The Bingo Mystery

Part II

A few days later, Trixie had a break in her schedule and decided to head out to Sunset Shores to  have a chat with Ruby.  As she walked through the parking lot, she noticed several residents working in the surrounding gardens.  After responding in kind to their friendly waves, Trixie disappeared through the front doors of the main building.  She stopped at the desk, surprised when she didn’t see anybody sitting there.

“Hello?”  Trixie heard a rustling in the office behind the desk, then the padding of footsteps over the soft carpet.

“Hello there, Marty.”

Trixie’s mouth dropped open when she saw Albert step out of the back office.

“Hi, Albert. Wh..what are you doing here?”

“I help out at the front desk on a regular basis. It keeps me on my toes.”  He winked at Trixie.  “I suppose you’re here to see your cousin?”

“My cousin?”

“Ruby?”

“Yes, Ruby, my cousin, Ruby.  I’m here to see her.  I’m checking in,” rambled Trixie.

“Thank you.  We do like to be aware of who’s in the building.”  Albert winked again.  “Do you know the  way to her apartment?”

Trixie nodded.  “Yes.  Thanks, Albert.”

Trixie quickly took her leave,  puzzling over Albert’s presence behind the front desk and wondering if it played into her Bingo conundrum.   When she arrived at Ruby’s door, Trixie knocked quietly.  

“Who is it?” called Ruby.

“It’s me, Tr...Marty.”

Ruby swung the door open and stared at the young woman.  “Did you come to knock over some more plants?” she asked sarcastically.

Trixie shook her head.  “No.  I came to talk to you. Can I come in?”

Ruby opened the door wider and Trixie stepped into the apartment where the tv blared loudly from the corner of the living room.

“Uh, Ruby, can we turn down the television?”

Ruby grabbed the remote that was lying on the coffee table, pressed the mute button, then pointed to the couch.  “Have a seat.”  

Trixie sat down and waited for Ruby to join her.

“Well,” Ruby settled herself and folded her arms across her chest, “what did you want to talk to me about?”

Trixie took a deep breath.  “First, I want to apologize for messing up so badly last Thursday.  I was so intent on trying to watch Albert that I didn’t see that stupid plant.”

“Apparently.”

“Ruby, I apologized for my mistake.  But if you’re going to be mad at me, then maybe I should just go.”

Ruby paused, then exhaled loudly.  “No.  Maybe  I should be the one to apologize now. I was just so disappointed you didn’t catch Albert in the act.”

Trixie gave Ruby a weak smile.  “Me too. But I’m glad I came to visit it you today because I may have learned something important regarding the case.”

“What?” Ruby leaned forward.

“You told me they use different colored Bingo cards every week.  Right?”

Ruby nodded.  “Is that your new information because, if so, I already knew that.”

Trixie shook her head.  “No.  Where do they get the Bingo cards?”

Ruby shrugged.  “I don’t know.  I think they print them up in the office.”

Trixie’s squirmed, her excitement growing. “Do you know if they print them up the day of the Bingo games or earlier?”

“I don’t know when they actually print them up but I do know they get everything ready Thursday morning. The staff always acts like the cards are a big surprise to the rest of us so they keep them stashed away.”  Ruby’s eyes flickered toward the television set.

“Ruby, as you’ll recall, I was pretending to take pictures of you during the last Bingo night.  After I left here…”

“I hope you get to the good part soon,” interrupted Ruby.

Frowning, Trixie continued.  “After I left here, I went through those pictures and I saw something odd.”

Ruby dropped her arms.  “What?”

“Well, it looks like Albert might have extra Bingo cards in that big jacket he wears and that’s why he always wins.”

“Bingo!” yelled Ruby, slapping her thigh.

Trixie smiled. “Okay.  But Ruby, I just learned that Albert works the front desk.  That might be giving him access to the cards.”

Ruby nodded enthusiastically. “Of course.  He usually works the desk on Thursday.  He’s there today because he’s filling in for somebody else.  Now that you mention it, I  remember him being quite adamant about helping out but he absolutely didn’t want to change days.”

Trixie’s mind whirled.  “That must be what’s he doing.  He works the front desk on Thursday, sneaks out a few extra Bingo cards, then shows up at the games with them hidden inside that ugly jacket.  By pretending to have a cold, he guarantees nobody will want to sit near him.”

Ruby beamed.  “That must be it.  Come on, let’s go nail that old codger.” Ruby stood up.

“No, wait.”  Trixie pulled the woman back down on the couch.  “This is all theory.  But if it’s correct, I should be able to catch him in the act this week.”

Ruby clapped her hands together.  “That would be perfect, especially since it’s the big prize. But do you think you can stay on your feet?”

“Trust me,  Albert won’t even see me coming.”

“I’m pretty sure he didn’t see you coming last week,” joked Ruby as she playfully elbowed Trixie.

“Look at the bright side. I have way more information this week than I did last week.  When we catch Albert in the act, he won’t be able to wiggle out.”

 Ruby nodded thoughtfully.  “That’s true. Trixie, you are as good as Jessica Fletcher.  This week’s Bingo night is going to be epic.”

Trixie stood.  “Yes, I agree.  I’ve got to gather a few things and work on my plan.  How about I pick you up here and then we can walk to the Bingo room together.”

“That sounds perfect.  I’m going to practice looking shocked when Albert gets what’s comin to him.”

“You do that, Ruby,” Trixie laughed.

