Disclaimer: I don't own the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew and I make no money from this.

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Chapter 11 Neighbors & Nurturers

"Whoa, Abe!" Frank shouted as the boy jerked on a door that was obviously locked. "I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to talk to you. Why'd you run?"

Slowing to a walk, he approached the boy cautiously. Abe's eyes were swiveling in his head, and he seemed desperate for a route of escape. What Frank couldn't figure out was why.

When he came within a few feet, Abe faced him, holding out a hand.

"Stop. Don't come any closer."

Frank tried a gentle, pacifying tone. "Abe, don't you remember me?"

"Yeah," Abe said. "What do you want with me?"

"I'm just wondering why you're here? Did Mack bring you?"

Abe's eyes widened and he hesitated before blurting, "Mack didn't bring me. Alice and Sencha did."

"Alice McClain?" Frank asked.

She was Mack and Abe's neighbor on the peninsula. Sencha must be the live-in caretaker, Frank surmised.

"Yeah," Abe said. "I – I always come into town to help them with the grocery shopping on Tuesdays."

Frank glanced around. "Are they waiting for you at the hospital somewhere?"

"No, they, uh, they dropped me off. Sencha said she'd get Mr. Hooper to send someone out to help so I could – uh, see how the, uh, pickpocket was."

"So you came to visit the pickpocket? The girl you've never seen before?"

Frank was careful not to mention Lucy's name. He suspected Abe knew it, any way. Maybe the kid would slip up and confirm his suspicion.

Abe crossed his arms, eyes narrowing. "That's none of your business. Mack said you Hardys were kinda nosey."

Raising his eyebrows, Frank said, "He did, huh? Well, I'm just curious why you're coming to visit someone you don't know."

With a shrug, Abe responded, "You did."

Frank snorted. The kid was pretty sharp.

"Fair enough. Why don't we head on back to the hospital then?"

Abe hesitated for several seconds before giving Frank a curt nod.

As they started walking, Frank asked in a conversational tone, "Hey, Abe, can you tell me where Mack is?"

Abe jumped at the question, casting a furtive glance at Frank before answering in a halting voice.

"I, uh, don't know. He… dropped me off at Alice's last night and… hasn't come back."

Abe's discomfort at the questions about his adoptive father piqued Frank's interest. "Huh. Did he say where he was going?"

"No." Abe's tone was clipped, and his next words came out defensively. "Mack doesn't always tell me what he's doin', you know."

Sensing he wasn't going to get anywhere with that line of questioning, Frank shifted topics.

"So, why did you come to the hospital, Abe?"

Abe glanced away. He seemed ill-at-ease. He shrugged and when he met Frank's gaze his eyes sparked with challenge.

"I heard that Lu – uh, the pickpocket was in the hospital and I was just… curious about… who she was."

That tiny slip proved that Abe knew Lucy, which meant Champion likely did, too. This could be a huge break in the case. But given how skittish Abe was, they were going to have to be careful how they approached him. And it made Frank very leery about where Champion was.

Holding open the door, Frank motioned Abe into the hospital reception area.

"Curious, huh? So were Nan and I. Let's get back to the PICU, and we'll see what we can do to satisfy that curiosity."

As they waited at the elevator, Abe seemed to pluck up some courage and turned to Frank.

"So, why are you so interested in some pickpocket, anyway?" Abe asked. "I mean, your brother got his wallet back, didn't he?"

"How did you know that?" Frank asked.

Abe's mouth dropped open slightly, and then his jaw tensed and he gave a stiff, one-shouldered shrug. "The security guys… they told us."

That was something that Frank intended to confirm, but he wasn't going to push Abe on the issue.

"This isn't about the stolen wallet, Abe. We happen to think that Lucy deserves some justice. Someone chased her over that cliff and that someone needs to pay for what they did." Giving the kid a pointed look, he asked, "Why are you curious about her?"

The elevator arrived at that moment. Abe stepped on and turned to face front before answering curtly.

"I just am."

Upstairs, they found Nancy talking to Stephanie. Both women silenced as he and Abe approached.

"Hello, Abe," Nancy said with a friendly smile.

Abe's cheeks reddened and he stuttered, "H-hello."

Frank nodded at Nancy's questioning look. "Abe says that Mrs. McClain brought him into town."

"That was nice of her," Nancy said. "Where's Mack?"

When Abe didn't answer, Frank said, "Abe hasn't seen him since last night."

"Oh. And where is Mrs. McClain?"

Abe piped up. "She and Sencha were going to the grocery store and said they'd be back to pick me up when they were done."

Joe looked up as he came out of the PICU and stopped dead in his tracks, staring at Abe. "Uh, hey there, Abe. What are you doing here?"

Mouth clamped shut, Abe didn't respond to Joe's question. He seemed to have trust issues, particularly when it came to men. Frank smiled as Nancy stepped between Abe and Joe and gave the boy a gentle smile. Nancy's ability to read and respond appropriately to a situation had always impressed him.

"So, Abe, did you come to visit?"

