Getting up the next morning, I snuck out of the house before anyone saw me. I went down to the office, collected my few belongings, and went over to the real estate office and sold them my office. Returning, I put up a “for-sale” sign and returned home. Coming in, I went and put all the stuff from my office up in the attic and covered it with a tarp.

Walking back downstairs, I bumped into Tracy who said, “You didn’t really mean what you said about quitting, did you?”

“Yes. And I would appreciate it if you would not bring it up anymore. I’m going out today to see if I can get a normal job, like everyone else. In the mean time, let’s just prepare for the wedding, shall we?”

“But Adam.”

“Please.” I took her over to the living room and sat we sat down. “I realized last night that I was wrong. I was wrong to put you in danger. Do you realize what could have happened last night?”

“But Adam, you didn’t know that would happen!”

“Yes, but I took a stupid chance. And just think about Kristin! I need to think of her too. I was being selfish. Now that I’ve thought about it, what kind of future is it for you or her with me constantly gone or risking my, or someone else’s, life?”

“Adam, I think you’re over-reacting.”

“Maybe, but that’s my decision.” The door bell rang, and Karin answered it. It was Tricia.

“Hey Adam, I went to the office and there was a ‘For Sale’ sign on it. What’s up?” Tricia asked.

“I’m through with the detective business.”

“Through? For good?”

“Yes, for good. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to find another job.”

“So, you’re firing me are you?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“But Adam,” Tracy started, “What about the gem?”

“It’s up to the museum now.” I said, getting up and going to outside. “I’m going down street. A friend of mine’s been wanting me to take up a job with him for a long time, I guess I’ll see if he still wants me.” I left the room, but overheard Tricia and Tracy talking as I left.

“It’s just not him.” Tracy said.

“Don’t worry. He’ll come back around.” Tricia replied. I shut the door and went to Noah’s house. Once there, I knocked on the door. Noah came to it, and let me inside.

“What’s up, Adam?”

“I need to talk with you. Can we go into your basement?”

“Sure.” He said. We went down into the basement, which had changed since I had last been there. The whole entire lab had disappeared and in its place was all his computer stuff.

“I think I’ve figured out how to get the gem back.”

“How’s that?”

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“No. I’m getting you out of here.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Out through the window we go.”

“But Adam!”

“No buts about it.” I said. We went out through the window and flagged down a taxi. It drove us to our house, where we went inside, and I called the museum. “I’m sorry sir, I can’t get the gem back. You’re just going to have to get yourself another detective. I said, hanging up. Tracy went into tears and went to her room. I went to the computer room. Once there, I turned on the computer and wiped the disk containing my story clean. Then I went to my room and fell asleep.

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“That’s quite a broad you’ve got there.” A man behind me said.

“Yes, isn’t she though?” I replied.

“What did you say to her to make her do that?”

“That’s between her and me, see?”

“All right, all right. Are you the one who wants to know something about the DG?” I nodded. “Well, come right this way.” He said, getting up. I stood up, and followed him. I motioned for my “muscle” to stay put. Walking through a door, I saw two figures sitting across a table in the dark.

“Good evening, sir. Or should I call you, Detective Schofield?” One of the men said, as the guy standing next to me took out his gun and pointed it at me.

“Take off his mask.” Another said. They were starting to take it off when the door opened again. In came another two guys with Tracy. One of them had his hand covering her mouth. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t your fiancée, Tracy Hatch. Don’t you two make a cute couple?” He asked sarcastically. “Take them in the other room.”

“Yes boss. One of them said. We were taken into the other room. Tracy’s purse was taken, and they took my jacket, wallet, and everything I had on me. “Here you are, nice and cozy.” The one man said. He tied our hands behind our back. He tied Tracy and me to a pole, sitting down and facing opposite each other, around the waist. Then he tied our feet and gagged us.

“And just so that you don’t think that you can escape, see this.” He said, showing each of us a box on the wall. “This is a motion detector. It’s hooked up to this gun over here. If it senses motion… Bang! Tracy’s dead. Have fun!” The gentlemen left, and as he shut the door, it turned on the sensor. What do I do now?! I knew that I shouldn’t have been a detective! I reached around the pole, cautiously, and found Tracy’s hand. She grabbed on to mine, and we sat and prayed.

