Part One

“A Person of Interest” takes place after the future installment of “Kryptonite”. As a reminder, Amanda Woodward has been murdered, and the NYPD has begun their investigation. Jim’s stalker lured him to the crime scene, and when he saw the body, he passed out, hit his head on the sidewalk, and had to be taken to the hospital. The Woodwards visited him there and asked him not to tell the press that he and Amanda had broken up. Our story picks up in Sleepyside, where Trixie and Honey have a meeting with Dan and Spider to let them know what’s been happening.

The Sleepyside Police Station hadn’t changed much since Trixie and Honey had visited there as teenagers. Because of her work as a detective, Trixie stopped by the station on a regular basis, and anytime she did, she felt like she had stepped back in time. While the computers were actually from this decade, the desks on which they sat were the exact ones that had been there fifteen years ago. Much to her amusement, the same wooden bench was positioned against the far wall of the entrance. During one of her many visits to the station years ago, she’d stuck a piece of strawberry-flavored bubble gum under the seat, and Trixie couldn’t help but wonder if it was still there. She was willing to bet that it was.

After checking in with the clerk at the front desk to explain the purpose of their visit, Trixie and Honey scanned the squad room for any sign of Dan. Several officers were seated at their desks, but Dan wasn’t one of them. Except for an ever-present can of Mountain Dew, as well as a few Post-It note reminders in his handwriting, there was no sign of his presence. However, the work space across from Dan’s was occupied by a good-looking black policeman that Trixie didn’t recognize.

Unfortunately for Trixie, she did recognize the person in the work area on the opposite side of Dan’s. Jerrod McCoy, one of her ex-boyfriends, sat at his desk across from a dark-haired officer Trixie didn’t recognize, doing a bad job of pretending he hadn’t seen her. A policeman on the Sleepyside force for the past three years, he had lasted slightly longer than the rest of her one-hit wonders, but their relationship had been destined to fail. Although Jerrod was handsome, charming, and an all-around decent guy, he had one major flaw that had doomed their relationship from the start: he wasn’t James Winthrop Frayne the Second. That was one shortcoming that he could never overcome. Because of that slight imperfection, they had dated for only four months before Trixie had broken up with him.

To say the split hadn’t been amicable was putting it mildly. As far as Jerrod had been concerned, their relationship was going well, so the breakup had come as a complete surprise. He’d been blindsided, as well as hurt, by the unexpected news. Worst of all, his pride had taken a serious hit, and as retribution for his bruised ego, he’d given her a speeding ticket less than a week later—the first of three. Conveniently forgetting that she’d been going 40 mph in a 25 mph zone, Trixie had declared him her sworn enemy and vowed never to speak to him again.

Unfortunately for Trixie, in spite of the way he pretended to stare at his computer monitor, Jerrod had seen her enter the station, and unless she wanted another speeding ticket in the near future, she felt forced to suck it up and acknowledge his presence.

Regarding her former beau with an icy glare, she said through gritted teeth, “Hello, Jerrod.”

The red-haired police officer begrudgingly acknowledged her with a slight nod in her general direction. “Trixie,” was his curt response. His expression grew friendlier the instant he shifted his attention to his former girlfriend’s best friend and business partner. “Hey, Honey. Good to see you. It’s been a while.”

“Good to see you, too, Jerrod,” Honey replied congenially, ignoring the glare she knew Trixie was giving her. “How have you been?”

“I can’t complain. How about yourself?”

“No complaints here, either.” Although she didn’t want to appear rude, Honey’s eyes inadvertently wandered to the stranger standing beside Jerrod.

Picking up on the hint, Jerrod motioned to his right. “I don’t believe you’ve been introduced to the SPD’s newest recruit, not to mention my partner, Max Shepherd. Max, this is Private Detective Honey Wheeler.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Honey,” Max murmured as he offered his hand to the attractive investigator. His voice was deep and husky, and his full, well-shaped lips parted in a smile to reveal perfect teeth as well as a set of dimples.

Honey’s cheeks colored prettily as she returned the smile and accepted his hand. She gazed up at him through a fluttering veil of golden lashes, doing her best to sneak peeks at him without openly staring.

Of course, as gorgeous as he is, he’s probably used to being gawked at by all kinds of admirers, Honey thought to herself. Although she hadn’t made the remark out loud, she felt her cheeks tingling with a blush.

The latest addition to Sleepyside’s police force wasn’t particularly tall,—5’10 at the most— but he had a presence about him that made him seem much taller. In heels, Honey almost stood eyelevel to him. His jet black hair was closely cropped in a military style, but unlike her four closest male friends, Max took the time to style it. With his olive complexion, five o’clock shadow, and muscular build, he had swarthy good looks that could’ve earned him the cover of GQ.

A few inches taller, and he would be the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome, Honey decided. Guess he’ll just have to settle for average, dark, and gorgeous!

If it weren’t for his bright blue eyes, she would’ve assumed Max was of Italian ancestry, but those brilliant ice-colored orbs gazing at her hinted that he possessed some Scandinavian genes.

Or maybe he’s Irish, she mused, unable to take her eyes off him for long. They’re known for their handsome dark-haired men with blue eyes. Oh, well. No matter where his forefathers came from, I’ll bet they looked gorgeous during the boat ride here.

Her gaze traveled downward to take in his athletic physique, and she couldn’t help but admire how nicely his broad shoulders and muscular chest filled out his shirt. In Honey’s humble opinion, the Sleepyside Police uniform had never looked better. Max Shepherd was easily one of the finest specimens of the male species that she had ever had the privilege to inspect, no doubt about it. Although she would’ve liked to study him all day, she didn’t want to appear rude—not to mention creepy.

