I am so sorry I didn't update sooner. I hope my readers are still interested! This is the second to last chapter, and the villain is revealed (so I hope this makes up for everything.)

You Frank/Nancy shippers should enjoy this post…

Song

The nurse nodded sharply and sighed. "I have no idea how it happened. He was doing fine until suddenly his heart transmitter started beeping like crazy. By the time I got here… I was too late."

Frank picked up something from the floor. It was a pillow. Nancy noticed a slightly damp spot on the center. "Someone came in here and suffocated Mitch with the pillow. By pressing it into his face so he couldn't breathe. Because he was sedated, he couldn't have done anything."

The nurse looked at Nancy.

"Mitch? Why are you calling him that?"

"Because this guy is really a killer escaped from prison."

The nurse turned ashen. "But he had files, and an I.D."

Frank didn't hesitate. "It's easy to get fake identifications as well as records and drivers license. The question is: who killed him? His accomplice?"

Nancy scratched her chin, realizing it was the only logical explanation. "And the sidekick probably killed Connie, too. Now that I know he's capable of killing someone, that has to be it."

Then a knock came at the door, followed by the head of a man peaking through the crack. "Nancy Drew? How did you get here?"

"Well, chief, I figured something out a few minutes ago."

She explained her theory. The chief was surprised, but tried to hide it. "Well, now he's dead. Who knows, maybe he killed himself?"

Frank jumped at him. "He couldn't have. The nurse said he was to be sedated for three more hours. No, the guy helping him came in here and killed him with the pillow." The chief ignored being proven wrong, asked the nurse a few more questions, and watched medics take Mitch's body away.

Obviously, the police officer was done with Nancy and Frank, so they left. The way home they were silent, until Frank chuckled. "What's so funny?" Nancy asked her friend.

"Mitch was crushing on you."

"No, he wasn't. He was just trying to make me miserable."

Frank shook his head. "No, he liked you. No guy can act that crazy about a girl. Maybe he thought you were cute and decided to just annoy you as a bonus."

Nancy stopped at a red light and rolled her eyes. "He definitely did a good job. But he was so convinced that you were the one crushing on me. He kept saying I was cheating on Ned and Daryl for you. It was stupid. And worst of all, he said to me that you said you loved me. As if it's any of his business. Stupid, I tell you."

They pulled up at the house. Nancy was about to get out when she felt a hand on hers. She turned to look at a serious Frank. He glanced over her, as though searching her. Then he looked back into her eyes and exclaimed, "It's not that stupid."

Very slowly, his face came closer to her. Nancy leaned back until she was against the door. He towered over her; a very beautiful creature. Now he was inches from her face. Closer, closer, his lips were now centimeters from hers. His warm breath mixed with hers. Nancy couldn't believe how wonderful it felt to feel this. Now almost in a kiss, Frank had stopped.

He stopped for a moment. What was he waiting for? Her?

Then, he did something totally unexpected…

He pulled away.

He sat up and heaved a sigh. He glanced at her with a new guilt. "I'm sorry, Nancy. I... I didn't mean to... I'll never..." he opened the side door and all but ran into the house.

Nancy laid there for a moment, in total shock. Frank had wanted to kiss her... he had nearly kissed her... she had been so close... Nancy perked up. Stop it, she screamed into her head, you love Ned.

Yes, another voice came, but you also like Frank.

LIKE.

Was that the word?

Love. You love him.

But who is it that you truly love? Who's the one you want to grow old with, to love forever.

An eighteen year old girl shouldn't have to make this decision. But if or when she did, she would loose one. That thought tore Nancy apart.

Getting out of the mustang, she walked towards the house, and was barely inside when the phone rang. Who was calling at two o'clock in the morning?

"Hello?" she answered cautiously.

"Nancy Drew?"

"Who is this?"

"Mark Hatchet, the principal. I apologize for calling this late at night."

"Mr. Hatchet, I am so sorry I haven't been able to speak to you. So much has happened." She explained about Mitch. "That boy was Mitch? I can't believe I let that murderer into my school! I heard the report on the radio. Connie was found dead inside of a secret room in the library? Where is this passageway?"

"It's where my bookcase is; behind that."

She heard the principal sigh. "Why does so much have to happen to me? When I graduated with a degree in teaching, I expected kids with smoking problems, drugs, maybe abuse. I never expected handling two murders!" Nancy sympathized for Mr. Hatchet.

She exclaimed, "No one would. How about we meet later on? Say 9:00 at the school?" "Sounds great. Thank you again, Nancy."

He hung up. Nancy walked into the living room and found Frank staring at her. She was puzzled, for she thought he would be ignoring her. He looked dazed. A phone was in his hand; he had listened on her phone call. She was about to speak when Frank stood up so abruptly, Nancy nearly fell down. "Nancy, I've got it! I can't believe it, but something that was said during the phone call made me realize..." He acted as she did hours before.

"Nancy, the guy who murdered Connie and Mitch; it's..." he didn't finish his words, because of a loud sound that had made him halt.

It was a gunshot.

Nancy spun around, facing a dark-haired man of his early forties. The pistol in his hand glimmered from the moonlight. Nancy recognized the man, though she dearly wished she hasn't. At that instant, Bess, George, and Ned all ran into the hallway. Big mistake. They all froze when they saw the man with the gun.

"Sit on the couch, all of you." The 5 did as they were told.

"Anyone else staying here?" He aimed his gun at Frank.

"No," he lied. He secretly hoped Joe was staying hidden. Aunt Eloise had gone to visit a friend, at the last minute, so they were alone... with a man... with a pistol.

"Why did you do it?" Nancy had to stall.

"Don't act stupid with me, Nancy Drew. I know how smart you are. Heck, I found that out once you pieced together Connie's death. I couldn't let you figure me out. I'm sorry that it came to this."

"I'm sorry, too… Principal Hatchet."