The next morning, we awoke because there was a window and the sun through the snow made enough light in the room to wake us. The motion detector was still on, and we heard some noise above us. I couldn’t quite make out what was going on, but it sounded like David. He was trying to find out where we were. He left. I felt the ring on Tracy’s finger and had an idea. Somehow, I got it off of her finger, and started using it to cut her ropes. Since the motion detector was on me, it wouldn’t care if she moved. Slowly I cut through the ropes. It was night again. I eventually got through them, and she took the ring and started to do the same with mine.

All of a sudden, some of the snow by the window started to move. I saw a face, and then the window opened. It was Kristin. I focused my eyes on the motion detector, and she got the idea. She went over to the gun and dismantled it, but heard someone coming. She quickly got back out the window. Two men looked in the room, flicked a switch, and then entered. Going over to us, he took off our gags, and fed us some food. He then put the gags back on our mouths and left the room. We said nothing. Kristin was nowhere in sight, so we decided to get out ourselves. I managed to wiggle an arm free and I took off our gags. “Quiet.” I whispered.

“What now?” She whispered back.

“Now we see if we can get this knot untied.” I managed to untie the knot and we untied our feet as well. She looked at me, and I at her. We embraced, and kissed. “I’m so sorry this happened.”

“It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know what would happen.”

“But you could have been killed.”

“Right, but I’m not, and that’s what’s important, see. Now let’s go get us a gem!”

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“Well, pray about it. Then see what happens. That’s all I can say.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll be praying for you too.”

“And do me one more favor?”

“Name it.”

“Don’t tell anyone that I was even thinking this.”

“Not a soul.” Noah said, leaving. As he pulled out, the bus carrying Kristin pulled up. I went to the door, and she came inside. I watched her go up the stairs, and thought about my previous conversations. My thoughts were distracted, although, by Tracy and Tricia, who had just come up from the basement, still in their swimsuits. They were drying their hair off, and chatting as they went upstairs to change. I heard the shower turn on, and I just shook my head. I looked at David.

“Swimming: The only sport where you get wet because you got wet. You would think that after being immersed in water all this time that they wouldn’t want to get back in it. But no! They have to get the water off them!” David just grinned. A little while later the girls came back down, and their hair was all wet. Tracy came over to me, and put her arms around me. Her hands were cold. “You’re freezing!”

“I know.” She went to kiss me.

“Not a chance.” I said. I picked her up and carried her in my arms over to the couch next to the fire. I picked up a blanket and put it over her. She smiled, and I sat down next to her while she shivered. “Ready to go out tonight?” She nodded, shakily, to the affirmative.

“Well, I must be running along.” Tricia said. She went to the closet, got her coat, and left the house. Kristin came down the stairs and over to David.

“Could you and Aunt Karin take Katie and me sledding down the hill tonight, Uncle David?”

“I don’t see why not. Is that okay with you, Adam?”

“Sure.” I said. Kristin went to the phone and told Katie that she could come over that night. “Make sure you get all your homework done first!” I said, as she went up the stairs.

“Well, I best see what Karin’s up to.” David said, walking out of the room and into the kitchen.

“You don’t have to go tonight if you don’t want to.” I told Tracy.

“But I want to be with you.” Tracy said.

“But it could be dangerous. There is no telling what could happen tonight.”

“I want to be with you,” she said, staring right into my eyes.

“All right then.” I said, looking at her. We kissed, and I went upstairs to catch a brief nap.

Dinner came and went, and afterwards, Tracy and I were again made up. “Who is that coming down the stairs?” I asked David.

“Some Hollywood star, I think.” He replied.

“Oh, you two stop it.” Tracy commented.

“Are you ready, doll?” I asked her.

“Quite.” She said, changing voice to the squeaky one. The “muscle” arrived, and we went out to the car, and over to the night club. Walking in, I went over to my table once again. Tracy came over and sat on my lap. She fed me the food off my plate.