After leaving Ruby’s, Trixie zipped to the antique shop, intent on grabbing supplies she could use to in her plan to catch Albert. “This has to work!  It just has to!” she said, thumping her fist on her steering wheel. Sliding into a parking space behind Ingram’s Antiques, Trixie hopped out of her car and ran into the store, slamming the door behind her.  “Imogene!  Imogene!  Where are you?” she yelled as she ran through the tidy aisles.

Imogene quickly appeared.  “Goodness! What’s the matter?”

“Imogene, do we still have that crocheted handbag, the one with the big sunflowers all over it?”

Imogene turned and hurried toward the display of retro clothing.  “I believe we do.  Why?” she asked over her shoulder.

“I have an idea and I think that bag would fit in perfectly with my plan.”

Imogene poked through a coat rack upon which several retro handbags were displayed.  “Ahhh, here it is.”  She held out the slouchy bag.  “And you say this works for your plan?  And what plan is that?”

“The one where I catch Albert in the act of cheating at Bingo.” Trixie held out the bag and examined both sides of it.

“You mean you finally figured out what he’s doing?”

Trixie lowered the bag to her side, a big grin on her face.  “I think so.  And Albert actually filled in the last piece of the puzzle today.”

Imogene’s eyes sparkled.  “Do tell, dear.”

Trixie quickly explained what she had put together and how she planned to catch Albert in the act.  

“And this bag helps you how?” asked Imogene.

“The other day I saw a really neat nanny cam that I can secure inside this bag under the big clasp.  I’m pretty sure the lens is the same size as the crochet holes. Then I’ll simply film him while he cheats his way to the winnings and record it with my phone.”

Imogene smiled. “That sounds like a perfect strategy.”

“I agree and I need one because Ruby wasn’t too pleased with me last week.”

Imogene nodded.  “Yes, I think I would be upset too.  You took out the plant and that awful man still won the evening’s spoils.”

“That was last week,” said Trixie firmly.  “That won’t be the case this week.  You just wait and see, Imogene.  I’ll have Albert looking for a new game by the time I’m through with him.”

Imogene linked her arm with Trixie’s as the two walked through the shop.  “This is going to be so much fun.  I’m glad I get to be in on one of your little adventures.”

“Ooh, Imogene, I can’t wait till Bingo night.”

**********

Thursday evening, Trixie looked into the mirror over her dresser and carefully applied a rosy blush to the tip of her nose and across the top of her lip.  She patted powder across her entire face, making her look pale and washed out.  Satisfied with her appearance, Trixie slung the boldly crocheted handbag over her shoulder.  She felt through the bulky yarn, noting the security camera she had sewn inside the bag, with the lens pressed firmly into one of the openings in the yarn design.  As Trixie passed through the kitchen, she grabbed a box of tissues that was sitting on the shelf by the door.  Confident her plan would work, Trixie hummed along with the radio as she sped through Sleepyside toward Sunset Shores. Upon arriving at the senior community, Trixie paused long enough to vigorously rub her eyes.  When she checked her reflection in her rearview mirror, she was pleased to see she looked ill.  

“Perfectly perfect,” she whispered to herself.  “This ought to convince Albert that I need to sit in the back of the room with him.”

Trixie strode through the lobby and went directly to Ruby’s apartment where she rapped on the door.  

“Trixie!” gasped Ruby when she answered the knock. “Are you okay?  You look deathly ill, child.”

Trixie grinned.  “Let me in, Ruby and I’ll tell you all about it.”

Trixie waited until the door was closed before revealing her plan to Ruby.  “Just make sure that people believe that I’m getting over my cold and am no longer contagious.  I wouldn’t want them  to get nervous and ask me to leave. ”

“You can count on me.” Ruby held up her two hands, finger crossed.  “This better work.”

“Don’t worry, Ruby.  It will.  There’s no way it won’t.”

Trixie waited while Ruby donned her bright troll necklaces, applied her lipstick and straightened her leopard-print lounging suit.  Then the two made their way to the large multi purpose room.  When they got there, Ruby chatted with the staff and introduced Trixie to the game caller and the supervisor, Irene.

Trixie she stepped to the end of the table where Wally sat playing on his phone. He reluctantly tore his eyes away from his device when Trixie spoke.

“Hi, I’m Marty, Ruby’s cousin,” said Trixie, mentally choking on the name Ruby gave her. “I didn’t get a chance to meet you when I was here last week.”

“Okay,” he said in a monotone voice.

“What’s your name?” asked Trixie, hoping to get some conversation out of the young man.

“Wally.”

“And you’re the number checker, right?” asked Trixie brightly.

“Yeh, I have a very important job,” answered Wally sarcastically.  

“How did you get your job here?”

Wally rolled his eyes. “My mom got it for me.”

“Oh.” Trixie pushed a bit harder. “Do you enjoy working here?”

Wally shrugged.  “Money’s money.  It doesn’t matter where it comes from.”

“I see. Are you in high school?”

Wally sighed loudly. “Yeh.  Don’t you think you should go find a seat now?”

Trixie stared at the young man who had returned to scrolling through his phone, an indication that, for him, the conversation was over.  Frustrated with the lack of information from Wally, Trixie left the front table and wended her way through the maze of chairs and walkers.

“Excuse me, ” said Trixie with what she hoped sounded like a stuffy nose. “I’m getting over my cold.  I think I’ll do what Albert does and sit in the corner.  That way I won’t be a bother to anybody.”

Ruby chimed in, “Yes, she’s really okay now, even though she looks terrible.”

Trixie glared at Ruby, then coughed loudly, “Thanks, Ruby.”  

