by Mabel Maney
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CHAPTER 34
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The Plot Thickens
"What do you think happened to Jackie?" Midge wondered aloud for the tenth time in as many minutes. Velma gave a big sigh and rolled off her girlfriend. In all the years they had been together, she had never seen Midge so preoccupied.
It was early morning and Velma, after a night of sewing and hairstyling, had returned with Uncle Nelly to relieve Willy and Midge at their post in the Command Center. Velma and Uncle Nelly had found their mates drinking coffee and smoking cigars while keeping their eyes glued to the Radar-O-Scope, anxiously awaiting the sign that Joe and Frank had successfully entered the cave system.
Willy had declared himself much too anxious to leave the Command Center until he had heard from the boys, so Midge and Velma decided to use the opportunity to take a refreshing nap. But Midge had been too restless to sleep, and apparently, too anxious to do anything else!
"This is unlike you, Midge," Velma asked as she sat up and slipped her lacy black bra over her full, rounded breasts. "You're really worried, aren't you, honey?" she said as she did up the snaps.
Midge sighed, propped herself up on one elbow and fished a cigarette out of the pack on the nightstand. "It just strikes me as odd that Jackie called in and then hung up without telling us a thing," she admitted between puffs.
"Maybe she's chasing a lead," Velma reasoned as she slipped on her matching panties.
"Maybe," Midge said. But she didn't sound the least bit convinced.
Velma shrugged into her blouse and skirt ensemble and hopped into her high-heeled summer sandals. "Let's go to the police station and see for ourselves," she suggested as she ran her fingers through her short dark hair, which only further rumpled her adorable mass of curls.
"I'll make this up to you," Midge pledged as she climbed out of bed, zipped her trousers and pulled Velma close. "Okay, honey?"
Velma put one hand between Midge's muscular thighs and rubbed softly. "You sure will," she promised with a sly grin.
Midge groaned aloud, forgetting for a moment why she had gotten out of bed. She nibbled Velma's neck.
"Later," Velma said, grabbing her purse and heading for the door.
"How much later?" Midge cried as she chased after her.
Soon they were in Nancy's car heading to the Lake Merrimen jail, a sack of snacks prepared by Nelly on the back seat. Midge had decided to resume her earlier charade and let people think she was Frank Hardly. That way, she was sure to get the answers she was looking for.
"So rememberI'm Frank and you're my wife," Midge warned her.
Velma smiled. She had called Midge many things in their time, but never Frank. She snuggled close to Midge and gave her a kiss that left Midge grinning. The grin disappeared, though, when they arrived at the jail and discovered why their friend hadn't made it home the night before.
"What do you mean you arrested Detective Jackie Jones?" Midge erupted in anger when the desk sergeant told her the news.
"Is she a friend of yours, Frank?" the fair-haired fellow cringed.
"Not only a friend, but a colleague sent here to help with an important investigation," Midge told him with considerable irritation.
"Free prisoner Jones immediately," the officer barked into his intercom. "We didn't know she was really a detective," he stammered. "Oh dear," he added worriedly. "The chief isn't going to like this one little bit." Why, everyone knew the Hardly boys and Chief O'Malley were as close as three fellows could be!
Golly, being Frank was fun, Midge thought as she watched the man squirm nervously. "You didn't think to investigate?" she asked indignantly. "No fingerprint check? No telephone call to San Francisco?"
"Believe me, I don't know how this happened," the sergeant cried, throwing up his arms in dismay. "You have my personal assurance that an investigation will be conducted immediately," he promised. "I'll have a full report on the chief's desk this afternoon."
"I don't think we need to inform the chief about this," Midge hastily told the man. Surely an intimate chum like the chief would realize Midge was an impostor, plus he had left specific instructions to stay away from the prisoner.
"This will be our little secret," Midge winked at the man.
The sergeant blushed with relief. "Gee, thanks Frank, you really are a swell guy! Say, is there anything I can do for you?" he offered. "Would you like a fresh donut? A ticket to the Policeman's Ball?" He leaned across the front desk and asked with a wink, "An escort home?"
