Chapter 4:

Here is the next chapter….thanks for the reviews. Cherylanne Rivers…thanks for the wonderful comments. I am glad everyone has enjoyed it so far….let me know if you want me to post family trees. Thanks Amber

Chapter 4:

Nancy came into her house and shut the door behind her. Ned was there moments later. Carson was asleep and Hannah was told to be home by 11:30. He went over and embraced her. "How is Joy? Is Bess okay…and Tony?"

Nancy shrugged. "Joy is the best of them all. Bess was a wreck. Tony…I don't know as well but he seemed pretty shook up."

"It scared me to death Nan…I can only imagine what they must be feeling."

The phone rang and Nancy answered it. "Hello…"

"George what is it?"

Nancy paled and would have collapsed to the floor had Ned not been holding her up. "Oh my god!"

Frank was watching the news with Callie in their bedroom:

Our top story tonight…a pedophile is raping young teenage girls at an alarming rate. We have a composite of him this evening. So far twenty girls in the cities of New York and Trenton New Jersey have come forward. The attacker is a man of medium build about 6'3 170 lbs. He has dirty blond hair and brown eyes. If you see this man contact the crime line. Parents are reminded to always watch their children…make sure they are not alone in high risk areas. Enforce the buddy system and remind your child not to talk to strangers."

Callie shivered. "That is horrible." Callie looked at the composite. A chill went down her spine. It couldn't be could it? No impossible he was dead. She pushed the thought aside and snuggled closer to Frank. Frank sensing her needs held her tightly…he was just about to ask what was troubling her when the phone rang. He picked it up on the second ring. "Hello…"

"Tony…is everything?"

Callie watched as Frank listened first with curiosity then his expression quickly changed to one of shock and concern. "Oh no! What do they think?"

"Well that's good at least they can get to it. When are they going to do her surgery?"

"That soon? My god Tony…I know you are scared? How are Bess and Joy for that matter?"

Callie was very worried now. She was gripping Frank's hand waiting for him to finish. "We'll be there tomorrow. Don't worry….we'll talk to the kids tomorrow. Just thank god her prognosis is good Tony. Look at it that way…okay…take care."

Callie looked into Frank's eyes. "What is it Frank."

"She has a brain tumor and it is malignant. Her prognosis is pretty good…it isn't a very aggressive tumor. It is in a section of the brain that is very operable. Plus it tends to respond to radiation and chemotherapy well."

Callie's eyes filled with tears. "They must be devastated. Oh Frank…how are we going to tell Chloe?"

"We'll tell her tomorrow. She is going to be devastated but…she won't show that to Joy for anything."

Callie stood up and knelt down beside the bed. Frank knowing what she was going to do knelt beside her and took her hand. "Lord in heaven…watch over Joy give her strength and let her heal. Help her parents get through this…help us all get them through this. I know you have a plan…we just pray you don't take her away too soon. Amen."

Frank pulled her close and kissed her temple. They held each other the rest of the night…neither of them slept much.

Fenton Hardy was working late in his office that same evening. He was looking through some of his old files in his basement. His wife appeared at the top of the stairs. "Fenton…Captain Riley and Chief Colloug are here."

Utterly bewildered he climbed the steps. His two friends were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee. They both looked exhausted. He knew they needed his help for something. "What do you need help with?"

Con Riley spoke first…"You know that pedophile that has been attacking young girls in Trenton and New York. He just attacked a girl in South Port last night."

Fenton poured himself a cup of coffee. "What was the MO?"

"He pretends to be employed in the neighbor hood. Talks to the kids a bit…then he nabs them. He's sick Fenton…we want to try to find him…but we have nothing but a damn composite. No leads…you're the best…the last thing I want is for this sick SOB to come to Bayport."

"Absolutely Chief…I'll look into it." He took the file his old friend offered him. He read and paled. "Twenty two victims…"

Con nodded. "Yes…all with blond hair…rather small for their age but around 13 to 14 years old."

Fenton gazed at the composite. He developed goose bumps.

Chief Collog noticed. "What is it?"

"I don't know…I feel like I've seen him before…but I have no idea where or when."

The chief nodded. "Fenton I just want to catch this guy. He gets more and more vicious each time…the next girl may not be so lucky…it is usually a month to six weeks between victims. Please…ask the boys to help you. I'm surprised Arthur Gray hasn't contacted you."

Fenton narrowed his eyes. "He wouldn't dare…besides his right hand lives right here in Bayport. She runs the New York office now. He'd go through her. I will see if she knows anything though."

Con chuckled. "Ever heard of the words NO comment."

"yes…but I ignore them usually."

The door to the kitchen burst open. "Dad! I saw the police cars and thought something was wrong."

"No Joe…everything is fine. Chief Colloug and Con were just asking me to help with a case…all of us actually."

"Sure…what is it?"

Fenton handed the composite to Joe. "Hey I saw this on the news…why are we looking at it?"

"He has attacked a girl in Southport."

Joe squinted at the picture…"He looks familiar."

Fenton stood up frustrated. "But where?"

Joe looked at them all. "If we knew…we'd be closer to solving this case wouldn't we." He continued to read the file.

Fenton closed his eyes….he just hoped they could catch this sick bastard before he struck again.