�I know it sounds silly, but here�s my theory,� Trixie cleared her throat, �That man, who�s name is Sam, and the other one, Shorty, escaped from the prison in Texas. We know that Sam was riding the airplane with us because he nearly knocked Di off the railing. He was keeping himself concealed the whole time. I don�t know if Shorty was on the plane or not, but they tried making the exchange at the restaurant, but couldn�t because Sam knocked the waiter over and caused a scene. Next, Kalani tells us that her cousin has been kidnapped. Honestly, I have no idea why they are staying at an expensive resort, but they just are. Unless,� she said thoughtfully, twisting a curl around her finger, �Lou has enough money to pay for their stay here, if police are checking out the cheaper hotels.�

�So this all leads to two men whose conversation you overheard downstairs.� Brian shook his head, �Trixie, I believe you when you say that you heard the men talking about �making an exchange,� but why do you think these guys are the ones that escaped from the prison in Texas?�

�Because Shorty scolded Sam for knocking over the waiter at the Hamakua. He also commented on the fact that he saw some kids come out after him.� Trixie said impatiently.

Jim spoke up. �So what do you need from us, Trix?�

�I need for us to be at the restaurant nonchalantly, be casual.� She smiled at the others. �And it�s perfect too, because there are four girls, four boys. We can show up as couples.�

Di shook her head as her eyes widened. �Trix, you know I have faith in this, but I�m not going. Those men mean business and I don�t think I, or any of us, should be there.�

�Di�s right, Trixie,� Hallie spoke up. �Why don�t we just let the boys handle this, or better yet, the police?�

Trixie rubbed her eyes and sighed. �Because the police, as far as Kuhio is concerned, won�t be there. He wants this whole matter unpublicized.� Trixie looked at Honey for support, �That�s why we need to convince Kalani that the police really do need to be there. That man is wanted in another state, for one thing, and kidnapping is a federal offense.�

�You know, Trixie�s right,� Honey said quickly. �What makes the Royal Family easy targets is the fact that it�s known, around here at least, that they won�t call the police.� She turned to Di, who still looked doubtful. �Di, remember that play our parents went to in New York with us, �The Pirates of Penzance?� Remember what the Pirate King said? �We�re orphans ourselves. We would never hurt an orphan.� Because of this, other pirates would just come aboard, declare themselves as orphans, and then attack.�

Di nodded. �I remember him saying that, but never really applied it to real life situations. I guess if you openly declare that you won�t call the police, you�re going to be taken advantage of.�

�That�s right,� Trixie said impatiently, �that�s why we need to get the police involved.�

Mart and Dan started laughing. �I never thought I�d see the day when our dare-devil Trixie actually wants the police involved!� Dan said, �Good thing Captain Molinson isn�t here to hear this.�

Trixie just shrugged and grinned. �A good detective always works with the police, I guess. Are you all with us on this?� Jim and Dan�s hands went up instantly and Hallie�s followed soon after. Mart and Brian raised their hands. Di still looked unsure, but raised hers too. �Great! All for one and one for all.�

While the Bob-Whites were discussing the activities for tomorrow, Trixie was quiet for a bit and then her eyes brightened. �How are Sam and Shorty going to get their hostage out of here without making a scene?� The other Bob-Whites shrugged and looked around at each other. �Someone needs to keep an eye on their door or the window. They could sneak out the window easily without being noticed.� Suddenly the clock on her dresser chimed midnight and she had realized that they had all been yawning. �Gaa! We�ve been up this late? Why don�t we all meet tomorrow morning in our room and we can discuss this more.� Everyone agreed and all returned to their rooms.

Trixie laid there wide awake thinking things through. She ran theories through her head, some worked, some didn�t. Soon she was waking up with a start. After a nice warm shower had cleared the cobwebs out of her head, she was thinking clearly. It was eight-thirty and the Bob-Whites gathered into Trixie and Honey�s room to hear about the day�s events.

�First thing we�re going to do is to take stations,� Trixie stated flatly. �Mart, you and Di will look the least suspicious, so you two need to stay here at the hotel to follow Sam and Kaiu. You�ll need the station wagon.� Trixie scribbled out a map on a scratch piece of paper as she spoke.

