Chapter Thirty-Five
Nathan walked behind Powers along with Anna. He had never seen his boss so angry before as they headed for his office. He knew Powers was going to be even more mad when he heard of the news about the gun runners being arrested in Mexico.
"How much money do we need to restart the production of the drug?" Powers asked turning to Nathan and interrupting his thoughts.
"Garrison said roughly twenty million, Mr. Powers," Nathan answered, cringing slightly as Powers' face became red. "That's for personnel, location, and products plus extra security."
"Fine! Make it happen!" Powers cried, opening the door to his makeshift office. "I have already lost tons of money while the damn thing hasn't been on the streets!"
"Sir, I have other news," Nathan replied cautiously. Powers turned toward him as the man relayed the details of the assault and apprehension of the gun runners the week before.
"How much of a loss?"
"Total, Mr. Powers," Nathan said. Anna remained quiet unsure of what to contribute to the conversation. "Every man was arrested and all the guns confiscated. Any money found was taken as well."
"Damn it all to hell!" cried Powers. The gun runners were the last bits of income for his organization although there was something else coming in worth more. "What of my girls?"
"They're fine, sir. We have ramped up security to ensure the brothel is safe." Nathan hesitated before continuing. "There's something else, Mr. Powers."
"Well? What is it?" the crime boss cried, impatient that his second in command didn't elaborate quickly enough.
"Security footage from the gun runners' headquarters caught the faces of those who took on the assault." Nathan walked over to the mounted TV and put a disk into the player. Powers' face grew redder when Nathan stopped on a familiar face. The crime boss screamed in rage and threw a paperweight at the wall, shattering it. Anna huddled against the opposite wall, keeping herself as small as possible.
"Why. Is. He. Back?" Powers heaved on every word. "I thought we took care of the problem when you killed the girl!"
"I don't know, sir. He showed up with two other men and they were able to take everyone down within minutes! What are your orders to deal with this?"
"As of now, nothing," Powers said angrily. "There's only one base he could be at that's so close to Mexico. It was under construction when I left the Network but I know where it is. I think it's time to bring in Jonas."
"Are you sure, Mr. Powers? Mason Wallace knows who he is plus who else may…"
"I know that, you twit!" cried Powers. "It's just one man and Jonas is a Jack-of-all-trades. He knows how to blend in and avoid detection."
"But, sir…"
"Enough, Nathan! I have made my decision. Get a hold of Jonas, wherever he is and send him to El Paso. Have him contact me directly if he finds that little shit. I want Hardy gone once and for all!"
"Yes, Mr. Powers."
"This is so nice!" cried Laura Hardy as she stretched out in her beach chair. She looked over at her husband next to her and smiled. "We so needed this!"
"I know! It's too bad Carson and Hannah couldn't make it though," Fenton replied. He looked over at Joe and Vanessa running around in the surf. Marking the year it had been since Frank and Nancy left, the Hardys felt it was necessary to get away and flew to Florida for a vacation on the Gulf of Mexico. Carson had a major trial starting and Hannah's sister was sick so the two were unable to meet them for the trip. Neither family had heard from anyone since Christmas though Mason supposedly kept Carson up to date sporadically on Nancy. Frank never called the Hardys and they were becoming more apprehensive about him lately.
"Hey, Mom! Dad!" said Joe, running up to his parents with Vanessa in tow. "We're going to go rent some jet skis. We'll see you later!"
"Okay!" cried Laura as the couple ran off together. Although her son was an adult, her motherly instincts kicked in as she yelled again, "Be careful!"
Fenton and Laura watched as the two headed toward the ski rental at the end of the pier. Laura was so happy for Joe. Vanessa was a wonderful girl and they made a cute couple. She just hoped everything was fine with Frank.
"Penny for your thoughts, my dear?" Fenton replied, bringing Laura back to reality.
"What? Oh, sorry. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"Well, about Joe and Vanessa and how well they go together." Laura stared out at the Gulf, the waves crashing into the beach. She bit her lip as she thought of other things. This vacation was nothing without her older son as well. "I…I just miss Frank so much. It's been a year since we've really seen him and there's been no word. I mean, at least Carson has been getting updates on Nancy and mercifully relaying the messages to us. I'm just as worried about her as I am about Frank. I know this is our vacation but I can't stop thinking about them."
"Me too, Laura," Fenton scooted his chair closer to her and wrapped his arm around her body. "I trust that Frank is fine or we would have heard otherwise by now."
