So, this chapter absolutely was not supposed to end this way…

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Chapter 14

When Nancy woke up the next morning, she had a better outlook on the case. Maybe it was the night spent in Frank's arms or maybe it was the fact she was tired of feeling sorry for herself. She wasn't going to get anywhere with the case if she sat around being moody and wrapped up in her grief. She was better than that.

Her mind was whirling as she got out of bed and started getting dressed for work. She had been approaching Stark the wrong way. Instead of waiting for him to make a mistake and dig his own grave, she should be talking to the people who were closest to him.

Background checks could only tell you so much about a person. Sure, a piece of paper could tell you past offenses and the like, but to really get to know someone and how they act, you needed to talk to the people who dealt with them. There was always going to be a person they let their guard down with more than others. Now, Nancy just needed to find that person.

And she had a pretty good idea where to start.

"Hey, Joe. What do you think about Toby?" Nancy asked as she poured herself a cup of coffee and leaned across the bar from where the younger Hardy was sitting.

Joe shrugged as he swallowed down a bite of toast. "He seems nice enough. Why?"

"How would you classify his relationship with Stark?"

"They get along really well. I figure they have to be pretty close, considering Stark lets him sit in on the group sessions."

"He just sits in on them?"

Joe nodded. "Yeah. He said he's been a patient of Stark's for a few years. He told me that Stark thought it would be a good idea to have him as support for the others."

"How do the others respond to Toby?"

"They trust him, or at least, that's what I gather." Joe took another bite of toast. "Why do you ask? You don't think he's responsible for the murders, do you?"

Nancy shook her head. "I'm still putting my money on Stark. I just remember Toby from the first time we interviewed the doctor. He seemed eager to talk to us, until Stark shut him down."

"He'd probably be your best bet for any info on Stark, then. Everyone else seems to be intimidated by the doc."

"You wouldn't happen to know where he works or lives, would you?"

"Nancy Drew...please tell me I did not just see you bat your eyelashes at me."

Nancy rolled her eyes. "I only save that move for belligerent witnesses. If I wanted to get anything out of you, Joe, I would just find something incriminating or embarrassing and hold it over your head until you told me."

"Yeah, I know," Joe grumbled. "You're lucky I already look to you as a sister."

Nancy smiled sweetly at him. "I have never used anything against you, Joe."

"Yet," Joe agreed. "But I'm pretty sure you have the ammo for it."

"Maybe..."

Joe sighed as he pulled his cell phone from his pocket. "I don't know if or where Toby works, but I do have his number."

"You're amazing," Nancy said as she grabbed a pen and a piece of paper.

"Be sure to tell everyone that, especially Vanessa."

Nancy copied the number down and handed his phone back to him. "She doesn't need me to tell her that, Joe. She knows."

Joe grinned before popping the last bite of toast into his mouth.

"So, what are you and Frank up to today?" Nancy was glad that Frank had taken the day off to spend with Joe, considering they didn't get to spend as much time together anymore since they lived in different parts of the country.

"We were talking about going into Chicago to watch the game."

"I think that's a great idea," Nancy said, knowing that Frank had been eager to go to a game ever since the football season started. "Frank needs a break from everything. But how exactly did you convince him?"

Joe's smile grew. "I just put a major guilt trip on him, considering the strings we had to pull to get those tickets for him. He's not about to let a great pair of seats go, and he's not about to let someone else take them."

"Don't remind me. I'm still waiting for Phil to call in on that favor I owe him." Phil Rodgers had been one of Nancy's favorite professors during college. His son just happened to be one of the Chicago Bears' managers, and while he usually didn't give tickets to any of the games, he had made an exception in her case.

"You may want to turn your phone off for the day. You know Frank will be calling you every five minutes since you won't be in his sight."

"Or you could just come with us so I won't have to spend the entire day worrying about you," Frank said, coming into the kitchen.

Nancy finished the last of her coffee and rinsed out the cup. "Sorry, babe. That's not about to happen. I'm ready to get this case wrapped up."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of."

"Frank, everything will be fine."

"Can you promise me that?"

Nancy retrieved her keys and jacket, before walking over and kissing him on the cheek. "I could always lie to you, but I won't. I have no way to guarantee that and you know it."