�But Trix,� Brian interrupted, �how are we going to get anywhere if we don�t have a car? If we have the car, how are Mart and Di going to get anywhere?� Brian slumped down on Trixie�s bed. �I don�t know about this. I�m all for getting this man back where he�s supposed to be, but I think we should just call the police and stay out of it.�

�Brian,� Trixie ran her fingers through her curls, �calling the police will only make matters worse. Kuhio won�t cooperate if there�s police involved, and if Kuhio won�t cooperate, neither will Sam, Shorty, and Lou. It will probably result in Kaiu getting killed or something.� This was really more complicated than she had thought. She knew that there was only one car among their assets, but there were eight Bob-Whites. �We need teamwork. Don�t think for one minute that I don�t want the police involved, because I do. We just need to talk Kuhio into it.� Quickly, she told the Bob-Whites her plan. Little by little they all left the hotel except Mart and Di, who stayed behind. Honey and Trixie caught a taxi to the Capitol building, while Dan and Hallie took another taxi with Jim and Brian to the restaurant.

The taxi cab pulled up in front of the Capitol building and Honey promptly paid him. �How are we going to get to the restaurant again?� Honey asked.

�Let�s not worry about it,� Trixie said confidently. �We need to convince Kalani first.� They walked casually through the entrance of the capital and spotted Kalani right away.

�You girls are early!� Kalani said with a grin and wide eyes. �Tours don�t start until ten o�clock.�

�Kalani,� Trixie started with a deep breath, �We�re not here for a tour. We need to talk to you.� Quickly, she looked around. �Is Kiu around?�

�No, he won�t be in today. He has a�he�s not feeling well,� Kalani stammered out to the girls.

�Good, then we get to talk, er I mean, I�m sorry he�s sick and all, but we need to talk to you.� Trixie could feel herself practically falling. If I�m not careful, I won�t convince Kalani of anything. Quickly, she led Kalani over to a corner of the large room. �I�ve been thinking quite a bit about your cousin, Kaiu.�

Kalani�s face fell. �I told you kids not to be concerned with this. This is not your business!� Kalani�s eyes blazed at Trixie. �You don�t know anything about my family, nor do you know anything about the kidnappers. As I said before, just enjoy your stay.�

�But there�s one slight problem,� Trixie said before Kalani could walk away. �I do know who the kidnappers are.� Kalani�s eyes stared daggers into Trixie as she turned on her heel and stomped away. Trixie saw one last chance and took it. �Great, then we�ll meet you at the Hamakua at noon?� Kalani stopped in mid stride and turned to face Trixie and Honey.

�Meet me in the courtyard,� Kalani commanded the two girls.

Honey shook her head as they slowly walked out to the courtyard. �You know, Trixie, I�ve got to hand it to you. Most of the time your not-so-tactful way doesn�t work, but it sure got her attention this time.�

�Well, she was all set to not believe me, but I had to make her see it somehow.� Once again, Trixie and Honey found themselves in the courtyard of the Capital building. Kalani came through the doors a few minutes later and joined them.

�I want you girls to tell me exactly everything you know right now,� she demanded. Trixie felt a little put off by her tone, but didn�t let it bother her. Quickly, Trixie and Honey told what they had overheard and experienced.

�So you see, Kalani, Sam is wanted in another state, possibly for the same crime,� Trixie said as the fire in Kalani�s eyes seemed to dwindle away. �If the police didn�t get involved and it was found out later on, why, your family would be spread all over newspapers as people who aided and abetted an escaped convict. Imagine what kind of bad publicity you�d get then?�

Kalani thought for a little bit as her tension seemed to ease a little more. �But my uncle wouldn�t hear of it.�

�He will as soon as he hears about these men.� Honey said quietly.

�I suppose you�re right,� Kalani said. �My uncle will be here in half an hour to pick me up. I�m supposed to get sick and call him in a few minutes. We had this planned.� She stopped short and put her hands on each of the girls� shoulders. �But I can�t have you come with me. He won�t have it.�

�Don�t worry about us, we�ll be there alright,� Trixie said as a big smile appeared across her face and her eyes twinkled. With that, Kalani ran back inside. Honey turned to her best friend and smiled. Casually, the girls strode back into the building and up to a pay phone.

�Honey, I�m out of change. Can you lend me some to call the hotel?� Honey handed her a few coins and soon Trixie was dialing the hotel�s phone number.

�Yes, if I describe someone to you, would you be able to tell me if they are there in your lobby?� Trixie asked hopefully.