“Welcome to Sleepyside,” she greeted, her voice a tad bit warmer and huskier than usual. Sensing Trixie’s icy stare boring figurative holes in her, Honey added, “This is my best friend and business partner, Trixie Belden.”

“Nice to finally meet you, Trixie,” Max said with a dashing grin. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet you have,” the sandy-blonde muttered, tossing an irritated smirk back at her ex-boyfriend. Through the years, she had been on the receiving end of more charming smiles than she could count. There was only one crooked grin that rendered her helpless, and it wasn’t Max’s. As far as she was concerned, any friend of Jerrod’s was an enemy of hers, so this new recruit had no hope whatsoever of getting friendly with her.

Honey cleared her throat nervously. Although she preferred to stay there and chat with Max, she decided for his and Jerrod’s safety and wellbeing, it would be best to move things along. “I don’t suppose either of you know where Dan is, do you? We have an appointment with him at six.”

The officer sitting in the desk across from Dan’s spoke up. “Excuse me, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard you say that you were looking for Dan. He had to pick up a warrant from Judge Burke, but he should be back any minute. Unless, of course, he meets some hot girl on his way back to the station, and if that happens, you might be waiting a while.”

“Thanks,” Trixie said with a grin. Although she’d instantly disliked Max Shepherd, this stranger had the opposite effect on her, and she regarded him with curiosity rather than distrust. “I don’t think we’ve met. Are you a new recruit, too?”

“I sure am,” he answered congenially, just a hint of a Southern accent in his voice. “The name’s Patrick Wright, but all my friends call me Trick. And y’all pray for me, as I have the great misfortune of being Dan’s partner.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Trixie teased.

Trick shook his head, struggling hard to maintain a pained expression. “Yeah, it’s been tough on my ego working with Sleepyside’s most eligible bachelor. It’s enough to give even a handsome guy like me a complex.”

Eager to get away from Jerrod, Trixie practically dragged Honey over to Trick’s desk, sensing she had found a kindred spirit in Trick. “When did you arrive in Sleepyside?”

“A few weeks ago,” he answered. “My wife got a job at the clinic. Her grandfather lives here and she wanted to move back here to be closer to him now that he’s in a nursing home. She actually graduated from Sleepyside High.”

“Hey, you’re Loyola’s husband, aren’t you?” Honey exclaimed.

“Yep, guilty as charged, and loving every minute of it,” Trick affirmed with an easy grin.

Trixie nodded. “I’d heard that Loyola had returned. Brian Belden’s my brother, and they work together.”

“Ahhh, the infamous Dr. Belden, Sleepyside’s own Dr. McHunky, or whatever it is they call him,” Trick said. “He’s all I heard about when Loyola and I started dating. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the reason she decided to study medicine instead of marine biology liked she’d originally planned to do. What’s it like being his sister?”

“Rotten,” Trixie giggled. “He was so perfect as a teenager that he constantly made me look bad. Luckily, I have two other brothers that aren’t so perfect, and compared to them, I was an absolute angel.”

Trick’s warm brown eyes glimmered with humor. “I heard that. I’ve got two brothers of my own, but although I’m the middle child, I’m the Brian of our family.”

“Yes, I’ll bet you are,” Trixie said, maintaining a straight face. She hitched her thumb back to Honey. “She’s Brian’s ex-girlfriend, in case you were wondering. They just broke up, but they’ll probably get back together because they’re made for each other.”

“Well, Honey, if what I’ve heard is true, you’d better snap to it,” Trick advised. “All the nurses from miles around have got Dr. Belden in their sights, and they’re wearing their prettiest scrubs and sexiest Crocs to the hospital anytime they think he might visit, so you might have some competition on your hands.”

Although Trick had clearly been teasing, Trixie eagerly latched onto his advice like it was the gospel truth. “He’s right, Honey. Brian’s quite the catch. You’d better snatch him back before one of those pretty, young nurses sinks her claws in his stethoscope.”

“Hush, Trixie,” Honey hissed, feeling Max’s eyes on them.

Sensing that he’d inadvertently struck a nerve, Trick changed the subject. “It’s good to meet you both. Dan’s told me a lot about you. Which one of you accused that sweet, old Mr. Maypenny of being a crazy poacher?”

“That would be Trixie,” Honey supplied helpfully, relieved that it was Trixie’s turn to squirm.

“Humph, remind me to give you the 4-1-1 on Mr. Mangan sometime,” Trixie huffed. “I might even have to dig out an old picture of him right after he came to Sleepyside. Hopefully I have one of him at the lake so you can see what a scrawny twerp he used to be.”

“That sounds like something that definitely needs to be posted on Facebook,” Trick remarked. “Then, I could tag it for the whole world to see.”

Trixie’s grin could only be described as evil. “Brilliant! And maybe I can find one of him in his cowboy boots and leather jacket.”

“Dan wore cowboy boots?” Trick asked, one eyebrow cocked in disbelief.

Trixie’s eyes twinkled as she nodded in affirmation. “He sure did. The ones with really high heels and pointy toes.”

“Lord have mercy,” Trick murmured under his breath. “Dan hinted about his misspent youth, but he never told me that he was a cowgirl.”

“Oh yeah, Dan’s full of secrets,” Trixie snickered.

Trick assumed a thoughtful expression. “Well, that’s one secret he’d be wise to keep locked away in a closet. It’s just a shame that I’ve discovered this juicy little piece of info. It’s my civic duty to share this with the world.”

“Hmm…I like the way your mind works, Patrick Wright,” Trixie murmured.

