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Chapter 12 Assuage & Accuse

Joe had been relieved when Van agreed they didn't have to go back to the hospital after lunch. Instead, they went back to the resort, to Nancy and Frank's cabin, and discussed what they had learned.

Frank made phone calls to the two local radio stations that Stephanie had mentioned, as well as a couple other area stations for which he found numbers. In all cases the Champion Ridge rescue had been reported, but there had been no information regarding the identity of the victim because they didn't have it. At the AM station, no one answered, so Frank had to leave a message with his questions.

That chore done, they agreed it was time to set the mystery aside and enjoy their honeymoons for a while. They had changed into their suits and proceeded to spend the afternoon just chilling out on the beach.

Now Joe and Vanessa were back in their room, enjoying a private meal on their veranda in the moonlight. The candlelight reflected in Vanessa's pretty gray eyes was mesmerizing, and Joe felt like the luckiest man alive.

For the first time in over twenty-four hours it felt like they were on their honeymoon.

Leaving the remains of their dinner on the glass-topped table, they moved to the cushioned lounge chair near the railing. Joe wrapped Vanessa in his arms as she settled between his legs. Van slipped her slim arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest.

"This is what I needed," Van sighed.

He kissed the top of her head. "Me too, babe."

Music drifted up to them from the bonfire party that was occurring down on the beach. It was a pleasant evening, though a bit overcast, but Joe didn't mind the resulting darkness. The scent of smoke and pine coupled pleasantly, and with Van in his arms, he was content to just sit and relax. For a long time they lay there wrapped up in one another, talking or not talking as the spirit moved them.

This was how a honeymoon was supposed to be.

HHH

The soft snore from Joe made Vanessa smile. They had both desperately needed this break from the horror surrounding what had happened to Lucy. Lifting her head, she looked into her husband's handsome face, slack in sleep. His head was cocked off at what appeared to be an uncomfortable angle. Maybe it was time that they went to bed.

"Hey, you," she said softly, stroking his cheek.

Joe startled awake and then gave her a lazy smile. "Hey."

Twisting, Vanessa reached up for a kiss, which Joe readily returned. Shifting, he pulled her onto his lap, cradling her in one arm as he deepened the kiss. She took advantage of the change in position by wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I think we should take this to bed," Vanessa murmured as her lips whispered along his jaw line.

Joe stroked her side, his hand wandering up under her shirt and causing Vanessa to shiver in anticipation.

"Anything you want, baby," Joe murmured, his warm breath washing across her neck.

When he swept her up in his arms, she gasped, clinging to him. He carried her to the bed, laid her down with great care, and then stood over her. The heated gaze that he raked over her body felt like a physical caress. She held out a hand to him.

"Don't leave me hangin', handsome."

Flashing her a roguish grin, Joe said, "Not on your life, babe."

But when he didn't move fast enough, Vanessa rose to her knees on the bed, slipping her hands under his t-shirt as she did so. She felt Joe shiver as she stripped off his shirt, thrilling, as she always did, at how he reacted to her touch.

"I take it you're ready," he said teasingly, returning the favor and relieving her of her top.

As her shirt hit the floor, her hands came to rest on his shoulders. She reached up, pressing her lips to his even as she ran one hand down the length of his muscular torso to the button of his shorts. She made short work of the closure, pushing the clothing out of the way.

"Definitely ready," she murmured, kissing him senseless.

The knock on the door barely filtered through their building passion at first, but as it became more insistent, it was impossible to ignore.

Vanessa leaned her head on his shoulder with a frustrated groan, glancing over at the clock and noting that it was after ten in the evening.

"Who could that be at this hour?"

"I don't know," Joe ground out. "But if it's Frank, I'm gonna kill him."

"I do believe that I'll help," Vanessa said as she watched Joe pull his shorts back on so he could answer the door.

Reaching down, she hastily grabbed her tank top and pulled it over her head.

She turned just as Joe opened the door. Standing in the hallway, the sheriff cast an apologetic look at her before speaking to Joe.

"Mr. Hardy, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you a few questions."

"Alright," Joe said, stepping back and motioning the sheriff and a deputy into the room.

"Not here, sir," the sheriff said. "We need to take this down to the station."

Joe's response was laced with the same frustration that Vanessa felt.

"Now? What's going on?"

Taking a deep breath, the sheriff answered in a resigned tone.

