Disclaimer: I don't own Trixie or the Bob-Whites. I just love them.

The Mystery of the Hidden Dagger

Chapter One

The late summer day found the female Bob-Whites gathered by the lake. Trixie, Honey, and Di were a close-knit trio. The past two years had built an unbreakable bond. They shared this bond with Trixie's brothers, Mart and Brian, along with Honey's brother, Jim, and their friend Dan. Now as the two eldest members of their club were preparing to leave for college, the time to test that bond had arrived.

"Do you realize it's only five days away?" Honey said in disbelief.

"It's really going to be strange without Jim and Brian around," Di added. "Who's going to save Trixie now?"

Trixie remained silent as her friends continued to tease her. She hated to think about Brian and Jim leaving, especially Jim, if she were to be completely honest with herself. Syracuse was almost six hours away by car, longer by train. She knew Jim had chosen Syracuse because of his dad, Win Frayne. He had once told her his father was a big fan and had encouraged him to go to college there. Syracuse was also where he had earned his scholarship. Being close to Rochester, it was perfect, then. But not now, it was too far away for weekly visits.

"Trixie," Honey called out her name for the third time, "are you with us?"

"Sorry," she sighed, "I guess I was daydreaming." While the girls had been sitting on the boat dock talking, Trixie had lain down to enjoy the sunshine. Now she sat up, still a bit drowsy.

Di and Honey exchanged a knowing glance. Although Trixie wouldn't admit it, they knew she had a huge crush on one Jim Frayne. As his departure to college loomed closer, the quieter Trixie became. She did, however, brighten somewhat whenever Jim was around. The rest of the time her bright blue eyes were a little dimmer than usual.

"We need a mystery," Diana declared.

"What!" Trixie and Honey cried in unison. Of all the Bob-Whites, Diana was the most reticent about becoming involved in their mysteries.

"You don't happen to have a mystery just lying around, do you?" Trixie teased, the spark coming back into her eyes.

"Maybe," Di answered. "Have either of you noticed how secretive Mart and Dan have become?"

"Not really," Trixie said as a puzzled look crossed her face.

"That's because your mind has been on Jim," Honey joked. "Of course, now that you've mentioned it, I have to admit that I haven't noticed a thing."

"It's just that Mart has always…," Diana blushed as she hesitated, "Mart always has time for me before anyone else."

"And lately he's doesn't?" Trixie prompted.

"It seems like Dan calls every time Mart and I have a chance to talk," Di explained, "and then he leaves to take the call in private."

"Mmm," Trixie frowned, wrinkling her brow. Leaning forward, she added, "That does sound mysterious."

Honey grinned at Di. She didn't know if Di was serious, but she knew this was exactly what Trixie needed. And it just might be good for me, too, she ruefully admitted to herself.

"I think we'll have to watch them carefully at the Bob-White picnic tomorrow," Honey suggested.

Although the boys didn't leave until later in the week, Sunday had been reserved just for the Bob-Whites to share one last day together. The younger members started school on Monday so it would be the last summer day they could share as a group. An early morning ride would be followed by a scrumptious breakfast by the Wheeler's lake. The rest of the day would include swimming, picnicking, and just hanging out.

The mystery of Mart and Dan was almost forgotten at the mention of the upcoming picnic. Although the other girls teased Trixie, they were all going to miss Brian and Jim, fearful of the change in the dynamics of the group.

"I'll keep an eye on him," Trixie promised, "but not tonight. I'm still sleeping over, right, Honey?"

"Of course," Honey assured her. "What about you, Di? Are you sure you can't make it?"

"I wish I could," Di said wistfully. "Too bad I promised to babysit tonight."

Later, as Trixie and Honey were walking to Manor House, Trixie thought carefully about Diana's mystery. "I wonder if Mart is up to something and just what it could be."

"He'll never tell you, Trixie," Honey commented.

"Maybe not," Trixie agreed with a small grin, "but I bet Dan would, if we tried hard enough."

