Chapter 6
Turn, Turn, Turn
To everything there is a season
And a time to every purpose under the heaven
A time to be born, a time to die,
A time to plant, a time to reap,
A time to kill, a time to heal,
A time to laugh, a time to weep.
With plenty of free time until he was to leave for Boot Camp, Dan offered to help Trixie find additional information on the London murders and prepare a summary to present to Captain Molinson. The prior school year, when they both were studying at the community college, they had worked together on a class project that received high praise from both their classmates and the instructor. Trixie’s curiosity and natural instincts plus Dan’s analytical skills had proven a perfect combination. They hoped to use them again to confirm a possible connection between the Sleepyside murders and those in London.
Trixie continued to sort and organize the old Sleepyside files, searching through them as she did, while Dan spent hours, first at the Westchester library and then at the main branch of the New York City Public Library, scouring microfiche files of London newspapers. He was able to piece together details of a series of murders that were remarkably similar to what Trixie was finding in the Sleepyside files. They’d compared notes over the phone on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. On Thursday, they felt they were ready to compile what they had learned and share their findings with Captain Molinson. After her parents and Bobby left for Bobby’s baseball game, Trixie spread out copies she had made of some documents on the kitchen table. She was washing the dinner dishes when Dan arrived with a tall stack of printouts and notes from his research.
“Hey, Trix.” Dan tapped on the doorframe as he stepped into the kitchen from the service porch. “Where do you want me to put…Oh!” He nodded towards the papers she’d spread out on the kitchen table. “My word…Trixie! All this?” He placed his papers on the table and turned towards her. “You could get in a lot of trouble for removing these files.”
Trixie rinsed the last plate and placed it in the drying rack, then dried her hands on a hand towel. “Those are copies. I’ve been xeroxing a bunch of stuff before I leave each day. I’m not stupid enough to take the originals,” she said heatedly.
“Hey! Don’t get all defensive on me.”
“I’m sorry, Dan. I just feel so frustrated with the way they treat me at work. They got a brand new Xerox machine. One of the advantages of being a glorified file clerk is that they taught me how to use it. I realize I was taking a risk bringing copies home, but regular cops carry things in and out all the time.” Trixie came over to the table. “Okay, show me what you found.”
Dan and Trixie began comparing the notes they’d each made of the two different sets of crimes, and trying to decide the best way to present their theory to Captain Molinson. Trixie was becoming increasingly frustrated when Dan asked her for some graph paper.
“What?”
“You know, Trix. Graph paper. Like you used in Math class.”
“Math? No way. I survived two semesters of Fundamentals of Mathematics and when I finished, I swore I would never look or think about math ever again. Ever!”
Dan laughed. Trixie had been complaining about struggling with math since they’d first met. While she had been wise not to choose to major in it, with the exception of eighth grade Pre-Algebra, she’d had no difficulty with it in high school. John Jay College required she complete a minimum of two semesters of college-level math before transferring into their Criminal Justice program and she had received a B- each semester in her classes at the community college. Of course, she had managed those two grades only with constant fretting and complaining.
“I promise I won’t give you any algebraic formulae to compute. I just want to do a matrix.”
“Matrix? That sounds like math to me.” Trixie was laughing now. “Seriously, I wouldn’t know where to look for any.”
“Would your dad have some in his office? He probably uses it for work.” Dan suggested.
“Of course.” Trixie ran up the hallway towards her father’s study, where he kept a supply of paper, pens and other materials for when he brought work home from the bank. While the house rule was that his stash was not for homework, she was certain he wouldn’t miss a few pieces of paper.
While waiting, Dan sat down at the table and picked up a copy of an old article in the Sleepyside Sun. He laughed aloud when he read how the reporter had described the victims as party girls, but quickly sobered when he recalled the party girls he’d met when he ran with a gang in New York City. Most of them had been no different than he was at the time; young teens who’d become homeless and desperate and thought they had no other choices available in order to survive. He glanced up the hallway and thanked God that he’d left that world and found Sleepyside.
Trixie came jogging back towards him, holding several sheets of paper. “Found some!” she called out. “My dad even has an adding machine tucked away in a drawer.”
“We won’t need that, Trix. I just want to show you how you can outline and compare the two sets of crimes. Dan took the paper and a pencil from the table, and then drew some lines on the first sheet. “This column is for…”
The two lost track of time as Trixie searched through their notes to find details that Dan wrote down on the graph paper. They were sitting closely and Trixie had her head resting against Dan’s shoulder while they were reading through his outline, when they were startled by a knock on the door from the porch.
“Yoo-hoo, Trixie? I brought you a treat.” Diana stepped into the room, carrying a cardboard carrier containing two large paper cups. “Oh! Dan! I didn’t know you were here or I’d have brought…”
“Diana!” Trixie pulled away from Dan, as he quickly scooted his chair over.
Diana looked from one friend to the other. “I guess I should have called, but I got bored at the baseball game and your parents said you were home alone. I thought you might enjoy…” She looked around awkwardly and then set the cardboard carrier on the kitchen counter. “I’d have brought a third milkshake if I knew you were here, too, Dan, but there really is enough for three. They’re both strawberry. You like strawberry, don’t you Dan?”
“No problem, Di.” Trixie got up and headed towards the cabinets. “There’s plenty to share.” She took down three glasses and peered at the shakes.
“I think this is ready to present to the captain, Trix. Maybe I should go.”
“No!” The two young women said in unison.
Diana poured part of one milkshake into a glass. “Did I interrupt something?” she whispered.
