Chapter Ten
Sunday, June 14
6:40 PM

Jonathan Lowell watched from an upper bedroom window as the two men left his front door and wandered over to a parked car. Who were they? What did they want from him? Did they work with Mick? He watched as they conversed.

When the doorbell had rung earlier, he had been so sure that it had been Mick or one of his henchmen. But it hadn't been. At least he didn't think so. He didn't recognize the first guy, but the blonde guy he was sure he had seen before. Yes! He had! He was sure of it! But where?

He pondered this thought for a moment and then came up with the answer. The hospital, when he and Jessica were walking out. He had been there with another man, with dark hair. Jonathan looked out the window at the second man. No, it hadn't been he.

He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and spotted Beverly coming across the street with dinner. He'd have to open the door for her. She already knew he was home. Why couldn't those men leave?

He watched as his neighbor paused to talk with the gentlemen. They exchanged a few words and then, to Jonathan's dismay, all headed for the door. The moment he had been dreading had finally arrived.

* * *

"I don't understand why he wouldn't open the door."

Joe only half listened to the woman as she led both he and Mr. Porter to the Lowell's front door.

"He's home, I'm sure of it. Why, I just saw him myself no more than half an hour ago!"

They reached the door and the woman knocked on the door with her free hand. Heavenly smells arouse from the pot she held in the other. Joe suspected that she was bringing dinner to her neighbors.

Seconds later, the door opened.

"H-Hello?"

Joe looked up at the person who stood there. He instantly recognized Jonathan Lowell.

"John! Good! You are here! These men told me they had knocked but no one had answered." The woman, whom had earlier introduced herself as Beverly Heyes, smiled at her neighbor.

"I must have not heard the doorbell. I was in the shower." Jonathan replied quickly.

Joe looked at Jonathan. A shower? Jonathan's hair wasn't even wet. Joe suspected the young man was lying.

"Oh, well, I guess we can't blame you then, can we?" The woman laughed uneasily. "May I come in?"

Jonathan forced a smile. "Yes, of course. Why don't all of you come in?" He stepped aside and Joe followed Mr. Porter and the woman into the house. Jonathan closed the door behind them and led the two men over to chairs in the living room as his neighbor headed for the kitchen with the pot.

"Is Jessica awake yet?" She asked, coming back though the doorway.

"No. Not yet." Jonathan stayed standing as Joe lowered himself into a chair.

"Would you like me to wake her? I wouldn't want her dinner to get cold."

"Oh, no. That's fine, Beverly. I'll get her in a minute."

The comment seemed to satisfy Beverly and she headed back towards the door. "Well then, I guess I'd best be heading back. I wouldn't want Ralph to worry."

Jonathan nodded. "Of course. Send my greetings." Joe watched as he led the woman back to the front door.

"How sweet you are, John." Beverly patted the side of the young man's face. "I'll tell Ralph you said 'hi'. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything."

"Yes, alright. Goodnight, Beverly."

"Goodnight, John."

When Jonathan closed the door behind her, Joe couldn't help notice it was rather quickly. He figured Jonathan either didn't like Beverly very much or that he was afraid of something outside.

"Well, gentlemen…" Jonathan clasped his hands together and walked back over to Joe and Mr. Porter. "What can I help you with today?"

Both Mr. Porter and Joe began at once, but then Joe silenced and nodded to the realtor.

"Mr. Lowell," Porter spoke quickly. "I'm afraid my call requires a fair amount of time. If you are in the middle of dinner, I could always call back later?"

"No, no that's fine. You may as well tell me what this is all about, seeing as you're already here." Jonathan sunk into a chair of his own. He looked at Joe for a moment and Joe returned the stare. Jonathan recognized him, he was sure, but from when, Joe was unsure. The last time he had seen Jonathan Lowell was in the hospital and Jonathan had been sleeping.

"Well, maybe I should begin by properly introducing myself? My name is Mark Porter. I am in real estate and I was wondering if maybe--- "

"The property's not for sale." Jonathan said as if reading the man's thoughts.

"B-But Mr. Lowell, you didn't even let me finish!"

"The property's not for sale, Mr. Porter. I'm sorry, but you'll just have to look for business elsewhere."

Mr. Porter look flustered. Joe was sure that such a frank refusal hadn't at all been what he had expected. Mr. Porter probably thought there would be room for negotiation, but the tone of Jonathan's voice proved otherwise.

"But Mr. Lowell, if I may ---"

"You may not, now if you have no further questions, I would like you to get out!" Jonathan's gaze moved to Joe. "And you can take your assistant with you!"

Joe was quick to defend himself. "I'm not with him!"

"Then who are you?"

"Joe Hardy."

When he didn't offer any more information about himself, Jonathan gave him a long hard stare. "Stay where you are. I'll get to you once I show Mr. Porter the door."

Joe nodded and sat back down as he watched Jonathan Lowell lead a pleading Mr. Porter to the door. Both men exited, and though the front door was only slightly open, Joe could still hear the men's argument out on the street.

"Please, Mr. Lowell. You don't realize what you're refusing!"

"I said 'no' and that's final!"

"But Mr. Lowell ---!"

Joe turned from the conversation when he spotted movement on the stairs. He looked up to see a beautiful dark-haired woman sitting halfway down on the stairway, wearing a long white nightgown. Her dark eyes were fixed on him and held a questioning element.

Jessica. Joe recognized her from the hospital. He attempted a friendly wave, but she looked away from him quickly.

