Disclaimer: I do not own Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys and am making no money from this story.

Thanks as always to Cherylann Rivers whose suggestions made this better. Any comments including constructive criticism are always welcome

"I don't get it. Why would someone want so badly to stop me finding out who I am that they'd actually threaten to kill me?", Ryan said. He stirred his straw around in his soda. In front of him his grilled cheese sat with only a few bites taken out of it.

"I don't know why but I'm going to find out.", Nancy said. She picked up a French fry and put it in her mouth.

Ryan,Nancy and George were at Marlene's, a local diner. They were in a booth that was against the back wall.

" Why do these guys always write those messages in red ink anyway?", George asked. "Do they think that it's scarier if it looks like blood?"

Nancy picked up the note and studied it. "I just noticed something. These letters are very neat, in fact they're so neat that they must have been done with a stencil."

Ryan looked puzzled. "What does that mean?"

"It means that whoever wrote the note wants to make sure that there's nothing on it that could identify them."

George dipped her spoon in her tomato soup and put it to her lips. "So the person who did it is really thorough."

"Right", Nancy took a bite of her cheeseburger.

As the group ate, Nancy noticed that Ryan kept looking around as though he expected the writer of the note to be in the diner at that very moment. The diner itself was decorated in a fifties style and was full of customers of varying ages

"What's our next move then?", George asked.

"I'm going to give B.D a call. Even though he's in Homicide he might be able to get us the files we need." Nancy said.

B.D Hawkins was Nancy's best contact at the police department. They'd met when Nancy had been investigating the case of Bess' stolen car. Like a lot of cops, he'd been sceptical of Nancy's detective ability at first but she had earned his respect.

Just then the door opened and a man came in, Nancy recognized him almost immediately. It was Dan Tyler. He stood looking around for a moment before coming over to Nancy and her group. As he did so, Nancy slipped the warning note into her purse.

"Well now, if it isn't River Heights' most talented amateur crime solver.", Tyler announced.

"Hello, Mr Tyler", Nancy said.

"What's brewing?", he said. "Grabbing a quick bite between chasing down clues?"

" Just having lunch with a couple of friends.",Nancy said. She always tried to keep the number of people who knew that she was on a case to as few as possible.

"Let me take care of your bill", then. Just consider it my personal thank you for the work you do in River Heights."

"That's very generous of you,Mr Tyler." Nancy leaned back in her seat and studied the man. His solid build hinted at his guard days while his checked shirt, jeans and cowboy hat gave the impression of a man who still did the hands-on work at his company.

"Just showing my appreciation of a young lady who does a lot to keep this city safe. And call me Dan." Having finished the conversation he went over to another table and picked up the menu.

After finishing lunch and after Dan Tyler had settled their bill,Nancy and George dropped Ryan back at his house.

Nancy waited until the girls were back in their suite to make her call.

B.D answered with a "Hey Kid, what's happening? Any leads on that sneak thief yet?" As he spoke,Nancy pictured his roguish good looks and cowboy boots.

"Not yet but something else has come up. Something that could be serious."

After Nancy had explained the situation B.D said, "You're right, that does sound concerning. Of course the department can't do anything formal until Ryan makes a complaint but I could get you copies of the files from fifteen years ago."

"Thanks,B.D. Can you also get me the files on the fatal armored car robbery?"

" You think it's connected?"

" I don't know yet but it couldn't hurt to read up on the full details."

" Will do. That's what I like about you,Kid. You're thorough. Keep me posted."

" Always, B.D"

###

"Let me get this straight", Joe said. "Ryan got a death threat."

"That's right.", Nancy said, putting her mascara back in her purse. Beside her in the front of the Mustang, George was applying lipstick.

Frank leaned forward from his seat behind Nancy. " It sounds like you have something major on your hands, Nance. If you need help, Joe and I are ready and willing."

" Thanks guys", Nancy said. "But enough talking shop for one day, let's just enjoy ourselves tonight."

The group got out of the car and headed for The Flow. As they passed groups of kids,Nancy noticed several guys checking her and George out. It was no surprise. Her turquoise mini-dress went well with her blue eyes and George looked striking in her black leggings and red halter neck top.