Trixie almost choked. “What?”
Diana glanced over at Dan, who was adding some notes to the papers on the table. “You two were kind of cozy when I came in.” She continued pouring milkshake into each of the three glasses, stopping to compare them. Deciding they were evenly distributed, she handed two glasses to Trixie.
Trixie glared at her friend. “You have lost it, Diana Caroline Lynch! Totally!” she whispered, then stomped across the room.
Diana picked up the third glass and followed her to the table. “So what are all these papers?”
Trixie and Dan explained some of what they were doing, without sharing any of the details. Diana had never been enthusiastic about solving mysteries of any kind, so the conversation quickly shifted to the Little League game she’d just left and her most recent letter from Mart, while they enjoyed the milkshakes.
Trixie’s parents and Bobby came in just as they were finishing. A dirty and sweaty Bobby shared some of the highlights of his game before his mother escorted him upstairs to the shower. Trixie’s father joked with them for a few moments before heading up the hall to his study, admonishing them not to stay up too late. Diana left shortly after, leaving Trixie and Dan to make a final survey of the notes and graphs they’d prepared. Dan then excused himself, assuring Trixie that she had a good presentation and he’d be waiting to hear from her the next evening.
Despite Dan’s encouragement, Trixie stayed up well past midnight reviewing all their notes and materials and mentally preparing how to explain their findings to Captain Molinson the next day. Trixie hadn’t spoken to the captain since Monday afternoon and she wanted to be certain he accepted this as a real investigation and not just some game she’d been playing.
As she worked, she thought about Diana’s insinuation that she had interrupted something. “What nonsense,” she muttered to herself. “Dan and I were just…just…He was helping me! She knows Jim and I are a couple.”
Finally, she accepted that there was no more she could do except talk to Molinson. She placed the most important papers in a clean folder and the others in a box, and set them on the counter by the door. She knew she’d proven a connection between the Sparta Stripper’s crimes and those in London. If Captain Molinsion and the detectives chose to disregard what she’d uncovered…she would…she would…well, she didn’t know what she would do.
After saying good night to Trixie, Dan let himself out and walked slowly across the gravel drive towards the path that led up to Manor House and the WRF Stables Complex beyond it. He stopped at the tree line and turned to look back at the farmhouse. The upstairs was dark, but he could see Mr. Belden reading in his study at the front of the house and Trixie at the table in the brightly-lit kitchen at the rear. She was looking intensely at the papers and making notes, even though he was certain she had all she needed to share with the captain the next morning. He smiled remembering how she was dancing around the kitchen when he’d walked in on Monday evening and at his own suppressed excitement when she showed him her discovery.
Then he remembered how that evening had ended, with what was an innocent kiss and embrace for her but not him. Tonight, when she leaned her head against him, it had taken all his self-control not to pull her close and… He turned suddenly and headed into the woods, trying not to think about his desires. He’d been spending too much time with Trixie. She was soft and warm and smelled like sunshine. Okay, she smelled like Ivory soap, but that was like sunshine to him. She was a great friend. Yes, friend and nothing more. She didn’t need him playing with her emotions. She was strong, intelligent and capable. She didn’t need his help when investigating her mysteries. She’d make a terrific cop or detective without him. She needed love and stability. She needed Jim Frayne. Not someone with an uncertain future, like Daniel Mangan.
Dan quickened his pace, deciding it must have been fate that he had run into Darlene Davis when leaving the library that afternoon. She’d always had a “thing” for him and he had no idea why he’d never reciprocated. She was a bit rough around the edges, but he’d enjoyed lunch with her that afternoon and she’d invited him to…to have fun. She’d be the perfect distraction between now and when he left for Parris Island. He decided to call her as soon as he got back to the apartment.
Normally, Trixie paid minimal attention to her appearance. She took care that her clothes were clean, pressed, and color coordinated, but totally ignored fashion trends. She kept her hair short, clean and combed. She only wore makeup on special occasions, and that was only lipstick and a little powder. Because of rigid dress codes, she typically wore a skirt, blouse and well-worn Bass Weejuns to her summer job, and which skirt and blouse she wore each day was determined by what she noticed first when checking in her closet in the morning.
That morning she stood in front of her closet for at least twenty minutes wishing she had something to wear that was more professional looking that a simple skirt and blouse. Finally deciding on a basic navy blue a-line skirt and white blouse, she hesitated when she started to slip on her burgundy-colored Weejuns. Even freshly shined, they were scuffed and screamed schoolgirl at her. Since the only high heeled dress shoes she owned were the white ones she’d worn to graduation or the green and yellow ones purchased for special occasions, she decided to borrow a pair from her mother.
“Moms! Moms!” she called out, as she ran down the back stairs and into the kitchen.
“What has you so excited on a Friday morning?” her father asked, putting down his paper.
Trixie turned to her mother who was standing at the kitchen sink. “Do you have a pair of navy blue shoes I can borrow?”
Helen Belden dropped the bowl she was rinsing into the sink, almost breaking it. “Borrow what?”
“I have a very important meeting this morning. I want to look a bit more…you know. Professional. Do you? Navy shoes? Can I borrow them?” Trixie opened the refrigerator door and took out the pitcher of orange juice.
“Follow me.” Helen glanced over at her husband and winked as she led their daughter into the master bedroom off the kitchen. “I have two pair of navy shoes.”