Trick flashed her a cheeky grin. “Always happy to be of service.”

“You both are positively evil,” Honey chuckled. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Dan killed you both.”

“Humph, it would be worth it never to have to hear another word about that stupid unicycle theory,” Trixie said. She opened her mouth as if to speak again, but whatever she had planned to say was forgotten as her gaze settled on her brand new partner in crime. Struck by a feeling of déjà vu, she cocked her head to one side as she studied him carefully. “Trick, I could swear that I’ve seen you before somewhere. Are you sure that we’ve never met?”

“If we have, then I don’t have any memory of it,” Trick answered. “Of course, as many concussions as I’ve had, my brain’s not as sharp as it used to be, so it’s entirely possible.”

“Maybe Trick gave you a speeding ticket,” Honey suggested, a devilish gleam in her hazel eyes. “You’ve gotten several.” She giggled at the dirty look Trixie shot at her.

“How does someone suffer multiple concussions?” Trixie asked. “Is the police academy that rough?”

“Nah, I took a few hard hits playing football, that’s all,” Trick explained.

“Football can be dangerous,” Honey replied.

“Yeah, but it doesn’t matter because I was meant to be a cop, just like my dad, so it’s all good,” Trick told them. He gave a sidelong glance in Max’s direction. “Of course, on the football field, when a guy wore the same uniform as you, at least you knew he had your back.”

Although that comment had piqued Trixie’s curiosity, she was wise enough to know that now wasn’t the time to pry. However, she made a mental note to do some digging later. “Well, Trick, I sure am glad you and Loyola moved to Sleepyside. According to Brian, she’s a wonderful doctor, and our town could always use another good cop. It’s comforting to know that Dan isn’t out there alone.”

“Yeah, the cowgirl and I make a good team.” The smile returned to Trick’s face. “I’m glad we landed here. And just think, if Loyola had become a marine biologist, we wouldn’t have ended up in Sleepyside. We’d probably be living near the ocean, in some warm climate, away from the snow…I’m just going to shut up now because I’m starting to get a little depressed. As much as I love this town, I hate cold weather.”

The front door of the station opened, and Dan came in, carrying the aforementioned warrant in his hand. Barely acknowledging Jerrod or Max, he walked over to Trick’s desk and handed him the document.

“Better late than never,” Trixie quipped.

“Sorry, girls. I thought I’d get back in plenty of time, especially since Trixie’s usually ten minutes late herself.” He shot the sandy blonde a devilish grin, which she reciprocated.

“After what happened this morning, I was afraid you’d arrest me if I kept you waiting too long,” she told him with a wink.

Feeling Jerrod’s curious eyes on them, Dan motioned to the small room that had once served as Sgt. Molinson’s office. “Let’s go ahead and get settled. I expect Spider back at any time.”

Trixie and Honey both agreed.

“Nice meeting you, Trick,” Trixie said.

“Don’t forget to look for those pictures of you-know-who,” Trick called.

“It’s a deal,” Trixie promised as she followed Dan into Spider’s office.

Honey took up the rear. Before she closed the door behind her, she flashed one final smile in Max’s direction and then disappeared down the hallway.

Once she was out of earshot, Max let out a low whistle under his breath. “Now that is one fine piece of tail. I wouldn’t mind getting some of that.”

Jerrod snorted loudly. “I hope you’re talking about Honey because Trixie’s a real ice queen,” he complained. “I’ve never dated someone so cold in all my life.”

“Maybe you just weren’t her type,” Trick suggested with feigned innocence.

“Maybe you should mind your own business,” Jerrod retorted.

Max smirked over at Jerrod. “Relax. I’m talking about the tall blonde with the legs that go on forever, not your ex-girlfriend. Although she’s cute, too…”

“Well, good luck with that,” Jerrod offered. “Honey’s hot, all right, but she’s way out of your league, buddy. Have you ever heard of Matthew Wheeler?”

“The self-made gazillionaire that’s supposed to be some kind of cutthroat business genius?” Max asked.

Jerrod nodded. “That’s him. That also happens to be Honey’s dad.”

“So, she’s gorgeous and rich?” Max’s smile revealed a set of dimples that rivaled Mart’s. “Sorry, but I don’t see the downside. What’s the problem?”

“The problem is,” Trick began in a threatening tone, “that both of those girls are like sisters to Dan, and unless you want to get your teeth knocked out, you’d better not try anything.”

“What’re you getting at?” Max challenged.

All hint of Trick’s easy-going nature disappeared and was replaced by an intensity that few possessed. “Rumor has it that you’re trying to set some kind of record for hooking up with as many girls as you can, as quickly as possible. If that’s your thing, then knock yourself out. However, unless you want to find yourself on Dan Mangan’s bad side, Honey Wheeler won’t be the next notch on your bedpost.”

“Why should Dan care?” Max scoffed. “He’s supposed to be some playboy himself, so he should understand how it works.”

“Yeah, but those three lady friends of his have always been off-limits to him,” Trick argued.

“Hey, if Dan isn’t going to bang her, somebody should,” Max murmured. “I’ve already got a sister, and I don’t need another one. I wonder what Honey’s type is.”

“Smart, good-looking doctors,” Trick informed him. “And in case you’re suffering from delusions of grandeur, you aren’t smart, good-looking, or a doctor.”

Max arched a raven-black eyebrow. “How do you know what her type is? Don’t tell me you’ve been scoping her out for yourself?”

Accustomed to his coworkers’ antics, Trick just rolled his eyes. “Puh-lease. I’m a happily married man, as you well know. Unlike you, I know a good thing when I’ve got it, and I don’t have a problem keeping my pants zipped.”