"Mack Champion's body was discovered early this evening. The coroner puts time of death sometime between six p.m. and midnight yesterday. And according to hotel staff, you were seen leaving, alone, at approximately eight p.m. yesterday evening. Is that correct?"

Joe heaved a sigh. "Yes."

Vanessa's gut twisted with worry. They didn't really think Joe had anything to do with it, did they?

The sheriff gave Joe a pointed look. "I believe it is in your best interest if we do this officially and expeditiously, Mr. Hardy. I'm sure you understand."

Joe nodded, obviously resigned to going. "Let me get dressed."

The sheriff hesitated before giving a curt nod. "Ok, then. We'll wait for ya out here."

Vanessa leapt off the bed and hurried to Joe's side. "What does this mean?"

"Hard to tell until I get more information," Joe said, snatching up his t-shirt and pulling it over his head. "Please call Frank, and let him know what's going on. I imagine they'll drive me to the station, so I'll probably need a ride back when they're done with me. Let Frank know I'll call him on his cell."

"Oh, Joe, this just can't be happening," Van whispered.

Leaning down, he kissed her forehead. "Don't worry, babe. The sheriff is obligated to question me given the events over the last couple days, but I don't think he seriously considers me a suspect. It'll be alright. I'll be back before you know it."

"I should come with you."

"There's no point, Van," Joe said. "They won't let you stay with me, anyway. You might as well hang out here where it's comfortable."

A knock sounded again, and the sheriff's muffled voice filtered through to them. "Mr. Hardy, I really have to insist that you come with us now."

With a hug and a hasty kiss, Joe headed toward the door.

Over his shoulder, he said, "I'll call as soon as I'm done."

As the door closed behind him, Vanessa hurried to the phone.

Things simply couldn't get any worse.

HHH

Nancy sat on the couch next to Vanessa, a comforting arm around her slim shoulders. Meanwhile, Frank paced like a caged cat. Waiting for Joe's call was making them all antsy.

They had hurried to Joe and Van's room as soon as Vanessa had called. This honeymoon was doomed. Nancy was ready to throw in the towel and schedule another one, somewhere remote, where there was no chance for a mystery to intrude. Somewhere like Alaska… no, maybe Antarctica would be remote enough.

"How long ago did they leave?" Frank asked.

"I told you, just before I called you," Vanessa said tremulously, glancing at the clock. "It's been over two hours. What could be taking so long?"

"Frank, calm down," Nancy said, recognizing that his agitation was feeding Vanessa's worry. "Joe's fine. The sheriff was smart to take him in now and get his story. The sooner they can cross his name off the suspect list the better."

Dropping into a chair, Frank sighed. "I know you're right, but it makes me nervous that Joe was seen leaving the hotel last night. Vanessa, I thought he came back to the room with you. Explain to me again what he told you."

"I had a horrible headache, and he left so he wouldn't disturb me. Like I said, I thought he was just going down to the bar, but he told me later that he took a drive up to Champion ridge outlook. He said it was a gorgeous view and we even talked about driving up there together later in the week."

Frank shook his head. "I wish we knew where they found Champion's body. I assume it was somewhere on Champion peninsula – but hopefully not anywhere near where Joe was."

A sob escaped Vanessa. "You don't really think they'll believe Joe had anything to do with Champion's death, do you?"

Casting a warning look at Frank, Nancy soothed, "I doubt the sheriff believes Joe is responsible. But he's duty-bound to investigate all possibilities. Don't worry, Van, we'll get to the bottom of this."

Frank's cell phone started playing BNL's Pinch Me – his ringtone for Joe. Lifting it to his ear, Frank answered and Nancy could tell he was trying for a light tone.

"Finally ready for me to come pick you up, little brother?" A pregnant pause was followed by an explosive, "What?"

Frank listened for nearly a minute before saying, "I'll be there as soon as I can. Hang tight."

Shoving his phone into his pocket as he stood, Frank offered the barest of explanations.

"Joe said the sheriff is releasing him but he's to remain in the area. I'm going to pick him up now."

Nancy jumped to her feet and followed her husband to the door. "Frank, what's going on?"

"The sheriff is releasing Joe on his own recognizance, but only because he doesn't have any evidence to hold him on. Apparently he drove right past where they found Champion's body and they are working to put together the circumstantial evidence to charge him. It doesn't look good."

"Oh, you can't be serious."