"Would we?" She looked at him skeptically. "Mason really isn't forthcoming with the information lately. The man doesn't bother calling us and I'm even starting to think that Joe is getting to be edgy about it."
"I think that has nothing to do with Frank," Fenton laughed a knowing smirk.
"Huh?"
"I'm surprised at you!" Fenton laughed again. "You can usually sniff out what others are doing even before they do! That especially goes for both our sons. I know you have a feeling about Frank and Nancy. Even a blind man could that. But Joe?"
"What about him?"
"Laura, he's been carrying it around for weeks and you haven't noticed?"
"Oh…oh!" Laura cried as it finally hit her. "How did you notice it and not me?"
"I found it one day, right after he bought it," Fenton smiled. "That and he told me about his intentions."
"Oh, you!" Laura slapped her husband playfully on the arm. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"He asked me not to," Fenton shrugged. "He knew you'd get all googly-eyed with him and he didn't want the added pressure. He mainly asked his old man what would be the best way to propose. I told him however he felt the best way was. It felt good to still be needed at least one of our sons."
"I'm sure when Frank comes back, he'll come to you for something," Laura smirked. "Who knows? Maybe I'll get bombarded with questions from Nancy. Vanessa already does."
"Why do you think Nancy would ask you anything?"
"Don't be mean!" Laura pouted. "I just think we'll be seeing a lot more of her whenever they come back. Besides, I don't think Carson was telling us the whole truth when Frank called in December."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, he stormed out, which I understand, but when he returned he seemed calmer, almost jovial about something. Plus I could have sworn I overheard him talking to Hannah about finding Nancy's old baby stuff."
"You picked up on that but not on Joe's impending proposal to Vanessa? Now I see who you favor between the two!"
"I do not favor Frank! I was just curious, that's all."
"Keep telling yourself that, woman!" Fenton laughed pulling out his book.
"I will," Laura pouted again, pulling her hat lower on her head. "And don't call me woman!"
"Whatever, love," grinned Fenton, shaking his head. The two sat in silence, enjoying the sun and beach until it was well into the afternoon and Joe and Vanessa returned. Laura did her best not to get doe-eyed with her youngest but she was positively giddy when they walked into their hotel suite. The young couple decided to stay on the beach for a little while longer before dinner.
"See, this is why Joe doesn't talk to you anymore," Fenton laughed after Laura wondered aloud when Joe was going to propose. As they were changing their clothes, Fenton's phone rang. Laura was closest to it and answered the phone quickly seeing the unknown caller ID.
"Hello?" she said breathlessly.
"Hey, Mom," replied the voice she'd been longing to hear for months. Instead of being happy to hear him though, Laura began yelling at him.
"Franklin Hardy! You had better have a good explanation for not calling your mother after so long! I have been worried sick wondering if you were dead or hurt somewhere! Why didn't you call on Christmas? Or at least soon after? Never mind! If you were here, I'd give you more than a piece of my mind, young man!"
"Okay, Laura," Fenton said calmly, plucking his phone away from her. She was stilling yelling at Frank before she realized the phone was gone. "I think he's heard enough and learned his lesson. Go get Joe and Vanessa." He walked into the suite's living room and waited until she was out the door before he got back onto the phone. "Although I know you deserved that just a little bit, I'm sorry she answered the phone. She's been on edge about you lately."
"It's me who should be apologizing, Dad," Frank stated. "I should have called but things got quite busy after Christmas. I did mean to call though."
"Understandable. It's good to hear your voice, son. Carson has been keeping us updated on Nancy though nothing about you. How is she doing?"
"She's good. She woke up several days ago and the doctor says she can leave soon," Frank explained. "She called her dad a few hours ago and when he found out I hadn't called you, he reprimanded me over the phone. Then Nancy hit me on the back of the head for the same reason. Now I know where she gets it from."
"Well, it sounds like you got what you needed to be motivated," Fenton laughed. He was really starting to like Nancy for putting his son in his place. "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing good, Dad," Frank sighed. "Though I need some advice on something."
"Shoot."
"Well, I…I was wondering how you kept us safe all those years of being a private investigator and constantly being in danger?"
Fenton got quiet, not knowing to say. He was happy to hear that his older son needed advice but there was only one reason as to why it was this particular question that came up. Checking the door to make sure Laura hadn't returned with Joe and Vanessa, Fenton gulped and sighed loudly.