“Yes, I’m certainly going to miss Marty when she leaves tomorrow,” Ruby continued. “That’s why I insisted she come tonight,”

With a weak smile to the residents,  Trixie made her way to the corner of the room where she carefully positioned her handbag on the table, adjusting it so the camera would be focused squarely on Albert.   She pulled out a chair, sat down and put the box of tissues on the table. In a few minutes, Albert, again wearing his large plaid jacket, walked over to the corner. He was visibly surprised when he saw Trixie sitting near his spot.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded.

Trixie forced a cough or two.  “Oh, you know.  Ruby wanted me to join her for Bingo night. Even though I’m no longer contagious,  I decided to play it safe and sit back here with you.  I hope you don’t mind.”  Trixie smiled at the man.

“Well…” Albert looked around the room.  “Maybe you’d be more comfortable near the front.”

Trixie shook her head.  “I’m fine back here.  Actually, it’s nice and cozy.  Take your seat, Albert.  I have a feeling tonight is going to be epic.”

Trixie watched Albert out of the corner of her eye as he slid out his chair and sat down.  She noticed he adjusted his jacket several times, then cleared his throat.

Trixie leaned forward.  “Albert, how long have you had that cold?  Maybe you should see a doctor.”

“No.  I’m almost certain it’s allergies, but I like to keep my distance from the others just in case.”

Trixie nodded. “That’s really considerate of you.”

“I try.”

Trixie returned her attention to the front of the room where she could see the caller laying out her supplies and getting ready to start the evening’s activity.  She then noticed Albert’s three cards spread out in front of him, visible to all.  He fumbled through his jacket and pulled out a red marking pen.

“Do you have your own pen or do you need to go get one?” he asked.

“Got it!” Trixie reached into her back pocket and held up a green one.  “I’m ready to go.”

Albert’s smile faltered.  He quickly swiped his hand across the top of his head, patting his combover in place.  Frowning at the grease that appeared on his palm, he quickly wiped it on his pants.  Tapping his marker impatiently on the table, Albert waited for the evening to begin.

Finally, the activity got under way and the hostess started calling  out the numbers.  Trixie dutifully covered spots on her cards while trying to keep an eye on Albert.  She was shrugging out of her sweater when a woman announced “Bingo!” The woman  jumped up and ran to the front of the room.  After a brief consultation  with Wally, she happily returned to her seat, clutching a big box of candy to her chest.  While everybody else watched the activity in the front of the room, Trixie noticed that Albert adjusted his coat. Several staff navigated the room, collecting the old cards, then quickly passed out new ones.  Trixie spread her new cards out in front of her and Albert did the same.

“How does one ever fill an entire card to win the big money?” Trixie asked. “I barely had one line covered.

Albert looked at her through his dark eyes and shrugged.  

Several more games were played with the winners receiving gift cards to local restaurants and shops.  Each time a winner claimed a prize,  cards were turned in and new ones handed out. When it came time to play the last round, participants kept their cards and, instead of trying to cover one line, played to cover the entire card.

“In a few minutes” announced the Bingo caller, “we’re going to play the final game with the prize of $250, so keep your cards ready. But before we get started, let’s take one more break for refreshments.”  

Trixie fidgeted in her seat.  She pulled out her phone and verified that Albert, who again was  adjusting his jacket, was centered in the nanny cam’s frame.  

“Hey, Albert, are you warm?”

“No, why?”

“You keep flapping your jacket.”

“I’m fine.  Maybe you should focus on your game.”

“Maybe,” chirped Trixie, smiling inwardly.  Deciding she was thirsty, Trixie went to the front of the room and got a soda and some popcorn.  On her way back to her chair, she paused to chat with Ruby. “How’s it going?”

“Just fine.  How’s it going with you?” replied Ruby, giving a slight nod of her head toward Albert, who was still sitting in his seat.

“Just as I hoped it would go.” Trixie glanced toward the front of the room.  “It looks like they’re going to start calling numbers so I better get to my seat.”  Balancing her drink and her small bag of popcorn, Trixie headed toward the back of the room.

“Aren’t you thirsty,  Albert?” she asked sweetly as she placed her treats on the table.

Albert shook his head.  “Nope.  I prefer a different form of refreshment.”

“Oh, that’s right.”   Trixie coughed slightly.

When the game started, Trixie and the rest of the participants got busy with their marking pens. Trixie noticed Albert sneezed loudly, then reached for his big handkerchief.  She  immediately shoved her box of tissues toward him.

“Feel free to use these,” she said.

Albert looked surprised.  “Uh, thanks, but no thanks.  I like to use these big handkerchiefs.  See, my late wife gave them to me and I believe they bring me luck.”

Trixie smiled innocently.  “They must.  Ruby tells me you win the big money all the time.”

Albert said nothing as he stuffed the handkerchief back into his pocket.

The play continued and Trixie again tried to monitor Albert while she filled in her own card. Her entire body was on edge in anticipation of Albert calling out “Bingo”.  “I have to catch him before that happens,” she stressed.  As Trixie covertly watched Albert cover his spaces, she reached for her soda.  Her mind registered the wet, slippery surface of the can before her fingers did.  In a split second, the can slipped through her grasp and tumbled onto the table, spilling the contents. “Gleeps!” Trixie jumped out of her chair to avoid the spilled soda, then watched in dismay as the dark fluid ran across the table, soaking her Bingo cards and her handbag. Albert  grabbed her bag and dropped it on the floor.  Then he lifted his end of the table to keep the liquid  from flowing toward him.  Trixie watched in stunned silence as she saw her carefully contrived plan dissolve in the sticky, sweet mess that now covered the area in front of her.

