From: Joe Hardy Date: Friday, July 7 2012
To: Anna Drew Time: 13:28
Subject: House…
Hey Baby,
We move in Monday, but the realtor said we can start painting this weekend. So go pick out paint, and I will put Frank to work this weekend. We will paint as many rooms as you want. Wanted to give you a heads up, Dad is on his way to go to River Heights. I will go into more details tonight. Oh, how is Kendall today didn't get a chance to ask on phone.
I love you and my sweet darling Kendall.
Detective Joe Hardy
Vice President
Hardy & Sons Investigations
From: Anna Drew Date: Friday, July 7 2012
To: Joe Hardy Time: 13:58
Subject: RE: House…
Hardy,
I already have paint samples on my desk. We will start with our room and bathroom and Kendall's room. We can slowly paint the rest those are the ones I'm more worried about as long as there is no crazy colored rooms.
Tell your dad I said have a safe trip and unless you think I absolutely have to hear the details. I would rather not.
Kendall is fine, she misses her daddy and I have to say I agree with her.
Thank you for my beautiful flowers. You know how to make a girl's day.
Love you Hardy, now get back to work.
Anna Drew
CEO & President
Drew Publishing House
Joe pulled into the drive and saw that Frank's Lincoln MKT so he knew that he and Nancy was already there. He headed into the house and smiled at his brother, Nancy, and Anna gathered in the living room. Frank stood up and gave us brother a hug, "Glad you are home, these two are house talking."
Joe laughed, "I guess Anna beat me to the punch, we are going to be neighbors."
Frank laughed and took his place back beside Nancy, "It should be fun. I hear I get to paint this weekend."
Joe nodded and placed a kiss on Anna's lip and sat on the arm of the chair she was sitting in, "Yes of course, I will return the favor. So how was your trip where did you go?" Joe seemed distracted and not his usual self. Frank studied his brother for a minute and went to say something but decided to hold his tongue.
Nancy smiled at Joe, "Kenya. It was so beautiful. You and Anna should really go there." Nancy rummaged around in her purse and pulled out pictures and handed them to Joe. He started flipping through them while they continued to talk. Joe thought Kenya looked amazing, "it is gorgeous there."
Nancy instantly spoke up, "I was telling Frank and Anna we all four should go sometime. The wildlife and the scenery there is so awesome and the people are amazing."
Anna smiled, "I would love it. You know how I am a big support of the World Wildlife Fund, it would be amazing to see some of the animals I'm trying to help save." Joe smiled to himself he knew she would love being around the exotic animals in their natural setting for she had a huge heart especially when he came to animals.
Frank started talking before Joe could comment, "We should plan a trip soon, of course after the baby is born."
Joe smiled nodded, "First let's try to smooth over this whole someone trying to kill my future wife. Then we can plan big trips to Kenya." Frank and Nancy looked up at him shocked. Joe sighed and glanced at Anna, "You didn't even mention it?"
Frank who was the level tempered one practically yelled, "What the hell?" Joe sighed and Anna gave him a quick kiss and went to the kitchen as fast as possible. He sighed and sank into the chair and started explaining.
Anna woke up to Joe staring at her. He tucked her hair behind her ear, "Good Morning, Baby."
She gave him a soft smile, "watching me sleep, Hardy?"
He placed a soft kiss on her lips, "I love to watch you. I have to go get Frank in an hour."
Anna cuddled against Joe wanting to savor the peaceful moment. It was Saturday and after yesterday evening Anna needed the peace. It was so nice to see Nancy and Frank but after Joe told them everything, that is what the topic pretty much stayed on till Anna forced them to stop. She also learned that Fenton and Carson were bringing a truckload of files from her parents and everyone was going to the office tonight to start sorting. She was grateful they were working on the house today and painting. Well, the boys were going to paint and Nancy and Anna were going to shop.
Joe interrupted her thoughts, "Penny for your thoughts?"
She smiled and nestled into his nook, "just thinking about last night and today."
He gave her a squeeze, "it's going to be okay."
Anna nodded and started to get up, "let's start the day."
Nancy and Anna walked into the foyer of Anna and Joe's new house giggling. Anna and Nancy had stopped by earlier, long enough to figure out what rooms was going to be what and make sure there was no bright orange walls that needed to be painted. Anna loved the inside of the house it was remodeled recently despite the fact it was an old house so the walls were all white. The bathrooms and kitchen was completely remodeled only about a year ago so besides wall color no work was needed on the house. It was perfect.
Nancy and Anna started up the stairs and turned into one of the bedrooms to find Frank and Joe painting pale pink on the walls. Anna threw some bags outside in the hallway and went over to Joe and placed a kiss on his lips, "Haven't gotten much done have you?"
Joe turned and brushed her nose with the paint brush, "This is the last room. How was shopping?"
Anna smiled, "Well bedding is picked out and some wall décor. I want to wait to order the furniture but of course it's coming from Pottery barn."
Joe rolled his eyes, "Of course."
Nancy and Frank were almost in a paint war and laughing. Anna smiled at them, "Nan, want to start wedding planning?"
Nancy quickly put the paint brush down, "of course, let's go back to your house." Joe and Frank grumbled about another wedding and went back to painting.
Joe kissed Anna's forehead lightly and gave her hand a squeeze. They were sitting in front of the investigation office. Everyone else was already inside. "Are you ready?"
She slowly nodded, "As ready as I'll ever be." They both slowly got out of the car and headed into the conference room that had boxes stacked to the ceiling and everyone gathered around with papers everywhere.
As soon as Carson saw Anna he immediately went to her side, "Sweetheart, I know this is hard. You can just surf the web if you would like."
She slowly nodded but decided to find a seat beside Frank and Joe quickly sat next to her. Frank squeezed her hand and whispered in her ear, "Would you like to look or just sit?" She looked around the table this was her parent's life and a lot of it she didn't know. Could she handle everything that was going to be revealed?
She sighed, "Give me something that is mundane."
Frank slid her some papers and she smiled she saw some family photos mixed in with cards and drawings that she apparently did when she was little. She gave Frank a grateful smile. He was going to give her only the positive memories till she could handle the rougher ones. Frank had become like a big brother to Anna, he was playing protector like he did with Joe. Anna smiled to herself at the thought.
From: Joe Hardy Date: Monday, July 9 2012
To: Frank Hardy, Fenton Hardy, Time: 09:28
Nancy Hardy
Subject: K & J Case
Hey Everyone,
Let's try to recap everything learned last night. I know we didn't get to talk last night we all took notes and after our brief meeting this morning I want this all down in a written format. At least important details.
James had money disappearing out of his account on the same month and same amount, $15 grand, I am wondering if he was being blackmailed. And that also begs the questions, why.
We still need to figure out why they left during the time frame of Anna's senior year
Detective Joe Hardy
Vice President
Hardy & Sons Investigations