A few moments later Trixie came back into the kitchen teetering on a pair of classic pumps, hoping she didn’t kill herself in the process of trying to look professional. She quickly drank a glass of orange juice, grabbed the box of papers she’d set out the night before and headed out the door.
“Trixie! What about your lunch?” Her mother called out, but Trixie didn’t stop. Clearly she had more important things on her mind.
Trixie carried the cardboard box through the office and into the rear store room where she’d been working all week, oblivious to the heads that lifted up at the sound of her high heels clicking on the vinyl floor. She grabbed the file folder containing the matrix and her notes and headed back through the office, hoping Captain Molinson was available. She knew she was too anxious to wait if he wouldn’t see her immediately.
He was on the phone, but the office door was open and he waved her in when he saw her standing in the doorway. He quickly finished the call and turned to face her across the desk. “I didn’t think you were interested in talking with an old chauvinist.”
Trixie turned bright red. “I never said you were a ... I ... well...I ...I’m sorry.”
“No, you didn’t say that, but you can’t deny that you’ve thought that.” Captain Molinson smiled. “It’s okay. I am a chauvinist, sometimes. Now what brings you to my office this morning?”
Trixie looked down at the folder on her lap. “I’ve been doing some research. I thought…I found something and…you need to look at it.” She opened the folder and pulled out the matrix. “I think the Sparta Stripper guy moved to London.”
Trixie sat across from the Captain while he looked at the matrix. He stopped only long enough to ask for the rest of her file and then compared her notes to the matrix. When she offered that she had more files in the back store room, he hushed her and continued reading.
After what seemed an eternity to Trixie, he finally looked up. “You did all this? You made this?” He held up the matrix.
“I had help. I found the connection in an article in the London Sun-Times and my friend Dan, Dan Mangan, spent two days in the library going through back issues of several London newspapers to find the rest of the details. Then we…” Trixie was no longer anxious, just relieved that the Captain was taking her seriously.
Captain Molinson smiled. “Mangan? Isn’t he working for the White Plains PD this summer?”
“He just graduated from the CJ program at the Community College and he was supposed to, but…he enlisted and he’s heading to Parris Island on the ninth. He has some free time, so he went to the City library and found a bunch of news articles from London papers for me. That’s the source of our information on the London murders so it needs to be verified…but the composite sketches…“ Trixie stood up and reached across the desk, placing the two sketches side-by-side. “Both of these were done by two different police departments, in two different countries, at different times, and you can see...”
“So Mangan joined the Corps?” The captain smiled as he looked down at the two drawings. “This is something. Do you have copies of these London articles or did he just take notes?”
“I have an entire box of stuff back in the storeroom. We both printed out or xeroxed as much as we could. I figure that when we start a real investigation...”
The captain stood, shaking his head in disbelief. “Trixie, I think you may have hit on something, but you need to understand that there will be no we in the investigation.
“What? Are you saying you aren’t going to pursue this?” Trixie jumped up from the chair.
“Whoa!” He grabbed the file folder from his desk. “That’s not what I said, at all. I want you to get all your files so I can go through them. If it’s as good as I think it is, we’ll then sit down with Bailey and Spencer.” He looked towards the open door and lowered his voice. “If you are committed to getting these crimes solved, you will let the professional detectives do their work. I will take the lead when we meet with them so that they won’t dismiss it as schoolgirl antics.”
“Schoolgirl antics?” She started to bristle.
“Belden! I think you’ve done some professional quality work here, but a professional is more concerned about solving the case than ego. Bailey and Spencer are top-notch detectives and you will let them do their jobs.”
Trixie’s shoulders sagged as she followed the Captain through the squad room to the storeroom that had become her office. She knew he was right, but she really wanted to be part of the team.
Trixie spent most of the morning with Captain Molinson, who then asked the two detectives to join them. While Bailey and Spencer had been skeptical at first, the captain insisted they listen to Trixie’s summation of her findings. They worked right though their normal lunch hour reviewing her findings until, shortly before 2:00, Molinson dismissed all of them. He gave orders to the detectives to further investigate possible connections and provide a status report first thing Monday morning. After congratulating Trixie on her efforts, he cautioned her to stay out of the way of the detectives and then rewarded her with the rest of the afternoon off.
Trixie was elated by the captain’s praise, even if it was tempered somewhat by the skepticism of the two detectives, and she practically bounced as she returned to the storeroom, grabbed her purse, and then headed back through the squad room.
She was nibbling on some crackers she found in the bottom of her purse as she drove up Glen Road. Seeing the brightly painted sign at the newly constructed entrance and driveway to WRF Stables, she decided to share her good news with Dan before going home. She pulled up to the complex, parked, and headed across the gravel towards Regan’s office.
“Hey, Trixie,” Bill Regan called out as she walked up to the open door to his office. “Looks like you’re trying to kill yourself in those shoes.”
Trixie opened the screen door and stuck her tongue out at him. “Is Dan around?”
“In the stables the last I saw him. Ask him to show you the new filly. She’s…”
Trixie turned and rushed into the stable complex where she found Dan leaning against one of the support beams, talking on the phone extension mounted on it. She could hear him chuckling in that deep husky way he did when he was flirting. He looked up and quickly ended the call when he saw Trixie headed towards him. The serious look on his face turned into a broad smile as she came close. “Wearing your mother’s shoes today?” he asked, pointing down to her feet.
“Dammit. What is it with the shoes? I do wear heels sometimes.” Trixie crossed her arms, held up one foot and twisted it back and forth. “I do occasionally like to look…”
Dan was laughing.