Focusing on Nancy, Abe's stance relaxed and he nodded slowly. "I was hoping to see how Lu… uh, the pickpocket was doing?"

Nan's eyebrows quirked up at Abe's slip, and Frank had to clear his throat to hide a chuckle. As always, little got past his wife.

"The pickpocket, Lucy, is still in a coma. She was badly injured in the fall."

Abe's face fell at the information. His next question came out as a hoarse whisper.

"Is she going to be alright?"

Joe had moved forward and looked at the boy through narrowed eyes. "That remains to be seen."

"But we certainly hope so," Frank said, feeling a need to reassure Abe, whose face had paled noticeably.

As Abe lapsed into silence, Frank turned to his brother. "Is Van coming out soon? Abe would like to visit."

Stephanie stepped forward. "I think Joe could take Abe in even if Vanessa isn't ready to leave. Just don't be too long."

Joe inclined his head toward the room. "Come on, Abe."

Watching as they disappeared inside the PICU, Frank's mind was whirling trying to make sense of Abe's presence here. He didn't think they had to worry about the boy as a threat to Lucy's safety, but it seemed strange that Mack would allow this visit if he didn't have some ulterior motive that served his purposes. Unless he didn't know?

Nancy said, "I wonder what the hell Mack is up to? It makes me nervous that we don't know where he is."

Frank nodded.

"Yeah. Me, too."

HHH

Joe smiled at his wife as he entered the room. She had set aside the book she was reading aloud, and was looking at him curiously.

"Lucy has a visitor, babe."

He put a hand on her shoulder and turned to introduce Abe only to find that the boy had not followed him in, but stood outside the door.

"Abe? Come on in, bud," Joe said.

Two tentative steps brought Abe just inside the threshold where he hovered, eyes glued to the still form of the girl in the bed.

"Is… is she alive?"

Vanessa stood and approached him with a kind smile. "Yes, Abe, but she is in a coma. I like to think she can hear you, though. Why don't you come on in and say hello. I'm Vanessa, by the way."

Holding out a welcoming hand to Abe, Van encouraged him forward. He cast a wary glance at Joe, before moving next to the bed. He stared down at Lucy for several seconds before looking up at Van uncertainly.

"She can hear me?"

"I believe so. I know it looks like she's asleep, but they believe that people in comas can actually sometimes hear what's going on around them. Go ahead and say something to her."

Abe leaned over, and spoke slowly and loudly, "Hi, Lucy…" Turning, he looked at Vanessa. "I don't know what to say."

Vanessa picked up the book and held it out to him. "Would you like to read to her?"

Taking the book, Abe sat in the chair by the bed. He glanced up at Van who leaned down to flip to the bookmark. She pointed to a paragraph about halfway down the page.

"I left off right here."

Abe nodded and began reading. Vanessa took Joe's hand.

"I'm going to step out and get something to drink. Can I get either of you anything?"

Joe snapped his fingers, "That was why I left in the first place, wasn't it? I'm sorry, babe. I got sidetracked."

"It's ok, Joe. Why don't you stay here with Abe while I go? I could stand to stretch my legs, anyway."

She reached up for a quick kiss before leaving the room.

Picking up a nearby chair, Joe positioned it so he could see Abe's face and hands, as well as the tubes and monitors hooked up to Lucy. Though he didn't think Abe was a threat, he was unwilling to take any chances.

Joe sat back but remained watchful as Abe continued to narrate the sad story of Jane Eyre.

HHH

Nancy paced to the window overlooking the hospital parking lot. It was a beautiful, sunny day and they had spent the last two hours of it sitting in a waiting room. On their honeymoon. She sighed.

Frank's arms snaked around her and she leaned into him as he pressed his lips to the back of her head.

"Hey there, sweetheart."

"Hey."

"I think we should drag Joe and Van out to a nice lunch somewhere," Frank said.

Glancing at the clock in the hall, Nancy said, "Geez, it's already eleven thirty. I am past ready to leave but I don't think we should go anywhere until Mrs. McClain arrives to pick up Abe."

"I suppose you're right."

And so they waited.

HHH

"Abe, Mrs. McClain is here."

Vanessa looked up when she heard Nancy's voice. Her sister-in-law was already backing from the room.

Carefully placing the bookmark, Abe closed the book and handed it to Vanessa with a murmured 'thank you.' Then he leaned over Lucy and hesitated a moment before saying quietly, "Get better, Luce. Please."

Ducking his head, Abe hurried out of the room without saying another word. Van set the book aside and took Joe's hand as they followed the boy out to the nurses' desk.

Abe shuffled to stand next to an elderly woman who sat regally in a wheelchair. White, curly hair framed a deeply lined face. The green eyes that shone in that face were lively and sharp. Behind her stood a Native American woman with long, black hair and smooth features that made it difficult to ascertain her age.

"How is Lucille, Abraham?" the old woman asked.

Vanessa felt Joe stiffen beside her, his grip on her shoulder tightening. She glanced up at him curiously. He and Frank were exchanging a look, as if the simple question was somehow revealing. Then it dawned on Van – how did Alice know Lucy's name? They'd only learned it a short while ago, themselves.

