J.M.J.

A/N: Thank you so much for continuing to read this story! Thank you most of all to max2013, EvergreenDreamweaver, Cherylann Rivers, Highflyer, RadiantEyes, Caranath, and Candylou for your reviews since I posted the last chapter! The story is in its final act now, and a few of the cases are going to begin to be wrapped up within the next few chapters.

Chapter XX

When in Rome…

November 30 – River Heights

Nancy was sitting up in bed, dangling one foot off it. She wasn't supposed to get up, but she was tempted to try it anyway. She was so tired of lying around in bed all day. Not only was it boring, but it also made her feel lazy and flabby. Just standing up for a few minutes would feel so much nicer.

But she stopped herself. She was determined to be recovered and out of this hospital as soon as possible. If that meant a few days more of this unspeakably dull existence, then so be it. She pulled her foot back up on the bed with a defeated sigh and settled back. There was nothing else to do, so she switched on the TV and tried to find a channel that was showing something interesting.

The local news was still running stories on the bomb and its aftermath. Nancy instantly changed the channel, her thoughts racing back to those horrible minutes she had spent in the fire. Then she forced herself to think more rationally. The news might report on some of the police's findings and may possibly give her a clue. Between that and whatever reports Vanessa and Nancy's dad would bring her later when they came to visit her, maybe she could start making some progress on this puzzle.

The news report showed footage of the smoking ruins of Carl McGregor's store. Nancy shuddered, thinking how close she had been… But she wouldn't think about that now. A blonde reporter, Theresa Davens, appeared on the screen, recounting some details of the incident, most of which Nancy was already aware of.

The next thing the young woman said was, "Nancy Drew Nickerson, River Heights' beloved private detective, who was injured in the explosion is still unavailable for comment on the shocking incident."

"'Beloved detective'," Nancy repeated in amusement. Usually the media was not so flattering toward her, especially since she had corrected a number of their reports that had failed in their mission to report all the facts unbiasedly.

"However," Theresa was continuing, "our own Chief of Police McGinnis has offered a statement on the incident." The screen changed to show Chief McGinnis in his office, seated at his desk. "What efforts have been made to locate the people responsible for this crime?" the reporter asked him.

"I have been investigating the case myself, as well as putting my best detectives on it." From how tired the chief looked, Nancy had no doubt that he was telling the truth. "We have identified several persons of interest in the case, and we're currently working on questioning them, as well as witnesses, and investigating the backgrounds of everyone who had access to that warehouse."

"Social media has stated that this should be considered an act of terrorism," Theresa said. "Why have the police declined to make a statement on this?"

"So far, all evidence points to the idea that this was an act of sabotage directed specifically toward this particular business," McGinnis explained. "Before we would declare it…"

The reporter cut him off. "Is it because you have already located a suspect who does not fit the typical narrative of a terrorist?"

McGinnis's frown deepened. "No. We have no definite suspect as of the moment, but when we do, it will be the motive of the crime rather than the identity of the suspect that will determine how this crime will be classified."

"Some have suggested that the culprit may be none other than River Heights' girl detective, Nancy Drew Nickerson," Theresa said bluntly.

"So much for 'beloved detective'," Nancy muttered as she saw Chief McGinnis make a move to stand up. McGinnis decided against it in time, but his voice was tight when he responded.

"Ms. Nickerson is not a person of interest in this case. She had no motive or opportunity and, moreover, is one of the victims of the incident. I would advise you, Ms. Davens, to refrain from making such libelous statements and to stick to reporting facts."

If the chief's suggestion made any impression on Theresa at all, she didn't show it. Instead, she continued, "Is it true that you are a personal friend of Ms. Nickerson, as well as her father, the attorney, Carson Drew?"

"That's true," McGinnis admitted.

"In that case, could your friendship with her be blurring your judgment of Ms. Nickerson's possible guilt?"

An angry expression flitted across the chief's face for a fraction of a second. "No. If there was any indication that it was even plausible that Ms. Nickerson was involved, my friendship with her and her family would not keep me from investigating it. As it is, she had a legitimate reason for being on the premises. What's more, witnesses have verified that she and her husband were in that warehouse for barely fifteen minutes and that neither of them carried anything inside. She had no opportunity to plant the explosives, even if she would have had a motive to do so. Even more than that, it would have been impossible for Ms. Nickerson, who has no background in explosives, to plant this bomb, which was a sophisticated type that could have only been made by a professional. All of that is more than sufficient to clear her, especially when her record and reputation as a professional and dedicated detective are taken into account."

Nancy couldn't help but smile a little. It wasn't the first time the local news had tried to slander her name, and she appreciated McGinnis's defense of her. It was nice to know that she still had friends among the town officials. More than that, though, she had picked up a couple of clues in McGinnis's answer. The police had other suspects besides Carril, and the bomb had been planted by a professional. Depending on what Vanessa learned about Carril's background, this new might clear him entirely.

