Disclaimer: I do not own Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys and am making no money off this fic. Well, it's been a funny old year, hasn't it. I have tried my best to keep on writing, though it has been hard sometimes. My special thanks go to all frontline workers as well as to those who followed proper precautions. In addition, my thanks go out to those who have stuck with me through this year. Your comments have been major bright spots in a sea of darkness. In short, I hope we get this thing licked next year and remember to keep washing those hands.
"Listen, can you at least tell me what this is about," Nancy said. Her only answer was a soft click and then the dial tone.
"Who was that?" Bess asked.
"The same guy as before," Nancy answered. She then told Bess and George what the caller had said.
"So, are we going to go?" Bess asked.
"I don't think we should," George said, her dark eyes full of worry, "it sounds like a trap to me."
"But it might not be," Bess responded, it might be someone with vital information who's too scared to say anything over the phone."
"We'll go," Nancy said, "but we'll be extra careful."
###
Twenty minutes later, the girls were standing in a circular plaza outside the National Museum of the American Indian. The sandy colored, curved building rose up behind them.
"What's the plan?" Bess asked.
"Why don't you two go take a look around and see if you can spot anyone suspicious," Nancy said..
"Gotcha," Bess gave a small salute. George merely nodded.
Nancy watched as both girls spread out to check out the site. She then walked to a bench on one side of the plaza and sat down. The plaza was ringed with various crop plants that some tribes would have grown before the arrival of Europeans.
Suddenly, a cloth of some kind was thrown over Nancy's head and something was looped around her neck and pulled tight.
Nancy knew she had to act fast. She clawed at whatever was around her neck but only felt it tighten. Unable to see and with something cutting off her air supply, Nancy forced the rising sense of panic she felt back down. She had to try something else.
Nancy slumped, trying to make it seem like she had passed out. The pressure on her neck lessened and she seized her chance. Nancy struck out behind her with her elbow and felt it hit something soft. She felt whatever was choking her loosen a little more.
"Hey! What are you doing?", a male voice shouted. As if in answer, the pressure on Nancy's neck disappeared completely and she was shoved to the ground.
Nancy lay still for a few seconds, gulping in air and listening to the sound of her attacker running away. Soon she heard someone running toward her and then the covering was whipped off her.
Nancy glanced up and found herself looking into the eyes of Alejandro Del Rio. "What happened here?" he asked, holding out his hand to help her to her feet.
Nancy got to her feet before answering, "Someone clearly doesn't want that carving found."
"Then maybe you should listen to them," he suggested.
" I might," she replied.
"Why do I not believe that, Detective Nancy Drew?"
She fixed her blue gaze on him, "How did you know?"
"I am sure you know that my family is quite well connected down in Mexico. When you started investigating the theft of Lord Pacal. I wanted to find out what I could about you."
"And you found out about the two cases that I worked on there?"
"I did."
"Then you know that I never give up on a case until it's solved."
"Maybe this time you should reconsider that policy."
With that he turned and went back the way he must have come. Left alone, Nancy took the opportunity to closely examine whatever was used to cover her eyes. It was an old, black, coat, Nancy looked in all the pockets trying to find some sort of lead to her attacker's identity. But she found nothing.
Just then, Bess and George rushed up. "What happened?" Bess asked, fear showing in her voice.
Nancy sighed. "It's a long story," she answered.
###
"He really said that?" Bess raised one eyebrow.
"If you ask me, the guy is giving off major guilty vibes," George commented. The three girls were back in their room. George was sat on one bed with her back against the headboard. Nancy and Bess were on the opposite bed.
" He did seem concerned," Nancy admitted.
"But he could have been faking it," George responded, " I'm also not buying how he just happened to walk up at just the right moment. He could have easily set up the whole thing."
"That's true," Nancy said, "I didn't see who attacked me so it could have been either of the two men who were driving the car that nearly ran us down."
"Who Alejandro could have sent after us," George pointed out.
Nancy rubbed the side of her neck, which still felt sore. Her mind drifted to the meeting with the Foxes the next day. What would happen? Were the father and daughter really in trouble, or was it an elaborate scheme by the pair? And if it was, what was their ultimate goal?
###
"And we're back here again," Joe said. It was the next morning and the brothers were once again in the park opposite Henry Wyley's law office.
"We have to keep on him, Joe," Frank responded, "he's still our best lead to recovering those coins."
"I know," Joe leaned against the trunk of a cherry tree. Both brothers were dressed casually in T shirts, shorts, sunglasses and baseball caps. Joe knew that stakeouts were often required to crack a case. However, it didn't stop him from finding them among the most boring things on the planet.
The door to the law office opened and a man in an expensive looking grey suit came out. He crossed the street towards the Hardys.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
"You may be able to," Frank answered, "we're looking for Henry Wyley."
"Well, you've found him," the man replied. He looked the picture of a successful lawyer with neatly combed black hair, shiny black wingtip shoes and glistening silver cufflinks.
"Eudora Smith had some rare coins stolen a few days ago," Frank continued, "we were wondering if you might have been offered them or anything like that."
"I'm afraid I can't help you there," Henry Wyley answered, "I do have another piece of advice, if you'd like to hear it."
"Go ahead," Joe said.
"This city is full of things to do and places to see. Perhaps it would be more enjoyable for you if you took advantage of them. It might be safer and more healthy, too."
"We just might take your advice," Frank said, before Joe had a chance to reply. Without looking back, the two brothers set off down the street.
###
"Well, this is it," George said as the three girls walked through the mall where they were to meet the Foxes.
"Look at all those great stores," Bess commented as they passed a well known women's fashion store.
"We're here to work, not shop," Nancy reminded her.
"I know," Bess replied.
"The central fountain's just up ahead," George remarked, "that's where we're supposed to meet the guys, right?"
The trio kept walking through the shopping centre. Even though it was early evening, it was still busy with people. Some were carrying shopping bags and some were not.
Eventually, they reached the fountain where they were supposed to meet Frank and Joe. It was made of polished black stone and in the middle of it, two jets of water arced up so high, they almost reached the building's glass ceiling.
"Nancy," she heard Frank call to her. He was sat on one of the dark wood benches that ringed the fountain. Nearby, Joe leant against a white marble column.
"I thought we could discuss how we're going to play this," Nancy said.
"We don't do anything that could spook them," Frank replied, "but at the same time we try to get as much out of them as we can."
"That's going to be tough," Joe remarked, "especially with these two."
" I know," Frank said, "but we've got to find leads somewhere. Beech Hill's counting on us."
The group started walking towards the restaurant where they were to meet the Foxes. Joe and Bess led the way. All of a sudden, a clattering noise made Nancy stop in her tracks. She glanced up to see something falling from the top floor, heading straight for Joe and Bess.