"There is something I'd like, Sergeant," Midge told the man. She gave Velma a little grin, then leaned across the desk and whispered in the man's ear. A few minutes later, the girls emerged from the Lake Merrimen jail into the bright sunshine with their friend Jackie by their side. Midge had a satisfied smile on her handsome face and a brand new pair of shiny silver handcuffs in her pocket.
"I've had enough of this town to last me a lifetime," Jackie scowled as she strapped on her gun. "I'm tempted to leave this very minute," she declared, her black eyes flashing with anger. "Maybe even sooner!"
"I know a pretty nurse in a snug uniform who will be disappointed to hear that," Midge remarked.
Jackie's expression grew softer. A lovesick look came into her eyes, only to be replaced by one of heartbreak. Midge knew she was picturing the kinds of things that can happen when two normal, healthy girls are thrown together under emotionally stirring circumstances. Anything could happen! "They've already left, haven't they?" Jackie asked with some trepidation.
Midge nodded. "We saw them off about an hour ago," she told her.
"Damn," Jackie swore. "I wanted to talk to Cherry before she left. I'm worried about her going undercover with Nancy. After all, she's not a professional."
"But she is a Registered Nurse with lots of experience with mental disorders," Velma reminded her.
"True," Jackie said.
Midge could tell this was little comfort to the smitten detective. "Don't worry, Jack," she said in a reassuring tone. "Nancy's got nothing up on you."
"There's no time for my personal problems, anyway," Jackie replied. "Midge, Velma, you won't believe what I overheard!
"Those clues at the Hardly house were planted!" she exclaimed. "And that's not all. I'm not so sure the Russians are behind this kidnapping. If they are, they're not alone. Judge Meeks figures in somehow."
"Myra's husband?" Midge cried.
Jackie nodded. "I'm afraid he's planning to ruin Fennel Hardly's reputation by declaring him a Russian spy and blaming him for some blast that's planned for Wednesday."
"Good detective work," Midge was impressed.
Jackie flushed modestly. "All I did was overhear a conversation between some corrupt men," she admitted.
"Well, we won't tell Cherry that," Midge said with a wink.
Velma rolled her eyes. "While you two stand here trying to think of ways to impress girls, I'm going inside to ask that thug exactly what is going to explode."
"Three G-men came during the night and sprung him," Jackie told her, "and when I asked, the guard denied that there was ever a prisoner in that cell. Either Chief O'Malley is in cahoots with Judge Meeks, or the government is involved in this investigation and keeping it secret. Either way, it looks like anything we find out, we've got to find out for ourselves."
"So let's go to Myra's house and find her connection to the tunnels," Midge exclaimed.
"But you heard what Nancy said. She never lets anyone inside," Velma reminded her.
"We'll force our way in, then," Jackie said with determination.
"Oh, good," Midge smiled. "I can't wait to see the expression on Myra Meeks' face when we break down her door."
"We'll have to do it on the sly," Jackie countered. "We don't want to bring all the judge's forces down on us."
Jackie had another concern as well. "We've got to crack this case before bedtime at the sanitarium!" she thought urgently. "That leaves us about ten hours to break into Myra's house, find t
he entrance into the caverns, warn Joe and Frank about the explosion, rescue the Hardly parents and then race to the sanitarium and spring Cherry and Nancy before they turn in for the night," she realized.
"Follow me," Jackie commanded as she hopped into Joe's jalopy and headed for the main road. Midge and Velma took off after her in Nancy's car. Luckily Jackie was possessed with more than a strong physique and a confident manner; she also had a keen sense of direction enabling her to find Shady Lane with nary a false move. Jackie cut the engine and stopped her car behind a grove of weeping willows across the street from a stately house set back behind a tall wroughtiron gate grandly embellished with the initials MM.
"It's an awfully fancy cottage," Velma remarked as she and Midge joined their chum in surveying the imposing two-story home painted sparkling white with elegant pilasters.