“Don’t lay it on too thick.” I whispered to Tracy. She slapped me across the face, got up, and walked toward the ladies room.

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“All right,” she said. We left the building and stopped by my house. There was a note on the table saying that Tracy had gone out with Karin to run some errands, so we grabbed my stuff and took off. We stopped by her apartment to pick up some clothes for her, and then drove over to the gym. Going inside, we changed and went upstairs. Our old friends were there.

“Hey Adam! Where’s Tracy?” One asked. I said that I didn’t know. “Probably out with another guy.” He replied. Just then, David and Tracy came through the gym door. Everyone looked at me.

“Oh, hi Adam.” Tracy said.

“Hi Tracy.” I replied.

“We saw this ad in the paper at the grocery store for free volleyball and couldn’t refuse. Karin didn’t want to come, and stayed to shop.”

“Quit the gab and start playing!” Another player said, as she served the ball. The game went along well. It was kind of fun to play again, seeing as we hadn’t played in a while.

Lunch came and went. Tricia had come back to my house for lunch, and she and Tracy went downstairs for a swim. David and I talked in the living room. “You know, Adam.” He said.

“What’s that David?”

“Well, Karin and I have been talking.”

“About what?”

“Well, we think — and this is just our own opinion, mind you — that you should stop running all over the place, taking too many risks.”

“You too? Have you been talking to Tricia?”

“Tricia? No. It’s just that, well, you’ve got a nice home, a nice kid, and you’re going to be married soon. I don’t know about you, but I’d seriously be thinking about what I did and didn’t do.”

“David, do you really think that I’m taking too many chances?”

“Well, it’s something to think about.” We talked on a little while, and then I went in to call Noah. He answered, and at my request came over to my house, and we went to the workshop.

“What’s up?”

“A lot of clouds. Noah, I’m going to ask you something because I need your advice.”

“You need my advice? This is something new.” He said.

“Do you think that I take too many chances?”

“That’s your job, Adam.”

“Yeah, but I have a kid and soon a wife. Maybe I should hang up the trench and the gadgets and take up something more stable.”

“Like what? Knitting? Come on, Adam. Do you want to be a detective?”

“Not if it risks the lives of Tracy and Kristin. And what about you? How many times have I gotten you into something also?”

“Oh, about fifty. Adam, seriously. This is your dream.”

“Maybe that’s my problem. That dream.”

“Oh no. Here we go again.”

“No, seriously. I think that I’ve spent too much time trying to figure out that dream, and not enough time thinking logically and seriously.”

“Adam. I’ll ask you again. Do you want to be a detective?”

“I don’t know.”

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The next morning, I got up and dressed the same as always. I walked out of my room, and knowing better than trying to get in the bathroom, I went downstairs. Tracy was not up yet, and Kristin was in the shower. “Morning Karin,” I said.

“Morning Adam,” she replied.

“I’m going to go down to the office. If Tracy wakes up, tell her I’ll be back at noon.”

“Fine,” she said, as I was walking out the door. “Aren’t you going to have any breakfast?” She screamed.

“I’ll grab something down there!” I drove down to my office and entered. Looking inside, everything I saw brought back memories. I went to the inner office, hung my coat up, and sat down. Suddenly, I thought I remembered something. I remembered getting up out of bed, and walking down the stairs of my house. All my friends were there and I thought that it was a trick. Just then, Tricia came in. Noticing my light on, she knocked, then opened the door.

“Morning Adam. I didn’t expect to see you here this morning.”

“Why not? This is my office, isn’t it?”

“Sure, but you’re so often away.”

“Tricia, did you have breakfast?”

“No.”

“Well, let’s go get some at UHOP. I’m starving.”

“All right, but you’re treating!”

“Fine.” We went down to the UHOP and entered. We placed our orders, prayed, and then started to discuss the case. Did you ever notice how that is the only thing we ever talk about?

“So, have you come any closer in finding the gem?”

“Yes and no… Joel called me last night to tell me that someone at the club wanted to see me about it. I guess I’ll just have to wait until tonight to see if they have any information.”

“Isn’t that kinda risky, going in there on their terms.”

