrived quietly for MacGyver. He and Sam headed south to Chicago to spend the day with the Thornton's to make up for skipping Thanksgiving. There was plenty of good cheer and Connie made sure no one went hungry, even wrapping up leftovers for Mac and Sam to take home.
"And what do you two young handsome men have planned for New Year's?" Connie asked half way through the meal.
"Dad and Jo are throwing a party for all the kids at Challengers," Sam offered.
"That sounds just like Mac," Pete remarked. "Always doing something for others."
MacGyver blushed slightly and shoveled a forkful of sweet potatoes into his mouth.
"That sounds like fun," Connie replied gleefully. "And speaking of Joanna, how is she doing? I've been meaning to call but, well, you know how that goes."
Before Mac could swallow Sam replied, "Jo's great! She and Dad went out and chopped down a live Christmas tree and then we all went shopping for decorations and got it set up the same day."
"Wait a minute," Pete cut in. "Did I hear you correctly? MacGyver has a Christmas tree? In his house?"
Sam nodded vigorously.
"Well, I'll be! Looks like she's finally getting to you, Mac!" Pete teased good-naturedly.
"I did it for Sam," MacGyver responded weakly.
Connie reached across the table and patted his hand. "Of course you did, dear," she replied with a knowing smile.
"So, what are you two doing for New Year's?" Mac asked, attempting to change the conversation.
"Funny you should ask," Connie responded. "We'll be passing through your neck of the woods. There's a new Bed and Breakfast opening up in Door County and we'll be spending a few days there. If it checks out I'll add it to the travel agency brochure as a destination."
"Still can't convince her to fully retire, can you Pete?" MacGyver quipped.
"Not sure I want to. We get to go to all these great places for free!" the older man chuckled.
Once the dessert dishes had been cleared from the table and the conversation began to lag, MacGyver suggested he and Sam head home. The men exchanged hearty handshakes and Connie hugged them both with a promise to stop in and see them as she and Pete passed through Milwaukee the following week.
The next day Mac and Sam went to the party supply store as Joanna had suggested. True to her word, there was a huge sale in progress. There was also a huge crowd jostling each other to take advantage of the bargains.
"I think we're a little out of our league," Sam commented to his dad as they stood back and observed the controlled chaos.
"It's not that bad," Mac replied, trying to sound optimistic. "Take out the list so we can grab what we need and get outta here," he instructed his son.
Thirty minutes later the frazzled pair emerged from the store carrying their supplies.
"Who knew picking out plates and napkins could be so difficult," Sam complained.
"Who knew a little old lady would fight us for the last plastic punch bowl, and win!" MacGyver countered before they both started to laugh.
"Let's swing by Challengers and drop this stuff off so it's there tomorrow when the kids come to decorate," Mac suggested and Sam readily agreed.
MacGyver unlocked the front door to the school and headed down the long corridor with Sam following behind. The floor outside the gym appeared shiny and wet, like a mirage in the desert. Mac slowed down, causing Sam to bump into him.
"Hey man, what's the problem?" Sam asked, annoyed.
"Take a look." MacGyver pointed down the long hallway.
"The floor looks wet," Sam observed. "Are you guys doing maintenance this week?"
"Not to my knowledge," Mac responded, his voice softer now. He set down the bags of party supplies and silently motioned Sam to follow him to the gym.
The main doors to the gymnasium were shut tight and locked, but water still managed to seep out from underneath. This wasn't good. After unlocking the doors MacGyver handed his keys to Sam.
"Go to the custodians' supply room and get mops, buckets, whatever you can find," he instructed.
Sam wordlessly set out on his mission.
Mac stood in front of the gym doors, water already beginning to penetrate his shoes. Suspecting yet fearing what he would find on the other side, he pushed lightly on one of the doors. When he didn't meet with resistance, he stood off to the side and thrust the door open, watching as a small deluge of water escaped into the corridor. MacGyver poked his head into the room. The only light came from the late December sun streaming through the high, glass block windows, but that was enough for Mac to see the entire floor covered with a couple inches of standing water. He gingerly stepped into the large, flooded room to begin the search for the cause of the mess.