“Okay, they are Moms’ shoes, and my feet are killing me. But I do wear dress heels from time to time, even if I look like a fool.”
“You don’t look like a fool, Trix. In fact…you…you look nice today.”
“Who was that on the phone?” Trixie assumed it was a girl, but she knew Dan wasn’t seeing anyone.
“So, tell me,” Dan quickly changed the subject. “Did you meet with Molinson?”
“I did, and you won’t believe this. He liked it…he even…can we sit down? These shoes really are killing my feet.”
Dan laughed heartily as he led Trixie over to a bench where they could sit while she shared the details of her day at work.
“So Molinson went through the files and then sat down and reread the matrix. Anyway, he reread it a couple of times and then called Bailey and this other detective, Jeff Spencer, and we all met in his office. Molinson’s office.” Trixie was so excited she could barely sit still as she related the day’s events to Dan. She jumped from the bench and began pacing back and forth. “We worked right through lunch. That matrix was such a great idea, Dan. How can I ever thank you? I told him all you did to help.”
“I told you Molinson respects you—your instincts and intelligence. Gee, Trix, everyone who has seen you in action knows...”
“I don’t think Bailey is too pleased,” Trixie quickly interrupted. She never felt comfortable receiving praise. “But the captain didn’t give him any choice. He and his partner, Spencer, are to investigate further and report back on Monday. Imagine what they might find if they…well they can go directly to the London police. What was the name of the investigator? I saw it several times in the articles. Baldwin?” She sat back down next to Dan.
“Baldock. William Baldock.” Dan offered.
“Oh, I wish I could talk to him. Do you think…?”
“Whoa Trixie! You did your part and you did it well. You found some interesting information and you passed on to the lead investigator,” Dan cautioned, knowing he might be wasting his breath. “You need to back away.”
Trixie started to protest, but caught herself. She knew he was right. If she wanted to be treated like a professional, then she had better act like one. “You’re right, of course.” She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Anyway, I’d like to celebrate. I thought I’d treat you to Wimpy’s tonight. Maybe we could...”
“No. I...” Dan interrupted and pulled away. “I’m sorry, Trix. I have plans.”
“Plans? What plans?”
Dan hesitated before responding. “Well, ah, Darlene Davis invited me over to her place.”
“Darlene?” Trixie was surprised. Although he had his pick of half the girls in Sleepyside, Dan seldom dated, preferring to spend time with the Bob-Whites. Darlene had been chasing after him for years, but this was the first time she’d ever heard of Dan’s accepting an invitation. Knowing Darlene and her less than stellar reputation, she had to ask, “Is that who was on the phone? Darlene? Why would you want…?”
“She said they just got a pool put in and she invited me over. I ran into her on yesterday coming out of the library and we had lunch and …well... I have all this free time before...you know ...before I go away ...I mean ...It might be fun.” He was obviously struggling for an answer.
Trixie’s shoulders sagged. Working with Dan and focusing so much of her attention on the Sparta Stripper had allowed her to temporarily forget that Dan was leaving soon. She wanted to spend every possible moment with him until he left for Parris Island.
“Swimming is good exercise. I’ve been running in the mornings and helping with the horses, but swimming is even better. South Carolina can be brutal in the summer.”
“You can swim in the Wheeler’s lake or go over to the Lynch’s and use their pool.”
“Trix, I enjoy being with you, but I have a right to ...to spend time with other people, too.”
“How much exercise can you get with her around?” Trixie scoffed. “She’ll spend the entire evening prancing around in a bikini, shaking her boobs at you, and trying to get you to...” Trixie stopped mid-sentence, realizing that Dan might want Darlene to seduce him. Dan was right. It wasn’t her concern. She sighed. “If that’s what you want.”
Dan stood up, ignoring her last comment. “Trixie,” He hesitated before continuing. “You did good work on your investigation. I appreciate your saying I helped, but all I did was spend some time in the library so that you could get the info to Molinson sooner. You don’t need anything more from me. I wish …” He turned and walked away without saying any more.
Dan strode quickly out of the stables and up the stairs to the apartment he shared with his uncle without looking back. Trixie was right. He had accepted Darlene’s invitation knowing that she would be shaking her bikini-clad boobs at him that evening, and knowing that, if he desired, she’d shake those boobs and more. Her invitation had left no doubts about her plans for seduction that evening. He stood in the apartment doorway and watched as Trixie slowly walked across the gravel lot and got into her brother’s Rambler, admitting to himself that he didn’t want Darlene with her peroxide hair, spiked heels, and overt sexuality. What he wanted was a natural blonde who tottered in her mother’s shoes and blushed at the slightest provocation.
Trixie waited while Dan walked way, then stood and headed in the opposite direction, not sure what to think or how to react. Since she’d known him, he’d only shown any real interest in one girl, Ruthie Kettner, and that was short-lived. Despite many other opportunities, he seldom dated. The little free time Dan had after work and school was spent with her and the other Bob-Whites.
She got into Brian’s car and leaned back in the seat, wondering why Dan had taken an interest in anyone, much less Darlene Davis, when he was leaving in just a little over a week. She knew what most guys saw in Darlene—she wasn’t naïve—but this was Dan. She shook her head as she started the car, refusing to accept that he might have less than honorable intentions with any girl.
