Sorry it has taken forever for me to update….My youngest daughter has been very ill and I have a very stressful but rewarding job that keeps me very busy. I hope everyone likes this next chapter….and for everyone that has read my work and reviewed thank you so much.

Chapter 10:

Frank could see the look of devastation on his son's faces. They were shocked at the story…Andolini…the terrorist plot…their mother being raped. It was a lot to absorb. Frank didn't know what to say to try and comfort them. He wasn't about to say everything would be fine. That would be patronizing. The doorbell rang. Laura Hardy stood up and went to the door. She returned moments later with Nancy Nickerson in tow.

"Frank…"

Hannah did not mistake the tone in her mother's voice. "Mom! What is it?"

"A patient just walked into the Southport Emergency room…with a stab wound…and he has been IDed by one of the other victims."

She couldn't even finish the sentence. Her friend stood up and started towards the door. She grabbed him by the arms. "Frank! Listen there is more you need to know."

The door opened again and Joe came in followed by Con Riley. Frank narrowed his eyes at Nancy. "What is it?"

Nancy took a deep breath. "His name is William Jerry Todd…age 44…his DNA is consistent with the assaults in the New York and Trenton areas."

Joe sucked in his breath as did Fenton Hardy. Joe could tell by the look of confusion on Frank's face that he hadn't made the connection yet. He watched as the confusion turned to reservation. Frank whispered to Nancy…."Why would I need to know that?"

Hannah watched as her mother looked over to Joe and Fenton for guidance. 'What the hell was going on?' Joe approached. "Frank…I know it has been a difficult day…but…William JERRY Todd." Joe had emphasized the name Jerry. Why Hannah didn't know.

Frank thought for another minute. Then he remembered another trying time in his life. When Callie was being stalked by her mother's ex husband…Jerry Todd…

Frank could feel the blood pumping through his veins…his rage barely in check. "How is he related?"

Con Riley answered. "William Todd is Jerry Todd's son."

Frank suddenly paled. "JERRY TODD as in the man who stalked my wife and almost killed us in the hospital when she was in labor with Luke…JERRY TODD?"

Nancy closed her eyes and nodded. Frank was shaking with rage…"And since his DNA is consistent with the other assaults in the area…that means that Chloe was a random victim?"

Nancy met Frank's eyes. "He was watching her. Fifty years from today is the day that Callie's mother divorced his father. According to a journal that we found in the van he wanted revenge. He believed that Elizabeth was his mother…and he hated her…he wanted to hurt his 'sister'. The other children that were victims were for 'practice.'"

Frank finally blew up. "But Callie doesn't have any siblings!"

Nancy soothed him. "I know…and DNA proves that Frank…but Jerry Todd may have told his son about Elizabeth and Callie."

"AND RAPING MY DAUGHTER VINDICATES THAT!"

Fenton put a hand on Frank's shoulder. "In his eyes maybe…but it was still wrong…justice will be served."

Nancy continued. "We are still searching his house…there is more evidence there…it looks like he was stalking Callie too…your whole family."

Joe was looking at his brother and was chilled to the bone. His brother was beyond angry…and he only had one thing on his mind. He wanted to hurt William Todd. Joe tried to reason with him. "Listen big brother…dad's right. We got him…he'll be convicted. You'll see."

Frank sat down hard on the sofa. "All the justice in the world isn't going to help Chloe get over this Joe…my little girl has been changed forever…there isn't a single punishment that even begins to justify that."

Luke sat down next to him. "You're right dad…but putting him behind bars is the right thing to do…Chloe will understand that in time…you know that."

Nancy stood in front of Frank. "Promise me you won't do anything stupid. That's Joe's job…"

"Hey…" Joe retorted.

Frank looked at his watch. "I have to get back to the hospital."

Joe grabbed his jacket. "I'll drive you."

Frank looked at his father. He knew he didn't have to ask. "I'll tell the boys what happened."

Joe exited the house moments later. Frank closed the door. Joe was halfway down the drive way when he saw his brother still holding onto the door knob. "Frank?"

Joe watched as his brother looked up at him. "How am I going to tell Callie this Joe?"

Joe approached his brother and pulled him by the arm towards his car. He put Frank in the passenger side. He got behind the wheel and pulled out of the drive. "You are going to be up front and honest with her…that is how you are going to tell her."

Frank didn't respond. Joe could see that Frank was lost in his own thoughts. The tension in his face the sadness and despair in his eyes spoke volumes. He turned his head away. Joe stopped at a red light and looked at his brother more closely. He was shaking. No he was crying. Joe pulled into a gas station and pulled his brother into his arms. "It's okay big brother…it will be okay."

Joe wasn't sure how long they sat there…but he didn't move until Frank straightened himself back up. "Sorry Joe."

Joe narrowed his eyes. "Don't you dare apologize Frank…you needed to get that out of your system."

"I should have stayed with the boys a while longer."

Joe looked at his brother and smiled. "And ruin their time with their girls…that would just be mean…besides do you really think mom is going to let them out of her sight?"

Frank smiled. "Not a chance in hell."

Matt was sitting with Hannah on the back deck on the bench swing. His head was in Hannah's lap. She was running her fingers through his hair. It felt so good…it was soothing. Damn it he shouldn't be soothed. Suddenly feeling guilty he stood up. "You should probably go home."

Hannah looked at her watch. "I'm where I want to be Matt…what's wrong?"

"Nothing Beth."

Hannah rolled her eyes. "Yeah…and I'm the first lady…why did you just look guilty?"

A single tear escaped his eye. Luckily his back was turned from her. "Because you were playing with my hair…it was comforting…and I feel guilty because no matter what I or the rest of my family does…we can't comfort…Chloe."

Hannah jumped up and hugged him from behind. "Baby listen to me…Chloe is going to have a hard time…your mother too…but if you love and support each other. It will get better. Your mom and Chloe for that matter wouldn't want you to stop seeking comfort or anything that you need because of guilt. It's okay to feel angry…and sad…but let everyone help you…your parents…Luke…Chloe…Joe…your grandparents…ME." Then she turned him around so that he could look into her eyes. "I'm here...it is going to be alright…Matt."

Matt ran his fingers through her long red hair then he ran his finger down her cheek. "I love you Hannah."

She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you too." She pulled him down and their lips met in a lingering kiss. They didn't hear the door open.

"Ahem."

They broke apart. Hannah recognized the voice. "Hi mom…"

"It's ten thirty…I'm sorry honey but we need to get home."

Hannah ran her fingers through her boyfriend's hair. "I'll be right there." She watched as her mother left. She turned and kissed him again. When they broke apart she took his face in her hands. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yes…I'll be fine…go before your mother sends in SWAT."

He watched her go inside. When she was gone he looked up into the heavens. 'God help my family through this…especially Chloe.'