�Well, ma�am, I can try.�

�I�m looking for a young man and woman,� Trixie started. �The man is about five-foot-nine with short blond hair in a crew cut. His name is Mart. The woman is about five-foot-six and has shoulder-length black hair. Her name is Diana.�

�Would they be in the lobby or the restaurant?�

�The lobby, you see, we�re their friends and we�re supposed to meet them and just need to talk to them briefly.�

�Well, I can try. Can you hold the line while I go look? The names were Mart and Diana, right?�

�Right and I can hold.� She put her hand over the mouth piece and told Honey that the clerk is going to look for them. Suddenly the man came back on the line.

�No, ma�am, I�m sorry. There are no couples here, or anyone here for that matter, that fit those descriptions, nor are there anyone named Mart and Diana. Sorry. Anything else I can do for you?�

�Yes there is. Have you greeted any newlyweds this morning?�

�Excuse me? Newlyweds?�

�Yes, newlyweds,� Trixie said impatiently into the phone.

�Well, there was one couple this morning, why?�

�Just curious, good-bye.� She quickly hung up before the clerk could respond. �Come on Honey,� Trixie took a hold of her hand, �the restaurant is only half a mile from here.�

�Trixie Belden,� Honey said as she looked at her smiling friend with confused eyes. �Newlyweds?�

�Oh Honey, don�t you see?� Trixie drew in a deep breath. �Remember when Jim and I came into the lobby to pick up any messages yesterday? The clerk thought we were newlyweds and congratulated us. He explained that it is mandatory that they congratulate any honeymooners who are staying there, and he got us confused with someone else.�

�So what does that have to do with Mart and Di?� Honey asked with a twinkle in her eye as she giggled inwardly at her own comment.

Trixie giggled along with her. �Nothing, Honey. But it has everything to do with how Sam and Kaiu were able to leave the hotel unnoticed.�

Honey gasped at Trixie�s revelation. �You�re right! What a perfect idea!�

�It was just a hunch,� Trixie grinned. �I just hope that Mart and Di followed the right couple.�

Soon the two girls were walking up the block to the restaurant. �Look,� Honey said, �there�s the station wagon.� She pointed to their rental car parked along the curb. �That must mean that Mart did follow them here.�

�At least he knew enough to park it down the block a ways,� Trixie caught site of the black sedan in the restaurant parking lot. �I don�t see the others, maybe they�re around back.� Quickly, the two girls ducked behind one of the buildings and ran down the ally to the back of the Hamakua Restaurant. The overhangs and eaves blocked out any possible sunlight, and the ally was dark. They stopped short as they saw the silhouette of a husky man walking up the back steps to the restaurant, quietly opening the back door. Trixie felt Honey�s cold hand on her arm.

�It�s one of them,� Honey whispered.

Trixie didn�t answer, but kept moving. She knew that if it was, he�d have to answer to four very tough men. As she moved closer, she let out a sigh of relief. �Jim!� she whispered hoarsely. The figure jumped and looked at them. Honey breathed a sigh as she saw it was Jim.

He quietly came down the stairs and rushed over to them. �Where have you two been? Are the police on their way?�

�We were talking to Kalani at the Capitol. Where�s Mart and Di? Did they get here?� Trixie whispered back to him.

�Mart and Di are in there! Did you call the police?�

�No.� Trixie forced herself to answer. She didn�t want to admit to him that she hadn�t called the police.

Jim�s eyes blazed fire at her as he set his jaw. �Then go next door and call them!�

�But Jim��

�Trix! Now!� He watched as she meekly turned around and headed back down the ally. He reached out for Honey�s arm and held her back. �Honey, I�ll go with her. I�� His face was pure white. �The others are over behind the meat locker.� He took off and ran back down the ally after Trixie.

�Hey, Trix�� Jim said quietly as he caught up to her. Her strides became longer and she didn�t answer. He walked along side her in silence until they reached a pay phone. Trixie reached for the phone and dialed nine-one-one and waited.

�Yes. My name is Trixie Belden and I want to report a kidnapping. The Hamakua Restaurant. My brother and two of our friends.� Jim could see that she was close to tears as she spoke. �Please don�t come and make a bunch of noise. The Hawaiian Royal Family is involved and they�they didn�t want me to call, you see.� She waited for a bit as she listened to the operator. �Yes. Sam, Shorty, and Lou. That�s all I know. I don�t know any last names, other than I know for a fact that Sam is the escaped convict from the Texas prison.� Trixie�s lip started to quiver a little as she spoke into the phone. �I don�t want anything to happen to my brother and friends�.Thank you, I�ll be waiting in the dining room with my other brother and friends. Please hurry�� She hung up the phone and looked up at Jim who was leaning with his back against the phone booth.

