Chapter Four

"Do you have to leave so soon, Dad?" Nancy asked sitting on the bed. She watched as her father finished packing his lone suitcase, nestling each item carefully into place.

Carson sighed then looked at his daughter. "I know you're worried, Nancy," he replied softly. Carson rubbed her arms gently, staring into her blue eyes. "I'm scared too. I'm going home to ensure you and the Hardys and anyone else here are protected the way you should be. It's the only way and you know that. Agent Taylor can only do so much."

"But what about Senator Hawkley?" she asked hopefully. "Why can't he do anything?"

"I'm not putting that on him, honey. Winston has a lot on his plate with the primaries coming up in a few months. Adding this would just exacerbate the issue. Plus Parker and Candace are going to be staying here until everything blows over or the baby comes, whichever comes first. No, I'm going to handle this. I should be able to get some answers as to why it's taking so long."

"But, Dad…"

"Nancy," Carson smiled sadly, "I'll be fine and so will you. You are in good hands and I trust everyone here."

"I know that but you aren't going to be with anyone!" she cried standing up. "Who's going to be there for you?"

"I get what you're saying, sweetheart," he said putting his arms around her and bringing her close. "Once I'm into the departure terminal, it won't matter. There's security in the airport. I'm going to stay in Chicago near the office once I get there. I'll be fine. Don't worry."

"But why can't you do what you need to do here?" Nancy asked. Her blue eyes watered, her fears coming out in her voice. "I'm sure the senator would get what you need."

"I'm sure Winston could get what I need but there are a few things that I have to do that can't be done from here. Look, Fenton and Sam are driving me to the airport and they will be with me all the way until they can't be. I have arranged for a guard to meet me at the gate as well. I know what I'm doing, honey."

Nancy reluctantly nodded. "I…I just don't want to lose you, Dad."

"You won't." Carson leaned forward and kissed his daughter's forehead. "I have to get going. Fenton's waiting downstairs in the lobby. Frank is going to take you the house and you'll be safe there. It's a good thing Hannah already left with Bess and George."

"Why's that?"

"Because she would be lecturing me right now," he laughed. Nancy smiled slightly though she didn't laugh with him. Carson cleared his throat. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," she nodded. "Dad?"

"What?"

"Be careful. Please."

Carson smiled then hugged her again. "Always."

Moments later the father and daughter said their goodbyes in the lobby and Nancy watched her father leave with Fenton and Sam. Frank stood beside her, his arm draped over her shoulder comforting her.

"It'll be okay, Nan," he said softly as the couple walked out of the hotel with her bags.

"I'm not so sure, Frank," she shook her head. "I…I just have a bad feeling, that's all."

"I do too but your dad knows how to handle himself. I'm sure he'll be fine." Frank loaded the bags into the back of his SUV then held the door open for Nancy to get in. Just before he started the engine, he took her hand and squeezed it, gazing deep into her eyes. "Everything will be fine. You'll see. Your dad has precautions in place. He has a GPS signal on his phone so you can check at any time to make sure he's okay."

Reluctantly Nancy nodded then stared at her hands. Frank started the engine and pulled away from the curb into light traffic. He could tell she was worried as he was too. To hear that Davenport and his daughter were spotted only an hour's drive from them didn't comfort him at all. Any news about Melody didn't comfort Frank and he was damn sure that he wasn't going to let it ruin his time with Nancy.

As Frank continued to drive towards his home, his thoughts roamed. What he didn't realize was that there was a dark sedan a few cars behind them, following their every move.

"Are you sure you don't need someone to go with you, Carson?" Fenton asked his old friend moments after checking in at the airline desk.

"As I told Nancy, Fenton," chuckled Carson picking up his one carry-on, "I'll be fine. It's not like anyone can get in to the departures area without a ticket. Even you and Sam can't go in there without one."

"That's what I'm worried about," the detective stated. "And what's going to happen when you get to Chicago? Will there be someone waiting for you there too?"

"I was going to call Chicago when I met up with the guard who's supposed to escort me. And my secretary, Janet, knows I'm coming back early and will be working out of the Chicago office until Monday." Carson smirked as he looked at his worried friend. "I'm telling you, everything is taken care of. Trust me on this."

Fenton sighed in defeat, his shoulders slumping. Sam chuckled behind his hand. "What are you laughing about?" Fenton glared at him.

"Nothing," his partner replied. "Just that now I see where Nancy gets her tenacity from. You know you're not going to win this one, Fenton."

"I know," he shook his head then glanced at Carson. "I hope Nancy doesn't give me this problem while she's here."

"I wouldn't be surprised," Carson shrugged. "She gets it more from her mother. You know that."

