CHAPTER 6

Fenton gave Chet a ride back to the restaurant while Laura took Elisabeth to their home. It was still early so Joe decided to go see Mr. Morton at his realty office, taking Vanessa with him. Not having anything to do and wanting to avoid any more lawn work, Frank decided to accompany Joe, telling Mackenzie he was curious to see the studio apartment.

As the foursome neared the hospital exit doors an older man came running inside and bumped into Joe.

"Oh – I'm so sorry! I just found out…Joe!"

"Mr. Morton, I was about to head out to your office."

"I was out showing a house when my secretary called and told me that Chet called to tell me Ann was in labor. Is Chet still here?" The older Morton's reddish-brown hair was now sprinkled with gray, and his golden-brown eyes shone with concern.

"Our dad just took him back to the restaurant," replied Frank.

"Is Elisabeth still with him? Maybe I should go get her." Mr. Morton stood puzzling over his dilemma.

"Don't worry about Elisabeth, Mom took her home," said Joe.

"How is Ann?

"She's fine, Mr. Morton…would you like to go see the baby? Ann had a girl, Samantha." Mackenzie smiled warmly at the older man.

"Yes…yes I would." Mr. Morton returned the smile then followed Vanessa and Mackenzie to the elevator.

Frowning, Mr. Morton disconnected the call, staring at his cell phone before setting it down.

"Is something wrong, Mr. Morton?" asked Joe, putting down the diagram he had been studying.

"I'm not sure. I was calling Gracie; she's the day nurse for Mrs. Stewart…"

"The woman who is renting the basement apartment?" asked Mackenzie.

"Yes…she's not answering her cell and I know Mrs. Stewart doesn't have any doctor's appointments today. Gracie lets me know in case someone wants to look at the apartment. Mrs. Stewart likes to meet prospective renters."

"Did you try Mrs. Stewart's home phone?" Joe asked with some concern.

"Yes, the answering machine picked up; that's why I tried Gracie's cell. I thought she might have taken Mrs. Stewart to the store."

"My, my…Joe Hardy, what a surprise to see you here!" Con Riley, holding a cup of coffee, stood next to the table. He was smiling wickedly at Joe. "Rumor has it that you got trapped in an elevator and delivered a baby."

"You delivered the baby?!" gasped Mr. Morton.

"No, but I came pretty close! And don't look so surprised…I have delivered a baby before," said Joe, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He glanced over at Vanessa who wore a smug smile.

"I don't remember you telling me about you delivering any babies!" Frank said with a dubious look on his face.

"Baby…not babies," stressed Joe. "Long story…I'll tell you about it later. Hey Con, could you do us a favor?"

"You know, as the Chief of Police I really shouldn't be helping you on any cases you may be working on."

"I'm not," chuckled Joe. "The favor is really for Mr. Morton. One of his clients is an elderly woman, a Mrs. Stewart. He can't get hold of her caretaker. I was wondering if you'd send someone out to check on her."

"What's her address?" Con asked.

As Mr. Morton wrote down the address Frank stared up at Con. "So why are you here, Con? I doubt it has to do with the coffee."

"I heard about Joe while I was in my office, and when I found out one of my traffic control officers got hurt I came by to see how he was doing."

"Anyone we know?" asked Frank.

"No, he's new; only been here for a year or so."

"Here you go, Chief Riley." Mr. Morton handed Con a piece of paper.

"I know where this is…it's a little slow at the station; I think I'll go check this out myself. Do you have a card with your number on it, Mr. Morton?"

Mr. Morton gave Con one of his business cards. "Thank you very much, Chief Riley. Mrs. Stewart is a really nice woman and so is Gracie."

"Not a problem, I know Mrs. Stewart. Her daughter used to work at the station as a dispatcher, until her husband's job transferred him to another state." Con let out a little sigh. "Man, she used to bring the best chocolate cookies whenever she visited her daughter."

"Maybe she'll have some when you see her," Joe snickered.

"I'll remember that the next time you want a ticket fixed," Con said as he turned to leave.

Mr. Morton, Frank, Mackenzie and Vanessa erupted in laughter with Joe following suit.

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Con passed the intersection of Elm and High Streets as he headed for Mrs. Stewart's house. He drove several blocks down High Street until he came to Cypress, then made a left turn. The street ended in a cul-de-sac; Mrs. Stewart's house was at the end. Con noticed that the neighbors on both sides were at home. He started to walk up the sidewalk when a small dog came bounding out into the yard.

"Lucky, get back over here…you bad dog!" scolded a woman, apparently one of the neighbors.

The small dog was nipping at Con's heels. He scooped it up and scratched behind its ears.

"Hello," Con smiled as he took out his badge. "I'm Chief Riley, I was wondering if you've seen Mrs. Stewart today?"

"Hello, Chief Riley. I haven't seen her today. I did see her aide come in this morning around eight o'clock." Taking her dog back from Con, the woman looked concerned. "Has something happened to her?"

"I don't know. Someone was trying to reach her but hadn't so far. I just came by to see if she was okay." Con walked to the front door and came to a stop. He saw that the door was open. Taking his gun out of the holster he indicated to the neighbor to go back to her house while he quickly called for back-up on his radio.

Once he knew the woman was safely away, Con cautiously eased the door open. He stood quietly just inside the house listening for any movement, but the house was silent. He walked further into the home.

Con was glad this was a one-story house as he walked through the living room into the dining room then into the kitchen. There was a hallway leading to what he assumed would be the bedrooms and bathroom. He was about to leave the kitchen area when he heard a noise coming from the pantry. His gun ready, Con quickly opened the door. He let out a gasp when a body and a broom fell out of the pantry. He let the broom clatter to the floor as he caught the brown-haired woman whom Con thought looked to be about the same age as Vanessa Bender, early to mid-twenties. As he gently laid her on the floor he checked for a pulse but found none. He wondered if this was 'Gracie' and if so, where was Mrs. Stewart? Then Con took note of her clothes. The woman was wearing a button-down blouse and dress slacks. On her feet were low-heeled shoes. Con didn't think a homecare nurse would dress this way.

"This is the police! This is Officer Dawson…Chief, are you in there…you okay?"

"I'm fine Dawson…you better call an ambulance and the coroner."

"Where are you, Chief Riley?"

"In the kitchen. Turn right when you get to the dining room."

Con thought he heard other voices, then Officer Dawson's again. He hoped that Mrs. Stewart and Gracie hadn't come back. A few minutes later Dawson walked in.

"Ambulance and corner are on the way, Chief. The owner of the house just arrived; I've got her and her nurse waiting next door."

"Thanks."

"Who is she?"

"I don't know… God, I hate Mondays," sighed Con.

END OF CHAPTER

Disclaimer: The Hardy Boys are owned by Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer syndicate and are only being temporarily borrowed for a little run. They will be returned in … mostly … 1 piece when this is done.

A reminder: Please see Copagirl's profile (which I promise to add more information to as I have a chance to do so).

Enjoy!