�I�m sorry, Jim,� Trixie said quietly.

�No, Trix, I�m sorry.� Jim said as he looked down at his shoes. �I was fierce at you and I shouldn�t have been.� He turned to face her, �I�m sorry. You mean everything in the world to me, and I would never want to lose you. I�m just as upset as you are. Mart is your brother, but he�s like a brother to me too.�

�I love him, Jim,� Trixie started walking back down the ally as she let a few tears escape. She hated to cry in front of him. �I�m sorry I ever got anyone involved in this case. That should be me in there instead of Mart! I�m the one who gets into these things! Not Mart! Not Di!� She started to get a little hysterical as Jim pulled her into a hug.

�Shhh, Trix. We�ll get through this.� He held her close for a few seconds as she let the tears come. �Trix, you�re a tough girl. I�d feel bad for those criminals if they had you in there, but because you�re not the one tied up this time, you�re stronger. What do you say we get back there and show them that no one, no one messes with Trixie Belden, Sleepyside�s famous Shamus!�

�You made a rhyme,� Trixie said with a half-hearted grin. She knew it wasn�t any time for jokes, but she needed to get her thoughts in order, and bawling on Jim�s shoulder wasn�t going to get Mart and Di out of the restaurant. Feeling better, she and Jim ran back down the ally and around the meat locker.

�The police are on their way,� Trixie reported seeing Brian�s look. She knew she was in trouble now for not calling them, but he looked more at ease now that the police were coming.

�Trix,� Hallie said as she wiped her tear stained, swollen eyes, �I�m scared��

�I know, Hallie,� Trixie said quietly, �I am too, but Mart and Di won�t benefit from that. We need to act, and act fast. The police will be here any minute and when they show up, it will only make things harder. I wish that Kuhio would see that the police can help.�

Her statement made Brian glare at his sister. �So by you wanting the police involved, you don�t call them. That makes perfect sense, Trixie!�

�Knock it off, Brian!� Jim hissed at his best friend. �She�s just as scared as the rest of us. Let�s not worry about that now because the police are on their way and they�re being quiet about it too. We need to act fast. The restaurant opens at eleven-thirty and we need to be in there as soon as we can.�

Jim stood up and helped the girls to their feet. �Dan, you still have that knife that you always carried?� For an answer, Dan pulled his jack-knife out of his pocket. �Dan, I know that as Bob-Whites, we would never do this. But we can�t let them get away.�

Dan simply smiled at Jim. �I wish I could be as honorable as you, Jim. I slashed the tires on the sedan while you and Trixie were calling the police.�

Jim�s jaw tightened as he looked across the parking lot and saw the flat tires on the black sedan. �Good thinking, Dan. Look,� he said pointing to a basement window of the restaurant. The Bob-Whites quietly stepped close to the window and peeked in.

There in the far corner of the room Trixie saw Mart tied and gagged laying on the floor, and Di was gagged and strapped to a chair. �I don�t see anyone else in there,� Trixie whispered to Jim but he didn�t respond. �They must be holding them until the exchange is made,� Trixie said as she stood up. �Let�s get in there somehow.�

�I heard the chef yelling like anything about the morning help never showing up,� Dan said. �He�s livid. If we could sneak into the basement without him noticing, we can untie Mart and Di.

�We all can�t go down at once, though,� Trixie said. �We�d sound like a herd of buffalo.� She could hear the chef yell as they heard a crash in the kitchen. �Now�s our chance, Jim, come on.� Trixie opened the back door and Jim followed. Quickly, she looked around and spotted a staircase that descended to the basement.

As they reached the bottom of the staircase, Jim and Trixie tip toed to a doorway to their left. Trixie tried the doorknob but it was locked. �Jim, give me your credit card,� she whispered to him. �This just has to work.� She slid the credit card between the door and the frame and shimmied it back and forth until she heard a click. Jim let his breath out and they rushed into the room. There in the corner still laid Mart, all tied up and gagged. Di woke at the sound of the click and relief was in her eyes as she saw her rescuers.

