Author's Note: Anything in bold should be a caption that Frank is remembering. Hopefully it will actually come out in bold on the website. Oh and I have gotten complaints about Sweet, something about her being annoying. Really? I modeled her after one of my eccentric friends and I would never have thought she could get on anyone's nerves. Ah well, just tell me what you all find so annoying about her. Ah yes, and italics in the disclaimer DO NOT indicate thought.
Disclaimer:
In a large diner, Joe sits in a checkered white and red boothJoe (eating large sandwich): Pookie can see that (takes another bite of sandwich and talks through the food) she hasn't convinced you all that she doesn't (swallows) actually own any of Dixon or Keene's characters. Actually (takes another bite and again attempts to talk through food) I don't even know that there ever was a Carolyn Keene, wasn't that a pen name?
Frank enters the diner dressed in an Armani suit. He sees Joe sitting at the booth and walks over to him
Joe (looking up in surprise): Frank what are you doing here?"
Frank: Well Pookie could see that you were doing a horrible job at trying to convince the readers that she owns none of this so she sent me, the more responsible brother.
Joe: Oh (nods in agreement). (Looks at his brother in confusion) how come you have an expensive suit?
Frank (grinning): Joe this is the fictional world. The author provides us with whatever she wants.
Joe (hurt): How come I don't get anything?
Nancy walks into the diner and immediately takes a seat across from JoeNancy (rolls eyes): Joe, Pookie gave you the sandwich because you like to eat.
Joe: Aw come on Pookie, Frank got an Armani suit. And Nancy (looks at Nancy)..Is that a diamond necklace!
Frank (calmly): Joe there is no reason to get all jealous.
Joe (whining): But I want something, anything!
Two gorgeous models suddenly appear, sitting on either side of JoeJoe (grinning): Now this is more like it!
Frank (frowning): What about your new girl in the story? Who's secret by the way is that..
Nancy (cutting in rather rudely): Frank let him find out in the story!"
Joe: No! I want to know now!
Frank (apologetically): Sorry, you'll have to find out in the story....
Chapter 13-Mysteries Collide (Saturday)
"I won't ask you again!" Joe yelled, "Who are you?!"
The man, his face buried in the gravel, had a hard time answering.
Sweet ran up to Joe, "Joe, just leave him alone! He didn't do anything to us!"
Joe turned his eyes to Sweet, "He was snapping photos of us!"
"How do you know that? Maybe," she scrambled to find an excuse, "maybe he was….taking pictures of the natural habitat!"
"Right, in the middle of nowhere, at a flea market!"
"Mbfrg," came a sound from the cameraman.
Joe flipped him onto his back, "Talk!"
The man looked at Sweet, "Hi Miss Rodriguez."
"You know this creep?" Joe asked.
Sweet scratched the back of her head. Joe took note of this nervous reaction.
"Well, I don't really know him..."
"Well he sure seems to know you."
"Miss Rodriguez, could you kindly ask your friend to kindly remove his knee from my ribcage?" the man asked.
"Shut up Victor," she snapped at him.
"I thought you didn't know this guy," Joe questioned suspiciously.
"Look," she scratched the back of her head again, "I really don't know him."
"Right," Joe said incredulously, "He's just some guy that you are on a first name basis with."
Aw man I am so screwed Sweet thought to herself. She took a deep breath to compose herself then said out loud, "Joe this guy doesn't mean any harm. He was taking pictures of me and just happened to get careless and got close enough for anyone who was with me to hear."
If there was ever a picture of confusion, it would have been Joe at that very moment. "So this guy is taking pictures of you?"
"Well its more like stalking. He follows me around because my dad asks him to. See my dad and I have trust issues and I don't really care anymore about this clown because I've gotten used to it," she looked at her shoes, "and I didn't want to tell you because I thought it might make you too uncomfortable to hang out with me."
Sweet watched as all the information registered in Joe's head. "So he wasn't trying to hurt either of us?"
Sweet kneeled down so that she was eye level with Joe. "No."
He ran his hands through his blonde hair then looked Victor in the eyes, "Alright, I'll let you go," Joe stood up to let Victor stand, seeing for the first time that Victor was a short, balding man with small eyes and an upturned nose. Joe promptly took the camera out of Victor's hands, "You can go, but not the camera. Is that understood?" The man nodded, "Good, now leave."
Joe and Sweet watched as the strange little man ran as fast as he could to get away from the blonde with the killer knee.
* * *
"So we're here in New York following a lead, now what?"
Michael kept his eyes fixed on the road in front of him as he drove their rented Saturn, "We try and find these guys or at least a trace of them. Then we head down to Bayport to find Sweet."
"Easier said...yadda yadda."
"Hey at least we were able to get the location of Jack Maher and Berney Valleys' home here in New York City."