As soon as she got home and changed clothes, Trixie called Diana to share her concerns about Dan and finalize plans for the next weekend. Dan would be leaving for South Carolina early that Sunday, and they were trying to get the Bob-Whites as well as invite some of Dan’s friends for a going away party on Saturday. Mart had already planned to come home overnight, when the camp would be between sessions, and Brian had arranged to have both Saturday and Sunday off work so that he could come home. Honey would still be in Europe with her mother. Only Jim’s attendance was unconfirmed, but he had assured Trixie he would try to be there.
“So what do you think? Dan and Darlene?” Trixie made a gagging noise.
“I know what everyone says about her, Trixie. I think people assume things because…well she is fairly well-endowed, and…that’s all they see. Especially boys!”
“Oh, c’mon.”
“I had several classes with her. I liked her. She has a wicked sense of humor and…maybe Dan sees that, too.”
“You really believe that?”
Diana hesitated. “No. But it’s possible. You said he ran into her and they had lunch. Maybe he was…charmed.”
Trixie faked a cough.
“Okay. Maybe not. But it’s not our business who he dates. I was thinking,” Diana changed the subject. “It’s been so hot lately; why don’t we have a pool party here instead of just a cook-out.”
“Yeah, Dan said...” Trixie laughed again. “I’d really like to have a picnic by the Wheeler’s lake like the old days, but without Honey around and Jim still not certain…I like the idea of a pool party. Yeah! Why don’t we have a pool party?”
“I made a list of people from Sleepyside High who might be around this summer. Do you know of anyone from the community college?”
Trixie named a few of the Criminal Justice students who might want to come. “One of our Profs shared a contact sheet. I’ll start calling them first thing tomorrow morning and we can divide up the list of Sleepyside people.”
The girls split the list and then discussed food and decorations, but agreed to not buy anything until they had a better idea of how many people might be there. The conversation ended with their agreeing to talk again on Sunday.
By Sunday afternoon, Diana and Trixie had made calls to all of Dan’s friends from high school and the community college and it looked like they might have as many as thirty people at the party. They’d encouraged everyone to bring swimsuits, and they decided to have grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, watermelon and a variety of salads. Moms Belden had offered to make Dan’s favorite strawberry shortcake. Tad Webster had volunteered to bring his new stereophonic record player, taking advantage of Diana’s extensive record collection. The girls agreed to meet after work the next day to shop for decorations and paper products.
Trixie shared the details with Jim during their regular Sunday telephone call. He reassured her that he would be there, although he couldn’t leave Boston until Saturday afternoon. However, once he finished a research paper, he wouldn’t have to head back until Monday, so they could spend all of Sunday together.
Trixie spent most of her free time that week with Diana and didn’t see Dan at all. She wanted to share how the Sparta Strangler investigation was going, as well as her frustration about not being included, but her one phone call went unreturned and she still stung at his admonition that he was entitled to spend time with other people. She knew he was right but she just didn’t want those other people to include someone like Darlene Davis.
After a restless night, Trixie got up earlier than usual Saturday morning, both excited and troubled about the next two days. She got out of bed and went over to her bedroom window. The weather forecast called for it to be sunny and hot; perfect for a pool party. But nothing else felt perfect. She sat on the window sill and stared out at the trees whose foliage blocked her summertime view of the Manor House Estate, remembering the many times she’d run up the path that cut through them to join her friends for an early ride through the preserve, to share her latest mysterious discovery, to meet them at their clubhouse, to enjoy a picnic at the lake, or, in recent years, to sneak a few moments with the most wonderful boy in the world.
She was looking forward to spending time with Jim and seeing her older brothers, but that didn’t offer solace from the thoughts that Honey was so far away and Dan was leaving for who-knew-what. Honey had written that she would call that evening, but that wasn’t the same as being there. Dan had tried repeatedly to reassure her that he was prepared for this venture, but she wasn’t. She offered a silent prayer, one of countless she’d recited over the past few weeks, asking God to watch over her friends.
Hearing the back screen door slam, she realized that Bobby must have gone downstairs to do his chores. She smiled and decided to get dressed and help him. At least he wasn’t going anywhere.
Shortly before Trixie sat on her window sill, staring at the woods separating Crabapple Farm from Manor House, Dan was creeping into the apartment above the Stables Complex, trying not to wake his Uncle Bill. He knew he smelled of beer and woman's perfume and hoped that was all. In the dim light, he managed to bump into a lamp and trip over a foot stool before his uncle came out of his bedroom.
“What the ...are you just getting in?”
Dan scooted the foot stool back into its place, stood up straight and stared at his uncle. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll be gone tomorrow.” He turned and went into this bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
“Dan ...” Regan called out to the shut door. “Dammit. This is no way ...” He stormed into the other bedroom and slammed that door, knowing that something was upsetting his nephew and it was more than leaving for boot camp in a matter of hours.
Dan sat on the edge of his bed and pulled off his boots and socks, tossing them across the room. He stood, unbuckled his belt and stepped out of his jeans, then put on a pair of baggy shorts. Smelling the perfume on his shirt he took it off and tossed it at his boots. He then walked softly out of the room, through the living area and out onto the porch. He plopped down on a lounge chair and leaned forward, resting his forehead in his hands.
He chuckled as he pushed back the lock of hair that had fallen over his eyes, wondering when or if he’d have that problem again. He looked back toward the room where his uncle slept and shook his head in disgust at himself. He realized there was no explanation for his behavior the past few days, except that he was trying to keep from thinking about what he faced over the next two years and to stay as far away from Trixie as he could. Being with her was a keen reminder of what he was leaving behind. What better way to stay occupied, mentally and bodily, than to spend time with an attractive and…he struggled for the right description of Darlene. Available. Yes, she’d made herself available to him, knowing he was leaving, and he’d taken advantage of that availability.
