"Mel, I don't believe for a second that Chad killed Skylar, but we have to find him. It's obvious that she is dead, but to prove who killed her, we are going to have to find Chad and convince him to turn himself in. Then you and I have to get inside that house!"
"Jenny, you are not Nancy Drew, and I'm darn sure not one of the Hardy Boys. I agree Chad couldn't have killed Skylar, but we need to leave it to the Sheriff to prove it. We are just two kids. Older yes, but still kids with wild imaginations according to the Sheriff; no one is going to listen to us, particularly him. Don't you remember when Lisa Taylor was kidnapped? We found the cave where she was being held, and by the time we found the Sheriff and got back there, they had already cleared out."
"Yeah, I remember. I also remember that the Sheriff said that he believed someone had been there."
"That's because the guy left in a hurry, leaving the fire burning and newspaper clippings of the kidnapping behind, Jenny. Did you forget that the Sheriff also said that he did not like being sent on wild goose chases to our little detective hideout? And that if it happened again he would lock us up for interfering in an investigation?"
"No, I didn't forget. I also didn't forget that if I hadn't tripped and made all that noise, we might have helped save that little girl".
Yeah, there it was, Lisa Taylor, the motivation behind Jenny's determination to set things right with the world. It wasn't her fault, but she never forgave herself for tripping over the wire that alerted the kidnapper. He had gotten away, but not seven-year-old Lisa. Her body was discovered a mile from the cave, floating down stream two days later.
They were questioned to no end, but neither Mel nor Jenny ever got a look at the kidnapper's face. They couldn't tell the Sheriff anything, except that the man was big, and dressed in dark clothes. However, there were times during the questioning that Mel got the impression that Sheriff Benny thought they had something to do with what happened to Lisa. Jenny felt that way, too, and she still looked for answers to what happened. Nevertheless, for the time being, the abduction and murder of Lisa Taylor was to remain a mystery. When the time came, no one would believe who the real bad guy had been.
They waited for things to calm down at the Madison's before leaving to search for their friend. A short time later they found a frightened and shattered Chad down at the old mill. He was sitting by the broken water wheel shaking and crying. For a moment they stood silent at the edge of the woods just watching, unsure of what they should say to their friend. A move ever so slightly, the sound of dried leaves crushing beneath Mel's foot, alerted the distressed young boy that something or someone was very close. He became still and silent, like a deer caught in the glare of headlights, not daring to even breathe. Then in an instant, he bolted upright ready to flee until he heard Jenny's soft pleading voice.
"Chad, wait. It's only us, we came to help you. We know that you didn't kill Skylar, and somehow Mel and I are going to prove it, but first you have to turn yourself in."
"Are you crazy, Jenny? You just said that you know I didn't kill Skylar. You're right, I could never hurt her. I loved Skylar. I wanted to marry her and raise a family, but her daddy hates me. Madison has money, and he will pay to see that I am convicted for killing her. Believe me, Jenny, Madison has things to hide and he will kill to keep them hidden. I'm scared, real scared, and I've lost one of the only three people in my life that has mattered to me in a very long time.
I don't want to go to prison, and I don't want to die. Skylar trusted you and Mel, and so do I. You're good at what you do, even if it has been just a game. But if you think its best, then I will turn myself in. Just don't let me down, Jenny, or the real killer walks and I'll rot behind bars. But most important, Skylar will never get justice."
Mel had never felt so sorry for anyone in his life as he did for Chad Carrington at that very moment, but a second later, he felt even worse for his friend.
"Okay kids, come on out of there." Sheriff Benny's voice boomed and echoed through the rooms of the old mill, where they had gone inside to get out of the wind.
"He must have seen us when we went to Skylar's to see what was keeping the two of you. I swear to you, Chad, we never sold you out".
"I know that, Jenny, it's alright. I'm coming, Sheriff, don't shoot!" Chad shouted, and headed for the door. He stopped and turned back to face his friends, whispering, "The truth about why this happened to Skylar is hidden in the Madison house! You guys find it before it's too late. Remember, be careful. Madison will kill anyone that gets in his way!"
"Sheriff, can Mel and I please have a moment alone with Chad before you arrest him for something he did not do?" Jenny asked once outside the mill.
"You two have to be kidding; everywhere the two of you go, sooner or later, kids turn up dead. Chad Carrington, you are under arrest for the murder of Skylar Madison, and if they had been seen standing over the body, your two friends here would be joining you. Count your blessings, kids, because this isn't your time, but its coming." Sheriff Benny snarled as he pushed Chad onto the back seat of his patrol car. Then turned back to face the young girl he seemed to disliked.
"You two go on home now, it's cold and late. There is nothing you can do for your friend. I am giving you fair warning, stay out of this investigation, Jenny. One more thing, stop getting Mel into trouble, do you hear me?" The Sheriff said as he took a step toward her. Jenny stood her ground; she never backed down from anyone, that wasn't her style. She stood there toe to toe to the big man, looking him straight in the eye and replied.
"Yeah, I hear you, Sheriff, and you hear me. Chad did not kill Skylar. Come on, Mel, walk me home," she said taking his hand, then turned and walked away, leaving Sheriff Benny glaring at her back.
They were almost to Jenny's front door before she spoke again. Mel knew she had been quiet because she was thinking. He also knew those gears inside her brain were spinning out of control, and that always meant big trouble for him. Then she dropped her bomb.
"You know, Mel, we have to get into Madison's house, and I know the perfect time to do it. If Madison holds to the tradition of this town, there will be a public viewing of Skylar's body the day before the memorial service. We aren't going to it, though."