Eventually they got inside the club and took a moment to soak up the atmosphere. Spotlights roved across the room and here and there metal steps led to platforms where dancers could show off their best moves. There were black and silver tables in one area and the video wall at the back showed the dancers intercut with shots of cites around the world

" I don't know what type of music this is.", Frank said. "But it really makes me want to get out there and dance."

Nancy had to agree. The DJ was playing something with heavy R'n'B influences but it wasn't quite the same as anything Nancy had heard before.

"Let's go find Luke and Renee.", Joe suggested.

Nancy climbed onto one of the platforms. She scanned the crowd for Renee and Luke but more,she had to admit, for Luke. She felt a tingle of electricity run through her as she spotted Luke's tousled mop.

Just then he turned around and saw her. His face lit up and he began weaving through the crowd to reach Nancy.

She practically flew down the steps and into Luke's muscular embrace. "Ready to party?", he asked

"You bet", she answered. But before they hit the dance floor,she lingered a moment longer in Luke's arms savoring the closeness.

Most of the rest of the evening, Nancy lost herself in the music, the lights and Luke's blue gaze. After a while he said, "I don't know about you but I'm getting thirsty."

Luke led Nancy to one of the tables. " I think I'll have the Tropical Fantasy.", he said pointing to a creamy orange drink that was decorated with a rainbow striped paper umbrella.

"Count me in.", Nancy said. She watched him go over to order their drinks. She couldn't help but admire the graceful way he walked. There was something almost catlike in the way he moved.

Soon he was back with both their drinks. He set them down on the table then looked out at the dance floor. " Seems that everyone's having a good time tonight.", he remarked.

Seems that way.", Nancy said. Was that all that she could say to him? Come on, Drew,she told herself. It's not like you to get tongue-tied around a guy.

Luke took a sip of his drink," Of course,they're missing out on one of the best parts of the evening."

"What's that?"

"Spending time with you.", Luke slid his hand into reach of Nancy's. When their fingers touched it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

###

Frank knew that he should just be having a good time but he kept looking over at Nancy and Luke. They seemed to be enjoying each other's company and something about that bothered him. Of course he wasn't jealous, he couldn't be jealous because he loved Callie.

Frank felt a hand on his shoulder, "What's on your mind ?" Renee asked.

"Nothing."

"Doesn't look like nothing." She indicated Luke and Nancy. "She's someone special to you, isn't she?"

"It's complicated."

"And yet she has a boyfriend. Luke must be exceptional to spark her interest the way he does."

Frank tried not to let the fact that Nancy was now wearing the paper umbrella from Luke's drink behind her ear trouble him.

"Is that it,Frank? Are you worried that Luke is a better fit for Nancy than you?"

"Of course not"

"Then let's forget them and dance"

As Renee led him to another part of the dance floor,Frank sneaked one last look at Nancy and Luke.

###

The next morning in the hotel cafe, Joe pretended to be engrossed in his phone while he watched Sergei Ovchinnikov sip an espresso. Joe had been shadowing the Russian for hours and had seen nothing remotely suspicious.

Looks like I struck out this time, he thought. Frank's busy tailing Jack Manning and the girls are busy checking out apartment complexes to see if anyone there recognizes Ryan.

Just then the billionaire put down his cup and pulled out his phone. He left the cafe and headed for the lobby. Joe waited a second and then followed.

Ovchinnikov crossed the room heading for the elevators. Joe managed to slip into the elevator behind him before the doors closed. Joe noticed that Ovchinnikov pushed the button for the seventh floor. Why was the man going to that floor? His suite, like Joe's, was on the fifth.

Ovchinnikov got off the elevator and headed towards the hidden door that led to the staff corridor. Joe followed,leaning against the balcony and acting like he was just there to get a better view of the lobby. Another man came out of the door. He looked to be about Joe's height and was wearing a maintenance worker's uniform.

Suddenly Joe felt someone grab him by the shoulders. Before he could react, a hard shove sent him toppling over the railing and falling toward the lobby pool seven stories below.