"She's in a coma, Alice," Abe said, voice shaky with emotion.

Alice McClain turned her attention to Stephanie. "Nurse, can you provide information regarding the child? If only to assuage Abraham's concern."

Stephanie smiled apologetically. "I can only tell you that her condition is stable."

"Stable is good," Alice said firmly, turning to the boy. "And Lucille is obviously strong. You must have faith, Abraham."

Abe nodded respectfully. Alice then motioned to Vanessa and Joe.

"Remember your manners, child."

Looking up at them, Abe smiled shyly. "Thank you."

Vanessa said, "You're welcome, Abe. But really, we did very little."

"More than you know," Alice said. Turning to Abe, she asked, "Please go down to the car and get the bag from the back seat. I meant to bring it up with me, but this old mind of mine is getting feeble."

"Yes'm."

As the elevator closed on Abe, Alice's sharp gaze swept over the two couples and Stephanie. Vanessa had absolutely no illusions about this woman having a feeble mind.

Glancing over her shoulder, Alice gave a rueful shake of her head. "Goodness, where are my manners? I'd like you all to meet Sencha Newhouse. She is my companion and caretaker."

The woman gave a soft smile and murmured 'hello,' but remained behind the wheelchair.

Alice cleared her throat and all attention returned to her. "I imagine you have some questions."

Nancy spoke up first, "Mrs. McClain –"

"Call me Alice, young woman."

Nancy smiled and gave an accepting nod. "Alice, I'm Nancy Hardy. This is my husband, Frank and my brother- and sister-in-law, Joe and Vanessa. And this is Stephanie – she's been taking care of Lucy."

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you," Alice said.

"I don't know how much Abe has told you –"

"Abraham has informed us of everything that's happened over the last few days," Alice said. "Sencha is the boy's confidante. When Mack is away, Sencha keeps an eye on Abe. Much as she did for Mack, when he was younger and his uncle would travel."

"Do either of you happen to know if Lucy was staying at the Champion cabin?" Nancy asked.

"I never saw her there, no. But then, I don't often visit. It's hard for this old lady to get around these days," Alice said. Looking back at Sencha, she prompted, "Sencha, did you ever see the girl there?"

"No. Never."

There were a few beats of silence before Frank asked, "Do you know where Mack Champion is?"

"I'm sure I have no idea," Alice said. "He… dropped Abraham off yesterday evening and… hasn't returned, yet."

Vanessa's curiosity got the better of her and she chimed in with her own question.

"What made you come to visit Lucy?"

Alice didn't answer right away, and when she spoke, it was with deliberate slowness.

"It was my idea. Abraham became agitated when a story about the pickpocket that had been hurt came on the radio this morning. He seemed quite upset about the whole event. I think perhaps he identifies with the girl. Like her, he is an orphan."

"How did you know Lucy was an orphan?" Joe asked.

"Why, they… reported it on the radio, of course. They said the poor girl's from all the way up in Ottawa."

The elevator dinged and Abe came walking out with a small bag, which he handed to Alice.

"Thank you, child." Alice held the bag out to Vanessa. "Do be a dear and make sure Lucille receives this. It's just a small gift to let her know that someone cares."

Vanessa accepted the bag. "I'll make sure she gets it just as soon as she wakes up."

Alice gave a curt nod. "And that cannot be too soon. Sencha, please wheel me back to the car. I am very tired. It's time for this old lady to get back home. Come, Abraham."

They bid the visitors goodbye. Joe took a deep breath. "That lady is sharp as a tack."

"I don't think she's quite as frail as she lets on, either," Frank said in agreement. "Come on. Let's go get some lunch and decide where we go from here."

"I think calls to the local radio stations are in order," Joe said. "I'd like to know whether there was a report about Lucy or not."

Stephanie seemed surprised by the thought. "You know, I didn't even think of that, but I listen to the local station and I didn't hear the report, now that you say that."

Joe nodded. "Easy enough to check. How many local stations are there?"

"Not many that come in clear. Champion Ferry has a little AM news station that still putters along, though I didn't think they broadcast all the time any more. Perhaps that's where Mrs. McClain heard the story. The nearest FM station, which is the one I listen to, is broadcast out of Ticonderoga."

"Thanks, Steph," Frank said. "We'll check it out."

Van glanced back toward the room. Stephanie patted her arm.

"I promise to take good care of her while you're gone, Vanessa. You go on and try to enjoy at least a little of your honeymoon."

With a grateful smile, Van handed her Alice's gift. "Thanks, Steph. You have my cell. Please call me at once if she starts to wake up."

"You got it."

HHH

A/N: As always, a huge THANK YOU to those who left reviews: cameron1812, liferscove2118, bhar, Jabba1, j & guests (there are a couple cliffies, but this is a mild one , hopefully you weren't too disappointed with the anticlimactic resolution), and fairytaleprincess03.

Next week I am once again off for training all week, which is going to mess with my posting schedule. So, I'll post a bonus chapter or two to make up for it this weekend. Thanks for reading!