CHAPTER ONE

“Good morning, Station Master Morgan, how are the trains running this morning?”

“Ah good morning, Bobby. You are running a little late today, aren’t you? All trains are on schedule.”

“Yes, Sissy is starting a new job today and needed me to care for a few more things around the house before I came down today. So what train is due in next?”

“Let’s see, that would be the 1459 out of Springfield.”

“Oh, good, that would be a Baldwin 464, I love those locomotives!” Bobby said excitedly.

Mr. Morgan laughed.

“Bobby, I don’t think there is a locomotive out there that you don’t like.”

Bobby only heard part of that because he could begin to hear the whistle of the locomotive as it was drawing close to the station. He excitedly ran out on to the platform. He greeted all the regular passengers that he saw there almost every day. Bobby made it a point of getting to know all that rode the trains and where they were going. Most were friendly. One man in particular had only been coming to the station for about a week now. Bobby had tried twice to do his usual conversation with him, but the man brushed him off. Bobby did not let many things bother him, but he was a special teen, that would get hyper focused at times, This he did with “his trains” as well as some people. He finally got a name out of the man, Tod. He figured he would work on him more later.

Bobby’s full attention was on the 1459 pulled into the station, He carefully watched all the moving parts of the big locomotive as it slowly came to a stop. He then ran up to the engineer and yelled up to him,

“Everything is looking good Engineer Harris, I do think that piston rod #6 is sticking a bit.”

“Thanks Bobby, we will pay special attention to that when we do our maintenance on her tonight.

Normally, Bobby waves to all the passengers as the train pulls out and then goes back into the station to see when the next train id due to arrive. This time he was delayed going back into the station.

“That’s odd. The man that won’t speak to me got on the train, but now is crossing the far tracks and is getting back in a car. I wonder what happened?” Bobby, being bobby could not let that thought go all day.

When his sister got home later that day, the first words out of his mouth were.

“Sis, why would a well-dressed business man purchase a ticket to New York, get on the train, but then get off and not go ask for a refund?”

Margaret was used to these kind of blunt questions from Bobby, but she was very tired from everything that was thrown at her at her first day at work. She still managed her normal pleasant smile at him and kissed him on the forehead.

“I am sure we can figure this out, but right now I need just a few minutes of peace and quiet before I begin supper.”

Unfortunately, they never had a chance to have that discussion. The next morning, Margaret and Bobby had their breakfast, she gave him a kiss on the forehead, and reminded him to finish all his chores before he went down to the station.

When Bobby got to the station that morning it was business as usual for him. Bobby was very much a routine oriented person. Besides being extra smart and detailed, the only thing holding him back from a job was him being classified as “Slow.” It was the third train that arrived that morning, that once again Bobby saw the man that would only tell him his name. This time Bobby notice the man was carrying a suitcase that was chained to his wrist. As all the passengers boarded the train, Bobby, again waved as the train departed. However, this time he waited on purpose as the train left. Again, he saw the man, carrying a different briefcase again cross over several tracks and head towards a car. Bobby crossed the tracks also and caught up with the man as he was getting to his car.

“Why don’t you ride the trains, are you scared?” Bobby asked.

The man was extremely nervous.

“Look kid, you need to mind your own business.”

“You get on the train, that means you are not totally afraid of them. You know I read that more people die from heart attacks then train accidents.”

“Look kid, I am very busy…”

“I also don’t understand why you get on the train with one brief case and leave with another.”

At that, one of the car windows came down, and another man in a business suit spoke.

“What’s your name kid?

“Bobby, Bobby Cummings.”

“Well Bobby Cummings, have you had lunch yet?”

“No sir, me and my sister can only afford to eat breakfast and supper.”

“Well, if you would like, Todd and I will take you for a nice lunch and see if we can answer some of your questions.”

“Oh, that would be nice,” Bobby said excitedly, and climbed in the car.

“Bobby I am home, come tell me about your day…Bobby? Bobby, where are you.

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

“Okay Boss, I am just going to finish this last report, then head out.”

“That is fine, just shut my door before you leave.” Peter told her.

The outer door to the office opened and a young women came in crying and sobbing.

“Is this the office of Peter James?” She got out between sobs.

“Yes, it is, oh you poor dear, what is the matter?” Becky asked as she brought her tissues.

“He’s gone, he’s gone, is all Margaret kept repeating.”

By now Peter and Sparky were at Peters office door.

“Who is gone Miss?” Becky asked.

My younger brother Bobby, He is…special, and never varies his routine. He is always home when I get home to tell me all the adventures, he had at the train station that day.”

“Did you report this to the police?” Becky asked.

“Yes, but they told me someone needs to be missing for five days, before they will look into it.” She replied, and then broke down in tears again.

“That is pretty standard Miss…Miss?”

“Oh sorry. Margaret Cummings.”

“Well miss Cummings, they want to give time for the person to return and…”

Peter was interrupted by Margaret.

They don’t understand, Bobby is never late, never missing. I kept trying to explain that to them. I guess when they saw I was not going to give up, a Lieutenant Brown gave me your card, and said you could help.”

Peter let out a sigh.

"I normally don’t like taking a retainer and not doing enough to earn it, because the person shows back up, and I do not refund retainers." Peter said firmly.

“So, you won’t help me?” Margaret said as the tears began again.

“He did say, that, I think we might be able to work out something, do you have the $500.00 retainer on you?” Becky asked.

“$500.00? That is more than I make in a month. Bobby and me live pay check to pay check.” Margaret said in a sob.

“Well, Miss Cummings, I am sorry, but I cannot begin an investigation…”

“Without a down payment, and I think that our community fund can cover that,” Becky said, and mouthed to Peter, she would explain later.

“Now Margaret, come in the office here and explain to us all about Bobby,” Becky said as she helped her into Peters office.

She sat her down in the chair facing Peters desk. Peter and Sparky were both still standing near the door.

Becky looked up at them.

“Well Mr. James, do you want to ask the questions, or do you want me too?” Becky asked.

Peter glanced at his watch and wagged his head. He also pointed his finger at Becky sharply but said nothing as he went and sat behind his desk.

“All right Miss. Cummings, take it from the last time you saw your brother.”