"Which kind of bothers me because it was too easy."
"Yeah that bothers me too but at least we're getting somewhere. And this will make a great story for Headlines."
"Michael how are we going to make a story about a case that we don't know about? We don't know what they are planning or why. You know, I'm starting to think I made up that whole conversation on the roof," Nancy looked at Michael, "yes sweetie I am that crazy."
Michael laughed, "Nancy, relax, you can't succumb to frustration."
"Hey frustration makes the world go round, I saw it on a bumper sticker."
Her boyfriend grinned, "I thought that was love."
"Love, frustration, all the same thing," Nancy teased.
Michael placed a hand over his heart, "You've mortally wounded me," he regained a serious composure, "tell you what, after all this is done it'll just be me and you on vacation somewhere away from Wilder."
Nancy smiled, "and what about school?"
"School? Who needs it? As long as I'm with you I don't need anything else."
Nancy laughed, "You lay it on thick you know that?"
"You know you love it. Oh we're here. You remember our cover right?"
"Yeah, yeah. Did you remember to bring your hidden camera?"
"Oh crap," Michael muttered as he parked the car, "I knew I forgot something." At Nancy's murderous look he quickly added, "it's in the trunk, I was kidding. You know, ha ha and all that."
* * *
Flashback to the day before
"Superhumans?"
"Yes Vlores," Fenton said, no bothering to fight the irritated tone in his voice.
"But that wasn't mentioned in any of the files I read."
"A lot of things weren't mentioned in those files."
Back to the present
"So when will we get there?"
"Vlores you have asked me that so many times I might just strangle you."
"Sorry," Vlores sighed. Fenton had explained all that hadn't been in the BLACK WIDOW files and why the FBI had so tactfully left the information out. Although the original BLACK WIDOW case had been confusing Vlores had to admit that after hearing all the details he was at least able to understand why it had been named after a deadly spider.
"Look, when we get to FBI headquarters don't say anything." Seeing that his younger partner was about to protest he continued, "I realize you work for them but please don't say a word."
Agent Vlores rolled his eyes. Fenton had insisted on immediately heading to the FBI headquarters in Philadelphia after finding that the club had still been in use but Vlores had stopped him, pointing out that it was too late to really find anyone that could help, they were probably all at home, enjoying dinner with their families. Fenton had agreed to put it off for at least one night and explore the club some more.
Flashback
"What are we looking for now Mr. Hardy?"
"Something, anything."
"Real descriptive," Vlores muttered under his breath.
"Vlores," Fenton said as he moved to the other side of the room to search for clues, "I have two young sons, they do that all the time, don't assume I won't hear."
Vlores felt his face heat up and began to search for clues as well. Why not start with the floor? He got down on his hands and knees and searched every inch of the floor. man there is nothing here. Wait a minute... "Mr. Hardy," he called, "should there be broken glass in here?"
"What?"
"Come here!"
"Vlores if this is some stupid joke..." Fenton kneeled down next to Vlores, "Holy crap. Vlores I think you've found something."
Back to present
What Agent Vlores had actually found was a shard of glass from what might have been a some kind of cup. When the two investigators had the shard analyzed at a private lab they'd discovered that it had some kind of orange residue on it. The scientist in the lab had theorized that it might have been some kind of alcoholic beverage but couldn't be too sure until she ran more test on it.
But why would the club, even if it was being used to build so called superhumans, still have alcohol? Fenton wondered as he drove.
"Are we there yet?" Vlores whined.
"Vlores if you don't stop whining I'm going to stab you with a rusty nail."
* * *
Michael looked at his surroundings, everything about it said money; the gold trimmed vase in the corner holding precious African violets, the mirrors in gold frames, even the rug seemed to scream "PAWN ME!" Michael rolled his eyes and this is just the elevator.
Nancy leaned against the back wall of the elevator patiently waiting to reach the penthouse apartment of Jack Maher and Berney Valleys. Neither detective dared to talk, not wanting to risk having their conversation taped. Both were convinced the elevator was taped.
Finally the elevator stopped. When the doors opened they were greeted by a graying butler, "Good day, are either Master Maher or Master Valleys expecting you?"
"Yes," Nancy spoke up, "we are the students from NYU assigned to do a story on the wealthy men of the house for our journalism class." Nancy had to admit it wasn't the most creative cover she had ever thought of but it just seemed to make the most sense. "My name is Rachel Winiwitz and this is my partner Christopher McDaniels."
"Ah!" the butler's eyes brightened, "Yes Mr. Maher has been looking forward to this all day. Just follow me."
The two detectives stepped off of the elevator and into what seemed to be a waiting room. Under their feet was an expansive floor of polished marble. Surrounding them were walls made of what had to be real wood. What made the walls incredible were the designs. Nancy's eyes traveled over the twirling designs until she became dizzy. Michael meanwhile was taken with the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Nevertheless they followed the butler into the next room.