“Here, this might help,” said a voice behind her.

Trixie turned and saw a young woman holding out a damp towel.  Working quickly, Trixie wiped up the table and her chair, then  picked up her cards and shook off the soda.  As she was setting them back down, she heard Albert call out.

“Bingo!”

“What?” she gasped, turning to stare at the man.

“Bingo.  I assume you know what that means.” Albert smirked as he held up a card that had all the spaces filled in.

“How could you get a Bingo already?” demanded Trixie. “I barely have any spaces covered.”

“Easy,” answered Albert cooly, “I don’t waste my time with refreshments.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to take my winning card up front.”

Albert brushed by Trixie, who fell back in her chair.  She looked at the crocheted handbag that was lying on the floor.

“This should have worked,” she moaned, her balled up fists hitting the side of her chair.

Trixie reluctantly looked in Ruby’s direction where she was met with an icy stare.  “Sorry,” she mouthed to the woman. Ruby turned away, her lips pursed in disgust.

While Albert happily reviewed his winning card with Wally, Trixie scooted her chair up to the table, folded her arms, and buried her head. “How could I have screwed this up again?   Shaking her head back in forth in disbelief, she stared at the dropped bag on the floor.  Suddenly, Trixie leaned over, surprised by the  glimmering reflection she saw through the center of a crocheted sunflower.  “It can’t be,” she murmured as she grabbed the bag off the floor and quickly opened it, surprised to see the nanny cam still securely in place.  Trixie yanked out her phone and checked the app.  Holding her breath, she rapidly scrolled through the recording and then watched the video of Albert as he surreptitiously covered numbers on the stashed cards inside his jacket.  She saw the jostling when her soda had spilled, followed by blurry footage when Albert dropped the bag on the floor.  Then she saw him pull out a card with fully covered numbers and hurriedly stash the other ones inside his jacket.  “I got him,” she whispered triumphantly.  

“Yes!”  Trixie thrust her fist into the air.  Jumping up, she ran to the front of the room.  

“Excuse me, but I think you might want to wait before you declare Albert the winner,” Trixie announced breathlessly.

A hush filled the room.  Albert turned and stared at the young woman.  “What are you talking about? Have you finished cleaning up the mess you made?”

“Yes, I have.  And again, I’m saying you didn’t win this Bingo game.  You cheated, Albert, and I have proof.  

“Proof,” sneered Albert.  “And what exactly is this proof?”

Trixie held out her phone and tapped the screen.  In a few seconds, a video of the Bingo game appeared.  Irene, the game caller, Trixie and Albert watched  the video made by Trixie’s hidden camera. Behind them, the residents sat quietly and waited.

“Well,” called Ruby from her seat, “what does it show.  Did Albert cheat?”

Upon watching the entire video, Irene asked,  “Albert, could you please show us the inside of your jacket?”

“This is absurd,” Albert stamped his foot, his face red and sudoriferous.  “This girl comes in here, makes a mess, then has the nerve to accuse me of cheating.”

“Still, we need to see the inside of your jacket, please,” repeated Irene firmly.

Albert folded his arms across his chest.  “No, and you can’t make me.”

“Then I’m afraid we can’t declare you the winner.”

“This is an outrage,” yelled Albert, throwing his arms up in the air in a fit of anger, displacing the contents of the inside pockets of his over-sized jacket.  The entire room watched in amazement  as Albert’s hidden bingo cards came out and floated slowly to the floor.

Trixie leaned down and picked them up.  “Here are his extra cards.”  She fanned the half played  cards out on the table in front of the group.

“I’ve never seen those before,” said Albert quickly.

Trixie tapped the cards with her finger.  “It’s nice that they match the design of this week’s cards, Albert.  I suppose working at the front desk gives you free access to the office where the game supplies are readied. That’s why you always want to work on Thursday,  right?”

Albert stood silent, the overhead lights reflecting the beads of sweat on his greasy head.

“I’m sorry, Albert but we will need to take this up with the director.  If you’ve been using your position at the front desk in order to cheat at Bingo, you’ll be banned from both.”

Albert looked at Wally, who had kept his head down during the confrontation.  “Don’t you have anything to say?” he demanded.

Trixie’s head snapped around. “What?” she gasped.

Wally shrugged.  “Not really.”

“Then I guess you won’t be getting your $25 dollars this week.  If I’m going down, I’m taking you with me.”

Trixie stepped toward Wally.  “You mean he’s been paying you $25 a week to make sure he has the winning card?”

“Not any more.” Wally pushed back his chair and stood up.  “I’m quitting this boring job.”

“Wait a minute,” ordered Irene. “Did I hear you correctly? Have you been helping Albert win?”

Wally stopped and turned around.  “Yeh.  But clearly, that’s not going to happen this week so I’m outta here. Besides, I’ve got a job at Chuck E Cheese’s. At least I’ll get tips there.”  He disappeared through the doorway with two staff members jumping up to catch him before he left the building.

“I can’t believe you got Wally to help you with your dirty work.” Trixie stared at Albert, her eyes blazing with indignation. “But now it makes perfect sense why your numbers always matched up.  You were paying Wally to verify your cards, whether they were correct or not. No wonder you were so sure you’d win.  I guess you really do “know people.”  Making air quotes with her fingers, Trixie glared disgustedly at Albert.

“You think you’re so smart,” snarled Albert, his mouth twisted into an ugly grimace.  Turning, he stomped toward the doorway, but stopped when he saw a security guard waiting for him. Throwing up his arms, he allowed himself to be escorted from the room, setting off a loud buzz among the community residents.  After providing Irene with a full explanation of her part in revealing Albert’s treacherous ways, Trixie headed back to her seat.  As she passed Ruby, she caught the woman’s eye.  