Dan dropped his head back into his hands. Advantage. Yes, he’d taken advantage of her. He’d not been the first and he knew he wouldn’t be the last, but that didn’t excuse what he’d done. “Dammit.” He pounded his fist on the chair seat. What had he done? In his desire to avoid emotional entanglement with one woman, he’d become entangled even more with another.
He pounded his fist on the chair seat again, before leaning back in the lounge chair, hoping the combination of beer, sex and cool pre-dawn air might help him fall asleep.
Brian had arrived home late Friday evening and, as soon as Mart’s ride dropped him off Saturday afternoon, they placed two watermelons picked from the garden that morning, several large containers of potato salad, sliced strawberries, cream, and a freshly baked shortcake in the back of Brian’s car. Trixie climbed in the back, set the cake on her lap and waited as her brothers got into the front. After he’d mumbled and cooed about his old jalopy for several minutes, Brian started it up and they headed over to Maple Crest, the Lynch family estate. It was a short hike or horseback ride cross-country through the woods from Crabapple Farm, but a little further by car.
“Car seems to be running fine, Trixie. Thanks for taking care of her for me,” Brian said, as he accelerated up Glen Road. “I love this heap of metal, but she does need TLC.”
“I’ve had no problems running back and forth to the PD.”
“Is that all you’ve driven her?” Brian stopped at the intersection with Quaker Bridge Road and waited to turn. “You agreed…”
“Yes, Brian. I’ve stopped a couple times at the drug store or whatever, but that’s all. You don’t have to worry.”
“We just agreed that you wouldn’t be taking off on one of your…” Brian stopped mid-sentence and reminded himself that Trixie wasn’t a fourteen year old seeking mysteries any longer. “So, how is the internship going?”
Trixie leaned forward and shared how she’d been organizing files related to the Sparta Stripper and discovered a possible connection to similar crimes in London. It was now being pursued by two detectives who might be flying there next week. She was summarizing some of the recent correspondence that Captain Molinson had shared with her when Mart suddenly cut her off, saying he had a headache. Trixie sat back and stared out the window the rest of the way. In her excitement, she had failed to notice that her normally verbose brother hadn’t said a single word since he’d arrived home. She hoped that the only thing bothering him was Dan’s leaving and nothing more.
Brian turned into the drive and drove around to the back of the large contemporary home. He pulled up next to the pool house and parked. Mart jumped out and headed towards the main house, before Brian or Trixie could ask for help. Brian helped Trixie out of the back seat and then stood next to his car, admiring the decorations.
Earlier that week, Trixie and Di had purchased red, white and blue bunting that they wrapped around the light poles as well as a banner with the Marine Corps symbol and the words Semper Fi. The Lynches already owned several round tables as well as the bright red table cloths that covered them. The tables and their chairs were arranged on the concrete pool apron and surrounding grassy area. It was still light, but white lanterns were hanging everywhere, ready to be lit when needed. Large metal tubs waiting for ice and drinks, two long buffet tables and another table for the stereo system that Tad was bringing were set up in front of the pool house.
“This looks great, Trixie. Is this a surprise for Dan?”
“It’s not a surprise. But he thinks it’s just the Bob-Whites. We told everyone else to come earlier than him, so he’ll be surprised to see them.” She shrugged.
“And you and Di did all this?”
“We planned it all and went shopping for some of the decorations and stuff, but Diana’s mother already had the tables and chairs and all the red table clothes. The lanterns were left over from…” She placed a hand on her hip. “I want you to know, Brian Belden that I was over here all morning slaving while you were in bed. So you can help now with the ice and drinks and…” Trixie headed over towards the long buffet table carrying the shortcake.
Brian helped Trixie unload the car, putting the salads in the large commercial refrigerator in the pool house and then filling the metal tubs with ice and sodas. She was making a final check that everything was in order, silently ticking things off on her fingers just as her mother did, when Brian chuckled to himself. She reminded him more of their mother each time he returned home.
The area around the Lynch’s pool quickly filled with young people. A few headed straight for the pool, but most were standing around talking or admiring Tad’s stereo system. Almost all of Sleepyside High’s graduates went directly into the military or away to college, so those who were home for the summer welcomed the opportunity to catch up with old friends. Trixie was kept busy welcoming everyone and introducing Dan’s college friends to those from Sleepyside when she heard someone make a disparaging remark about Darlene Davis. She looked over to see Dan coming across the lawn with Darlene. Her long platinum-blonde hair was blowing in the light breeze and she grasped Dan’s arm tightly as she struggled to walk through the grass in high heels.
Darlene was wearing a white bikini and short multi-colored sarong that showcased her hourglass figure and perfect tan. Trixie unconsciously patted down her hair, knowing it would be tousled and frizzy in the humidity. Darlene’s figure and long blonde hair was a stunning contrast to Dan’s dark good looks and Trixie realized that, no matter what she thought about Darlene, it was obvious why Dan was attracted to her.
Trixie watched as Darlene gave Dan a quick kiss and went over to the pool. She dramatically kicked off her sandals and unwrapped her sarong, then made a perfect dive into the deep end of the pool. Trixie turned and busied herself at the buffet table, as others went over to welcome Dan.
She was startled when he tapped her on the shoulder. “I thought it was just the Bob-Whites. I can’t believe how much trouble you went to. Thank you, Trix.”
Trixie turned around and smiled. “I didn’t do it all. Di ...”