"Dumb salesman!" Jonathan reentered the front door and closed it behind him firmly. "Doesn't he understand 'no' means no?" He paused when he noticed Joe looking over at him. "What?"

"Is she supposed to be down here?" Joe nodded towards Jessica who sat smiling at her brother.

"Jessica?" Jonathan's jaw dropped and he stared at her. "What are you doing out of bed? You know you're not supposed to try to walk! You could hurt yourself!" he instantly came out of his stupor, and walked up the stairs to the girl. He picked her up gently in his arms and rocked her, though Joe found this rather awkward. The girl had to be in her early twenties, at least!

"Um… Mr. Lowell?"

But Jonathan wasn't paying attention. "You're probably hungry, aren't you, Jess? I'm sorry, I was going to fetch you once our visitors left, but if you want to eat now I'll take you to the kitchen." He headed down the stairs and it wasn't until he reached the living room that he again took notice of Joe.

"Who are you?" He said, staring at the visitor.

"Joe Hardy." Joe said, rising from his seat.

"Oh, yes. Could you wait a minute while I get my sister something to eat?"

Joe nodded and returned to his chair. His 'waiting a minute' soon turned into five before Jonathan returned from the kitchen without the dark-haired, pixie-faced woman.

"Alright, Mr. Hardy…" Jonathan took a seat again. 'Why is it that you've come to see me? What is your business here?"

"Um…" Joe tapped his knee with his fingers. "Your sister. Is she crippled?"

"I don't see how that's any of your business."

"No, no. You're right. I'm sorry. I was just curious." Joe paused again to think of another question in which to get the conversation going.

"Well?" Jonathan looked at the younger Hardy.

"I guess I'm just here to ask you some questions…"

"Questions? What are you, some sort of detective?"

"Actually, yes. I am."

Jonathan's eyes widened. Joe figured he hadn't anticipated him to answer in the affirmative.

Joe cleared his throat and looked down at his hands. "Actually, Mr. Lowell. My brother and I were the people who found your car after the accident and---"

"You're investigating it?"

"Well sort of. It's not exactly official. I'm just curious..."

"About what?"

"About the events leading up to that night."

Jonathan looked at him strangely. "Why does it matter?"

"I can't help but feel that you and your sister are in some sort of trouble." Said Joe, truthfully.

"Pardon me?"

"Well, at the hospital the other day, a man came in to see you. Your sister seemed disturbed my his presence."

Jonathan's eyes narrowed. "What would you know about this?"

"I was there. I was visiting a friend of mine and just happened to stumble across that strange man in your room."

Jonathan didn't comment.

"Do you know anything about that?"

Again, silence.

"If there's something wrong? Maybe I can help."

Jonathan shook his head. "No. Mr. Hardy, there is nothing wrong. I appreciate your concern, but I can handle these things perfectly well on my own." He stood.

"But the man---?"

"My cousin. He was just visiting."

"Jessica doesn't like him."

"She's never liked him."

But he was lying. Joe knew it. The man in the hospital room wasn't just a relative. He was some sort of dangerous fiend. But why would Jonathan lie about something like that? Unless he was afraid. Maybe there was blackmail involved?

"Well, then… I guess there's nothing more I can do." Joe rose. He didn't want to leave, but he was sure Jonathan wouldn't give him any more information. "But if for any reason, you need some help, don't hesitate to call me or my brother." He handed Mr. Lowell a business card.

Jonathan only glanced at the card before nodding. "Yes, of course. Goodnight, Mr. Hardy."

"Goodnight, Mr. Lowell."

Jonathan led him to the door and shut it behind him. Joe headed for his car and got in, but as he started the motor he couldn't help but feel he was missing something. Jonathan Lowell was hiding something, but what was it?

* * *

Sunday, June 14
7:15 PM

Frank and Lily did a little shopping before heading to the pizza parlor that evening for dinner. They sat at Frank's usual table soon a waiter arrived. The young man who placed water glasses in front of them reminded Frank of his old Friend Tony Prito who had once had the very same job.

"Alright. What can I get you folks today?"

"One small pepperoni and mushroom and two colas, please." Frank placed the order and then their waiter left promising to be back with the food 'in a bit'.

Frank picked up his water and looked across the table at his wife.

"You know, I think your father was right." She smiled at him. "You needed some time off."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, today you didn't say a thing about work. That's the first time since I married you."

"Really?" Frank wasn't sure if he should take her comment as an insult or a compliment, but seeing as it was coming from Lily, he decided to let it pass by without evaluation.

Lily nodded and smiled again. "Thanks for a great day."

Frank reached across the table and took her hand in his, squeezing it. He couldn't imagine anything ruining this moment he had with his wife. He had to admit, he had had a truly relaxing Sunday. Shopping had never been his favorite activity, but anything was enjoyable if he was with Lily. Even house chores, but he wasn't about to tell her that.

"So…" Said Lily, "What are the plans for tomorrow?"

Their pizza arrived and Frank nodded at the waiter before turning back to his wife. "I don't know. We could just play it by ear. We don't need to plan." He looked to the pizza. "Well, how about it? Dig in?"

Lily smiled back and reached for a slice. "Why, thank you." But no sooner had they both laid a piece of pizza on their plates that a loud siren sounded.

"Frank, what---?" Lily put her hands to her ears as she watched her husband leap to his feet.

"Fire!" Someone yelled from the mall hallway.

"Come on, Lily! Let's get out of here!"