“Well done,” said Ruby.  “For a minute, I thought we were a lost cause again, but you came through beautifully.  Just beautifully.”

“Thanks, Ruby.”

“But, Wally?” continued Ruby.  “Who would have thought he would be involved?”

Trixie shrugged.  “It takes all kinds. Now get back to your game.  Tonight, you’ve finally got a chance to win.”

Trixie returned to her seat, where she stacked up her sticky cards and watched the others play.  A short time later, another voice sang out  “Bingo.”  Trixie watched as an excited woman ran to the front of the room and was declared the winner.  When the festivities were over, Trixie wandered over to Ruby.

“I’m sorry you didn’t win tonight, Ruby.”

“Pshaw!” Ruby waved her hand through the air.  “As long as Albert’s gone, the rest of us have a chance.  There’s always next week, and the week after that, and the week after that.” Ruby rubbed her chin.  “But I never suspected that Albert had roped that poor Wally into his plan.  No wonder he won every week.”

“Yeh.  I wonder if they’ll be any repercussions for Wally?”

Ruby shrugged.  “You know what they say!  If you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas.”

Trixie chuckled.  “They do say that.”  She helped the woman to her feet and the two headed back to Ruby’s apartment.

“I must say, Trixie. You played that really well.”

“Don’t you mean ‘Marty’?” Trixie grinned at the woman.

“I didn’t realize your spilled drink was a ruse.  You’re as clever as Jessica Fletcher.”

“I don’t know about that but at least Albert’s game is over.”  

“Yes it is! And the way he left the room! I’ve never seen a better display of a shamed person than I saw tonight.”

“His confrontation was rather public, wasn’t it?”

“You mean you didn’t plan that?” demanded Ruby, stopping the forward motion of her walker.

Trixie shook her head.  “No.  It just happened that way.  When I saw that I had actually caught him cheating with my nanny cam, my excitement got the better of me.”

After leaving Ruby at her apartment, Trixie ran to her car,  eager to find Tad and fill him in on the success of her evening.  Before leaving  Sunset Shores, Trixie, knowing her boss would be waiting by the phone, took a few minutes to call Imogene. After ending her call, Trixie happily zoomed off, spewing gravel behind her..

***************

Swoosh!  Trixie could barely wait for the entrance doors to the Community Center to open.  When they did, she bounded into the brightly lit lobby shouting her boyfriend’s name.

“Tad!  Tad!”  Seeing him striding down the hall, she ran toward him.  “I did it!” she yelled before jumping into his arms.

Tad stumbled slightly, then caught his balance as Trixie settled herself on the ground.  “You nailed him, huh?”

“Yep.  Not only did I get it with the nanny cam, but when he was denying it and carrying on about being unfairly accused, his extra cards slipped out of his jacket and landed at the feet of the Bingo caller and the supervisor.  And get this:  he was paying the number verifier  $25 each week to cover for him.  Tonight, the whole scam unraveled  in front of everyone. It was a perfect ending to the case.”

“It sounds like it.  Was Ruby happy when she won?”

“Ruby didn’t win tonight but she doesn’t care. She says now that Albert’s been exposed, she’ll always have a chance at winning.”

“So everything went the way you planned?” asked Tad.

Trixie screwed her eyes shut.  “Not really.” She opened them and grinned.  “But I will say that I did things in my usual way and tonight it happened to work for me.”

“Your usual way?”  Tad wadded up a discarded newspaper that was lying on a bench.  

“Yes.  I’ll tell you all about it.  How about we go to Wimpy’s?  My treat!”

“You certainly know how to woo a man.  I’ll be ready to go in a few minutes.  By the way, interesting bag.  Definitely not your usual style.”

“I have style?” Trixie’s eyebrows shot upward.

“Yes, and that bag is not it.”

“The bag is part of  the story. Now hurry up. I’m starving.”

*****

Later, in the popular diner, Trixie dragged her french fry through a small puddle of ketchup and  sighed happily.  “So, that’s the story.  What do you think?”

“What do I think?  I think it’s hilarious and now I understand what you meant when you said you did things in your ‘usual way.’”

“When Albert dropped this bag on the floor, I thought I was sunk.  But, a miracle of miracles occurred when my sewing kept the camera in place.  Honey will be so impressed.”

“Why?” Tad stole one of Trixie’s fries and popped it into his mouth.

“Because sewing is not something I do well, or even at all, if I can help it.  I can’t even stand seeing a needle and thread.”

“You did good, Belden.  Now you can bring an official end to your Mystery of the Bingo Cheater.”

“Haha.”

“That’s what you called it.”

“That’s  true.” Trixie wiggled in her seat, still excited by the evening’s revelations.

 “So, what’s next on your agenda?” Tad pushed aside his empty soda and took a gulp from Trixie’s.

“Ruby wants me to come visit her this weekend.  Wanna join me?”

Tad shook his head. “It’s my weekend to clean the apartment.  Why don’t I get my stuff done while you’re visiting Ruby, then we can spend the rest of the day having some fun.”

“Sounds good to me.  Especially the part about you doing the cleaning and not me.  A perfectly perfect world if you ask me.”

Tad leaned forward and whispered, “So, do you want to go back to my place for a while before you go home?”

Trixie giggled. “I thought you’d never ask.”

**********

The next morning, Trixie rushed through the kitchen of Crabapple Farm, grabbing an apple from the bowl on the counter.