�Ssh, Di,� Trixie said as she removed her gag. �Don�t say anything.�

�But Mart,� Di hoarsely whispered back to Trixie, �Is he alright?�

�Mart�s fine,� Jim said as he helped his friend to his feet. Mart smiled at the sight of his sister and friend.

�Gosh, I�m so glad you�re here,� Mart said as he rubbed the side of his head. �I remember following them here, and then got out of the car. After that, it�s all a blur.� Mart�s love of big words seemed to escape him for the moment. �What all has happened yet? Did I miss any action?�

�No, nothing�s happened yet,� Trixie said. �Come on, we need to get you out of here.� They slipped out the door and quietly crept up the stairs. They could hear the chef grumbling over the fact that a whole group of people just walked into the dining room, and they�ll probably order everything on the menu as well. Trixie poked her head around the doorway and saw the chef busy at the grill, preparing lunch orders. Silently, each of the Bob-Whites made their way out the back door. Once outside, the Bob-Whites greeted Mart and Di with hugs.

�Wasn�t there anyone down in there?� Hallie asked, �I mean, didn�t you have any trouble?�

�There wasn�t a soul down there,� Trixie said, slowly shaking her head.

�That�s what gets me, Trix,� Jim said suspiciously. �Why wasn�t anyone watching over them?�

�Because they are more interested in Kaiu and what she�s worth. She�s royalty. Mart and Di are just some kids they caught following them.� Trixie winced as she realized how that sounded.

�Oh sure, Trix,� Mart glared at her, but his blue eyes twinkled, �we�re not worth anything?�

�Mart,� Trixie said flashing him a grin, �I didn�t mean how that sounded and you know that. You�re my brother and Di is my friend, you two mean a lot to me.�

�Alright,� Jim said hastily, �cut the mush. There�s a kidnapping going on here in case anyone forgot.�

�Yup,� Trixie said smiling, �and if we just go into the restaurant like we had planned, we�ll catch them. The police should be here any minute, if they aren�t already.� Trixie linked her arm around Jim�s. �We�re going in as couples. If we barge in all at once, we�ll make a scene and might make King Kuhio not want to cooperate.�

One at a time, the couples walked around the restaurant and up the steps and greeted the host, who in turn showed them to their tables. Sitting at a long table in the back of the dining room were Kalani, Kawan, Kiu, and the same middle-aged man they had seen the day before, whom Trixie guessed was Kuhio. With their backs to everyone else were two men. One was tall and husky in build and the other was short and stocky.

�That must be Sam and Shorty,� Trixie whispered to Jim, who carefully studied the situation. �I wish we were closer so we could hear what�s being said.� She looked at Jim and grinned. �Like old times, huh? Wish I�d worn your sweater and heavy make-up.�

He grinned back at her. �Maybe I could wear Mart�s jeans and Dan�s jacket and it�ll be a date.� Then he leaned forward and whispered to her. �Maybe later.�

The host walked up to their table and handed a note to Trixie. �Miss Trixie?� She nodded. �For you.� She took the note and opened it up.

�Gosh, I can�t read this,� Trixie said handing the note to the host, �Its in another language. Can you translate?�

The waiter took the note from her and looked at it. �It says, �the king is agreeable.�� He handed the note back to her.

�Thank you,� she turned back to Jim and the host walked away. �This means that Kuhio is alright with the police being here.� There seemed to be more said at the table right now and Trixie was more interested in what was happening there than anything else. �Shh, I think they�re going to make the exchange. They�ve been in negotiations for a while.�

�Wait!� Trixie whispered, �I think this is it.� As soon as Trixie said this, the group stood up from their table and headed through the dining room and out the door. Kalani didn�t seem to notice Trixie at all.

�Quick!� Trixie said to Jim, �through the kitchen!�

Jim was already up and through the kitchen door and the other Bob-Whites followed suit. Yells came from the chef came booming through the walls as the Bob-Whites bounded through the kitchen. He stood there watching as Di, the last one through the kitchen, turned around and apologized quickly. He ripped his apron off and threw it down in disgust.