"He has no alibi and he's admitted to being right there, Nan," Frank said. "Coupled with that confrontation with Champion, it certainly appears suspicious. I was afraid of this."

Reaching up, Nancy planted a kiss on Frank's cheek. "We'll figure it out, hon. We always do. Hurry back. Van's going to be a wreck until Joe's here."

"We won't be long."

Frank leaned down and gave her a quick but firm kiss on the lips before striding out the door. Nancy turned back to join Vanessa, giving her sister-in-law an encouraging smile.

"Everything will be fine."

Van's sharp, gray eyes met Nancy's, questioning. "They found Champion near where Joe went?"

Sitting down, Nancy gave a rueful nod. "It looks suspicious, but it's purely circumstantial, Van. Besides, we know Joe didn't do it. The evidence will support that in the end."

Sinking further into the couch, Van wrapped her arms around herself.

"This is a nightmare, not a honeymoon."

Nancy couldn't agree more.

HHH

Frank watched as his brother dropped wearily into the passenger seat of the car before slamming the door.

"Can you believe this bullshit, bro?" Joe vented as he buckled his safety belt. "Have you ever heard of a weaker motive? I mean come on. I may not have liked Champion, and sure I believed he was a slime ball, but I sure as hell didn't kill him. He isn't worth it."

"They have to have more than that," Frank said.

"The sheriff said Mack claimed there was bad blood between the Hardys and the Champions. I told him I didn't have a clue what he was talking about."

"Bizarre," Frank said. "What would make Mack say something like that?"

"No idea. I mean, I've never met the dude in my life."

Putting the car into drive, Frank eased out of the station parking lot and onto the two-lane highway that led back to the resort.

"Did you learn anything else?"

"Well, one good thing about being a suspect, they show you all the gory details trying to get something out of you. You remember that marsh just above the gorge where they found Lucy?"

"Yeah, I know where you mean."

"Mack's body was found there. His head had been smashed in by a blunt object. They had me sign the paperwork so they could impound my car to search it for the weapon." Joe punched the seat, blowing out a breath. "Apparently the blow didn't kill him, though. He was left face down in the water and the cause of death was officially drowning."

"Sounds like a crime of opportunity," Frank said. "Have they talked to Abe?"

"Luckily, I think the sheriff still trusts me. He actually shared that when he talked to Abe he got the same story we did. Champion dropped Abe off with Alice McClain yesterday evening and didn't return. Alice McClain confirms it. She saw Mack, alive, yesterday evening around eight."

"That narrows the time of death," Frank said.

"Yeah, and assuming that Mack headed straight for the marsh, it means I was driving by right around the time Mack would have been arriving." Joe shook his head. "What the hell was he doing out there at that time of the evening?"

"What about Abe?" Frank asked.

"Alice says he stayed with her the rest of the night."

Frank drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he navigated the dark, curvy road.

"You know what I noticed yesterday at the hospital…"

"What?"

"Alice McClain is very articulate and speaks with a great deal of confidence, but when she talked about Mack dropping off Abe, she hesitated, and chose her words very carefully. I question if she was being entirely truthful."

"Do you really think she'd lie for the kid?"

"Who knows? There's something going on there."

"Well, if we can break Abe's alibi, then I would bet he has a hell of a lot better motive than I do," Joe said. "Champion was a predator and Abe and Lucy were both victims. I'm sure of it."

Frank shot his brother a quelling look. Sometimes, Joe's theorizing got way ahead of the evidence and that could be risky.

"All we have regarding what was going on in Champion's cabin is conjecture. We don't even have proof that Lucy was staying there."

Joe ran his hands down his face. "This looks bad, doesn't it?"

"It looks pretty bad from where I'm sitting."

With a snort, Joe flung back.

"You should take a gander from the hot seat."

HHH

A/N: Well there's your bonus chapter… and while it was unintentional, I kind of like that I left you with the real mystery to chew on while I'm away at training. I can be evil that way.

As always, huge thanks to those who left a review: VerityD, liferscove2118, cameron1812, guest (I do like to keep you guessing, as this chapter demonstrates in spades ;), Cecilia Haunt, and fairytaleprincess03. You all ROCK! Honestly, those little notes are what keep me writing.

I'll 'see' you all again late on Friday… though a slew of reviews might convince me to navigate the hotel wireless mess to try and post while I'm away. I guess we'll see.

Once again, leaving you guessing