This room was most obviously the living room. Three leather couches were positioned beautifully in front of a gigantic flat screen television. To the left they saw a bar, complete with bottles of alcohol neither of them could possible afford.
"Wait here," the butler said, "Mr. Maher doesn't like to be interviewed in his office." With that the butler left.
Nancy and Michael sat on one of the couches.
"Um..N-Rachel, what exactly do you think it is they do"
"Well I guess that's why you are interviewing me, to find out every little detail."
Nancy and Michael jumped at the sound of a booming voice behind them. They politely stood up and introduced themselves.
"I know who you are," Jack Maher laughed as he made his way over to his bar, "hardworking local students. Would you two like anything to drink?"
"I'm fine thank you," Nancy replied.
"Same."
"Alright, your loss. By the way Valleys will not be joining us today as he is elsewhere on a business trip, " Jack Maher was all grins as he made his way over to one of the couches. "Sit," he ordered. They did as they were told. "Alright, now what would you like to know?"
Nancy took a tape recorder out of her purse, "Do you mind if we record this?"
"No, anything for a pretty young woman."
Michael had to admit, for a guy that might be a criminal of some sort Maher was very relaxed. "Alright, our first question. What is it that you do exactly?"
Maher leaned back, "Well I guess you could call it human relations. We make sure relations between certain agencies, usually government, are okay."
"How and why?"
"We do this with government because, well it has come to our attention that in the past certain cases could have been solved by the FBI, CIA, etc. but because they don't seem to get along they fail to work together and in the end don't really get anywhere. However, with regular businesses, which admittedly is where we find the most business, we are the middleman. We smooth out any ruffled feathers so that two companies can either merge successfully or simply cut a deal that both are happy with.
"As for how, it will take me a long time to explain that but lets just say we are very convincing people."
Nancy asked the next question. "How many people are actually involved in this business, other than you and Mr. Valleys."
Maher waved his hand in a dismissive gesture, "Oh I'd say about thirty or thirty-five people working under us. We like to keep the business small so that we all make more of a profit."
"Where do you do business?" Nancy asked.
"Seattle, San Francisco, L.A, Philadelphia, Florida, just to name a few."
"Have you ever done business in smaller, less business conscious communities?" Michael asked.
"Yes, we actually got called up to a little city in Idaho once."
Not the answer I wanted Michael thought. "Have you done business in small towns such as," Michael pretended to search his brain for a city, "Bayport?"
"Actually yes."
"Really? I've been there before," Nancy said, "Not much there."
Maher laughed, "Rachel you are funny. Of course there isn't much there but customers are customers."
"So what exactly is the name of this business you run?" Nancy asked, "We were only given yours and Valleys names and sent out here."
"Flounder's Corporations."
Michael raised an eyebrow, "is there a reason you gave it such an offbeat name?"
Maher laughed for the second time, "Actually the name was chosen by Valleys. I'm not sure why he chose it but it does help people remember us."
"So...your work with the government," Michael began, "can you give us a specific example of something you have done for any politicians?"
"Well as you know tensions between Republicans and Democrats is at an all time high..."
Nancy stopped listening, instead choosing to observe body language. One of Maher's arms was rested on the arm of his seat, the other lazily wrapped around a drink, his eyes sparkled like the diamonds on his custom Armani watch, the businessman was more than comfortable talking about his source of income, too comfortable to be a criminal.
"..so I tell the House, get this, I tell them to move the bill faster or I would make sure the FCC was shut down."
Nancy tuned back in in time to laugh politely in unison with Michael. "Well thank you for your time Mr. Maher but we really should get going if we're going to write and edit this paper on time."
The three stood up at the same time.
"Well it has been a great interview," Michael said, shaking Maher's hand, "but my partner is right."
"No problem," Maher told him dismissively, "if you two have any other questions just feel free to contact me. And hopefully Valleys will actually be here next time. Now if you'll excuse me," Maher said, taking a sip of his drink, "I must get back to the paperwork sitting on my desk. I trust you know your way out."
* * *
"So get this, her dad actually spies on her because he doesn't trust her and she puts up with it."
"She puts up with it?" Biff asked, "She doesn't seem like the type of person to put up with anything that doesn't go her way."
Joe switched the phone he was holding from his left to right ear, "Yeah but I guess she and her dad have had way too many conflicts in the past and she just wants to ignore them or something." After the eventful morning, Joe was happy to be resting on his bed with his best friend on the phone.
"Well, anyway you got to spend a whole morning with her. Other than the wacko spy, how was it?"
"Fun."
"Fun? That's all your going ta give me man? Come on we're best buds, give me something other than 'fun.' Whatever happened to your huge crush on her?"
"What?" Joe asked, startled. "I never said that."