The three men walked through the first security checkpoint stopping just outside the departures area. Fenton didn't want his friend to leave but he knew Carson was leaving in order to get them the help and security they need while Davenport was still around.

"Do me a favor, Fenton," Carson replied, his face suddenly slack and his eyes pleading.

"Anything, Carson. You know that."

"Please watch over her," he requested. "Nancy is still not recovered from the whole ordeal earlier this year. She blames herself for everything that happened and I keep telling her it wasn't her fault. The time that you all have with Nancy will be good for her. Just please...I don't know what I would do if I lost her."

Blood rushed to Fenton's face, his heart pounding hard. He could tell that the request wasn't something that Carson wanted to do but he knew what he needed to do. Fenton placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I will do everything in my power to watch over Nancy," he stated. "Even if she doesn't want it."

Carson chuckled. "Yeah, I could just see her reaction if you told her no. Even I have a hard time sometimes." The two men embraced, patting each other on the back. They both knew the seriousness of the situation and that one brief exchange between truly showed how much their friendship had strengthened in time. "Thank you, Fenton."

"Anytime, Carson. You let us know the moment you land," Fenton demanded. Carson backed away moving towards the short line of people heading toward the departures area. "Call, text, anything. Okay?"

"Yes, 'Dad,'" he smirked, saluting the two as he went through the security checkpoint.

Fenton stood watching people go into the departures area long after Carson was gone. There was something bothering him. A woman bumped into him as she passed but he took no notice of her. He said a silent prayer before turning to his partner who was watching the area intently.

"Something wrong?" Fenton asked when he saw the look on Sam's face.

"I don't know," he shook his head. "It's probably nothing. That woman who bumped into you, she looked familiar but I don't know where I've seen her before."

Fenton searched for the woman though she had already disappeared. "Well, whoever she was, she's gone now."

"What do you think we should do?"

"I'm not sure." He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. Moments later, Fenton saw a TSA agent nearby and decided to go over to him. "Excuse me."

"Yes, sir?" the agent replied. "What can I do for you?"

"A friend of mine just went into the departures area and I just wanted to make sure he was okay," Fenton said. "Is there any way to go back into the departures area?"

"I'm sorry, sir," the man shook his head, "but unless you have a ticket you can't enter the area."

"I understand," he bowed his head. "My friend's name is Carson Drew. He requested an escort to his gate until he took off. Is there any way to find out if…"

"I know who you're talking about," the agent nodded. "We were informed about it early this morning. I can assure you that no one is able to get near the gates without a ticket unless they are a TSA or airline employee. I do know that the one who was assigned to Mr. Drew is very good at his job. I hope that this gives you some assurance about your friend."

"Yes, it does," Fenton smiled though he still had a feeling something was off. "Thank you for your time."

"Well, that was a little comforting," Sam muttered as the pair walked away from the agent. "What now?"

"I guess we head back home," he answered with a sigh. "It's the only thing I can think of to do. I'm sure with everything Carson put in place that he will be fine…I hope."

After leaving Fenton and Sam at the departures entrance, Carson sat at a bar across from his gate, a cold drink in his hand. The guard he requested still hadn't arrived which concerned him though his thoughts were elsewhere. He thought about his last conversation with Nancy before he left and the one he just had with Fenton. They were both worried about him as they should be. Carson was just as concerned as they were, if not more. In fact, he was second guessing himself that he'd made the wrong decision in leaving her since his request wasn't fulfilled by the airport.

Taking another sip of his drink, Carson decided to go find the nearest security station to see what was going on. He still had at least 30 minutes before boarding began and maybe he would be able to find out what happened to the guard he requested.

"My, you look as if you have the whole weight of the world resting on your shoulders," replied a sultry voice.

Carson shook his head out of his thoughts. "Excuse me?" He looked to his left to see a lovely woman sitting next to him, her thigh just inches from his own. She wore a low-cut blouse and tight jeans, her hair falling down her back. The woman was beautiful though Carson tried his best to not pay attention to her.

"I'm sorry," she said apologetically. "I just couldn't help myself when I saw you. You look so sad and I just thought I'd say hello."

"Oh, sorry," he stated then looked back at his drink. The woman looked surprised.

"Wow, I never got that reaction before," she laughed. "I'm Gigi."

"I'm…not interested," he replied subtly. "I just want to enjoy my drink in peace then make my flight."

"Well, let me at least buy you a drink since I'm ruining the first one."

"That's okay," Carson waved her off dismissively. "I don't need another one."

