Chapter 25

"Let's take it nice and slow," Mansville said.

He twisted Nancy's left arm behind her back. Put tension on the wrist and elbow joints, and eased her off the bed. As he pulled her up he grabbed her other arm and brought it behind her back.

He forced her left arm up, higher on her back. The pain was excruciating. Nancy stifled a moan and bent forward, a hollow attempt to relieve the pain and pressure. A little more pressure and she'd have torn ligaments or a stress fracture. Then where would she be? Crippled and defenseless. She had to go along with him until she saw an opening or a chance to attack.

He applied more pressure to the left arm and she cried out.

"Just in case you were thinking of trying something," he said and propelled her through the sliding glass doors and onto the small balcony.

Tears stung her eyes and a wounded sob escaped her gritted teeth. She squinted at the gray ominous clouds blanketing the sky. The air was thick with humidity and held the promise of rain. Seven floors below stretched the beach. Due to the weather, few bathers were out today and those that were out were oblivious to the drama unfolding on a small balcony high above them. Nancy thought about screaming and decided against it. By the time someone spotted her, if they did, it would be too late. She was in a vulnerable position. Mansville could break her arm in a second.

She needed to focus all her energy on defending herself, on buying some time. Backup was on the way. Wasn't it?

A morsel of fear surfaced. She didn't dare let it get a foothold. It would be her undoing if she did.

Mansville released her and her left arm fell limp at her side. It had suffered the most abuse. Mansville spun her around and shoved her against the balcony's metal railing. The top rail slammed into the small of her back. One good push and she'd be over and plummeting to her death.

Her left arm was on fire. She wanted to rub it and work out the pain. She didn't get the chance. His hands were around her neck and in absolute horror, she realized he intended to strangle her.

She fought for her life. She punched him, kicked him, and clawed his arms. These tactics bought her small bits of relief. Each time Mansville had to shift position or dodge a punch his grip on her neck weakened.

However, Nancy knew as well as he, that she was no match for him physically. His size and strength gave him the upper hand in this battle. She had to topple him, get him on the ground. She tried working her foot behind his leg in the hopes of doing just that, but he widened his stance and tightened the grip on her neck.

His eyes burned into hers and his voice was harsh, "It's over. Do yourself a favor and give up."

Desperation brought an idea. "You're … him," Nancy choked out as dark spots danced before her eyes. "You're .. worse .. than .. Westin." The last word trailed off as she wavered on the edge of oblivion.

The vise-like grip around her neck weakened.

"Noooo," he growled through clenched teeth. A vein throbbed on his temple and the muscles in his neck bulged as he glared at her.

"You killed him .. then became him." She was lightheaded. The stranglehold was loose and she snatched a breath.

"Nooo!" he seethed and tightened his grip again.

Anger, and the will to survive, welled up inside of Nancy. It spurred her on. Nancy Drew was not going down without a fight. She wiggled her hips away from Mansville. He didn't notice, he was too intent on squeezing the life out of her.

The distance between their hips grew, giving Nancy the space she needed. She brought her right knee up with every ounce of strength she possessed. Her kneecap connected with his groin in one solid, hard blow. That broke the chokehold on her neck.

Surprise and shock registered on his face followed by pain. He still maintained a weak grip on her neck so, Nancy balled her hands into fists and in one swift movement brought her arms up, between his wrists, and knocked his arms to the sides.

She was free. She sucked in a deep breath. It was like a shot of Expresso. It gave her the boost of energy she so desperately needed.

Mansville let out a guttural, savage groan. He was hunched and hurting. He'd miscalculated Nancy and her ability. Rage washed over him, a long, hot wave. A new fury, born of anger and pain, drove him. His eyes gleamed with violence. With a primal growl, he swung at her.

Nancy dodged his fist and countered with a well placed, powerful kick. Her sneakered foot slammed into his side. He stumbled and almost fell. New pain coursed through his body.

Nancy felt the tide change. The fight was in her favor now. She was going to bring him to his knees if it was the last thing she did. Her martial arts training had taught her to concentrate on the body's most vulnerable parts – the face, throat, groin, and knees.