Sensing the situation was about to heat up as it often did between Trick and Max, Jerrod interrupted. “Did I hear you say that Loyola works with a friend of Honey’s?”

“She works with Honey’s ex-boyfriend, Brian, at the clinic. He’s a doctor there, and to my understanding, he’s going to be running the place after Doc Ferris retires.” Trick shot Max a pointed glare. “And I don’t claim to be some expert on knowing what women look for in a man, but something tells me that after dating Dr. Belden, Honey isn’t going to look twice at an arrogant cop like you.”

“But she and this Brian guy broke up, right?” Max prodded.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but yeah, they broke up,” Trick said curtly, refocusing his full attention on a file on his desk.

Max Shepherd smiled to himself. He had no intention of telling Trick that he planned to make Honey Wheeler his business, and he dared anyone to stop him.

The trio settled into Spider’s office. Unlike the rest of police headquarters, this room looked nothing like it had during the Sgt. Molinson era. The office’s former occupant had been too consumed with his hatred for Trixie to worry about decorating. Spider, on the other hand, had obviously taken pleasure in reflecting his personal tastes in his work space. He hadn’t done much, but the warm sage green paint color and the nature scene prints on the wall had done a lot to spruce up the small space. Spider must’ve liked the effect as well, because after his promotion to Chief of Police a few years ago after Chief Moran’s retirement, he hadn’t switched offices.

“Spider sure did a lot with Molinson’s old digs,” Trixie commented as she sat down in one of the seats opposite his desk. “It used to look like a dungeon in here, but it’s actually kind of nice now. Very soothing.”

“It’s amazing what a coat of paint and a few pictures can do,” Honey agreed.

Trixie snorted. “If you ask me, getting rid of the creepy Molinson vibes made the biggest difference.”

“I wonder how he’s doing,” Honey thought out loud.

“He’s still locked up tighter than a drum at Bellevue,” Dan volunteered. He scratched his chin in a thoughtful manner, but the devilish grin on his face hinted that he wasn’t going to say something wise or scholarly. “So, Trix, since you were technically responsible for Molinson ending up in the loony bin, is there any danger of you driving someone else crazy? Because if there is, you should probably leave me alone so I don’t end up in the padded cell next to his.”

“Ha-ha, you’re so funny,” Trixie muttered in a tone dripping with sarcasm. She looked down at her watch. “When is Spider supposed to make it back? Because if he’s going to be a while, I should probably wait in the other room to protect your fragile mental state.”

Dan grinned at the abrupt change of subject, but refrained from commenting on it. “The town council is having their weekly meeting,” he answered. “The force needs to make some modifications to the police cruisers, and Spider is going to ask the town could foot the bill. He should’ve been back by now, so that probably means the council is divided on some issue and they haven’t gotten to it yet.”

“Well, I hope Spider isn’t too late for our meeting,” Trixie huffed. “It’s very rude to keep people waiting.”

“Talk about the pot calling the kettle black,” Dan snickered.

Trixie shot him a scathing glare, but before she could respond with a zinger of her own, a buzzing noise coming from inside her bag distracted her. She reached into her purse and extracted her cell phone, looking at the caller ID before answering it.

“It’s Jim,” she murmured as she flipped it open. “Hello?”

After her initial greeting, she did more listening than speaking, and the longer she listened, the more strained her expression became. When she finally spoke, there was a hint of irritation in her tone.

“I hate to hear that. I hope their visit didn’t upset Jim too much.” She nodded as she listened to the voice on the other line. “That doesn’t surprise me. What did they want?... Are you serious? Please tell me your joking…Why, those devious, manipulative pieces of—”

Both Honey and Dan shot Trixie an inquisitive look, but if Trixie noticed, she chose to ignore them.

“So, did Jim tell them where they could stick their request?” Trixie asked. The answer to her question caused her eyes to double in size. “Please tell me you’re joking…Wow, I can’t believe that…I don’t know what to say.”

Trixie massaged her temples as she listened. “Yeah, I know what you mean … Well, to be perfectly honest, I don’t know how I feel about it. Part of me’s ticked, and the rest of me is floored…Does he realize what he’s getting into? He could get into tons of trouble…”

“Yeah, I guess so,” she muttered after several seconds. “No, I don’t like it, but it’s too late now…Well, what else can I do?...No, he isn’t here yet…Yeah, I’ll tell Honey and Dan before he gets here, as long as Jim’s sure…Okay, I’ll take care of it.…Tell him that I love him, too, and that I’ll see him tomorrow…Bye.”

Trixie poked the end button a little more forcefully than necessary. Instead of immediately giving Honey and Dan the scoop, she sat there quietly as she processed the bombshell she had just received.

Honey’s brow wrinkled with concern at Trixie’s reaction to the phone call. It took a lot to leave her best friend speechless, so the news couldn’t have been good. “Was that Jim?”

“No, it was your dad calling from Jim’s phone,” Trixie explained, her complexion ashen.

“Is Jim okay?” Honey asked. “The doctor didn’t find something else, did he?”

“No, that isn’t it at all. Physically, Jim’s fine.” Trixie paused to take a deep breath. “Emotionally…Not so much.”

“Talk to us, Trixie. What’s wrong?” Dan urged.

“The Woodwards came by the hospital to see Jim.”

“Oh my,” Honey gulped. “They weren’t too nasty to him, were they?”

Trixie snorted. “No, they were actually quite gracious. Of course, that’s probably because they were buttering him up so he’d say yes when they asked him to pretend that he had still been engaged to Amanda when she died.”

“No way!” Honey exclaimed.

“Yes way,” Trixie retorted.