Frank sighed. "Just don't take Joe's advice about your phone. If you don't answer, we're coming back."

"I'll agree to that as long as you don't go crazy and feel the need to check up on me every hour."

"But-"

"I'm a big girl, Frank." She smiled up at him. "Besides, I have a gun to keep me company."

"You can't argue with her there, Frank," Joe said, smirking at his sibling.

"You two have fun." Nancy pulled Frank into one more kiss. "And you relax."

Giving them one last wave, Nancy walked out the door, excited about the workday.

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Toby groaned as his phone rang, waking him from a restless sleep. He'd been up half the night talking with Stark, trying to figure out what they were going to do. It screwed everything up now that they knew Joe was working with the police. But they had both come to the same conclusion.

Joe Hardy had to die, along with his brother.

It was just a shame that it had to be that way. But there was one thing that Toby knew Stark hated and that was to be embarrassed or made a joke of. By putting Joe into the group and allowing him to gain everyone's trust was a slap in the face. If they didn't take care of the problem, then it would all go to hell.

And Toby couldn't afford to let that happen. Not when he still had so much of his gift left to share. Besides, the more he'd thought about it, the more he'd realized it could work out for the better. He could now strike out at Nancy with two people she cared about instead of just one.

Grabbing for his phone, he frowned when he didn't recognize the number. "Hello?"

"Hi, this is Detective Drew with the River Heights Police Department. Is this Toby?"

Toby's heart nearly leapt out of his chest at the sound of her voice. "Y-yes."

"I was wondering if there was any way we could get together and talk. I just have a few questions to ask you, if you don't mind."

Toby practically threw the covers off the bed as he scrambled out of it. "No, I don't mind at all. Am I in trouble?"

"No. There are just some things I need to know."

"Okay. Where did you want to meet? Did you want me to come down to the station?"

"We can meet at Coffee Fusion, if that's okay. Is thirty minutes from now good?"

"Sounds great. I'll be there."

Toby hung up, anticipation coursing through his veins. He couldn't believe that she actually wanted to talk to him...alone. She was going to be right in front of him, within touching distance.

As he jumped in the shower, he wondered what that would do to him. What kind of effect would the detective have on him in such close proximity? Would he even be able to speak? Would it have the same effect on him as alcohol would have on a normal person?

All Toby knew for sure was that he couldn't wait to find out.

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Ten minutes after her phone call with Toby, Nancy was sitting in the small coffee shop, waiting for him to arrive for their meeting. She had picked a table in the corner, wanting to give them some semblance of privacy. Though the shop wasn't packed with patrons as it usually was, there was still a nice-sized crowd.

Taking a sip of her frozen mocha, Nancy wasn't surprised as her phone began to ring. What was surprising was the fact that it had taken Frank two hours to call her. She smiled as she pressed the talk button. "Two hours...I'm impressed, Mr. Hardy."

"It's only because Joe took my phone from me and wouldn't give it back until now."

The smile stayed on Nancy's face as she heard the grumpy tone to Frank's voice. "Tell Joe I owe him one."

"I'm sure he would love to hear that. What are you doing?"

"I have a meeting with Toby." Nancy glanced up as the bell above the door chimed, only to see a teenaged girl enter. "I wanted to see if he could tell me anything about Stark, since he seemed eager to talk to us the other day."

"That sounds like a smart move. You'll call me if he tells you anything important?"

"Of course. Are you on your way to the game?"

"Yep. We should be in the city in about an hour or so."

"You two have fun. I'll see you when you get back tonight," Nancy said. "Let me talk to Joe for a second."

"Hey, Nan," Joe said a couple of seconds later.

"Hey. Make sure you keep the phone away from Frank. I want him to have fun today."

Joe chuckled. "Will do."

Nancy glanced up as the bell once again rang when the door opened. She instantly recognized Toby and held up a hand to wave at him. "I have to go. Toby just showed up. Remember what I said about the phone."

Toby smiled at Nancy as he approached the table. "Hi, Detective Drew. Do you mind if I grab something to drink before we talk?"

"No, not at all."

"Would you like a refill while I'm up?"

"No, thanks. I'm good."

Nancy watched as Toby walked up to the counter and placed his order. A few minutes later, he returned with a tall cup and sat down across from her.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, Detective, but how exactly did you get my number?" Toby asked.