HBNDHBND

November 30 – Outside Rome

Callie was awakened at six that morning by bells ringing. Frank was already up, and Callie could hear him in the shower in the bathroom adjoining the small bedroom. The nuns' guest quarters were small, but they were also comfortable and homey. Callie hadn't expected to get a minute's sleep that night, with all her worries, but somehow she had managed to sleep and was now more refreshed than she had been in several days.

She thought with a pang of disappointment about the classes she was missing, but she realized it couldn't be helped. It seemed a shame to be so close to finishing her degree and have to lose her chance now. Still, she repeated to herself, it couldn't be helped.

By the time she was getting up, Frank was coming out of the bathroom. "Good morning, honey," he greeted her, and then added a kiss. "How are you feeling?"

"Better than I have been feeling," Callie told him. "Although I don't think I'll be able to make breakfast."

"Don't worry about that," Frank assured her. "Sister Clara said that the nuns would make us breakfast. It'll be ready at seven."

"I guess I could have slept longer, then." Callie yawned. "I don't think I could get back to sleep, though."

"Then could we talk?" Frank asked. "I don't want to upset you, but we have to make a decision as soon as possible."

"About the case?"

"About the case." Frank bit his lip. "Callie, I love you more than anything. I hate the idea of hurting you or putting you in danger. We still have time to talk about the long term and what we're going to do. I'm not even sure we can get out of the predicament we're in now. Hopefully, we'll know that soon. Whatever happens, though, it doesn't change the fact that there's a little girl out there who's in danger. She's been gone so long now, there's a good chance it's too late already. If it is, it's on me. I promised to look for her, and I've done next to nothing. Please, Callie, I've got to solve this case. We can talk about future cases and deal with them as they come, but this one…" His voice trailed off.

Callie put her arms around him. "I know," she said in a choking voice. "I know. I'm so confused right now. I don't know what I really want, except that I want you." She took a deep breath. "And part of you is that you always put other people first. Like that bomb, when you stayed back to disarm it instead of trying to run because there were other people in the building. I know you can't give this case up, and I won't ask you to again. Just promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"Don't go anywhere alone. Now that Joe's coming, you two always do better together. Don't split up."

"We won't," Frank promised, holding her tightly.

HBNDHBND

November 30 – Rome

Several hours later, Frank was at the airport to meet Joe and George. They were both tired from the long journey, and since it was late anyway, Frank decided the best course of action would be to take them back to the monastery, where he had secured permission for them to stay that night. On the way, he explained the facts of the case so far, and Joe and George listened with interest.

"A religious order dedicated to stopping human traffickers," Joe commented. "That is seriously pretty cool."

Then he told Frank about the cases he was working on. They decided that the next day, they would try to trace Walt Carril, Angelo Beretta, and Tory Juniper from the various airports that they had landed in. Frank and Joe would attempt to find out if any of them had taken a cab, and if so, where they had gone. Meanwhile, George would work on determining whether any of them had made reservations at any hotels in the city. Frank and Joe's part of it would take no more than an hour. If they found a lead, they would try to trace it, but wouldn't spend more than another hour on it. After that, they would spend the rest of the day focusing on the more pressing case: Giada Barzetti. Their plan there was to question the girl's parents and learn about any relatives or friends of the family who might be behind Giada's disappearance. With no definite suspects and no way to trace the gang Wight had told Frank about, it was the best thing they could do.

Sister Clara met them at the gates of the monastery and welcomed Joe and George warmly. They were each given a separate apartment. George immediately headed for bed, but Joe went to say hello to Callie first.

Joe could sense that something was up with his brother and sister-in-law immediately. He looked questioningly from one to the other, and then finally asked, "Okay, you two. What's going on?"

The couple traded glances, and Callie nodded with a smile and a blush.

Frank cleared his throat. "We have some great news. We're expecting."

"That's fantastic!" Joe burst out. He hugged Frank first, since he was closest, and then he picked Callie up and whirled around with. "That's great! How long have you guys known? When's the baby due? Am I the first one you told? What are you going to name it?"

Frank and Callie laughed, realizing it was the first time they had laughed so genuinely in days and that it was a huge relief.

"One question at a time!" Callie told him. "We've only known for a few days."

"Mom and Dad know, but they're the only other ones we've told so far," Frank said. "It's early enough that we'd rather a little longer before the whole world knows. We'll tell Callie's parents sometime in the next few days, but that will be it until we're ready to make the big announcement."

"I must really rate, then," Joe commented, "to be right up there with the grandparents."

"That's only part of the reason," Frank told him. "With this case and all the danger that we're in, this definitely adds another dimension to it all. We've both been pretty tense about it."

"I'll bet," Joe agreed.

"You have a right to know exactly what's going on," Callie added.

Joe nodded thoughtfully. Then he gave a mischievous grin and said, "But hey. When have we ever gotten into any trouble that we didn't get out of? We'll have these cases wrapped up inside a week."

Frank and Callie each drew a long breath. They hoped Joe was right.