Dan sucked in a weary, ragged breath. “Please tell me that he refused.”

“I wish I could tell you that,” Trixie said through gritted teeth, “but if I did, I’d be lying.”

“Jim agreed to mislead the police?” Honey gasped. “That isn’t like him at all. Why on earth would he do that?”

Trixie threw up her hands in a gesture of helplessness. “Who knows? This is Jim we’re talking about, so I have a sneaking suspicion that it was because of some misguided sense of duty.”

“No offense, Trixie, but for someone so smart, Jim can act like a real jack wagon,” Dan chuckled.

“You’re preaching to the choir, brother,” Trixie said weakly.

“How does it benefit anyone for Jim to act like he was still engaged to Amanda?” Honey demanded.

Trixie shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“But why would he agree to lie to the police?” Honey demanded. “It doesn’t make sense!”

“Does it have something to do with you, Trix?” Dan proposed.

“What do you think?” Trixie snapped. “Jim’s the one being stalked by some murderous lunatic, lying in the hospital, and depending on a few staples to keep his brain in his head, yet his only concern is protecting me.”

“Jim’s always worried about you, but he rarely—if ever— lies,” Honey observed. “That’s why he never talked to the reporters who wanted to interview him about the wedding; he didn’t want them to ask him a question that would require him to give a dishonest answer.”

“So, instead he just kept his mouth shut and let Amanda do all the lying,” Dan added.

Honey nodded thoughtfully. “He didn’t even like doing that, but what choice did he have? Dad and Mother had already made that agreement with her parents.”

“It’s a good thing he didn’t talk to those reporters,” Trixie remarked. “Jim’s a horrible liar. He’s too much of a Boy Scout to even tell an itsy-bitsy fib. That’s what makes this even more unbelievable. In the name of all that’s holy, why would he agree to something so crazy? He must’ve hit his head harder than we thought!”

“The Woodwards probably threatened him,” Honey guessed.

“Or maybe,” Dan began, his gaze settling on Trixie, “they threatened someone else.”

Honey gasped. “You don’t really think they’d threaten Trixie, do you?”

“I wouldn’t put it past them,” Dan said.

“Let ‘em threaten me!” Trixie blustered. “What are those snooty bullies going to do, blackball me from the Country Club? Spread nasty rumors about me in the Elizabeth Arden salon? Tell the governor I stole their daughter’s fiancé? Oooh! I’m really scared!”

“I can tell,” Honey giggled.

Trixie’s eyes hardened into chips of ice, and it didn’t look like she saw the humor in the situation. “I’ll tell you who should be scared—James Winthrop Frayne the Second, that’s who! If he wasn’t already in the hospital, I’d send him there myself! That stubborn redhead has lost his mind! I don’t know what he’s thinking, or if he’s even thinking at all, but if that stalker doesn’t kill him, I will!”

“Sweetie, calm down,” Honey soothed. “Until we get all the details—”

“I will not calm down!” Trixie interrupted. “I don’t care what the Woodwards do to me. I just want this to be over! I want this stalker caught, the truth to come out, and life to be normal again! Most of all, I want Jim to start using that brain of his for something besides a cushy landing spot! He isn’t using it for thinking, that’s for sure!”

Dan reached over and patted her hand. “Jim’s thinking, Trix. It’s just with his heart, not his head.”

“And we don’t know that Jim agreed to lie in order to protect you,” Honey clarified gently. “Maybe it didn’t have anything to do with you.”

Trixie responded by shooting her friend a look of disbelief. “C’mon, Hon! Why else would he agree to such a crazy proposal?”

“Because he feels guilty about Amanda’s death?” Honey suggested.

“Well, that probably played a part, too,” Trixie conceded. “However, according to your father, the Woodwards threatened to spread all kinds of nasty rumors about me, so Jim agreed to their request to protect me. An armed and dangerous stalker is on the loose, but God forbid that his ex’s snooty parents talk a little smack about me!”

Honey patted Trixie’s hand. “Sweetie—”

“People have been talking smack about me for years!” Trixie ranted. “I’m used to it! As long as the people I love know the truth, I could not care any less what complete strangers think of me! Jim of all people should know that! Has he lost his freaking mind?”

Although Dan didn’t agree with Trixie out loud, he knew she was right. Jim was so intelligent, so responsible, so sensible, so levelheaded… except where Trixie was concerned. Nothing turned that redhead’s brain into mush like his schoolgirl shamus.

“Why would he do this?” Frustrated, Trixie paused to wipe away a tear. She wasn’t crying because she was upset; she was crying because she was mad. The fact that she couldn’t stop her tears only made her cry more. “Why does he feel like he has to protect me? I can take care of myself!”

Dan cleared his throat. “Trix, I know you’re mad, and I can’t say that I blame you. I’d be mad, too. However, I’m going to tell you the same thing that I reminded myself on the ride home from New York City: Jim’s an idiot when it comes to you, but he means well.”

“He might mean well, but what the Woodwards asked him to do isn’t right,” Trixie sniffed, her petite form trembling with fury.

“I know, and you’re correct; it isn’t right,” Dan said. “And, as honorable as Jim is, he knows it it’s wrong, too, and that makes me think that he had a pretty good reason—at least in his mind— to do what they asked.”

“Keeping people from saying bad things about me is not a good reason,” Trixie argued.

A frown slipped across Dan’s lips. “I’m fairly certain there was more to it than that. Jim probably decided that with this whack job on the loose, it would be a lot safer to keep your engagement a secret to keep the stalker from coming after you next.”