"Oh, I got it from Dr. Stark," Nancy lied.

"So, he knows that I'm talking to you?"

"Not at this moment. I got it from him at the beginning of our investigation, just in case I had any questions for you." Toby let out a noticeable sigh of relief, which Nancy thought was a little strange. "Are you afraid of Dr. Stark, Toby?"

Toby shook his head. "Not really, no. He can just be really intense sometimes."

"Intense how?"

"About his work. He really cares about his patients and takes pride in what he does. When it's called into question, he tends to get defensive."

"You sound as if you know him really well."

"I do. Dr. Stark practically helped raise me after my mother passed away."

"I'm really sorry to hear that," Nancy said, her tone sympathetic. "How long ago was it?"

"Almost ten years ago. I came home from school and I found her dead."

Nancy couldn't begin to imagine how it felt to find a family member, especially a parent, dead. It was bad enough for an adult to have to face that situation, but for a child...it would have an impact on them for the rest of their lives.

"You said that Stark raised you after your mother's death. What about your father?"

"He ran out on us after I was born."

"So, how did Stark end up with you?"

"I'd known him for a long time." Toby grinned at Nancy. "I may not exactly look the part, but I've been in therapy for years. More than I care to admit."

"Do you mind if I ask what for?"

"I spent my entire childhood living in fear. Pretty much anything you can imagine, I was afraid of it. My mom lived in constant denial about it. It wasn't until my third grade teacher brought it up to her that she decided I needed help."

"How well do you know Stark? Outside of therapy, I mean?"

Toby shrugged. "I suppose as well as anyone."

"How would you describe him?"

"Professional...devoted...passionate about his work and his patients." Toby leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I know you think he's responsible for the murders, Detective, but he's not."

"How do you know?"

"He just wouldn't do it. I know him."

Nancy pitied the young man sitting in front of her. It was clear he idolized the doctor-how was it going to affect him when he found out the one person he trusted turned out to be a cold-blooded murderer?

"Unfortunately, people aren't always exactly the way they present themselves. Even the most caring and generous can turn out to be the monster at the end of the hall."

"That may be true," Toby said. "But why do you think that of Dr. Stark?"

"Because his past history tells me so. And because of the way he's been acting."

"It's not him."

"I hope you're right, Toby." Standing up, Nancy reached into her pocket and pulled out a business card. "If you want to talk or can think of anything else that may help us, let me know. You can call me anytime."

Toby said nothing as he stared at the small card.

Nancy gave his shoulder a sympathetic squeeze before walking out of the coffee shop and towards her car. Digging her keys from her pocket, she was about to open her door when she heard a shout behind her.

"Detective Drew!"

Nancy turned to see Toby jogging towards her. "Did you forget something?"

"Yeah..." Toby scratched the back of his head, glancing down at his shoes.

"You can tell me anything, Toby. Anything you say will be kept confidential, if that's what you're worried about."

"It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

Without warning, Toby struck out at her. Before she could even defend herself, he had her pinned against her car, surprising her with his strength. Nancy looked around wildly, searching for anyone, but there was no one around to assist her.

"What the hell are you doing, Toby?" Nancy tried to move her hand towards her gun, but he saw what she was doing and applied more pressure.

"I was right about you," Toby said, smiling. "You have no fear."

Before she could even make sense of what he was saying, she felt a sharp pain in her neck, realizing too late that he was drugging her. Panic overtook her, causing her to struggle even harder against him, even as she felt herself becoming sluggish.

"Shh...it's okay, Detective." Toby's voice was soft as it seemed to echo all around her. He caught her as she began to fall. "Careful there. We wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."

Nancy had no argument for him as darkness enveloped her.

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Before you start screaming at me, don't worry. The brothers are not getting away unscathed, especially if I have anything to say about it. Like I told my beta, the muse kind of grabbed the steering wheel away from me and took control.

That being said, I would love to thank my following reviewers: Caranath, unobtrusivescribe, Xdaisy chainX, nicolelylewis, Marinebrat0311, Michelle Gallichio, rangermaid, cupcake, Liliththestormgoddess, and Zenfrodo. Also, thanks to the readers who are adding me to their alert lists!

I really appreciate all of you!

Until the next update…