“Maybe a little,” I said, taking a sip of orange juice. “But this is not a business for wimps. Just imagine what life would be like without a little excitement. One could be bored with a lot of things if all he ever did all day was play it too safe!”

“True, but you also run a lot less risk in getting yourself or someone you love killed. Just remember Adam, you have a kid and soon a wife. She’ll want to settle down, eventually. Then you will too, and all of a sudden, this risk that you’re going to take tonight will seem a whole lot riskier.” I sat there, speechless, thinking about what she had just said. She’s right about one thing. I’ve got more than myself, and maybe Noah, to think about now. I’ve got a daughter and soon a wife, and I wouldn’t mind living a little longer myself!

We finished eating and returned to the office. I sat down at my desk and picked up the paper. I started flipping through the pages finding an ad for free volleyball on today, I got up and went to Tricia’s desk. “Tricia, would you like to go play some volleyball?”

“Sure.”

“All right. Let’s go.”

“Now!?”

“Sure, why not?”

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“I’ll play what you’ll hear for an introduction, and then I’ll point to you. I’ll just play your part then.” Practice went on in that fashion. We were finished in a fairly decent amount of time, and we all went out to the local pizza place for dinner. We arrived back home in time for Kristin to go upstairs and finish her homework. Tracy and I went to the music room to work on our duet. While we were practicing, the phone rang, and I was called to get it. I picked it up and said, “Hello?”

“Adam, this is Joel. One of the guys down here says that he knows the location of the DG. He wants to see you.”

“All right, I’ll meet him tomorrow night at the night club.”

“Okay.” He replied. He hung up.

“Who was that?” Tracy asked.

“Oh that was Joel. It looks like Gangster Schofield and crew are making another appearance!”

“Does that mean…”

“Yes, some one knows the location of the DG.”

“No, I meant does that mean we get to go to the night club again?”

“Oh. Yes, it means that I have to go to the night club.”

“What, can’t I come?”

“It’s dangerous.”

“Dangerous for Kristin, maybe, but not for me.”

“Oh, all right.” Just then I heard a noise outside the room. I turned to look, but only got a glimpse of something dashing out of the room.

“Who was that?”

“I don’t know.” We went back to the music, and then I took her up to her room. “Tracy,” I said as she started into her room. She turned and looked me in the eyes. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her. “Good night.”

“Good night, Adam.” She said.

“If you need me, you know where to find me.” I said. She nodded, and then went into her room. I stopped by Kristin’s room, and saw her lying on her bed on a book. I walked over and picked the book up. I then turned off the light, took off her shoes, and put her in bed. She moved a little, but not much. I went to my room, and turned on the light. Picking up my Bible, I did my devotions for the evening, turned out the light, and went to sleep. Some time that night, Ann returned and went to sleep.

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“I’m glad you’re satisfied, I would have gone myself, but I couldn’t leave Laura alone.”

“I told you I could take care of myself!” Laura stated. “And besides, that’s what we’ve got Theresa around for!”

“I know that, dear.” Noah replied. “But I want to be here for you.”

“Well, I think we ought to leave this happy home and return to our own. I told Ann to call us at my house when she was done.” I told Tracy.

“I wonder what’s for lunch.”

“I don’t know. Let’s go find out.” I responded. We bid Noah and Laura farewell and went back to our house. Walking in the door, Ann called and said that she and the gang was going out and that she would be back late. We took off our jackets and put them in the closet. Karin had lunch all prepared.

“Marie called while you were gone, Adam.” Karin said.

“What did she want?” I asked.

“She just wanted to remind you that there was practice this afternoon for your Les Mis group.”

“I still don’t think that Marie should have me play this afternoon. I’m not ready.” I commented.

“Nonsense. You’ll do fine.” Tracy assured me.

“I’d feel a whole lot better if Tricia played. It’ll make me feel so weird if I have to play in front of her. She’s a very talent pianist.”

“Have a little faith in yourself. Have fun.”

The lunch past quickly. Kristin arrived home from school and asked if we would pick Katie up on our way to practice. I said that we would, and before long we were preparing to make our trek for our first practice. I drove over to Katie’s house to pick her up. She and Kristin giggled in the back, while Tracy and I talked about my return as Gangster Schofield.