“Thank you.”
“The water is wonderful, Danny. Come join me.” Darlene ran up and grabbed Dan’s arm. Just as Trixie expected, she shook seductively and water sprayed all over Trixie.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Trixie. I just love the water. I get so excited when I get wet. Why, I’m just a…” She leaned into Dan. “Dan called me a water nymph. Didn’t you?”
Trixie stared at Dan. “Water nymph?” She grabbed a carrot stick, stuck it in her mouth, and walked away, not trusting what she might say.
Dan got a towel out of a cabinet. “I want to greet everyone, first. I’ll join you later.” He handed Darlene the towel and followed Trixie, oblivious to Darlene’s hurt and suspicious stare.
“Are you okay, Trixie?”
“Okay? Do I look okay? Water nymph? From what I’ve heard, it should be nympho.”
“I guess I shouldn’t have brought a date. I should have played eunuch to your ...” Dan grabbed Trixie by the shoulders and turned her to face him. Seeing the tears welling in her eyes, he dropped his hands. “I’m sorry, Trix. Um,” He looked around. “Where’s Jim?”
“Jim? Where do you think he is? He had something important in Boston…he had to stay to finish some paper. He kept promising all week that he’d be here. Then he didn’t even have the courage to call me to say he’d be late. He called Di before I got here and said he was just getting ready to leave. I have no idea when to expect him. Just that he’ll come in whenever, all full of apologies and expecting me to ...I’m sorry, Dan. I don’t want to spoil your party.” She wiped her tears and gave him a hug. “I want this to be special for you. It’s bad enough that Honey can’t be here, but I wanted all the other Bob-Whites waiting to yell, ‘Surprise!’ when you arrived. Instead…At least Honey will be calling later. She insisted she wanted to be a part. She’s calling around 9:00 our time, which is 2:00 a.m. in Paris. She cares enough to stay up that late! I just hope Jim’s here by then!”
“I don’t expect everyone to stop living their lives just because mine is taking a different turn. This is wonderful, Trix. And I am surprised. And humbled that so many people…” he stopped abruptly and sighed. “Give Jim some slack. He’s struggling with one of his classes. That’s unusual for him, and you know how compulsive he is about grades.”
“Slack? Me give him some slack? Give him some slack? I gave him slack when he chose Harvard over Columbia. I gave him slack when he got so high and mighty about Honey and Chip. I gave him slack when he refused to accept that I’m choosing to attend John Jay. I’ve given him slack for every broken date, or weekend, or ...When the hell do I get some slack?” Trixie turned and stomped over to where Brian was grilling.
Dan watched her walk away, knowing he’d only make things worse if he followed. He watched as she said something to her brother that made him laugh, then turned to look for Mart and Diana.
The charcoal in the barbeque pit had burned down to ashes, many of the partiers had left, and Diana was lighting the lanterns when Honey called. No mention was made of Jim’s absence and, for several minutes, Trixie was able to forget her disappointment and enjoy the lively banter between her friends. She returned to the party and immediately asked one of the boys to dance.
After several attempts to get Dan to join her in the pool, Darlene gave up and spent the evening with others in the pool or helping Tad with the music and surreptitiously sharing his bottle of vodka.
Dan was talking with two classmates from the community college when he saw Jim’s Wagoneer pull into the parking area. Wanting to warn him of Trixie’s dour mood, Dan excused himself and jogged up the hill to meet him.
Dan offered his hand to his friend and Jim firmly grasped it.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I had this paper. I was up all night and still didn’t finish it until this afternoon. Then the traffic was awful, but you know I wouldn’t miss…”
“Hey, I understand. I know that one class is killing you. I’m just glad you made it at all. But…you need to talk to Trixie. She’s, well ...She’s convinced you weren’t coming and is seething. You need to make things right.”
“Not coming? She’s called every night reminding me to be here and I told her every time…” Jim was interrupted by Darlene.
“Danny! You didn’t tell me that Jim Frayne was going to be here.” She stumbled and fell into Jim. “You remember me, don’t you, Jim? Darlene Davis?”
Jim grabbed her. “Of course, Darlene.” He looked at Dan inquisitively.
“I’m so glad Danny invited me. I’ve been…You only get more handsome with time, Jim Frayne.”
She stepped over and wrapped her arms around Dan’s waist. “We’ve been having so much fun…me and Danny. He can make a girl’s toes tingle for sure. Your water nymph is going to miss you so much, Danny.” She reached up to kiss him, but he pulled away.
“Dammit, Danny. You sure didn’t push me away last night. I had you moaning ‘til dawn.” She stumbled backwards.
“You’re drunk, Darlene. Where’d you get it?” Dan grabbed her arm to steady her.
“You’ve been ignoring me all night and I was bored.”
“You’re drunk, Darlene. I told you this crowd doesn’t drink.”
“If they don’t drink, then you need to ask Tad Webster about that vodka he brought. Oh, the hell with you, Dan Mangan. I really thought you were different.” She turned and headed toward the pool house.
“What were you thinking, bringing someone like Darlene here? What did Trixie and Di say when she showed up?” Jim’s temper was rising.
“Trixie and Di knew ahead of time that she was coming. Di actually likes Darlene. Trixie has been too upset with you to notice anything else. Get off your high horse, Frayne. I was under the impression that this party was for me and I could bring whoever I wanted.”
“Trixie’s upset with me? Is it me or that she went to all this trouble and you brought a drunken…” Jim looked over at Darlene sitting on the table flirting with Tad. “I think you need to take care of Darlene.”