With that he gulped down the last of his drink then gathered his coat to leave. The woman stopped him by touching his arm gently. Carson looked at her sternly and she let go, embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. I…I just wanted a drink," she stammered nervously. "I just didn't want to be alone."

"Well, I'm sorry that I can't accommodate that, Ms. Gigi, is it? But I have to be going. I'm married anyways."

"Oh, we all know that that's not true…Mr. Drew."

Carson was a few feet away when he turned around to her again, his face filled with confusion. The woman smiled and rose from the stool just as a strong hand clamped down on Carson's bicep. Startled, he looked behind him to see a large man standing there, his grip almost painful.

"Who are you?" Carson asked glancing back at the woman. He tried yanking his arm away but the man held tight. "What is this?"

"Just cooperate and everything will be fine," Gigi answered pleasantly. The look in her eyes chilled him to the bone. "Someone would like a word you though, Mr. Drew. And please, don't cause a scene. We wouldn't want any…unwarranted attention. Plus we wouldn't want to keep your daughter waiting, now would we?"

"You leave Nancy out of this," he growled. He tried to step forward but the man holding on to him gripped him even tighter causing Carson to flinch in pain. "What the hell do you want?"

"I told you," she smiled though it didn't reach her eyes. "Someone would like a word with you. I'm sure you know who I mean, Mr. Drew. He's looking forward to finally meeting you. Now, let's move to a more comfortable place so we can talk more freely."

Gigi led them away from the gate that Carson was so close to and went to a side door that read "Authorized Personnel Only." Just behind the door lay a guard, his chin resting on his unmoving chest. Carson realized this was the guard who was to protect him and cursed himself for not taking better precautions. The trio stepped out onto the tarmac where an emergency vehicle sat with its back doors open. They were met by two more men and a woman.

"Where's Nancy?" Carson demanded when they stopped. "What have you done to her?"

"Nothing…yet."

"I swear if you do anything to harm her…"

"Now, now, there's no need for threats," Gigi tsked waggling her finger in front of him. She glanced over at the man who had come up next to her and nodded. "Hand my associate your ticket, Mr. Drew. He will be taking your place just in case someone happened to make sure you were on the airplane."

Carson didn't move as the man stepped forward but he was startled to see that the man could have been his twin. He had the same graying hair, piercing green eyes and nearly the same clothes as he was wearing. The only difference was the age. Clearly the man was several years younger than Carson but from a distance there was a resemblance.

"Remember, Mr. Drew," Gigi replied, "your daughter is waiting. We don't want anything to happen to her, do we?"

Carson sighed in frustration then pulled out his ticket and handed it to his "twin."

"The phone too," she ordered.

Carson glared at the woman as he pulled his phone out. He cursed himself for not pulling it out earlier and letting Fenton know the guard hadn't arrived.

"Now, what were you going to do when you arrived in Chicago?" Gigi asked politely though there was a little animosity in her voice.

"Nothing."

"You're lying, Mr. Drew," she sneered. "What were you going to do when you arrived?"

Carson bowed his head in defeat. He had no choice but to tell what he was going to do since he didn't know what they would do to Nancy if he didn't.

"I was to text Nancy and Fenton Hardy that I was home. That's it."

"Anyone meeting you at the airport?"

"No. I haven't had the chance to call anyone."

"I believe you this time but if you do lie to us, your daughter is dead." Gigi looked to Carson's "twin." "You know what to do. He expects you back as quickly as possible."

The man nodded then walked back into the building. Gigi then gestured toward the vehicle. "After you, Mr. Drew."

"I can't let you do this," he answered planting his feet on the ground.

"We already have. Now get in."

Carson continued to defy the woman hoping someone saw them to alert the authorities but it was all over the moment he felt the prick of a needle in his arm. In a matter of seconds the world swirled around him and his knees buckled.

"Get him into the back," Gigi ordered. "Martin wants him unharmed."

As Carson heard the name his heart gave out. He now knew who Gigi was and his anger rose. She was the woman who gave Nancy the drugs months before but with what was going through his system at that moment, Carson knew he could do nothing but pray. As the world finally went dark, Nancy's face swarmed in front of him and he prayed that she would be okay.

Author's Note:

Thanks to all who read the previous chapter and a special thanks to those who left reviews. To the guest reviewer who said that you felt like the last chapter was where the story really begins, you are definitely correct. I didn't want to get too many chapters in before I started in on the action. There's more coming too but you will just have to wait and see what happens next! As always, I hope that you enjoyed the latest addition to the story. It is shorter than usual but at least I got the point across. If you will, please leave a review to let me know what you think. I always love reading them and hearing your thoughts and ideas. Have a great weekend and God bless!