Here is the next chapter for your enjoyment. Please review. I would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks Amber

Chapter 11:

Fenton Hardy had discovered that the house across the street from Tony Morrison's was for rent. He smiled and called the broker. He asked if he could get a short term lease and immediately called Arthur Gray. Now he was sitting in the already furnished house. He unpacked and called home. His sister answered the phone on the second ring.

"Hi, Gertrude. Sam and I got here no problem. Is Frank or Joe there?"

"No they are both at Vanessa's place with Callie. Vanessa's mother called last evening and suggested that the Shaw's stay with them until Callie feels better."

Fenton smiled. "That makes me feel better too. Is Nancy still there?"

"Would you like to speak to her? She was about to go take Hannah and Emma to the airport."

"Please."

Fenton didn't want to divulge much of anything to the boys while they were around Callie. He thought it would be too much.

"Hello Mr. Hardy."

"Nancy, how are you?"

"Trying to convince my dad to help with this case, he said that I could stay for another week."

He chuckled. "Nan this case is going to take more than a week. It is probably going to take months. We may need you to assist more directly later. Now I canvassed the neighbourhood and spoke with Ned's aunt. She said that the photograph was definitely Tony Morrison and he was only here for about three months out of the year always during the spring.

"We know what he does during the summers but we have to see if we can find anything on him for the Fall and Winter months."

Nancy smiled. "I'll see if Vanessa can help...she seems really knowledgeable with computers. Frank knows a lot as well."

"I know...his score was almost perfect for his SAT's and he plans on studying computers and criminology at Boston College."

"Just be careful...I read that file on Andolini last night and I didn't like what I saw. He's dangerous and if he gets word that you are in Key West things could get ugly."

"I'll be careful. You just look after my boys. They are very emotionally involved at the moment...especially Frank."

Nancy smiled. "I know...and I know that he cares for Callie deeply. Don't worry..." Nancy saw Mrs. Hardy coming into the kitchen. She walked purposefully to the phone with her hand out. Nancy nodded. "Mrs. Hardy wants to speak with you."

Fenton smiled. "Hello sweetheart..." His smile faltered a bit at her tone. "Of course I will come to Frank's graduation. I already have a return flight. If I'm not done here I will go back." He listened..."Absolutely sweetheart." Sam walked into the room and grinned at him. Fenton sent his friend a glare. "I love you too. Bye."

Sam was laughing. "What was that about?"

Fenton scowled. "She wanted to be sure that I got back in time for Frank's graduation."

"I see...well the Feds are here and we are getting the boot."

Fenton narrowed his eyes. "Excuse me?"

Another man stepped into the room. "I'm special agent Chris Matthews. We no longer require your assistance with this case."

Fenton crossed his arms. "Is that so? Well special agent...would you have known where to look had I not said something. I had an understanding with Ayers and he said that I could be on the case as a consultant. So unless you have the order from the President of the United States or the National Security Advisor you are out of line."

Vanessa was trying to get more information about Tony Morrison. She gained access to the deed of the cottage in Key West and tried tracking him that way. She reached a dead end. She was getting very frustrated. All she wanted was to find this guy. It was 10:30 and she was hungry but didn't want to stop to eat. "Vanessa...Callie just left to go to the doctor with her mother. I have to Buffalo for a day or two."

Vanessa didn't look up from her computer screen but acknowledged her mother. "Sure mom..."

Andrea Bender shook her head and peered over her daughter's shoulder. She was still wearing her pyjamas which consisted of a tank top and pyjama bottoms.

"Don't work too hard. Sometimes its better to put something away for a while then go back to it."

Vanessa bit her lip but continued working. "Okay mom."

Joe walked in. He saw Mrs. Bender shake her head. "Hello Mrs. Bender..."

Andrea smiled at Joe. "Hello dear." She looked at her daughter then back at Joe. Vanessa didn't even hear him arrive. "See if you can get her to take a break. She's been working on that since 7:30 this morning. And I caught her on the computer at 1:00 AM this morning. I threatened to lock her out of her computer if she didn't go to bed immediately."