Honey nodded in agreement. “That’s a good point, and I can’t say that I blame him there. Once Jim’s stalker finds out that he wasn’t really engaged to Amanda… Well, I have a feeling that Jim won’t be the only one in danger.” She concluded her statement with a shudder.

“Still…” Trixie faltered, “I wish he would’ve at least talked to me before he agreed to break the law. I can take care of myself!”

“I know you can, but Katje couldn’t.” Dan shook his head sadly as he recalled the stories Jim had told him about his youth. The two young men—so different from Brian and Mart— shared many of the same demons, and instead of lying on a therapist’s couch, they had relied on one another to unload their burdens.

“While I don’t agree with what Jim did, I can understand his way of thinking,” Dan continued. “Everything he loved as a kid was ripped from him in just a couple of years. His life went from a 50’s sitcom to hell on earth. Then he met you, Trixie, and you caused him to love again for the first time after his parents’ death. You’re everything to him, and he isn’t going to lose you. He doesn’t talk about it much, but he has a lot of guilt about his mom marrying Jonesy.”

“But he was just a little boy when that happened!” Trixie exclaimed.

“I know, but he still felt it was his job to protect her,” he explained. The dark shadows from Dan’s own past—still a secret from all the Bob-Whites save Jim— threatened to choke him, but he pushed them aside. “The last thing Win told Jim before he died was to take care of his mother, and even though he was a boy, Jim took that responsibility seriously. He’s always wondered if his mom would still be alive if she hadn’t married Jonesy.”

Trixie nodded. “Jim has shared that with me, and I told him that it wasn’t his fault.”

“And while the logical side of Jim believes you, the little boy buried deep inside Jim doesn’t,” Dan said. “He continues to take the blame and beat himself up over it, and it’s made him even more determined to shield you from danger, Trixie.”

“But it’s impossible to keep someone from ever getting hurt,” Honey commented. “I totally agree with what you’re saying, but Jim’s fighting a losing battle.”

“I know that, you know that, and deep down, Jim probably knows it, too.” Dan shot them a grin. “But stubborn redhead that he is, that won’t keep him from trying.”

“Huh, you’ve got that right,” Trixie snorted. “Why, if I didn’t love him so much, I’d…I’d…I’d put another hole in his head!”

Dan winked at her. “Don’t tell me I’ve knocked Superman off his pedestal.”

“I figured out a long time ago that Jim isn’t perfect.” In spite of her current state of irritation, a reluctant smile fought the frown on Trixie’s mouth and won. “However, about that same time, I decided that I love those defects as much as I love the perfect side of him. Somehow, his imperfections made me want him even more. It was at that moment that I realized that my feelings for Jim weren’t a schoolgirl crush. I loved him, really, really loved him, and nothing would ever change that. God as my witness, I love that stubborn redhead, warts and all.”

“Well, then I advise you to remember how much you love him the next time you see him so I don’t have to file a restraining order in order to keep him safe,” Dan teased. Too late he realized how closely that joke had hit home, and the mood in the room became somber as the three friends thought about Jim’s close call with his stalker. A couple of quick raps on the door interrupted the silence, and Trick opened the door and popped his head inside.

“Dan, you’ve got a phone call. Do you want to take it in here?”

“Who is it?”

“Spider.”

“I’d better take it in the other room,” Dan replied. He got up to leave, but before he followed Trick out of the room, he glanced back at Trixie and Honey. “And girls, don’t you disappear. You still owe me an explanation.”

The door to Spider’s office clicked shut behind Dan. Anxious for the meeting to begin, Trixie fidgeted in her chair. She glanced over at Honey, who was using the delay to text on her phone. “Spider’s a half-hour late. I hope he isn’t calling to cancel.”

“I guess we’ll find out in a couple of minutes after Dan returns,” Honey murmured absentmindedly.

“Do you think Spider will have to reschedule?”

“I have no idea.”

“You don’t sound the least bit anxious,” Trixie remarked, a trace of irritation in her voice. “Aren’t you nervous how this will go?”

Honey shrugged. “A little, I guess.”

“Well, I just wish Spider would get here already.”

“Yeah, I figured that out,” Honey giggled.

Trixie heaved a noisy sigh. “Why do you have to be so patient?”

“Why do you have to be so impatient?”

“I can’t help it that I’m impatient,” Trixie sniffed. “I get restless when I’m bored, and right now, I’m bored out of my skull.”

“So to entertain yourself, you’re going to bug me?”

“It’s not like I have anything better to do,” Trixie said with a plucky grin. She pointed at Honey’s phone. “Are you sexting my brother?”

“Mmm, not since we broke up,” Honey replied matter-of-factly, never taking her eyes off the miniature screen.

Trixie made a face. “Um, yuck. That is way more information than I needed to know.”

“Hey, you asked, so I answered.”

“Well, I asked in a joking way, and I expected you to answer the same way,” Trixie retorted. “I sure didn’t expect to learn that you’ve sent suggestive texts to my straight-laced older brother.”

Honey smiled sweetly. “Brian isn’t nearly as straight-laced as everyone thinks.”

“Once again, that is way more information than I needed to know,” Trixie repeated with a groan.

“Sorry.”

“No, you aren’t,” Trixie contradicted grumpily. “You’re having way too much fun torturing me.”

Honey didn’t say a word.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” Trixie prompted. When Honey hadn’t responded within an acceptable length of time, she posed yet another question. “You’re an undercover sadist, aren’t you?”

Honey’s only response was to make a zipping motion in front of her lips.

“Oh, c’mon!” Trixie exclaimed as she slapped her forehead. “Usually I can’t shut you up, and now I can’t get you to say a word. What’s up with that?”