Before they could head across the road, Midge spotted two German shepherds patrolling the grounds. The girls ducked behind Nancy's convertible. "Maybe Nancy's got some binoculars in here," Velma suggested as she popped open the glove box of the speedy vehicle. A jumble of assorted items tumbled out. "Sun-tan oil, sunglasses, a complete cosmetics kit with Nancy's initials on it, a manicure set, an assortment of gloveslong silk gloves, short cotton gloves and rabbit-lined leather ones, for winter, I suppose-," Velma said aloud, "-hair spray, a rain bonnet, a nice-looking compass in an attractive leather case, also with her initials on it-a Parcheesi set, a swim cap, road flares, a deck of cards, and oh!" she cried in triumph, "Opera glasses!"
Jackie whistled when she got a close-up view of the gate surrounding the house. "That's electrified wire along the top," she told her chums.
"Mrs. Meeks really doesn't want anyone on her carpet," Midge joked darkly.
"There's a man with a rifle at the second-floor window," Jackie gasped. "An electrified gate, an armed guard and patrol dogs all add up to one thing," she declared. "They're guarding that tunnel entrance because something very important is going on down there." She trained the glasses lower. "There's a basement, but the windows have been boarded up," she announced. "That's where we want to be. I'm going to check out the back of the house to see if I can find a weak spot in their security."
"I'll go with you," Midge offered. She tossed Joe's car keys to Velma. "Honey, go home."
"I'll do no such thing, Midge Fontaine," Velma pouted.
"I won't leave you here alone," Midge shot back. "It's too dangerous."
"You both stay here and watch the front," Jackie said. "See who comes and goes. Make note of any passing car."
"Be careful," Velma warned Jackie.
"Yeah, don't take any chances," Midge reiterated. "Remember you've got a great girl waiting for you over at that sanitarium."
"Do I, Midge?" Jackie's eyes met her chum's. "I'll be back soon," she promised as she stuck her service revolver in the waistband of her trousers and started off.
Midge and Velma made themselves comfortable in the wide back seat of Nancy's convertible. "When Jackie gets back with her plan, you've got to go home to Willy and Nelly," Midge said in a no-nonsense tone as she flung her long legs over the back of the seat and put an arm around her girl.
Velma didn't reply. Midge settled back in the seat and tried to keep her eyes on the gate but found them wandering instead to the soft curve of her girlfriend's neck. She leaned over and gave her a little nibble. Velma jerked away.
"Forget it, Midge," she said.
"It's because I'm sending you home, isn't AT Midge groused. "I am not going to argue with you about this, Velma," she said in a tone of voice that let Velma know that, golly, she meant business!
"That's good," Velma retorted, "because you're not going to win."
"I don't want anything to happen to you," Midge pleaded earnestly.
"Well, I don't want anything to happen to you," Velma shot back.
"It's different," Midge insisted.
"How?" Velma cried.
"First of all, I'm wearing shoes I can run in," Midge pointed out. "Not those flimsy high-heeled sandals of yours."
"I thought you liked me in high heels," Velma gasped indignantly, adding, "I'll remind you of this the next time you beg me to-"
"Don't change the subject," Midge warned, her temper rising.
"I am not going home," Velma declared.
"You are going home if I have to carry you there myself, Miss Velma Pierce," Midge promised angrily.
"Yes, dear, whatever you say," Velma mocked her in a highpitched feminine voice. "Gee, married life sure is swell," she added sarcastically. "Remind me to recommend it to my friends."
Her remark stung Midge like a slap. Golly, the last seven days had been the happiest of her life knowing she and Velma were truly as one. "I didn't know you felt that way, Velma," she said sadly. There was no trace of sarcasm or anger in her voice now.
"Oh, Midge, I love being your wife," Velma cried in all sincerity as she climbed in Midge's lap. She gave her a kiss that made all of Midge's doubts instantly melt away.
"Oh, Velma," Midge gulped. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Velma smiled back. "That's why I can't let you go in there without me. Why, I'd die of worry!"
"You're not going in there, Velma," Midge said flatly.
"Yes, I am," Velma said as she unbuttoned Midge's shirt and ran her manicured nails over her tee-shirt clad chest.
"No, you're not," Midge said, this time in a softer tone.
