Ghosts From The Past

Chapter 2: Trouble

"Iola?"

Joe's voice hung in the air like the echo of a gunshot. Nobody moved, or even breathed, for a few long seconds, and then the girl – Iola –smiled briefly.

"Hi, Joe." She looked straight at him. He was still sitting on the floor, the mug of hot chocolate miraculously still standing.

The athletic blonde guy, usually never at a loss for words, clearly did not know what to say. "I...I thought you were dead..." He finally stammered, looking at her like he could not believe what he was seeing. Seven years ago, she died because of a car bomb. He saw the car wreck, heard the explosion. He was at her funeral, for crying out loud! Now, here she was, in his brother's living room, and very much alive, it seemed.

"Obviously not." Frank had stood up by now, and moved to stand next to his wife. Outwardly he appeared calm and collected, but inside he was confused, shocked...and a little angry. Recovering faster than his brother, he had realised that she didn't tell anybody about her being alive for seven years! She put them through the pain of losing her, and didn't even leave them a hint of hope.

"Maybe you better sit down," Nancy said softly. Like her husband, she quickly got her wits back and had a million questions for the unexpected visitor. Frank had, of course, told her all about Iola Morton and she was just as surprised as the brothers.

"Thank you." The girl moved towards the recliner and sat down, obviously feeling uncomfortable. Frank and Nancy retook their seats on of the couches, and Joe sat down on the other one. George sat next to him, and he grabbed her hand, holding onto it as if it were a lifeline.

"Can I get you anything to eat or drink?" Nancy questioned after a few seconds – ever the professional.

"No thank you," she shook her head.

Nobody knew what to say or do. A billion thoughts were going through each of their minds then.

What are you supposed to do when your fiancé's old girlfriend suddenly comes back to life, the one he never really got over? George wondered. She couldn't help but feel a little scared. Sure, Joe was sitting next to her and holding her hand like he was never letting go, but she had a feeling of fear she couldn't seem to shake. What if... No. She chides herself mentally. Joe wouldn't do that. He wouldn't leave me...he can't. I can't live without him!

Joe was stunned beyond words. It felt like a dream, and he couldn't decide if it was a good dream or a nightmare. He should be overjoyed at seeing Iola again...so why isn't he? Why is he sitting here like a dummy clutching George's hand? George... He released his death grip on her hand a little as he became aware of her next to him. George and Iola... They're the last people on this earth who were supposed to meet.

Nancy was turning the few facts she knew over in her mind. Iola was killed in a car bomb meant for Frank and Joe. They met the Gray Man, and discovered Iola was killed by the Assassins – a terrorist group. They tracked the Assassins, and eventually discovered their real target was the Bayport Mall. Joe nabbed the guy, but the Assassin fell to his death from the balcony. Nobody takes an Assassin alive. She shuddered when she remembered everything Frank told her.

How can she be alive? Frank, every rational, was trying to make sense of what happened. I saw the car, and the explosion...there was nothing left! What happened? Why didn't she tell anyone? Why is she suddenly 'rising from the dead' now?

"I think you better tell us what happened...Iola." Nancy startled the others at the sound of her voice, but they were glad somebody decided to speak.

"Where should I begin?" she questioned softly.

"When you got the keys from Joe, remember? The day you supposedly died." Iola stared at Frank in surprise at the angry edge in his voice. Nancy gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Ok," she took a deep breath, and began. "Joe gave me the keys to the car, and I walked out the doors. Just before I could unlock the van, somebody grabbed me from behind and put a piece of cloth over my mouth; chloroform, I guess. I blacked out. When I woke up again, I was lying on a couch with my hands tied behind me."

"Wait a minute," Nancy interrupted her. "Frank told me there was a body in the car."

"I guess somebody took my place," she shrugged.

"A suicide bomber," George nodded. "Makes sense."

"What happened after you woke up?" Nancy urged her to keep talking.

"There were men in the room, talking in a strange language. When I woke up, one of them came over to me and pulled me upright so I was sitting. The leader –I think his name was Al-Rousasa – told me they planned to use me as bait to get to you."

"But why the bomb?" This time Frank interrupted.

"I'm getting to that," there was just a trace of annoyance in her voice, but she quickly covered it up by looking down at her hands again and fiddling nervously with her watch. George and Nancy looked at each other.

"He told me that the car bomb was just a distraction, to make you think I'm dead. They wanted to keep me for a few years, and then use me as leverage against you." She paused, taking another deep breath.

"But why did they want to wait? Why not use you immediately?" George wanted to know, puzzled.

"I'm not sure," Iola shrugged. "They didn't discuss all their plans with me."

"Go on," Frank said this time.

"They kept me locked up in a room for I don't know how long. I got regular meals, and I had plenty of books to read and DVD's to watch. I think I know every line of Freaky Friday," she gave a small, bitter laugh. "I must have been in that room for about a month."

"A month!" Nancy exclaimed with surprise.