Nancy stood a respectable five foot six inches, but pitted against Mansville's six foot two frame that put his face and throat out of range for her. Wiser to aim lower where she could deliver a good hard blow that would disable him once and for all.

The knees, she decided in the split second before Mansville recovered from the kick. She twisted her hips, lifted her leg, and landed a solid kick on the side of his left knee. She heard a pop and a yelp. A swift kick at the back of the knee dropped him like a sack of potatoes.

Mansville lay sprawled on the balcony, moaning. Nancy, breathing heavily, stood next to him, her fists clenched and ready.

The promise of rain became a reality. Large, wet drops splattered the balcony and Mansville and Nancy.

The hotel door burst open.

"Police! Freeze!" Detectives Lau and Kim entered the room with their weapons drawn.

Better late than never, Nancy thought as she relaxed for the first time in what seemed an eternity. She wiped a drop of rain from her cheek.

Then fear resurfaced. Detectives Lau and Kim were the backup plan. So, where was Frank?

# # # #

Frank's sweat-drenched t-shirt clung to his body. Sweat trickled down his forehead and onto his nose. It flowed along the bridge of his nose to the tip then dripped unceremoniously onto his shorts. His struggles had paid off and he had freed a hand. Desperately, anxiously, he stretched his fingers toward the cell phone holstered at his waist.

He grunted into the gag in his mouth and strained against the ropes. His fingertips brushed the phone. Yes! Just a little more!

There. His fingers grasped the top of the phone. Now he had to pull it out of the holster.

Okay, calm down. Take it slow and easy, he warned himself. Once he had the phone out of the holster he could contact Joe.

Slowly, aggravatingly so, he worked the phone out of the holster by gently rocking it side to side and up.

Yes! He had it.

Then – Nooooooo! It slid out of his sweaty hand and landed on the floor with a resounding clatter.

Oh, for crying out loud. Of all the possible things to happen at this moment, that was the absolute last thing he needed. Frank growled his anger and frustration. If he didn't get out of here soon he was going to lose it – his sanity, every shred of it. He sat there, panting into the gag. And then he noticed it. The ropes. They weren't as tight as before. All that straining to get the phone had paid off. It looked as if he could free his arm and maybe the other one, too. Then he'd be in business.

# # # #

Joe had made his way to the area where he and Frank had met Melinda and Bess that morning. The hallways were deserted. Everyone was most likely in the conference area on the other side of the hotel where the fashion show would take place.

Joe spotted a Men's room and ducked inside. When he emerged a minute later he came face to face with the tall guard. Joe had mentally named him Lumpy due to his large lumpy nose.

Lumpy smiled at Joe. Not a pleasant I'm happy to see you smile, but a I want to do some serious bodily harm to you and take great pleasure in doing so smile.

Joe put on his best I'm not impressed look.

"Well, well, well," Lumpy said pounding a beefy fist into a palm, "if it isn't the other Hardy. Me and my friend been looking for you." He tipped his head to the side and the short guard stepped into view.

Joe acknowledged the short guard's presence with a slight nod and grin. "Hey, I've been looking for you guys, too."

"Well, looks like we all found each other," Lumpy said as his partner came up and stood beside him.

Joe's grin faded and he glared at the two men standing in front of him. "Where's my brother?"

Lumpy gave a fake laugh. "Ha, ha, ha, how sweet." To his partner Lumpy said, "He wants to know where his brother is."

Shorty had a mischievous grin that bordered on being a smirk. "I say we show him."

"Yeah, me, too. Let's take him."

Joe backpedaled and readied a fist. His glare deepened into a scowl. "Not so fast. You're going to tell me where my brother is and if you've hurt him −"

Lumpy cut him off, "You ain't in no position to be making demands. In case you hadn't noticed, it's two against one."

"Oh," Joe said, "I forgot. I haven't introduced you to my friend."

Joe hitched a thumb over his shoulder and the tall, imposing bulk of Butch Overton rounded the corner. A nasty sneer covered his face and lifted one corner of his mouth.

