I know it's been a while, and I'm sorry guys. This semester is going to be a monster, but I'm going to try to update at least somewhat more regularly. Let me know what you think! The more reviews, the more motivation I have to continue! =-D

HITTING HOME

"Who ever thought I could be this brave?

Learning everyday"

Carson slammed his fists against the wooden table and stood, his face taught with anger. "This man is guilty!" he thundered, pointing at the defendant, "And he's getting away Scott-free because we're in a hick town in the middle of nowhere and—"

"That's enough!" the judge roared, standing to his feet, "Now, Mr. Drew, if you will, sit down!" Carson bit his tongue and seated himself. He'd done enough damage losing his temper like that in court. He sat through the end of the case, knowing full well that the jury was rigged. Lawrence McDohaho murdered his own wife and there was nothing the poor woman's sister could do about it.

"I'm so sorry, Liz," Carson turned to his client as the crowded room dispersed. He set his hand on her shoulder in a feeble attempt to comfort her, but Liz Black was a strong young woman.

"My sister may not have been avenged here on earth, but by golly, she will be in heaven." Ms. Black whispered. Just as she turned to go, she looked up at Carson once more, "I want you to remember something, Carson. This is not your fault. None of it is. I don't blame you and Emily certainly wouldn't have either. You did your utmost and that's all anyone can ever hope to do. Thankyou for taking my case and thankyou for believing in me. It's more than anyone's done in a long time." And then she turned to leave.

"Carson?"

Mr. Drew turned toward the familiar voice, "My good friend." He shook hands with the man.

"How are you holding up?" Fenton Hardy asked, concern in his dark eyes.

"I'm fine," Carson replied, "fine, absolutely fine. Listen, Fenton, I really appreciate all your help with this case. Your investigative skills are unmatched. The case went sour, but I have yet to be discouraged."

"That's not what I meant…Carson."

Carson turned to his friend, "Then what?"

Fenton shook his head. He didn't want to voice it, but he could tell that Carson needed to hear it, "Carson, it's been nine years since…"

Carson's eyes clouded and a stormy countenance crossed his completion. Gruffly, he retorted, "What has that got to do with anything?" But he knew exactly what Fenton had seen. Some things you couldn't hide from, especially when your best friend was in the room.

"You don't think that Elizabeth—" but Carson choked on his own words. He quickly cleared his throat and shook his head, "Elizabeth…"

Fenton clapped his hand on Carson's shoulder, "Come on, let's get out of here and get some lunch. Huh? What do you say?" Carson just nodded and led the way.


"So, how's Nancy doing? She's what…twelve now?" Fenton asked, wiping the mustard from his sandwich off the corner of his mouth.

A small smile graced Carson's lips, "Yeah, she'll be thirteen in a few weeks. I don't know what I'm going to do with a teenager. She just keeps growing. You wouldn't believe how much she's like her mother."

Fenton laughed, "Oh, I'm sure. She has the same clear blue eyes that Elizabeth did, and that red hair!" Laura loves the pictures you send."

"Yes, she's the spittin' image of her mother. It's funny to see how similar their mannerisms are." Carson laughed, "Nancy's so curious. And every time she gets into something new, her eyes brighten like stars. How are yours?"

Fenton grinned, "Oh, they're quite the duo. They find entertainment in solving 'crimes' at school."

Carson chuckled, "You mean like who ate the last chocolate chip cookie at lunch?"

"Yes!" Fenton shook his head, "And who stole the glue during nap time. It's amazing what those boys can already do."

"Oh, I know what you mean. Well, I don't know where she gets it from, but Nancy's obsessed with puzzles. Anything she can turn into a mystery, she does. She had a few friends over for a sleepover the other night and someone lost a pint of ice cream. She turned the whole thing into a treasure hunt."

"Really? Well isn't that clever!"

"Oh, and she's getting so tall. I can't believe how fast she's growing.

"I understand that," Fenton shook his head, "The boys seem to have shot up overnight. It won't be long before they're as tall as I am."

"And solving mysteries by your side?" Carson lifted a brow.

Fenton sighed, "Well, Laura's hoping they'll grow tired of the games, but to be honest, they're sharp and I wouldn't mind it at all. Oh, by the way Laura loves the pictures you send."

Carson looked down at his empty plate, "I know it's what Elizabeth would do."

"Carson," Fenton paused, "You're my friend, and I really hate to see you do this to yourself. I wouldn't know what to do if I lost Laura, but…it's almost like you want to torture yourself. Why would you take a case like this?"

"Fenton," Carson put his elbows on the table, "I couldn't turn her down. She'd lost her sister. All the facts and evidence proved he was guilty and it's wrong. You know how I feel about these things. I couldn't not fight for Liz."

Fenton picked his glass up and turned it in his hand slowly, contemplating his next words carefully. With a whisper, he looked to his friend, "You couldn't not fight for Liz Black…or you couldn't not fight for Elizabeth?"

Carson sputtered and shook his head trying to come up with some sort of feasible response, but nothing came. Finally, he just hung his head. The truth was, he was so angry with the man who'd chosen to take the life of the woman he'd married when Carson had had no choice at all. The truth was that he would do almost anything to have back the life of the woman he loved.

Fenton nodded solemnly, knowing he'd hit the nail on the head. So, the two sat in silence until it was time for them each to catch their planes back home.