Common sense told him that one of the old pipes in the locker room must have broken so he checked the boys' room first. What he saw made his heart drop to his toes. The pipes were still intact, but all the sink and shower faucets were flowing steadily. This was a deliberate act.
"We're gonna need more than a mop and bucket," Sam called from the gym entrance just as his dad came sloshing angrily out of the locker room.
"All the faucets were turned on," Mac growled. "We need to call the police."
After calling the police and hoping they sent out a more seasoned officer than the one from last week, MacGyver quickly called Evelyn who promised to call Joanna and Officer Carl. Soon, the familiar little group was gathered around a veteran policeman contributing what each knew to the story. Everyone agreed that the entire building had been cleared and locked down for winter break and not even custodians were scheduled to return until after the first of the year.
"I don't suppose you have indoor surveillance cameras," the cop stated more than asked.
"Actually, we do," MacGyver informed him, thankful that Joanna had agreed to let him install cameras in the corridor and common rooms, including the gym.
As Mac started the process of going through the video tapes, more officers arrived to inspect the building only to report that there was no sign of forced entry. This led to a discussion regarding who had keys to the building. The list was longer than MacGyver had imagined and he made a mental note to look into that at a later time. Suddenly, Mac stopped the tape as he noticed a dark figure on the screen.
"I think I got something," he announced, and everyone gathered around the monitor as he reversed the tape and then played it forward in slow motion.
"It's the same person from last week!" Evelyn gasped.
"Are you certain, ma'am?" the officer asked.
"Of course I am," she responded, slightly offended.
"I agree," Joanna added. "He's the same size and build and is dressed the same. The only difference is this time he doesn't try to avoid detection."
"You know," Evelyn pondered, "with that shaggy blond hair poking out of the ski mask, he could pass himself off as MacGyver!"
MacGyver saw Joanna's chin drop to her chest as he pinched the bridge of his nose. They both had known it was only a matter of time before someone made the connection.
"Are you accusing Mr. MacGyver, ma'am?" the officer asked Evelyn.
"Of course not!" she exclaimed. "Our MacGyver would never do something like this!" Joanna, Sam and Carl joined in to protest.
"Mr. MacGyver, where were you at the time indicated on the tape?" the officer asked.
Mac glanced at the time stamp. "I was driving back from Chicago."
"Was anyone with you?"
"My son, Sam." He nodded toward the young man.
"Is there anyone else who can corroborate this?"
"No," Mac answered softly.
"You're not gonna consider him a suspect, are you?" Sam asked defiantly.
"Not yet," the officer replied. "Let's just say he's a 'person of interest'. As such, I would like to speak with Mr. MacGyver in private for a moment." With that, the others solemnly began to file out of the small security booth.
A short while later, Mac and the police officer emerged from the small room, shook hands, and promised to be in touch.
Evelyn was promptly at his side. "I'm so sorry I made that stupid comment! Is everything OK?"
MacGyver smiled reassuringly. "Everything's fine. Unfortunately, we'll have to cancel the New Year's party, though."
"But why?" Sam protested.
"We need to get professionals in here to clean up this mess and notify the insurance company so they can send someone out to inspect the damage. Given that it's the holiday season, I doubt that will happen quickly," MacGyver explained.
"And once that's done we'll need to work on fixing or salvaging whatever we can," Evelyn sighed.
"Guess that's one way to get things done around here," Joanna quipped, trying to lighten the dark mood that had descended.
"Well, I have to go to my office and make some phone calls," Evelyn announced. "You all can go ahead and leave. I'll lock up."
"I need to get back to the family," Carl said. "Sorry I can't be of more help."
MacGyver shook Carl's had and slapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it. You have yourself a good holiday." Carl smiled sadly and headed toward the exit.
Sam looked at his dad. "I'll go get the party supplies and put them in the car. I'll wait for you there." MacGyver nodded his acknowledgement.
That left Joanna. She was looking down at the floor, her face drawn. He gingerly reached out, putting two of his fingers under her chin and gently raising her head until he could see the sadness in her weary brown eyes.
"Hey, it's gonna be okay. We'll figure this out."
"Do you think someone is really trying to impersonate you?" she asked.
Mac dropped his hand from her face. "It's beginning to look that way," he conceded.
"But why?"
"I don't know, but I'm workin' on it."