"Let me guess, we aren't going to the viewing because we are going to be snooping around inside Madison's house?"
"Where else are we going to find what Chad and Skylar were keeping secret? She told Chad something she didn't want us knowing, and I believe what she knew got her killed. Weren't you listening? Chad said the proof we need is hidden in the Madison house, and we have to find it! It was Skylar's secret, Chad will never tell it, not even to save himself. But if she kept a diary, maybe she wrote her secrets down?"
"Why does it not surprise me that you want to risk my neck on a slim chance Skylar had a diary she wrote deadly secrets in?"
"It's not a slim chance, Mel; most girls our age keep a diary."
"Do you keep one, Jenny?"
"I am a girl, Mel, give me a break. Just because I'm tough don't change that."
"Oh, I know that you are a girl, Jenny. That's one fact that never escaped my attention."
"Shut up, Mel," Jenny said, kissing him for the first time on the lips. Mel just stood there as she ran up on the porch and into the safety of her house. Then opening the door, she called out, "See you tomorrow Mel. I'll work on the plan tonight."
"Sure thing, Jenny, tomorrow," he replied and headed toward his own house.
Half an hour later Mel was stepping from the bath when it finally hit him. Jenny had gotten him to agree to break into the Madison house; however, that was not what kept him awake. Mel had a hard time falling asleep that night, because he couldn't get the kiss off his mind. He kept wondering if it meant anything to Jenny, or was it just another way of distracting him. Whatever the case, it worked, for he was distracted from sleep for most of the night.
It was Monday morning, and his parents must have already left for work. Mel awoke to the sound of someone nearly beating down the front door. Forcing himself out of bed, he staggered down the hall toward the front entrance. Just as he turned the lock, Jenny ran through the door yelling something and waving the morning paper in the air, knocking him on his ass.
"Have you seen this, Mel? Of course, not, you were still sleeping. How could you, Mel? With all the planning we have to do!"
"Jenny, please calm down. I have a headache, and your noise isn't helping in the least."
"I'm sorry, Mel, but Chad is being charged with premeditated murder! They are acting as though the case is a slam-dunk, and that Chad is as guilty as sin. Just read it for yourself; Chad is being tried and convicted in the media. I swear, if we don't do something to try and help him, then Chad doesn't stand a chance!"
"Give me that paper, Jenny," Mel said, snatching it from her white knuckled fingers. He could not believe what he was reading, but there it was in bold black print.
(Last night Sheriff Benny was overheard during a phone conversation. Below is the Sheriff's quote as told by an unidentified source.) "Chad Carrington Murdered Skylar Madison because she was pregnant, and the unwanted child was simply an obstacle that would further complicate the boy's life."
"We have to tell the Sheriff that Chad and Skylar had planed to elope, Jenny, and that's why he was in Madison's barn!" Mel said, dropping the paper as if it burned his fingers.
"What good will that do, Mel? The Sheriff will say that Chad must have changed his mind, and that he and Skylar argued about it. She threatened to tell her dad, and in a fit of rage he killed her."
"Damn, I hate it when you're right, Jenny; so when is the viewing, and when are we going in?" Mel asked, defeated once again.
"The viewing is in the Baptist Church in town Wednesday evening from six until seven thirty. It takes about twenty-five minutes to get from the Madison property and into town. So I figure we have about two and a half hours to search the place."
"You know if we get caught in there, we are going to go to jail, or worse. You heard Chad, Madison will kill to keep his secrets hidden. They must be really bad secrets, Jenny."
"Yeah I know, but we aren't going to get caught, Mel."
"And I'm sure those were the famous last words of Nancy Drew, just before she was nearly killed a few times, too!"
"Maybe they were, my favorite Hardy Boy, but Nancy always got her man. Now are you game, or are you going to sit this one out?"
"Yeah, I guess I am. Besides, who else is going to let you risk their neck, while you get them into trouble thicker than tar? For the life of me, I can't figure out why I let you talk me into these crazy things."
"Maybe because you like me?" Jenny said, smiling.
"Yeah, I like you, Jenny. These games are kind of fun for the most part," Mel replied, trying not to let on to Jenny just how much he liked her.
"Great, I knew that I could count on you, Mel. I think that we better keep a low profile until then, and only discuss our plans when no one is around. You know how our parents like to try to catch us making mischief."
"That's your parents; mine like to call it, or I should say they like to call you, the trouble maker that's going to bring me to a no good end."
"Wow, Mel. That hurt my feelings."
"Oh, Jenny, don't let that bother you. They whistle a different tune when I tell them that I am the leader of our little adventures. They think it's cute that I have a girl so head over heels in love with me that she will follow me anywhere"
"Laugh if you want to, Mel, but that is so awful. We grew up more like real good friends, than just plain old neighbors. You are my best friend. Besides, everybody knows that I am the brains behind the muscle here."
"That you are, Jenny girl, so let's get down to business and discuss operation Madison while we have the house to ourselves," Mel replied turning to take the orange juice from the fridge, and poured them each a glass. He needed time to regain his composure from the hurt her words caused, for it was there, swimming in his eyes.
He was in love with Jenny Perkins, but it was as plain as day, or so he thought at the time, that she did not feel the same way. Nevertheless, Mel had his heart set on someday changing her mind, but for a time, things would remain the same. Soon they were down to the business, and by lunchtime, operation Madison was well planned and ready to be put into action when the time came.