Joe frowned. He knew that Nancy had asked her to look around for Tony Morrison and she was just as anxious as he was to help find Callie's attacker. But he agreed with Andrea she didn't need to be obsessed about it. Distract Vanessa...Joe grinned at the thought. Mrs. Bender laughed at Joe's look.

"I knew I could count on you. Just behave."

"No problem." He saw Mrs. Bender's overnight bag. "Here let me help you with that." He carried it to the car and watched her pull away. Joe went into the house and saw Mr. Shaw sitting at the table drinking a cup of coffee. "Hi, Mr. Shaw."

He looked up. "Hello there, Joe. I'm going to work. Callie and Sarah should be back later this afternoon. They were going to Callie's appointment at 11:30 then out to lunch."

"Okay...Frank is at dad's office looking over some files. We got them from Seattle yesterday."

George Shaw poured out the rest of his coffee. "I appreciate everything you are doing for Callie...just be careful alright."

"Of course." Joe watched the man leave. He looked like he had aged 10 years in the last two weeks. He grabbed a tray and made a couple of roast beef sandwiches, grabbed a bag of chips, and two cans of cola. Then as a final touch he went outside to Andrea Bender's rose bush and cut a single stem fire and ice rose. He carefully placed it on the tray and carried the tray upstairs. He opened Vanessa's door and closed it behind him. He placed the tray on the bedside table and took the white rose with red tips off the tray. He took the rose and trailed it from the top of her head to her shoulder.

Vanessa tried to shoo the 'rose' away. Joe grinned and did the same thing again. She swatted the 'rose' again. She flipped her hair back and pulled it to one side. Joe put the rose down and rubbed her shoulders. "You know you should take a break."

"I can't. I have to find him. This is the best chance we have."

Joe could tell she was tense her muscles were tight. "I know but you need to take a break and eat." He leaned over and kissed the nape of her neck. He was rewarded with a gasp from Vanessa. He whispered. "I made your favourite, roast beef and cheddar sandwiches."

She looked over at the plate. "Thanks Joe." She leaned over and kissed him. Then she took a bite of her sandwich. Joe picked up his sandwich and ate his while watching her work. She finished her sandwich in record time. This indicated to Joe that Vanessa had skipped breakfast. He sat down on her bed and took a potato chip and flung it towards Vanessa. It hit her on the back of the head. She rubbed the back of her head but kept working. Joe took another chip and tossed it towards Vanessa. This time it went over her shoulder onto her keyboard.

She wheeled around. "JOE! You're making a mess."

He smiled at her and threw another chip at her.

Vanessa narrowed her eyes. "Stop it, Joseph Allen Hardy."

"Make me..." He grinned.

Vanessa was never one to give up on a challenge. She leapt off her chair and snatched the chip bag from Joe and tossed it onto the floor. Joe took the opportunity to put his arms around her waist and rolled on top of her. Now she was pinned underneath him.

"I won..."

Vanessa's face turned red. But before she could retort Joe planted a fiery kiss on her lips. Vanessa resisted at first but she quickly got in the feel of his lips on hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his affection ten fold. She skimmed his mouth with her tongue. He accepted her silent invitation and deepened their kiss. She tugged at his tee shirt pulled it over his head and while he was trying to right himself she used his momentum against him and flung him onto his back. She pulled his shirt off and threw it across the room.

Joe could see the fire in her eyes. He was about to pull her down to kiss her again but she took his hands and placed them over his head. Then without missing a beat she pulled her tank top over her head. Joe could feel his desire for her mount to almost an unbearable level. He reached up and cupped her breast in his hand and brushed his thumb against her nipple. He watched as she gasped and closed her eyes. Just the moment he was looking for. He pulled her tight against him and rolled her over.

He began to caress her from her hips to her breasts and back again. He leaned over and kissed her on the lips. Then he went down further kissing and caressing her skin with his mouth and tongue. He reached her navel and in one fluid motion removed the rest of her garments.

Vanessa could feel her heart pounding. Her was body becoming sensitive to the touch. Joe's mouth found her breast and she gasped. "Joe...I...have...to..."

He nibbled her ear. "Shush...you need a break."

She was about to protest but he began his ministrations again with even more passion than before. "Oh my god...Joe."