Here is wishing everyone a safe and happy 2021! Here is the next update! Happy New Year! Amber

Chapter 14

Frank handed Brooke to his mother and hurried to his front door. Fenton was already there and he had his gun. "Who are you?"

It was a young man. Fenton didn't know who he was. "Joe who?"

"This is Andrew Baylor's brother James." Frank said.

"My brother didn't do anything wrong, where is that worthless tramp! I know about her! She accused her daddy of beating her. She probably deserved it if you ask me."

Frank and Joe both went to leap off the poarch to clobber this man. But Fenton grabbed them by the belts. "The last thing we need is to have you two boys arrested for assault." Then he addressed the angry brother. "We had DNA evidence that linked him to the 23 rapes. If he had lived he would have been found guilty of all charges."

"He was a cop! He wouldn't do that. You made a mistake."

Fenton shook his head. "There is no mistake. We had a warrant, we made entry, your brother fired on federal officers and fellow police officers. He was killed. I'm sorry for your loss, but it doesn't change the facts."

"Well, I'm suing you and her. I found a lawyer who is going to take the case pro bono. Your asses will pay."

Frank jerked free of his father. "Go ahead and try. We have the evidence. Your lawsuit will go nowhere. I promise you we can afford a lawyer to represent our interests."

The son sneered. "Daddy owns this house right. You and your worthless brother live in it with that whore of a wife you have."

Frank crossed his arms. "Actually no it's mine and my wife's house."

A car pulled up to the curb and Frank saw his grandparents. Not the Ricci's but the Hardy's. Frank groaned inwardly. He said. "Leave my property now. Or I'm going to call the police and have you arrested for harassment."

He sniffed. "I have the real truth on my side you ass hole."

Frank Hardy Sr and Eve Hardy both pulled out their own concealed weapons. Frank Sr. boomed. "You heard my grandson get off this property. I don't know who you are but we aren't going to put up with your empty threats. Leave now."

Eve Hardy said sternly. "NOW!"

He held up his hands. " Who the hell are you?"

"We're FBI agents retired." Eve said. "Trust me...we're still very good shots."

A third car pulled up and it was the Ricci's. Joseph and Sarah got out of the car. "What on earth?"

Fenton who now had his gun drawn said. "Joseph...Sarah get inside the house now. We've got this."

They both went past Frank and Joe and hurried into the house. Fenton said. "Frank, call the police."

"I'm not done with what I have to say."

Fenton said. "You're quite done. I understand your loyalty to your brother...I do. But coming here and threatening us with litigation and calling my daughter-in-law a whore and a worthless tramp crosses the line."

"All those women were whores. They gave consent. My brother knew better. Those women lied because they changed their mind. It's that simple."

Fenton said. "You have until the police arrive to leave. Or you're going to be arrested."

"Fuck you!" He got into his truck. He put the truck in drive and rammed Frank and Callie's SUV then backed up. He shot them the bird as he drove off.

Frank Sr. cursed a blue streak. "That fucker! Look at your car. Hardly a damn scratch on his."

Frank sighed. It's not worth the trouble of pressing charges. "I want to know how he got our address."

Fenton said. "I have an idea or two about that. Let's go eat dinner."

Callie was pacing when they came in. "Frank what happened?"

Frank pulled her into a hug. "It was the brother of your rapist. He came to upset us. We made them leave."

Callie narrowed her eyes. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Honey, he wants to sue for wrongful death and some other stuff. It's bogus. It's a waste of time. I'm pretty sure he's blowing smoke. He also damaged our SUV."

Callie narrowed her eyes. "He came to our house? How did he get the address?"

Fenton assured her. "I am going to find out sweetheart. I have a good idea where to start looking."

Joe inquired, "The two detectives that were thrown off the case for insubordination?"

Fenton nodded. "Exactly."

Frank cursed. "Screw that. I can search their electronics easily enough. He of course would know that his brother was a cop. I searched for the mother. She divorced him after he was convicted, got remarried and had two more kids. From what I could see the Baylor boys had no contact with her after they turned twenty and 18 respectively. There were some domestic disputes at the house involving the Baylor boys, the mom, sister and two younger children. The daughter is close to the mom."

Frank Sr. said. "It sounds like their boys learned their disrespect of women from the father. Did the girl go to college Frank?"

"She's a social worker for a hospice company in New York. Her husband works as an officer of the NYPD."

Eve Hardy said. "If the brother gives you and Callie problems, Fenton may need to chat with the daughter and mother. See if they'd be willing to testify against if there was abuse."

Callie looked thoughtful. "Frank, were the domestics violent?"

"Yes very."

Joe said. "That sounds very promising."

Brooke suddenly squealed. "I hungee!"

Callie laughed. "Of course you are my baby."

Fenton picked her up and put her in the highchair that had been moved to the dining room. The table could easily seat twelve but they had ten today. Callie said. "Fenton, Frank Sr. You can sit at the heads of the table."

Eve raised an eyebrow. "At your house? No Franklin Davis the second will be sitting at the head and you at the other. They moved Brooke's highchair to the end where Frank was sitting on his right. Joseph Sr. sat beside Frank on his left, then Sarah sat beside him. Next to her sat Laura, followed by Joe. Callie at the other head, on her left was Fenton Hardy, followed by Frank Sr., and Eve." The lasagna was at the head of the table where Frank was. On Callie's end was the salad. They said blessing in unison. "For food, for raiment, for life, for friendship and fellowship; we thank thee oh Lord. Amen."

Brooke said from her highchair. "Amen."

Eve who was sitting beside her. "You are such a precious sweet girl. Frank get this girl her lasagna first."

"I am grandma. We have some green beans for her vegetable."

Callie brought a tiny bowl and scooped the green beans on her plate along with some mandarin oranges, then she handed the plate to Frank. Callie put on Brooke's bib and kissed her cheek.

Frank put her plate in front of her. He said. "Hot lasagna."

Brooke pointed to the pasta. She said. "Hot." Then went to her green beans first. Everyone served themselves and talked small talk.

Brooke was her charming self. She made funny faces and Joe from across the table played peek-a-boo with her making her squeal in delight.

Laura said. "I made a cheesecake for dessert."

Callie moaned. "I love your cheesecakes! Which one did you make?"

Laura smiled and said. "Your favorite."

Callie's mouth actually watered. "New York Style with cherry topping."

Eve said. "Sounds delicious."

Joe nodded. "Oh it is Grandma."