Folding the paper back up again, Racetrack stepped into the station and lay the paper on the desk of the nearest officer. Before the officer could look up and see who had dropped the paper, Race was already out the door. Slowly, the officer unfolded the paper to read the addresses and the small note that had been printed in chickenscratch handwriting: "Trouble."

The officer quickly spread the word and several detachments headed to both scenes. Meanwhile, Racetrack was back on his path to Delancey Street, this time with Madeline close on his heels.

How have I caught up with him? she wondered as she trailed him to his and Nate's meeting spot.

Before Racetrack could ask any questions, Nate began walking. "This way. Stay out of the light."

Madeline waited a long time before following the two.

Racetrack and Nate finally reached 18th Street and headed toward the red brick building that had been mentioned in their directions to the hit. Sticking his hand in his pocket, Race felt for the knife that he had brought along. The two silently climbed the stairs to the second floor and headed down the hallway to apartment 13B. As they stood outside the door, Race asked, "Nate, tell me who it is."

"A lady by the name of Emmeline Smith. Tom Smith's wife. She knows too much about the business, so it's necessary to get rid of her. We've been after her daughter Madeline for a while now, but so far no luck. You might could help us with that one."

Racetrack's face went white. This was Madeline's mother!

Before Nate raised his hand to knock, Racetrack pulled out his knife and lunged at Nate, knocking him to the floor. He tried to pin Nate down, but the other young man struggled fiercely. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, and Racetrack felt a sharp pain in his lower back. Gasping, he tried to keep fighting Nate, but the other young man had the advantage and threw Racetrack off him. Race landed in a crumpled heap on the floor, blood staining his white shirt.

Suddenly, there was a shriek, and Nate looked toward the noise to see Madeline standing there, holding a pistol. Nate rushed toward her, knife in hand, but Madeline pulled the trigger. Once again, a shot rang out, followed by a groan and the sickening thud of Nate falling to the floor. Madeline rushed to him, and found that he was dead. With a shuddering sigh, she closed his open eyes.

Suddenly, she heard a low groan. "Maddie?"

With a gasp, she rushed to Race's side. "R-Racetrack, I..."

"Is this...is this any way to treat your rescuer?" Racetrack whispered through gasps for breath. The pain was suffocating.

Tears fell from Madeline's eyes as she pulled Race's head into her lap. "I...I thought that - "

"Shh, I know, I know. And I don't blame you, Maddie." Racetrack's brown eyes, now dull, stared into Madeline's blue eyes.

Madeline was suddenly seized by wracking sobs as she rested her forehead upon Race's. "I'm sorry, Race," she sobbed. "I thought you were huring my mother."

"I...Maddie, I didn't know we would come here," he whispered, gazing up at her. "But when I found out...I knew...that I had to stop Nate."

A small crowd had gathered around Nate's fallen form as well as around Racetrack and Madeline. Race looked up at the concerned faces. "Please leave us alone for a minute," Race whispered. The people nodded and dispersed; or rather, headed toward Nate.

Racetrack moved his eyes back to Madeline's face. "I'm sorry I hurt you, Maddie."

"But...but Race, I shot you!" she exclaimed, fresh tears coming to her eyes.

"I'm gonna be fine, so long as you get me to a hospital," Race said, taking hold of Madeline's hand.

"I will," she answered. "There's a man down the hall who owns a buggy, we can take you in that."

Race nodded, staring up at her. Madeline gazed at him, and suddenly, on impulse, she leaned down and kissed him softly. She was surprised when he responded, tightening his grip on her hand. When Madeline pulled away, Race was smiling. "I saw that one comin' a mile off," he whispered, his grin growing wider.

"Sure you did," Madeline whispered. "I'm going to find Mr. Hayes."

She stood slowly, lowering Race's head to the floor, and dashed down the hallway to her neighbor's room.

Racetrack slowly opened his eyes and let them adjust to the white light. There was an aching pain in his lower back, and for a moment he couldn't remember why. Then, it suddenly came back to him in a rush, and he turned his head on the pillow to see Madeline sitting beside him, smiling. "Did they get the bullet?" he asked.

Madeline nodded. "They did. You've been out for a day and a half."

He raised his hands to rub his eyes. "That long, huh? And I'm still sleepy, can you believe that?"

Madeline smiled. Race recalled something, and asked, "Have you heard anything about Jim, Eli, or Ashley? I turned them in..."

"Yes, they were all arrested, much to the thanks and relief of Mr. Pulitzer and Mr. Dell," she answered. "Is...is that how I caught up to you? Did you stop by the police station?"

Race smiled. "Yeah."

"And it's all over the papers, what you did. Saving my mother, stopping Nate..."

"You're kidding," he muttered, rolling his eyes. "Y'mean I'll be yellin' headlines about myself when I go back to work?"

"Looks that way," Madeline grinned. Suddenly she was aware of Race gazing at her.

"C'mere, let me tell you somethin'," Race said, motioning for her to come closer.

Madeline leaned down a bit, but Race persisted. "Closer, Maddie!"

She moved closer until Race could move his face to the side of hers and whisper, "I love ya, Maddie."

Madeline moved back a bit to smile at Racetrack. "I love you, too."

Race grinned. "Sure you're not sayin' that just 'cause I'm hurt?"

"Oh, I'm sure," Madeline answered, grinning.

Racetrack took her face in his hands and kissed her lightly. When the two separated, both blushed and smiled. "I think we're even," she grinned, taking hold of his hand.

Racetrack smiled up at Madeline before he closed his eyes and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.