"Why don't we save that mystery until after the guys leave?" Honey suggested.

"Gleeps, you right," Trixie sighed. "At least, we'll have that. It won't seem the same without Jim and Brian to lecture us about minding our own business. I can't believe I'm going to miss that part."

"I know what you mean," Honey pulled her hair back and smiled at Trixie. "Jim was hoping you were going to stay the night. I think he's going to miss you very much."

Trixie blushed at Honey's statement. "Not anymore than Brian is going to miss you."

"I don't know about that. Brian and I haven't talked much all summer." Honey gave Trixie a small smile, but the disappointment was evident in her eyes. "It's not like it used to be between us."

"What is it about my brothers that have them acting so strangely?" Trixie didn't add that she had happily spent a large part of her summer with Jim by her side. Just at that moment, he appeared in the front door of Manor House with a big grin and seeming quite eager to greet them.

"Hi, girls," he called out to them, "and I thought I was going to have an afternoon snack all alone."

"Shush," Trixie giggled, "Mart might hear you."

Jim threw an arm around each girl's shoulder as they walked toward the kitchen. "Where can we hide?"

Trixie didn't answer. She was too mesmerized by the feel of Jim next to her and the smell of his cologne. Getting this close to him didn't occur often and it was having an unusual effect on her senses. When they arrived in the kitchen, she was surprised that his arm lingered just a little longer than necessary. Wide-eyed, she looked up at him to find him smiling back at her.

Stammering, she said, "He's probably the one hiding."

"Oh?" Jim arched his brows.

"Di thinks something mysterious is going on with him and Dan," Honey explained as they sat at the kitchen table.

"Mysterious," Jim grinned and pulled one of Trixie's curls. "I'm sure you two shamuses will solve the case."

"Have you noticed anything?" Trixie asked looking curiously at him.

"Not really," Jim answered slowly, trying to recall any difference in the two, "although, it is a little strange that we haven't seen much of them for the past few weeks. I do believe they could be hiding something."

Just as Jim had hoped, Trixie was delighted with his show of support. That and the mystery surrounding Dan and Mart were bound to give her spirits a lift. He knew she felt anxious about the upcoming departure of the two oldest Bob-Whites. He had tried to reassure her, but the truth was, he felt anxious, too. Every time he had brought up the subject she refused to talk about it. Tonight or tomorrow would probably be the only chance for him to attempt that talk once more. They were leaving Thursday to attend student orientation on Friday. With Trixie starting her sophomore year on Monday, the coming week was going to be a busy one.

Now Trixie was grinning happily at Jim's words. "I figure if Mart won't tell us what's going on, Dan will. You know how he is when the three of us girls gang up on him."

"Totally helpless," Jim laughed. "Just don't be too hard on him. He is a fellow Bob-White, remember?"

"We promise," Honey smiled, "but we have to have a little fun with him. He's such a darling to tease."

"Tomorrow at the picnic," Trixie's eyes gleamed as they narrowed, "Dan will be surrounded."

"Just save some time for me," Jim reminded her. "I would hate to spend the entire day watching you three grill Dan."

Trixie blushed at the intent look Jim was giving her. She couldn't understand the meaning behind the look or the reason for all the butterflies in her stomach.

"No way, big brother," Honey insisted with a laugh, breaking the moment. "We are going to miss you too much to let that happen."

"That's good to know," Jim grinned, still looking at Trixie, "because I'm going to miss you, too."

"You'll be so busy you won't have time to miss any of us," Trixie told him. "We'll be the ones heartbroken and miserable." She flushed as she realized what she had said, hoping that Jim wouldn't make anything of it.

"Heartbroken?" Jim questioned much to her chagrin. "Really?"

"Of course," she laughed casually, "what did you expect, you big goof?"

"Oh, Jim," Honey sighed sadly, "Trixie's right. It will be just horrible without you here."

Still eyeing Trixie curiously, Jim answered, "I'm sure I'll have to come back for a mystery or two."