Joe grinned. "I'd say he counts as two all by himself."

Butch's appearance momentarily stunned the guards.

Lumpy recovered first. He cocked a fist and launched it at Joe's face. Joe ducked and the fist whizzed over his head. Then Joe popped up and drove his own fist into Lumpy's throat. It was a perfectly placed blow with just the right amount of power and force to disable, not kill. Lumpy swayed on his feet, gagging and gasping.

Joe kicked Lumpy in the gut for good measure. That doubled the guy over and he looked like he might puke. Joe, still on the defensive, delivered a swift kick to Lumpy's chest. That sent the big man staggering backwards, gasping and arms whirling. Joe took two quick steps, leaped, and landed another kick on Lumpy's chest. That planted the big man firmly on the floor with a loud thud.

The short guard looked up into the sneering face of Butch. Figured the odds weren't in his favor and turned and ran.

"Hey!" Butch called after him. Running was not one of Butch's strengths.

"I'll go after him," Joe said and took off.

Butch turned to Lumpy who was moaning on the floor. Butch took a pair of handcuffs from his belt, told Lumpy to roll over and put his hands behind his back. The big man complied and was soon handcuffed.

Joe sprinted down the hallway looking for the short guard. The hall was empty and quiet. Several yards ahead another hallway intersected this one. Joe jogged on. As he neared the intersection, he heard a loud, "Aaaaaaaah!" The cry was followed by the sound of a body hitting the floor.

Joe hustled around the corner and saw the guard slumped against the wall. The guard had a hand to his face and blood poured from his nose.

"Ouch," Joe said and smiled at Frank who was standing over the guard.

Frank grimaced and shook his hand. He'd hit the guard hard.

Joe flashed a wide, happy smile. "Glad to have you back, bro. And your timing is perfect." It was good to have his brother back. Joe couldn't express how relieved he was that Frank was okay.

Frank flexed his fingers. "Glad to be back, little brother. I was a little tied up there for a while. Where's the other guard?"

"With Butch."

"And Nancy?" Frank tensed.

"I sent Kim and Lau in as backup as we discussed earlier."

"Sounds like you have everything under control. Good work, Joe."

Frank's praise put a glow on Joe's face.

"I try," Joe said and gave a slight shrug. It was nice to hear his efforts were appreciated. He'd never admit it, but Frank's approval meant a lot to him.

Frank grabbed the guard's shoulder and yanked him to his feet. Frank and Joe hauled him to Butch who promptly handcuffed him. Then the Hardys and Butch led their two prisoners to the lobby.

As they escorted the guards through hallways, Joe phoned Lau. Lau informed him that Nancy was okay and Mansville was in police custody. Frank visibly relaxed when he heard the news. He'd gambled with Nancy's safety and had told himself he would never do such a thing again. Yet she had proven herself. He couldn't wait to hear the details.

# # # #

The few guests hanging around the lobby that afternoon were treated to the sight of a disheveled, but distinguished looking gentleman being led away in handcuffs. He was following by two disheveled guards in handcuffs.

Frank handed off the short guard to Detective Kim. Blood covered the guard's chin and the front of his shirt. Kim roughly guided the guard through the sliding glass doors and to a waiting patrol car.

Nancy came up alongside of Frank and asked, "What happened to him? It looks like he ran into something."

"He did. My fist." Frank held up the responsible hand. Then he noticed Mansville's painful limp as Detective Lau led him away. Frank pointed and asked, "What happened to him? A fall?"

"You could say that." Nancy grinned. "He had a little help from me."

Frank smiled, but it quickly faded. He saw the marks around Nancy's neck and the way she was rubbing her left arm. "Are you okay?" He didn't even try to hide the concern in his voice.

"Yeah, just a little sore." She saw the bruise and swelling on Frank's jaw. "What about you?" She nodded at his jaw. "That looks painful."

"It is. A little." He lightly touched the bruise. It hurt like hell. So did his hand. "All in a day's work," he said.

A/N: Just a few more chapters. Explanations and romance are on the horizon.

Thanks, as ever, for the reviews.