“I’ll take care of Darlene, but you’d be wise to find Trixie and make things right with her. She’s fed up with constant disappointments.”
“I don’t need you telling me what I need to do with my girlfriend! Especially when you don’t respect her enough to…and from someone who’s making moves ...all you’ve done this past year is slowly drive a wedge in our relationship. Then you have the nerve to say I need to do something about it?” The famous Frayne temper was now in full bloom.
“I’ve what? A wedge? What the hell are you saying?” Jim’s accusation made Dan defensive.
“Would you take me home, Danny? Please? I don’t want to ruin your party.”
Dan glanced over at Darlene. “You haven’t ruined anything. It’s this asshole who ...”
“Asshole? Who are you calling…” Jim grabbed Dan’s shirt. “I’m not the asshole screwing around with…You bring this drunk to the party and then call me an asshole?”
Dan pulled away. “Get your hands off me or I’ll ...”
“You’ll what?” Jim stepped forward. “The hell with you. Take your drunken girlfriend home.”
Hearing the yelling, Trixie and Brian looked over from where they were sitting, and, upon seeing it was Jim and Dan, both jumped up and ran over.
Brian quickly stepped in between his two friends and tried to calm them down. Trixie ran up behind him, yelling.
“What are you doing? Look at you two! What’s going on here? I can’t believe this!”
“I need to go home. I think I’m going to puke!” Darlene turned, bent over and vomited in the grass.
Her interruption caused everyone to back away. “I’m sorry.” She offered meekly. “I’m sorry, Trixie. I’ve spoiled your wonderful party.” She looked at Dan, then at Jim and began to cry. “I shouldn’t have come. I knew that, but I wanted ...” She sobbed.
Trixie took her arm. “You didn’t ruin anything, Darlene. Do you want to go to the restroom?”
“I’m so sorry, Trixie.” Tears blackened by her mascara streamed down Darlene’s face.
Trixie looked from Jim to Dan and back. “You two! You two are…I can’t believe this!” Before leading Darlene away, she turned to each of them.
“You!” She pointed to Dan. “You go apologize to your guests. I’ll take care of Darlene.”
“You!” She pointed to Jim. “How dare you show up hours late and then pick a fight! Leave! Just leave! Go to Boston! Go to hell for all I care! Just stay away from here!”
She led Darlene towards the pool house.
Jim opened his mouth as if to say something, then turned and stormed back up the hill.
Brian waited for Trixie and Darlene outside the changing room. He couldn’t hear what they said to each other, but it was obvious that Darlene was crying and Trixie was trying to console her. When they finally came out, he offered to take Darlene home and she quickly accepted, apologizing repeatedly to Trixie. Trixie watched as they left and then went to confront Tad. She really didn’t care that he brought vodka. In fact, she and Diana debated having beer available at the party. But she would not tolerate abuse and, as the brother of a police officer, he should not have encouraged it. When she turned the corner of the pool house, she saw that Dan had already confiscated several bottles, sent Tad on his way, and was helping Ruthie Kettner place a stack of records on the changer spindle of the record player.
He looked up as she approached. “I’m sorry ...”
“You are sorry! One sorry SOB! Excuse us, Ruthie.” She grabbed Dan’s arm and pulled him away. “I know there’s no logical explanation for the scene you just made, but ...”
“No. There is no explanation. Sorry SOB sums it up pretty well. You and Di put together a wonderful party and my date gets drunk and makes a scene that I make worse by ...”
“You’re entitled to see and bring whoever you want, but you were rude to Darlene from the moment you arrived. She was more upset with your behavior than she was drunk. I actually thought ...and then to fight with Jim? Fighting?”
“It was wrong. I’ll understand if you want to leave and go find Jim.” He pulled the keys from his back pocket. “Take my car. I’d leave, but ...there are a few people left here who are still talking to me.”
“You must be kidding! I do not want to see Jim Frayne. I’m only tolerating you because you’re ...” She stomped her foot, but then her anger fled and she started sobbing. “You’ll be gone tomorrow.”
Dan grabbed her and pulled her to him. “Please, I don’t want to make you cry. Not tonight. Oh, Trix… I’m so… I’m an idiot. I’m just…I’ll…Please don’t. Don’t cry. I don’t know how much more smush I can take.”
“I’ll cry if I ...It’s all I do any more. Honey ...Jim ...I just ...I don’t know when I’ll see you again.”
“It’s okay, Trix. Honey sounded great on the phone. You’ll see her in just a few weeks. I’ll be getting leave over the next two years, and then I’ll be home for good and back in school in just two years. You and Jim…”
“I can’t deal with this.” Trixie looked up at him. “I can’t. I need ...I don’t know what I need.” She pulled away, then glanced over at Ruthie and then back at him. “Will you dance with me?”
Dan stepped back. “Dance?”
“I’m a mess. I just want to close my eyes and…” Trixie looked back over at Ruthie, who was sorting through the records. “Ruthie is doing fine with the records. Dance with me. It feels so good when … Please?”
Dan walked over to Ruthie. He sorted through the 45 rpm records on the table, then handed one to her. “Could you play this?”
“Cheryl’s Goin' Home?” Ruthie read the title of the record.
“No. Play the B-Side.”
Dan grabbed Trixie and led her away from where the stragglers were hanging around the pool. He pulled her close and waited for the music to start. They didn’t really dance, just swayed to the slow beat as Trixie leaned her head on his chest and closed her eyes, letting the tears flow.
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