“See you later, Moms,” Trixie called to her mother.

“Wait a minute, Trixie,” ordered Moms.

“But, Moms, I’ve got to get to work.”

“You might not be in such a rush if you had gotten up earlier and you might have gotten up earlier if you hadn’t been out so late last night.”

“Moms, I’m not in high school anymore.  I get to go out on weeknights,” argued Trixie.

“I know,” answered Moms.

 “I called and told you I was with Tad.  Besides, I was really wound up after nailing Albert.”

“Yes, but I had saved you a piece of pie and then, by the time you’d gotten home, Bobby had eaten it. And, you did get home pretty late.” Moms sternly eyed Trixie.

“Sorry, Moms, I really have to go now.  I’ll talk to you later.”  Trixie turned and disappeared through the back door, letting it slam behind her.  As she drove down Gled Road, she found herself ignoring the music that blared from her radio and instead fretting about her mother and feeling guilty.  “This is another reason why I need to find my own place.  As long as I live at home, I’m going to have to answer to somebody.  If it’s not Moms, then it’s Daddy or, God forbid, Mart.”  Trixie sighed in frustration and felt envy for her friends that had gone away to school and had gotten out from under their parents’ thumbs.  “I know I can afford to move out.  I just need to find a place that feels right.” Driving through Sleepyside, Trixie suddenly had a flash of her telling her parents that she had decided to move in with Tad and Spider.  The image of her parents’  horrified faces made Trixie laugh out loud, lifting her spirits as she pulled into the alley behind Ingram’s Antiques. “It will happen when it happens,” she sighed.  “But I sure hope it’s sooner rather than later.”

Trixie unlocked the doors and opened the shop.  Then she entered a sale into the computer that consisted of one crocheted bag. Digging into the pocket of her jeans, she pulled out a crumpled bill and slid it into the till.  With that task done, Trixie bustled around, helping the customers that came in and tidying the place.  She was interrupted by the ringing of the shop’s phone.

“Ingram’s Antiques.  How may I help you?” Trixie asked politely.

“Is Miss Trixie available?”

“This is she.”

“Well, Trixie.  This is Ruby Stevens.”

“Hi, Ruby. How are you this morning?”

“I’m fine.  But I would like you to come see me, today if at all possible.”

“I thought you wanted me to come this weekend.” Trixie sat down on the stool behind the counter, her fingers nervously fiddling with a pencil that was nearby.

“I did but something has come up and I need to see you today.”

“Ruby, is anything wrong?  Did something happen after I left last night”

“No, nothing happened last night but this morning I got a phone call that I think just might interest you.”

“What?” Trixie leaned forward on her elbows, her curiosity piqued.

“I want to talk to you in person.  Is it possible for you to drop by?”

“Yes.  I get off at four.  How about if I come over after that?”

“I suppose so.  That’s right in the middle of Murder, She Wrote and then I go to dinner at five.  But, I think we can meet then.”

Trixie heard a clattering, then the click of the phone as Ruby hung up.

“Gleeps!  I can’t wait till I get off.  Will this day ever end?” Exhaling loudly in frustration, Trixie pushed herself off the stool and returned to her job duties, her mind  awhirl with potential possibilities regarding Ruby. She pulled out her phone and typed a quick message to Tad about Ruby’s request.  After that, the shop became busy and Trixie didn’t have any time to think about anything else.   When Imogene came in later that morning, she noticed the first purchase that had been entered into the computer.

“Trixie!”  Imogene had a pleased smile on her face.  “I see you bought that crocheted handbag.  I’m so glad you liked it.  It makes such a statement.”

Trixie stepped behind the counter.  “Uh, about that bag.  Remember when I called you and told you my plan had worked.”

Imogene nodded.

“I didn’t tell you that I had spilled a can of soda all over the table and that the bag ended up absorbing a lot of it.”

“Oh?” Imogene raised her eyebrows as she waited for Trixie’s explanation.

Trixie gave Imogene a more detailed description of the events from the Bingo game.  “I’m really sorry the bag got ruined,” concluded Trixie.  

“I appreciate your honesty, Trixie.  But you didn’t really have to pay for the bag.”

“But I wanted to.”  Trixie ran her fingers through her loose curls.  “Then Ruby called me this morning and wants me to come see her as soon as I get off work.”

“What does she want now?” asked Imogene.

“I have no idea.  She says it involves a phone call she got this morning.”

Imogene shook her head.  “Life with you is never dull.  I can’t wait to hear how this turns out.”

“Me too.”

The two women got back to work.  Thankfully, the rest of the day passed quickly for Trixie.  When the afternoon help came in at four, Trixie was ready to go.

“Bye, Imogene.  I’ll catch you up tomorrow on the latest development with Ruby.”

Trixie hurried out the door and hopped into her car then drove to the senior community, speeding through several yellow lights on her way.  When she arrived at Sunset Shores, Trixie checked in at the front desk then made her way to Ruby’s apartment where she rapped quickly on the door.

“Hello, Trixie.”  Ruby swung the door open.  “Please come in.  Have a seat.”

Trixie entered the apartment and sat down on the floral couch.  She noticed several crumpled Hershey's miniatures wrappers on the coffee table as well as a large word search book and a few pencils.  The television blared in the corner.

“Wow, it looks like you have everything you need in front of you.”

Ruby sat down next to Trixie. “Yes.  I like to feed my mind as well as my body.  Can I get you anything?”

“No, thank you.”  Trixie waited for Ruby to explain the reason for the requested visit.