"You know what I could really go for right now?" Velma sighed in Midge's ear.
"Me, too," Midge moaned as she slid her hands up Velma's skirt.
"I was thinking of an early lunch," Velma giggled as she wriggled off Midge and snatched up the sack of food Nelly had prepared for them. "I was also thinking we should probably keep an eye on that gate."
Midge reddened. "You're still not going," she told her girlfriend.
Velma stuck out her tongue. "What would you like to eat?" she said as she breezily ignored her mate. "We've got carrot sticks, cream cheese and jelly-nut sandwiches, butter split hard rolls, pickled beets, deviled eggs, pears, a bag of figs, brownies and a thermos of coffee."
"Nothing," Midge glared at her, but soon changed her mind when she got a look at the delicious spread. "I am a little hungry," she admitted. Velma gave her a deviled egg and a kiss.
After ten minutes of happy eating, Midge lit a cigarette and gave a great big satisfied sigh. "Where do you think Jackie is? She wouldn't try to go in there without us, would she? Do you think Frank and Joe have made it into the caverns yet? And, more importantly, do you think Willy and Nelly will adopt me?"
"Me, too," Velma smiled, thinking of the lovely creations Nelly had thrown together using Nancy's basic wardrobe, some scraps from his sewing kit, safety pins and his keen sense of style.
"Nancy has never looked lovelier than she did this morning when she left for the sanitarium dressed in that snowwhite satin gown with its white velvet stole and matching muff," Velma remarked. "I especially liked the paste diamond necklace and brooch set Nelly whipped up for her. Why, she really did look like a movie star!"
Midge groaned. "Don't tell Jackie that," she warned Velma. "Besides, I don't think Nancy's all that good looking. I mean, she's a pretty enough girl in a collegiate sort of way, if you like that type," she grumbled.
"Nancy's a charming girl and you know it," Velma scolded her. "You just don't want her to be Cherry's type, that's all."
"I just want what's best for my friends," Midge retorted. "And I think what's best for Jackie and Cherry is each other. You don't really think Cherry's going to pick a high-strung debutante over a big strong, handsome cop, do you?" Midge baited her girlfriend. "Would you?"
"You have to ask?" Velma arched one plucked brow.
"What has Cherry told you about Jackie?" Midge asked, scooting close to Velma.
"I won't say," Velma said stubbornly, adding, "It's top secret."
Midge could tell she meant business! "I hate it when you get like this," Midge compl
ained. She moved to the far end of the seat and pretended to ignore her girlfriend.
"Well, I hate it when you sit so darn far away," Velma shot back.
Midge grinned and slid back. She put her arm around her girl and nuzzled her neck. "You are the most aggravating girl I've ever met, Miss Pierce," she said softly.
"And you, mister, are one big busybody."
"I like to be informed," Midge said in her own defense.
"What would the gang back home say if they knew what a gossip you really were?" Velma giggled. Midge shot her a withering look. Velma started to laugh even harder.
"What's so funny?" Midge cried.
"Nothing," Velma said quickly. "Just something silly that popped into my head. It's gone now."
"What was it?" Midge wondered.
"I can't remember," Velma told her with all innocence.
Midge didn't believe her. "I'm going to pester you until you tell me," she threatened.
Velma sighed. "You really want to know what was making me laugh?" she wondered.
"Uh-huh," Midge said.
"You sure?"
"Sure I'm sure," Midge retorted. "And don't lie. I know when you're lying. Your bottom lip quivers."
Velma grinned. "I was just wondering what the gang back home would say if they knew, well, if they knew who really gets to keep the keys for all the handcuffs you bring home," Velma giggled.
* * *
CHAPTER 35
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And Brains, Too!
Midge gasped. "Velma! You promised you'd never tell!" she exclaimed, throwing up her arms in alarm.
"Honey, of course I'll never tell," Velma reassured her. "Now see, you wanted to know what I was thinking and now that you do, you're hurt!" "I'm not hurt," Midge moped.
Velma could tell she was lying. "Midge, I would never tell anyone about how you like to be-"
"Shhh," Midge warned her. "People can hear."