Jim and Dan were in the lead with Trixie racing close behind them. �Where are the police, Trixie?� Di squealed from the rear of the group. �Are they here yet?�

�I don�t know,� Trixie called over her shoulder. Brian and Mart gained a lead over Trixie but still remained behind Dan and Jim. They stopped as they spotted the kidnappers hurrying towards the black sedan. The Royal Family was nowhere to be seen. �Let�s sneak up behind them,� she said quietly. �There are two kidnappers and we can take them!�

�Lets go men!� Jim said. Turning to Trixie he added, �And women.�

Feeling over exerted with power at Jim�s compliment, she tore after the boys as they took off after the kidnappers.

�Lou!� Sam shouted, �Someone slashed our tires!�

�Don�t you think I saw that?� the shorter man screamed at Sam with exasperation. �You know sometimes you just make me so furious! I should have left you in Texas! I would have had this thing done earlier if it weren�t for you!� Lou was rampaging at Sam so furiously he failed to see the Bob-Whites creep up behind him. Instantly, he stopped as he realized what was happening, but it was too late. Jim landed Sam a blow to the jaw before he could do anything to defend himself and he landed up against the car. Dan took Lou down quickly. However, Lou was able to defend himself due to his quickness.

Honey stood back with Hallie and Di, watching the rest fight. �Di, why don�t you and Hallie go inside and call the police again. I don�t know what�s happened to them and they should have been here by now!� Di quickly nodded at Honey�s suggestion, and took off for the restaurant.

Brian helped take care of Sam, as he was the bigger of the two. Sam took all of his strength and shoved Jim away into a nearby car. He winced in pain as the car�s door handle dug into his back, but recovered quickly. Sam charged at him, but Jim dodged and swung around his back. Brian jumped in to help as they hefted the large man back into his own car, knocking him to the ground. Lou pulled a gun out on Dan and threatened to shoot, but Mart, who was behind him reached his long arm around and knocked the gun out of his hands. Lou left himself wide open for a one-two from Dan, which knocked him over.

Brian held Sam�s legs while Jim held Sam face down on the pavement, with his arms locked around Sam�s. �Trix�umph�get the gun!� Jim struggled with Sam while Mart and Dan easily held down Lou. She ran over and stooped to get the gun, but a second hand reached for it.

�Not so fast, Trixie,� said the voice. Trixie looked up to see Kawan staring at her with a small grin spreading across his face.

�Kawan!� Trixie exclaimed. �Or should I say Shorty.� He looked a little startled at her revelation, but kept the gun in his hand aimed at her.

�If you all know what�s best for you, you�ll get off my partners and just forget this little incident ever happened.� His menacing smile broadened as he looked directly into Trixie�s angry blue eyes.

�How could you do this to your family?� Mart asked furiously.

�They aren�t his family,� Trixie answered for him. �Remember he didn�t identify Kiu as his brother until after he walked away?�

�Trix!� Jim yelped, �I�m slipping here!� Sam flailed his arms violently as Jim kept a strong grip on him. Lou was regaining his strength too.

�You�re the clever one so I think I�ll take you.� Kawan sneered at her. �Now let them up!� He demanded the boys as he grabbed a hold of Trixie.

Honey, finding courage from deep down, stepped up from behind and kicked him in the back of the knee, sending him to the ground. Trixie grabbed the gun and hastily handed it to Jim, who smacked Sam up against the head with it, knocking him out cold. He tossed the gun to Dan and immediately jumped on Kawan who had been able to regain himself. Instantly, Jim slammed Kawan into the black sedan, hitting his head and knocking him out. Lou was out cold too.

�Here, Jim,� Dan threw a set of keys at him, �These fell out of Lou�s pocket.� Jim caught them and opened the trunk to reveal a small dark haired woman, tied and gagged.

�Brian,� Jim called, �help me with her, please.� Brian rushed over to help untie the poor small woman and lifted her out of the trunk, and immediately began checking her for shock or any injuries. Jim grabbed the rope Brian took off the girl and handed it to Dan, who in turn skillfully tied up Lou. He dug around in the trunk and found more rope. With Dan�s knife, he cut proper lengths and soon, they had all three men tied up. Brian left the girl in Trixie and Honey�s care as he helped load the men into the sedan. Jim used the extra rope to tie the doors shut by looping the rope tightly around the handles and over the roof to loop around the door handles on the other side.

�Kaiu?� Trixie asked the young woman. �Are you okay?� She nodded and took a deep breath.

�It was getting stuffy in there�� the woman said faintly.