Honey giggled, but only after she had unlocked her mouth first. “I have chosen not to answer any further questions on the grounds that what I say may be used against me in the Court of Trixie Belden.”

“I just asked if you enjoyed torturing me, not if you Brian enjoyed some mild S&M.” Trixie shuddered as soon as the words escaped her lips. “In case you’re wondering, that was not a question. If you and Brian ever got out the whips and handcuffs, I’d rather not know. Some things should remain a seecrud.”

“I totally agree.”

It was quiet for a few seconds, but Trixie’s curiosity had already been piqued. “So…you weren’t sexting anyone else, were you?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but to answer your question, no, I wasn’t.”

Trixie breathed a sigh of relief. “Whew. That’s good to know.”

“And why is that?”

“Well, as squicky as the thought of you and Brian is, the thought of you with someone else is even squickier,” Trixie explained. “Besides, if you aren’t dating anyone else, that will make it a lot easier for you and Brian to get back together.”

With a roll of her eyes, Honey snapped her phone’s keyboard back into place and gave Trixie her full attention. “Brian and I aren’t getting back together. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”

A scowl marred Trixie’s pretty features. “You don’t have to be so happy about it. It’s the end of an era. Show a little respect.”

“You, my friend, are a complete mystery to me,” Honey remarked. “You gripe when Brian and I are together, and then you gripe when we break up. I think you just want something to complain about.”

“Okay, back to the issue of texting,” Trixie began, “who did you just send one to?”

Knowing it was pointless to hedge, Honey gave her the scoop. “Well, first I got a text from Di, so I answered it. Then, I got a text from Brian, and I answered it, too.”

“Why don’t you ever text me?”

“Because you’re too impatient to text me back.”

Trixie pursed her lips as she considered Honey’s accusation. “Okay, so that’s true,” she acknowledged reluctantly. “I hate pushing all those little buttons on that tiny keyboard, and I constantly mess up, so it takes me a half-hour to respond ‘LOL’ to something not worth replying to in the first place.”

Honey merely smiled, knowing that, for once, Trixie wasn’t exaggerating.

“So, what were you texting Di and Brian about?” Trixie asked.

“Di told me that she and Mart would be going to visit Jim later tonight,” Honey told her. “Brian wanted to know if I was going back to the hospital right now, and if so, he offered to give me a ride. I told him about our meeting with Dan, but added that I’d probably see him there later.”

Trixie nodded, and for a few moments, Honey thought she had been pacified. However, Trixie’s mollification didn’t last long. “Honey?”

“Yeeeeeees?” Honey drawled.

“If you do decide to sext someone besides Brian, could you make sure that it isn’t that Max dude?”

Honey shook her head in disbelief. “Someone we know was murdered today; Jim is in the hospital with a head injury; the Woodwards are blackmailing him into breaking the law. We’ve got some major things to deal with, yet you’re worried I’m going to send flirtatious text messages to Max! You can’t be serious!”

“I am serious!” Trixie shot back testily. “Sexting ruins the lives of American teenagers every day. Pardon me for being concerned for you.”

“Trixie, I’m not a teenager. I’m a 25-year-old woman.”

Trixie shrugged. “You can’t be too cautious.”

“Thank you for the public service announcement, but could you please stop with the sexting?” Honey reached over and squeezed Trixie’s hand. “You act like all I do is send sexually explicit texts, but just so you know, I’ve only sent a suggestive message or two, and compared to the average sext, those were fairly tame. So drop it, okay?”

“Okay, but only if you promise me that you won’t go out with that Max dude.”

“You’re incorrigible, Trixie Belden, simply incorrigible!” Honey blustered. “You’re my best friend, and I love you with all my heart, but you’re driving me crazy!”

Trixie flashed her a hopeful smile. “Does this mean you’re going to avoid Max at all costs?”

The smile Honey returned was more sympathetic than amused. “In case you missed the newsflash, Brian and I have broken up. We’re single, and single people go on dates. Eventually, I will find someone I’m interested in, and if he’s interested in me, we will go out. It may be Max; it may be someone else. I honestly don’t know, but what I do know is you aren’t going to be happy, no matter who it is.”

“Well, if you pick Max, no, I won’t be happy.” Pouting, Trixie crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I don’t like him. Did you see the way he was gawking at your legs?”

Gasping loudly, Honey drew back in exaggerated surprise. “How dare a young, virile heterosexual male check me out. Arrest that pervert immediately!”

“He was practically drooling!”

“Oh, the horror!” Honey giggled. “By the way, Jerrod was sneaking peeks at your boobs. Maybe we should poke out both of their eyes.”

“Well, like they say, let the punishment fit the crime,” Trixie stated.

“Last I heard, checking out women isn’t a crime.”

Trixie frowned as she scrutinized the exposed portion of Honey’s shapely legs, which seemed to go on forever. “Maybe you should wear longer skirts.”

“The hem of my skirt skims the top of my knee,” Honey informed her crisply. “What I’m wearing is completely appropriate for the office.”

“So you’re going to continue flashing Max the goods?” Trixie gasped. “It seems a little cruel to lead him on like that.”

Honey pointed to the formfitting gray sweater Trixie was wearing, which accentuated her full bosom. “Then maybe you should wear looser shirts. After all, it’s not fair to tease Jerrod.”

“Yeah, but the difference is that Jerrod knows that he’s free to look, but if he touches, he’ll be carrying his sack home in a sack.”

Honey threw back her head and laughed. She knew Trixie meant every word.

“And one other thing about Jerrod,” Trixie continued, “at least he’s legal. Max can’t be more than twenty.”

“That’s legal.”