“I couldn’t find my little ruler today.  I like to use that to keep my lines nice and neat when I find a word in the book.  I didn’t get down and look under the couch.  Maybe it’s there.”

“Why don’t I do that,” suggested Trixie.  She knelt down and peered under the couch. “And here it is.” Trixie presented a small plastic ruler.  “It was just under the edge.”

“Thank you, Trixie.  Now, I called you for a very specific reason.”

“Okay.”  Trixie leaned forward so she could hear Ruby over the tv.

“I called you because an apartment became available today,” announced Ruby.

“An apartment?”

Ruby nodded and smiled broadly.  “And I immediately thought of you.  You said you liked my place.”

Trixie’s eyes widened. “Oh, Ruby, I do like your place.  But I don’t think I can live here.”

“Who said anything about living here?”

“You said an apartment became available.”  Once again, Trixie was finding a conversation with Ruby confusing.  

“It did.”

“Here?”

Ruby shrugged.  “If one did, I don't know anything about it.”

Trixie squared her shoulders and looked directly at Ruby.  “I’m sorry.  I don’t understand what you’re talking about. You said an apartment became available and you thought of me.  Why?”

“Because it’s perfect for you.”

“But I can’t and don’t want to live here.”

“Who said anything about the apartment being at Sunset Shores?”

“Then what are you talking about?”

Ruby pounded her thighs with her fists.  “Don’t you remember?  I told you I liked this place because it reminded me so much of where I lived with my dear departed husband.”

Trixie nodded. “Yes.  Harold.  I remember.”

“Well…”

“Well what?”

“Would you be interested in an apartment similar to this, but in a different location?”

“Ruby,  I’m still confused.  Am I missing something?”

“Hmmm… “ Ruby rubbed her chin for a moment before responding.  “I suppose I forgot to tell you that my old place was on the ground floor of an apartment building I own right here in Sleepyside.”

“You own an apartment building in Sleepyside?  Where?”

“It’s a couple of blocks off the main street, kinda near that shop you work in.  Now, it’s not a fancy place and there isn’t a party house or a workout room.  But it’s a nice, quaint unit with a small balcony off the kitchen.  I think it’d be perfect for you.”

Trixie’s mouth fell open.  “I don’t know what to say, Ruby.”

“Why don’t you say ‘yes.’”

“But...but...I don’t even know how much it costs.”

“I own it.  It can cost whatever I want it to.”

Trixie shook her head firmly.  “No.  I would want to pay what anybody else would pay.”

“We can talk about that later.  Why don’t you go take a look at it.  But, I have to warn you, the current tenant won’t be leaving until the thirtieth then I want to have some work done in the bathroom.  The apartment won’t be ready to move into for about two months.”

“Okay.”

“So, are you interested or not?”

“Gleeps!  Yes!  Are we going to look at it now?”

Ruby shook her head.  “My son manages my property for me.  I’ll give you his number and you two can set up a time to meet.  He’s usually in the city at this time of day. He works there, you know.”

Trixie simply nodded, still stunned at Ruby’s disclosure.

“Well, my dear,” Ruby clicked off the tv, rocked back on the couch, then stood up.  She reached for her walker and turned around. “Jessica  Fletcher solved the case again and  now it’s time for me to go to dinner.  It’s liver and onions night and I don’t want to be late.  Make sure you call my son, okay?”

“Yes.  I’ll definitely call him. Thank you.”

Ruby smiled and pinched Trixie’s cheek.  “It’s the least I could do.  After all, your performance was so smashing last night, with confronting Albert and all. I  really don’t think anybody could have done it better.”

Trixie walked Ruby down the hall to the dining room, then skipped out of the facility, her face flushed with excitement.  She grabbed her phone and quickly punched in Tad’s number, then waited impatiently for him to answer.

“Hey, Belden.  What’s up?” asked Tad.

‘You’ll never believe what just happened?” exclaimed Trixie.

“The last time you said that, you had a mystery to work on.  Did you find another one today?”

“No, better!”

“What could possibly be better than a mystery?”

“How about my own apartment?” Trixie asked breathlessly.  

“Yes, your own apartment is definitely better than a mystery.  Tell me more.”

Trixie climbed into her car and recounted her meeting with Ruby.  “Want to come see it with me?”

“Do you even have to ask?  Just tell me when and I’ll be there.”

“Perfect!” chirped Trixie.

“Don’t you mean perfectly per…”

“Tad.  I don’t care how excited you are.  That’s just a phrase you can never use.  Did you forget that?”

“Ah, Belden.  I don’t forget anything about you.”

Smiling, Trixie clicked off the call, tossed her phone onto the seat beside her, then sped out the Sunset Shores parking lot.  

***************

A few days later, Trixie and Tad pulled up in front of a large, stone building.  Mature trees lined the old sidewalk that led to the front door.  Well-trimmed bushes protected the structure from the elements while an original slate roof kept everything dry.  

“Look at this building,” gasped Trixie. ‘It’s beautiful.  Ruby’s right.  I do like it.”

The two got out of the car and walked slowly up the sidewalk.  Although Main Street was only a few blocks away, the only sound they heard was the wind as it rustled through the majestic trees.  

“Hello!”

Trixie and Tad turned and saw a middle aged man with gray hair and wire-rimmed glasses walking toward them.  “You must be Trixie. I’m Ruby’s son, Christian.”  The man held out his hand and shook Trixie’s hand, then Tad’s.  “My mother is so excited at the prospect of you living here, Trixie. You’ve got quite a fan in her, you know.”

Trixie blushed.  “Your mother is a unique woman.  I’m glad to have gotten to know her.”