�It�s best if you try not to talk.� Brian said finally. �We don�t know how long you�ve been in there.� Just then Hallie and Di came running across the parking lot and joined up with the rest. �Are they on their way?�

�Yes,� Hallie said. �They failed to show up the first time because of a misunderstanding. They wouldn�t explain, but just said they were on their way.

Dan looked furious. �One of us might have been killed!�

Jim�s face grew white at the Dan�s words. He was right. Trixie, or any one of them could have been killed. Trixie left Kaiu with the other three girls as she noticed Jim wiping a small amount of blood from his lip and resting against the car.

Trixie stood there laughing. �We look like we�ve been run over!�

�Well, Trix,� Jim said grinning, �we don�t normally take on three full grown men at one time.�

�Oh, look at you,� Trixie crooned handing Jim her handkerchief. Lightly, he accepted it and smiled at her. She leaned against the car next to him and looked down into the backseat to reassure herself that the men had been caught. Instead, she saw Sam staring at her with piercing, icy blue eyes and his dark slick hair. It had occurred to her that she never really did get a good look at him. A shiver went up her spine as she saw him smile at her, with menacing yellow teeth. Quickly, she squirmed next to Jim and forced herself to turn away from him. She could still feel his eyes, stabbing her like daggers in her back. He might have been the clumsy one, but he sure looked fierce.

Within minutes they heard the sound of police sirens and squad cars screeched into the parking lot. Instantly, the police officers took the men into custody and checked over the Bob-Whites to make sure they were okay. The Captain strode over to the Bob-Whites and apologized sincerely for the mishap.

�My name is Captain Liu. There was a misunderstanding with the dispatcher,� the Captain explained, �she gave us the wrong address. Please accept my apologies, and please let the Honolulu Police Department make it up to you.�

�I thought that maybe Captain Molinson got in touch with you to warn you about me,� Trixie laughed slightly. Captain Liu looked confused. �He�s the Captain of Police in the Sleepyside precinct, just outside New York City. He and I know each other all too well.� The other Bob-Whites laughed.

�Miss, are you in trouble with the law?� he asked cautiously.

Jim stepped forward. �Maybe I can explain. You see, she solves crimes and mysteries in Sleepyside, and usually finds the answer long before Captain Molinson does. She�s a tough girl, and someday she�ll make a fine detective.� Trixie blushed at his compliment.

�That�s right,� Honey chimed in. �We�re going to be partners someday.�

�I�d like to thank you for calling the police, but I wish you hadn�t gone after them yourselves.� the Captain said with concern in his voice. �These are dangerous men, you know.�

�I know,� Trixie said looking down at a pebble near her foot. �These guys all told me that already, but you think I listen?�

�Nooooo!� all the Bob-Whites sang to her.

A local reporter showed up to get the scoop on the events and to interview the Bob-Whites. King Kuhio, seeing that Kaiu was standing with the group, raced over to her and lifted her up in his arms and cried with joy. �I feel so bad,� he said shamefacedly to Trixie. �You are a nice group of teen-agers who act on what you believe. I don�t know if I can ever apologize enough for insisting that there would be no police.� He slowly pulled a key out of his pocket and presented it to Captain Liu. �I paid the ransom for this key which was supposed to lead me to Kaiu.� He looked at his daughter at his side. �This little flower means everything to me, and she was with those crooks the whole time. I would have arrived to an empty hotel room, and they would be long gone.�

Trixie stood there not really knowing what to say. She had reunited families before, and each time she felt overcome with emotion. Each experience was like new. Suddenly, the reporter snapped a shot of Kuhio holding Kaiu tightly in his arms, but Kuhio didn�t seem to notice. Everything�s so perfect! Trixie thought as she stole a glance at Honey, who was beaming rays of joy.

The Bob-Whites gave their statements to the Captain and Trixie explained the incident at the airport with Di, at the Hamakua Restaurant, and the conversations she and Honey overheard.

�We didn�t mean to eavesdrop the first time, Sir,� Trixie explained, �it�s just that they were talking so loud that we really couldn�t help it.�

�I know you didn�t so I will end it there.� Captain Liu looked squarely at Trixie. �Your statements will help with the prosecution and we will deport him back to the Texas State Prison. We have been after these hoodlums for a while now.� Captain Liu clicked his heels together and bowed slightly toward Trixie, who in turn, thrust out her hand for a handshake.

�Hurrah for Trix!� Mart shouted and patted his sister on the back. �She always gets her man!