"Oh they let me out every afternoon, to take a walk through the garden, with two bodyguards. They were always with me; I couldn't even take a shower without one of them checking up on me every five minutes. One of the bodyguards was a woman," she added quickly when she saw the looks on their faces.

"After a month, I was pretty much fed up with the whole deal. I was making crazy plans to escape, but none of them were worth a shot. Then, one night, they woke me up and told me to get dressed; we had to leave. I realised that I was probably being rescued, and I tried everything to stall them. Eventually one of the guards grew angry and knocked me out with the butt of his gun."

Joe flinched inwardly.

"When I woke up again, we were on a plane," she drew in a breath, and then continued, "They gave me a complete makeover. Dyed my hair blonde, gave me brown contacts, the works. They even gave me a nose job." Unconsciously she reached up and touched her nose. "Then they gave me a new ID; Laura Brown. It felt like I was in the Witness Protection Program, only I wasn't a witness, nor was I being 'protected'."

She gave a bitter laugh, and then continued. "I stayed with them for almost seven years. I lived an almost normal life; I had 'friends' – who were mostly Assassins in disguise – and went to school and college. Ironically, I majored in law."

When she paused, George said, "So what happened?"

"One night I overheard my 'guardian' talking with another Assassin; they were making plans." She took turns looking both brothers in the eye. "Plans for revenge."

"Against us?" Frank questioned, just a little surprised.

"Yes," she whispered, nodding her head.

"But why now?" Nancy was puzzled. "It's been seven years already!"

"Yes," Iola agreed. "I wondered about that too."

"I think I know," George said, thoughtfully. "Frank is married, and Joe is engaged."

"What?" The words slipped from Iola's lips, and she turned pale.

"I'm engaged to George," Joe said softly. George couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He must be so confused.

"And I got married to Nancy," Frank explained. Suddenly he felt uncomfortable. Callie was Iola's best friend.

"What about Callie?" Iola asked, frowning.

"She broke up with me almost two years ago, a few months before I met Nancy." Frank paused, deciding to steer the conversation back on track. "But what does the fact that we're married and engaged have to do with anything?"

Nancy answered; "You've got more to lose now; revenge would be easier. And better – from their point of view." She shuddered.

"What exactly were their plans, Iola?" George asked the girl. The name tasted bitter on her tongue, and she was surprised. She hardly knew this girl, so why did she dislike her so much?

"I'm not sure," Iola replied, frustrated. "I only overheard part of their conversation; then I heard someone coming and I had to move. I escaped two days later."

"How?" Nancy asked, and Iola looked at her.

"I was at a football match. Usually they don't let me go to things like that since it's too crowded, but the guy who was supposed to be watching me has two great weaknesses; football and pretty girls. I convinced him that the cheerleaders were the hottest he'll ever see, and finally he gave in. When we got there I pretended I had to go to the bathroom, and then I waited until he started talking to a cheerleader and slipped out." She shook her head. "I can't believe I got away that easily!"

Me neither, George thought but dismissed the idea.

"After that, I got in a taxi and lay low for a few days in motels and so on. Sorry Joe," Iola smiled at her ex-boyfriend, "no car-chases or gunfights. I had a bit of money saved, so I used that to buy disguises. I didn't want to go to Frank and Joe since that's the first place they'll look for me. So I heard about Nancy Drew, the famous detective and I thought she might be able to help me. I went to her house, and a Mrs Grueen told me to come here. I was a bit surprised that she also lived in Bayport but I didn't put two and two together. So I came here, and well, you know the rest."

After a while, Nancy asked; "Why did you come to me, Iola? What can I do?"

"I'm not sure," the girl looked tired, as if exhausted from telling the story. "I figured you might be able to help me get into the Witness Protection Program or something."

"What about the police?" George wanted to know. Something seemed odd to her, but she wasn't sure what.

"I can't go to them. There are Assassins everywhere."

"What made you so sure that Nancy's not one?"

"They talked about her a few times, and they didn't seem to like her very much so I figured it was safe."

"They talked about me?" Nancy looked at Frank, feeling uncomfortable. What did they know about her?

"Yes, and I once saw a file lying on my 'guardian's' desk with your name on it. It was pretty thick."

"Wait a minute..." George suddenly jumped up anxiously. "You said that they would probably come looking for you at Frank and Joe's house, right?"

"Yes..." Puzzled, the girl fidgeted with her watch again.

"Well, if they're half as informed as I think they are," George moved to the window and looked out into the street, "They probably know where Frank lives now. And that means..."

Before she could finish the sentence, Frank and Joe jumped up and rushed to the window

"I think I better call for back-up," Nancy said, picking up the portable phone and dialling the police department's number.

George walked over to Iola, who looked very scared. "Listen to me. Did you see any suspicious vehicles on your way –"

"Get down!" Frank's frantic voice made everybody fall down on the floor immediately. The window shattered as bullets from a machine gun smashed into the opposite wall, the furniture, and the ornaments. Joe's long-forgotten hot chocolate smashed and spilled all over the Monopoly board.

"Joe!" George called over the noise, desperately hoping he wasn't hurt since he was standing next to the window.

There was no answer.