“So, when do you think that you’ll make your next appearance?” Tracy asked.

“Why, doll?”

“Well… The sooner we go back, the sooner we get this case solved, and then we can get ready for our wedding. It’s only a couple months away, you know.”

“Believe me, I know. Don’t worry. I go back next week, unless Joel comes by first.”

“Right.” She said, as I pulled up to the place where we were practicing. I stopped the car, and the girls hopped out of the back and into the building. It was the school where Marie taught. She had gotten permission for us to use their auditorium until we could find another place.

“Hiya guys!” Marie said as we entered. The rest of the gang was there, and it looked like Marie was banging out the parts for the singers to hear.

“Woah. There are a lot of them.” I whispered to Tracy.

“Relax. They’re your friends.” She whispered back.

“Tracy, would you and Adam would take the duet on ‘On My Own?’” Marie asked.

Tracy looked at me and said, “Sure we would.”

“Okay. That takes care of the solos. Here’s what I think we’ll do: Adam, you take the soloists, one at a time, and work with them, while Tricia and I work with the choir.”

“Sure!” I turned to Tracy and whispered, “I’m a lot better with just one other person.”

She nodded, tossed her coat on a nearby chair, and took her place amongst the rest of the singers. I went with Carrie Bastidas, who was the first soloist, into the other room to practice. Carrie was as tall as I am, with long blond hair and blue eyes. She was very skinny and very pretty. We assumed our positions, me at the piano, and her at the other side. “So where do I start?” She asked, leaning over the upright. I pointed to a place in the music.

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“Oh, you mean Gangster Schofield’s connection? Well, he said he will show up next week, so next week we’ll see, doll. Would you like to come with Ann and I to see some friends?”

“Sure.”

“Be careful, the last time I saw some of these people, they were teenagers.”

“And now their college students?”

“Right.”

“Oh.” She said. We turned in for the night.

The next morning Ann was up before any of us, and she and Karin were have a nice conversation in the dining room over hot chocolate. Kristen was next, and she just jumped in. Finally, Tracy and I came down, and they all hushed up. “That’s funny, I’m sure I heard some talking down here.” I stated.

“Karin and I were just talking.” Ann said.

“Fine.” I replied, eyeing the three of them. Tracy and I went and took our seats, and ate breakfast. We then went off with Ann to her practice.

We arrived at the building in which the practice was to be held, and we all went upstairs. Walking in the room, Ann announced, “Hey guys! Guess who I found down street?” She asked, pointing to me.

“Ahh, Toronto.” A man named Aaron Zwilling said from the corner.

“Yes Kimoslobby.” I said back.

“It’s back in the saddle again.”

“Yes, it seem we always start episode that way!”

“You never forget a line, do you?”

“Why you always call me Toronto, when my real name is Fred?” I asked.

“Okay, okay, enough already!”

“Who else do we have here?”

“Well, on the piano is Kirsten Paddock, Aaron’s got the French horn, I’ve got the clarinet, Amy Davis is on viola, and Bob Langworthy is on the trumpet…” She went through the rest of the names, but none of the others were from Music Camp.

“Wow.”

“Mind if we listen a spell?” I asked. They all said no. “Oh, I almost forgot, this is my fiancée, Tracy Hatch.” They nodded and went to their instruments.

“Hi.” Tracy responded. We took seats, listened to them for a little while, until lunch. Leaving, we went over to Noah’s house. We knocked on the door, and Noah invited us in. Going in the living room, we found Laura in the living room, sitting down. She had just started showing, and Noah was treating her like the baby. “So, how’s the mother-to-be?”

“I wish he’d let me help.” Laura said.

“How’s Theresa?”

“She’s doing fine. She’s cooking, fortunately, and Noah’s doing the rest.” Tracy went to ask Theresa if we could eat with them, and Noah came in the living room.

“So, how’s the case going?” He asked.

“You’re more active then I am!” I said. “We don’t go back as gangsters until Joel gets some info.”

“Oh, so you liked my gangster types?”

“Yeah, they’re the muscle I needed.”

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