“I can’t believe you figured out how that man was cheating at Bingo.  To be perfectly honest, I never believed my mother because I could never see how anybody could cheat at such a simple game.  But you figured it out.”

The three chatted a bit longer until Christian asked, “So, are you ready to see the apartment?”

“I sure am.” answered Trixie.

Christian led Trixie and Tad through the front door and up the stairs to a second floor unit.  “I hope you don’t mind stairs.  We don’t have an elevator.”

“Stairs are fine with me,” answered Trixie, impatient for the man to open the door.

Christian fumbled with the lock briefly, then stepped back, allowing Trixie and Tad enter before him.  

“Oh!” Trixie spun around, trying to see everything about the apartment at once.  “Look at the wooden floors.  They’re beautiful.  And this huge window.”  She walked into the small dining room that was situated between the living room and the kitchen. “This is perfect. I love it.”  When Trixie walked into the kitchen, she squealed with delight at the white cabinets and butcher block counter.  “This is perfectly perfect.  Enough space to cook, but not too much to clean.  Oh Tad, look, there’s the balcony off the kitchen, just like Ruby said.”

Trixie opened the door and stepped out onto a small, shaded structure that overlooked a wooded ravine.  “This is gorgeous.  It’s like living in the middle of the woods.”

Trixie and Tad followed Christian as he led them back through the dining room and down a small hallway.  On the left side, a door opened into the bedroom, its hardwood floors gleaming in the sun’s rays that cut across it.  Across from the bedroom was a bathroom.  It’s floor was an original tile that had been laid when the building was erected in the early thirties.  Next to the bathroom was a small closet that housed a stackable washer and dryer.

Trixie and Tad wandered back and forth between the rooms, exploring the apartment.  

“Hey, Trixie,” called Tad.  “You could put a desk in this corner of the living room. That’d make a good place to study.”

Trixie scowled.  “Good job, Tad.  You managed to take a perfect place and create a flaw.”

Tad laughed.  “Okay, how about you put a desk in front of the window so you can enjoy the view while you research all your mysteries?”

Trixie laughed.  “Deal!”

“So,” asked Christian.  “What do you think?”

“I think it’s perfect,” answered Trixie.  

While Christian and Trixie worked out the details, Tad continued to wander through the sunny rooms, glancing out the big windows to the well kept yard beneath.

“Trixie,” Tad called out, “it looks like you could even have a small garden here if you wanted to.”

Trixie shook her head.  “Tad, that’s twice.  If you say something like that again, you’ll have to go sit in the car.”

“I’ll tell you what.  I’ll come dust for you every week.”  Tad looked down at Trixie, a smile on his face.

“And now you’re totally redeemed. Good job, Webster.”

Christian left the two alone and went to get the necessary papers.  

“Are you really going to take the apartment?” asked Tad.

“Absolutely,” grinned Trixie happily.  “I couldn’t imagine a better place.”

“How do your parents feel?”

Trixie rolled her eyes.  “I can’t tell.  I think they’re kind of sad but they also know that I’m ready to be on my own.  We’re starting to argue about how late I stay out.  That’s a sure sign that it’s time for me to spread my wings. Moms fussed a bit.”

“But…”

Trixie held up her hand.  “It’s okay, Tad.  We talked about it, Dad reviewed my budget and then they wrangled an invitation to dinner as soon as I move in. It’s all good.”

Tad exhaled loudly.  "Whew! I wouldn’t want your parents mad.”

“That’s really nice of you.”  Trixie squeezed Tad’s arm.

“Yeh, I don’t want to miss any of the Crabapple Farm dinners.”

Trixie scowled.  “Are you my boyfriend or my brother?”

Tad’s eyes widened.  “Don’t you know?”

“Haha, very funny.  For a minute, you sounded just like Mart.”

Tad clutched at his sleek, dark hair.  “Are blond curls beginning to sprout?”

“Nope.”

“Then,” Tad wiped his brow. “ I’m safe.”

When Trixie and Tad were done exploring the apartment, Christian led them out.  The three shook hands, with Christian promising to complete the transaction within a few days.

“Can you believe it?” exclaimed Trixie excitedly as the two drove back to Tad’s place.  “I’m actually going to have my own apartment.”

“It’s a really neat place, Trixie.  I hope you let me come visit,” winked Tad as he steered around a corner.

“Visit?  You better do more than that.  As I recall, you said something about dusting.  I plan to hold you to that.”

“If I’m dusting, then I think I will have earned the right to say perfectly…”

“Stop right there, Tad.  You would have to feed the chickens, gather eggs and weed the garden in order to say those words.”

“But you don’t have a garden or any chickens,” complained Tad.

“Exactly,” smiled Trixie.  “And I aim to keep it that way.”

*************

Author's notes: A big ‘thank you” to my sister Judith who edited and to Katia who patiently went through this story, keeping the storyline intact.  And, as always, a grateful “thank you” to Vivian, who has been so patient with me when it comes to actually putting a story on my site.

Disco Duck - a satirical disco song from 1976, performed by Rick Dees.

Mairzy Doats - a novelty song written in 1943.

Mcguffey Readers - a series of graded primers for the younger grade levels.  They were used from the mid 1800’s -mid 1900’s.

Murder, She Wrote - a crime drama television series that ran for 12 seasons on CBS.  The title character, Jessica Fletcher, is a favorite in the banning thread.

Ramen noodles - Chinese-style wheat noodles that provide a quick and inexpensive meal.

Bingo graphic courtesy of Google.

word count-8267