“Um…yeah…but it’s still weird,” Trixie stammered. “What if…what if… what if you want to go out for drinks? How about that?”

“I don’t drink.”

Unconcerned with the facts, Trixie waved off that little bit of info. “But what if you start? You’d be sitting there with your apple martini and Max would be drinking milk!”

“Well, milk does do a body good, and it looks like he drinks it regularly,” Honey remarked with a saucy grin.

Trixie moaned as she clutched a fistful of curls. “Argh! You’re going to drive me crazy!”

“The feeling’s mutual, babe.” Releasing a breathy sigh, Honey picked up her handbag. “If you’ll excuse me, I need some coffee.”

Trixie narrowed her eyes as she scrutinized her best friend. “But you don’t drink coffee.”

“Oh, did I say coffee?” Honey asked innocently. “I meant to say that I needed some caffeine. Wow, I really must be tired. Maybe they have some Red Bull in one of the vending machines in the lobby.”

“You’ve looked for Red Bull in those same vending machines a hundred times, and you’ve never found Red Bull yet,” Trixie pointed out.

“Then I’ll get a Diet Pepsi.”

“Those machines only have Coke products, which you complain about every time you buy a soda out of one of them.”

“Then I’ll buy a Diet Coke.”

“But you don’t like Diet Coke.”

“Then maybe I’ll get a Sprite,” Honey hissed.

“You don’t want something to drink; you want to talk to that Max dude.”

“Will you quit calling him ‘that Max dude’? It’s not like he’s carrying a surfboard and searching for waves!”

“If I do, will you promise not to speak to him if you pass him in the hallway?”

“Why are you so afraid that I’m going to talk to him?” Honey demanded. “You act like he has the plague!”

Trixie gave a haughty lift of her chin. “Maybe he does. Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was crawling with STD’s.”

Honey snorted. “You don’t like him because he isn’t Brian.”

“Well, that might be part of it,” Trixie admitted. “But that isn’t the only reason I don’t like him. There’s something about him that isn’t quite right, and I don’t think you should get too friendly with him.”

“Trix, I just want something to drink. That is all. If I pass Max along the way, fine. If I don’t, fine. I just want a beverage.”

“But you said coffee!” Trixie pointed out, jabbing her index finger against Honey’s arm in an accusatory manner. “You said you wanted some coffee, and you don’t drink coffee.”

Honey shrugged. “I just misspoke.”

“No, you didn’t. You were trying to think of some excuse to see him again, and the coffee machine just happens to be by his desk. Admit it!”

“Oh, no, you’ve got me!” Honey hooted. “All this time, I was really sexting Max, not Brian, and we made a date to hook up in one of the empty cells.”

“That’s not funny, Honey Wheeler!”

Honey stood up and patted Trixie on the top of the head in a condescending manner. “Calm down, Beatrix. The truth is that I wanted an excuse to get away from you and your questions, and getting coffee was the first thing I thought of. And just so you know, I am going to get a cup, but I was planning to give it to you. You’re awfully grumpy, and I was hoping some caffeine might settle you down.”

“Humph, then why didn’t you say so?” Trixie muttered.

“Because, to answer your question from earlier, I do enjoy torturing you,” Honey retorted with a saucy grin. “Now sit here like a good girl or else I’ll bring ‘that Max dude’ in here so we can have a quickie on Molinson’s old desk.”

“You wouldn’t,” Trixie gasped.

“Try me.” Satisfied by the look of horror on her friend’s face, Honey turned her back to hide her smug grin and then made her exit.

This story was posted in honor of my seventh Jixaversary. (Gleeps, has it been that long?!) I’d hoped to post something more spectacular for this special event, but unfortunately, the muses wouldn’t cooperate. However, I do want to thank all the readers out there who visit The Cameo. I sincerely appreciate the emails I receive. I only hope those muses start hounding me again and that Dark Orchid Productions will have to burn the candle at both ends to accommodate my inspiration.

I’d like to send out a big thank you to the Smush Sisters, AKA Jenny and Jo, for answering my SOS and editing this so quickly. Many, many thanks, ladies!

Mountain Dew is a Pepsi product. It just seemed like something Dan would drink.

The character of Jerrod McCoy hasn’t been mentioned by name, but I have alluded to him (and the speeding tickets!) in a couple of stories as one of Trixie’s “one-hit wonders,” as coined by Mart in “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” Jerrod wasn’t inspired by anyone in real life, so I haven’t decided about him yet…

Max Shepherd was most definitely inspired by a real person and I know exactly what I’m going to do with him.

Patrick “Trick” Wright has also been inspired by a real person, former WVU quarterback, Patrick White. It’s no secret that I’m a huge Mountaineer fan, and Patrick is my all-time favorite player, and what good is it being a writer if you can’t create a character to pay homage to someone special? Some of the details about “Trick” are true, some are slightly altered, and some are completely fabricated. However, this character is written with great love, admiration, and appreciation for the man behind the inspiration.

According to the Here and Now production, “Saccharine Sweet Revenge,” Sgt. Molinson went a little bonkers and had to be committed. This story received a special nod because it was my initiation story back in 2004.

For those doubting Jim, let me remind you that he’s a very complicated person. All the tragedy and abuse he suffered at such a tender age messed with him. I envision him being very protective of those he loves and being willing to do anything to keep them safe. Right now, keeping his stalker away from Trixie is his first and foremost goal.

This chapter was fairly tense, so I couldn’t resist adding that lighthearted Trixie and Honey moment at the end. The basis of this series is friendship, and their friendship in particular is the crux of it all. I love that they are very different and occasionally spat with one another, but in the end, it’s always clear that they have great love and respect for one another.