The police came and took Connie Watson's body away. Nancy watched as the ambulance drove off, taking her old friend with them. The knot in her stomach squeezed painfully against her heart.

Hal had killed her; Nancy was too late. She should have had someone watching over Hal and Connie. Why he had taken action so suddenly was still a mystery.

Reporters had already arrived and were pursuing an interview with Nancy. She turned around and bent her head low in refusal.

Joe was given a checkup and proved well, with miner injuries. His head wound was already healing, since he had gotten it five days before. He had a bandage around his head, and was told to get some rest. He promised to do so.

OOOOO

Nancy and Joe got into the blue mustang and began driving. Instead of heading back home, Nancy headed toward the hospital. She wanted to see Ned, and check up on Dan.

Since the drive took almost an hour, Nancy turned on the radio.

For the first half hour, Nancy and Joe listened to music in silence. In the middle of one of Nancy's favorite songs, an announcer interrupted,

"This just in. Judo champion, Connie Watson, was found dead this morning inside of her old high school's library. The police have not given any clue to whom the killer is, but some believe it had to do with Connie's old friend, Nancy Drew. Nancy Drew is a detective that solved a crime at the high school a couple months ago. Looks like the entire mystery wasn't solved. Well, Nancy Drew, we're all waiting to see what you do."

"Also, Joe Hardy, one of the famous Hardy brothers, was found in the library. He's condition is stable, however he had a near-fatal head injury. Inside people say that Joe Hardy was kidnapped and tortured as he was locked away. Our Miss Nancy Drew found him barely alive. More about our favorite detectives right after this." There was a click and the music began playing again.

"Don't you love how exact news reports can be?" Joe asked sarcastically.

Nancy rolled her eyes. "Well, you were near death."

"Yeah, but tortured? It was torture, I'll admit, but he didn't beat me or anything."

"Joe, do you know who kidnapped you? I mean, did you see their face?" Joe thought for a moment.

"I think I saw one of their faces. He was..."

"One of their faces?" Nancy looked at him for an instant, then turned back to the road. "There was more then one person?"

"Yeah. I only saw one guy's face. He was Mexican, I think. Had dark black hair, or brown. And he looked real strong. I didn't stand a chance against him."

"How tall was he?"

"Couldn't tell. He jumped me. I just got a brief look." Nancy nodded. This sounded like Mitch's description, or at least what he had looked like when she last saw him. It also reminded her of someone else...

As she pulled into the hospital parking lot, she noticed that Joe seemed confused. She explained what had happened to Dan and Ned as they made their way to the third floor.

Nancy decided to stop by on Dan first, though she was unsure why. She reached his room just as a nurse came out.

"Mr. Mitchells doesn't want to be disturbed right now. Can you come by a little later?"

Nancy nodded and headed toward room 15. When she reached it, she knocked and was welcomed in by her boyfriend. She was glad to see that he was less pale, and was eating more. His neck still looked red, but this was expected.

"I'm glad to see you're better," Nancy kissed Ned.

"If that's so, why did you bring another guy in here? Wait... Joe! You're alive." Joe slapped Ned on the shoulder, which made him wince.

"I guess I am. Hey, are you gonna eat all that soup?" Ned handed him the bowl and Joe ate hungrily. Nancy called a nurse and asked her to bring some more food.

The nurse hurried away, and soon returned with three bowls of chicken noodle.

They all ate, as each boy swapped stories of their adventures.

"Sounds like you had a pretty hard time." Ned sounded impressed with Joe.

"And you didn't?" Joe returned the compliment.

"Well, it looks like Mitch didn't get to anyone after all."

Ned drank the end of his soup. Nancy and Joe looked at each other, and immediately fell silent.

"What is it?" Ned looked at his girlfriend. Nancy sighed.

"After saving Joe, we came back through the tunnel and something caught my eye. It was a body. Connie Watson's. But I don't think it was Mitch. Hal Tanaka was the last to see her."

Ned let out a whistle, and bit his lip. "So now, we're looking for a murderer. And a vandal, and a kidnapper. This guy is pretty good at what he does."

"Which doesn't make my job any easier." Nancy was frustrated. Something was nagging at her; it was at the tip of her tongue. Yet, she couldn't place it.

The three chatted for a half hour more and then said their goodbyes.

Nancy stepped into the elevator just as her cell phone rang.

"Hey, Bess, listen I..."

"Nancy?" It wasn't Bess.

"It's Hal Tanaka. I need to talk to you. Can you please meet with me?" Hal's voice was so quiet.

Nancy was speechless and dumbfounded.

"Please meet me outside the diner. I have something to admit." Before Nancy could respond, Hal had hung up.

"Who was that?" Joe hopped into the passenger's seat.

"Hal Tanaka. He sounded really strange. Scared, almost. Not like he just murdered someone. Though…. It could be guilt. Anyway, he said to meet him outside the diner."

"Sounds like a trap, Nancy."

The girl detective sighed. "Something's telling me it's not. Why don't you come with me, though?"

"Alright. But if that guy tries hurting you again..." Nancy laughed,

"I'll let you take a beat at him."

The hour ride held a talk about the mystery. Nancy still felt that something was very wrong, and so obvious. Frustration didn't help her, so she hoped Hal had information for her. And, oh, did he.

Upon her arrival at the diner, Nancy found it was no longer there. It had been torn down completely! With a sigh, the couple got out and looked around. They spotted Nancy's caller and walked toward him.

"What's this about, Hal?" Nancy immediately asked. She wasn't going to tell him that she suspected him. This would only cause him to panic.

Hal looked at Joe.

"Who are you?"

"Joe Hardy. I was just kidnapped by Mitch."

Hal turned ash. "But he said he killed... someone."

Hal knew he had just let it slip.

Hal's Japanese eyes grew wide. He bit his lip, as though hoping he hadn't said what he had. "Let me explain." He was stuttering, and seemed very nervous.

Nancy was ready for him, if he chose to attack.

Hal began, "Almost a week ago, I got a call. It was Mitch. He said he had broken out of prison. He wanted my help in getting revenge against you. He told me he was planning a kidnapping. I told him I didn't want to be involved. Then, he reminded me of how you, er..., killed my chance at college. I got angry. So, I agreed to help him. I checked out a book about you for him. Then, he told me to meet him at some guy's house; we were supposed to kidnap him. I was going to help, until he told me he was going to kill the man. I told him I wasn't going to murder anybody, or be any part of it. He got furious. He told me I was out of the plan, and that he would get someone better. He had money. Lots of it. He could have persuaded almost anyone to help."

Hal exhaled slowly. "Then yesterday, real early, he called me again. Said he had killed someone, and that he hoped I was happy. I assumed he meant the guy he kidnapped: you." He gestured toward Joe.

Nancy wasn't sure whether to believe him or not. It did fit, however: why Hal took out the book about Nancy, why Mitch is out to get Hal, the note to Mitch being forged towards Hal. It all seemed plausible, except for one flaw.

"Why did Mitch call you? What kind of relationship did you to have?"

Hal didn't hesitate answering, though maybe he didn't want to appear guilty. "Mitch Daniels is my cousin."

OOOOO

Okay, guys. That was a pretty big chapter for one reason. Let's see how many of us have learned a thing or two from Nancy. Read the chapter carefully, and see if you find that hint. (I hope it's not too obvious!)

The next chapter will be BIG. So get ready!

Ever Yours,

Song