"Dad…"
"Lots of security at home," Fenton finally said, interrupting his son. "I also had lots of support from friends and family who were willing to protect you, Joe, and your mother. If there is a reason that you are asking this, then you do whatever is in your power to protect them. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," Frank said, his voice cracking a little. "I'm sorry about…"
"Don't," Fenton said interrupting him again. "There's nothing in this world that would make me happier than to know that my sons are happy and safe. As long as you are, I don't care what comes attached to that happiness. I have supported Joe in everything he has done even if it was outlandish and brash and I will support you just as much. I am surprised though. I expected it from him, not you. I'm assuming you have already told Carson."
"Yes, back in December." Frank replied. "I'm still not sure if he's happy for us or not though."
"Knowing Carson, you will have to jump through hoops for weeks when you return home," Fenton laughed. "It does explain some of his behavior lately. Your mother picked up on it even though she didn't realize Joe was getting ready to propose to Vanessa."
"Really? Joe is taking the plunge?" Frank laughed. "This I would like to see!"
"So would I!" Fenton laughed as well. Switching back to Frank, he continued. "Do you love her?"
"More than life itself, Dad," Frank stated in a serious tone. "I would do anything to protect her."
"Son, like I told you before, you do everything you need to do in order to keep her and your child safe. That is what is most important when it comes to being a father." Fenton stopped as he heard the door close behind him. He turned to see Laura, Joe, and Vanessa standing just inside the door to their suite. Tears were flowing down Laura's face as a look of shock registered on Joe. Fenton knew they heard the last portion of their conversation but before he could say anything more, Frank's voice came back over the phone.
"Dad, I have to go," he said. "I wasn't supposed to be on for long and Mason is foaming at the mouth right now."
"Screw that son-of-a-bitch!" Fenton cried. Frank laughed. "You're having a conversation with your old man!"
"Thanks, Dad. For everything. Tell Mom I'm sorry and give them all my love." As Fenton said goodbye he heard a click as the call ended and then silence. Putting the phone down, he sighed knowing he had to explain everything to his waiting family as to what was said. As he rose from the couch, he wondered when the next time he'd be able to talk to his oldest and if it would be in person rather than over the phone.
Powers looked at his phone once more in disgust. He was furious at what Jonas sent him. Several weeks had passed before the man was able to get into the compound in El Paso. Nathan had a hard time finding the elusive man plus convincing him to go. Once he was in, Jonas posed as a janitor, being hired on after using false identification. He was never able to find his target though he heard that the man had left days before on a mission to Mexico. Jonas sent the information to his boss along with what Powers was currently looking at.
Waiting for Nathan and Anna to arrive in his office, Powers looked at his phone again, fuming that someone had lied to him. Seconds later, there was a knock at the door and his second and third in command came through, stopping just before the desk.
"Remind me again, which one of you pulled the trigger?" Powers asked, not looking up from his phone.
"Umm, I did, Mr. Powers," Nathan said nervously. He wondered why his boss was bringing it up again.
"Was she dead when you left her?"
"I…I didn't check but I thought she was."
"Then explain to me why Jonas sent me a picture of her from the base in El Paso!" Powers cried, his voice getting louder with each word. He turned his phone toward them to reveal a smiling Nancy speaking with Mason.
"I…"
"Silence! You know how I feel about failure!" Nathan cringed just a little. "However, I am willing to overlook it considering your loyalty. I am personally taking care of this issue with the help of Jonas."
"But, Mr. Powers!" cried Anna. "Let me do it!"
"I know your history with this young woman and I would pay to see the two of you go at it, but I want to make sure it's done this time. Hardy needs to know not to mess with me and that no one is safe no matter where they're at or how much security is around them. I have ordered Jonas to keep tabs on her until I get there. He has found a way in and out that would be completely undetectable until it was too late. If anything happens to me though, you know what to do, Nathan."
"Yes, sir," Nathan nodded. "Are you sure about this?"
"Absolutely. And this time, there won't be a 'miraculous' recovery."
Author's Note:
Well, another update is finally here! Sorry it took so long! A little bit of writer's block plus loads of things going on in life kind of put this on the back burner. I know you're probably wondering why I didn't put the conversation between Nancy and her father in this chapter. I felt it was more important to show the Hardys than anything plus bring in a little bit of Powers to top it off. I know it seems to be flying but I assure you there's a reason. This story is almost done and I'm already thinking about a completely different story just in time for Halloween! I'm trying not to rush this one but I'm winding down with it. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and don't forget to review! Reviews are like candy to me! I love them! Have a great weekend!