"Speaking of mysteries," Trixie interrupted, "I'm going to call my most talkative brother and see what he's up to."

As Trixie hurried out of the kitchen, Jim exchanged a look of frustration with Honey. "That's the most I've gotten her to talk to me about college all summer."

"Let me talk to her," Honey suggested. "Maybe she'll talk to you later. Even if she doesn't at least you two will get to spend some time together."

"I'm going to insist she talk with me tomorrow," Jim said with determination. Staring at the kitchen door, he grinned, "Tonight I'm just going to enjoy spending time with you two."

During the evening, Honey tried to give Jim and Trixie time alone by finding reasons to leave the room but her efforts were hampered by Trixie. Whenever she left them alone, Trixie always managed to drag Jim with her to find Honey. Giving Jim a sympathetic look, she gave in gracefully to Trixie's wishes and gave up her maneuvering.

The fun evening ended all too soon for Jim and the girls. Honey noticed with a pleased smile that Jim kept his arm around Trixie as they walked upstairs. She also noticed how Trixie looked adoringly up at him. The talk with Trixie that she had promised Jim was definitely going to happen. Tonight.

"Trixie," Honey called as she walked out of her private bathroom, "do you want to sit and talk for awhile?"

"It seems like ages since we've had an all-night gab session," Trixie agreed as she giggled. "We should have brought snacks."

"Now you're sounding like Mart," Honey teased.

"Yeah, what about Mart?" Trixie wondered. "Do you think it's possible that my lamebrain brother is actually keeping secrets?"

"He did once before," Honey reminded her, "when he did the Lonely Hearts column."

Plopping down on Honey's bed, Trixie rested her head back against her hands. "So he has established a pattern, and he's acting the same way as before."

"Don't forget Dan. According to Di, he's involved, too," Honey reminded her.

"If I know Mart he'll make a mistake, and we'll be there to witness it." Trixie declared determinedly.

"You make it sound so dangerous and intriguing," Honey joked. "It could just be that Dan is having girl problems."

"Now that would be a mystery. Since when does Dan have girl problems?" Trixie grinned at Honey with a shrug.

"Maybe girls, plural," Honey suggested laughing. "That would be more like Dan."

"Well, it's definitely not Mart that's having girl problems," Trixie snorted. "Di is crazy about him. He just doesn't realize it yet."

"He's not the only one," Honey said mysteriously. "I could think of two others in the same situation."

Blushing furiously, Trixie knew she was talking about her and Jim. "Jim hasn't said anything all summer."

"I've seen all the time you and Jim have spent together. We've all seen it. That's the problem. You haven't spent any alone time with him."

"It isn't that easy," Trixie told her awkwardly. "I get so nervous and what if I can't think of anything to say. Jim's older and he probably thinks of me as a kid anyway."

"It's only two years," she smiled encouragingly.

"But he's in college and I'm in high school," Trixie argued, "and he's going very far away."

"It's not that far," Honey insisted. She looked suspiciously at Trixie. "It's more than that, isn't it? You're scared."

Trixie frowned, looking down at her hands. Unable to meet Honey's eyes, she mumbled, "Maybe a little."

"Okay, maybe you're not ready to date Jim," Honey reasoned, "and Jim probably realizes that. You could still talk to him instead of running away. I know he wants to talk to you, alone."

"He wants to talk to me?" Trixie's wide eyes gave away her apprehension.

"Yes, he told me so," Honey nodded.

Trixie lay nervously thinking about that long after Honey had fallen asleep. If Jim wanted to talk to her, it could be very good or it could be very bad. She didn't know if she was ready for either consequence. She knew she had avoided a completely honest talk with him all summer long. They needed to talk and she knew that. She also knew that he would never knowingly hurt her. She was more afraid that she would hurt him. The thought made her sick to her stomach.

Thanks to Mylee for her very thorough edits. And yes, she is just as sweet as she can be.

Also, thanks to Karen and fanpersonthingy for their timely contributions!