"It was only obvious. Besides I've never seen your eyes light up like that for any girl except..." Biff almost hit himself, not for what he was about to say, but who he was about to bring up.
The blonde on the other end felt a familiar tug on his heart. Immediately, he looked at the melted keys resting on a key hook next to his bed.
"Joe I think you should go out with Sweet for real," Biff rushed on, "You two never really gave each other a chance between bets and stunts."
Joe smiled halfheartedly about to comment on how fun the bets and stunts had actually been when he heard yelling on Biff's end of the line. He could tell Biff had attempted to cover up the mouthpiece on his phone but Joe still made out what was being said; "Biff if you don't get out in the front yard and actually do your chores you are going to be grounded!"
"Dude, Joe.."
"I know, you gotta go."
"Yeah, but I'll call you back later or tomorrow or something."
"Cool."
"Bye."
"Bye."
As soon as Joe hung up the phone his aung Gertrude came rushing in, closing the door behind her quickly.
Alarmed, Joe sat up. "Aunty, what's wrong?"
Gertrude turned fiercely frightened eyes onto her young nephew, "Your mother, your mother, she's.."
Now frightened, Joe got off his bed and rushed to his aunt's side. "My mother's what?"
"She's redecorating the living room."
Joe's jaw dropped, "That's why you almost gave me a heart attack?"
Gertrude grabbed Joe by the shoulders, "You don't understand you dense boy," Gertrude began to shake her nephew, "she wants me to help. I didn't move into this house to become a decorator."
The teenage boy took a step back from his aunt once she let go of his shoulders, shaking his head in an attempt to clear it. "So tell her you don't want to help. Since when have you had trouble vocalizing your opinions?"
His aunt opened her mouth then shut it. After a few seconds she replied, "I'm not really sure."
"Then go out there and tell my mother you don't want to help her at all."
"Will do," she locked her eyes onto Joe's, "I knew we always understood each other on some level." she opened Joe's door and stepped out into the hall. "Oh by the way," she called back, "Frank called yesterday, looking for you."
Crap, I was supposed to be helping him find information on that new terrorist group, the OTTO. "Thanks Aunty!"
* * *
"Frank! It's Joe on the phone!" Callie yelled.
Frank rushed out of his dorm bathroom dressed in nothing but boxers. He grabbed the phone from Callie in his rush to talk to his brother. "Man Joe you called right as I was about to take a shower."
"Look Frank, I know you told me to look up the OTTO so I did, but to tell you the truth I found nothing of use."
"Joe it's okay I just needed to talk to you about some interesting information I found," Frank ran his hands through his hair.
Joe calls Frank from a payphone.
"Cool, anything I can help with?"
"Joe, you need to sit down for this."
"Bro I am sitting."
"Alright," Frank rushed into his story, telling Joe everything about the pictures. Frank felt Callie rubbing his back, trying to make things easier for him.
"B-but, how? I mean..how?"
"Joe," Frank sighed, "it means we've been followed our whole lives by some person or people we've never met."
Joe's eyes widened, "Frank I think I met one of those people this morning!"
"What!" Frank exclaimed, "How?"
This time it was Joe's turn to explain, "Well there's this girl Sweet that moved to town and well..." Joe told him about the morning's events.
"So she claims her dad was spying on her?"
"Yeah, and I believed her but now I'm not so sure." So much for going out on a real date with her.
"Joe don't investigate."
"What?"
"Don't tip her off. Just let me, Chet, and Callie do more investigative work and we'll meet you down in Bayport."
"Wait? Did you say Chet and Callie?"
"Yeah."
"Why are they...never mind. Alright I won't investigate."
"It's important that you don't tell anyone in Bayport about any of this either. We can't take any chances."
"Man is this going to kill Vanessa?"
"Excuse me?"
"She and Sweet have gotten to be close friends in the less than a week that she's been here."
* * *
Nancy sat on one of the queen size beds in the hotel room she was sharing with Michael. "So this is all very strange." She spoke as her boyfriend, lying on his back on the other bed, flipped channels on the TV, "Maher definitely did not seem like a criminal."
"I know what you mean, he was too open with his business plans and all that."
"And he doesn't seem like the type of middle-aged man to be hanging out on top of frat houses although he fit the description given to us; tall, blonde, muscular."
"Which really pisses me off." Michael stated.
"Nancy looked at her boyfriend with surprise, "Why?"
"He's twice my age and still looks young, I want to know what kind of exercises he does."
Nancy rolled her eyes, "That's the vanity in you."
Michael stood up, "Man are we going to have a lot of footage for Headlines when we put this episode together."
"Do you think the camera got everything?"
"Of course, I am the best cameraman this side of the Atlantic." Michael took off his shirt to reveal a few wires connecting to a button on his shirt. Only the detectives knew that this button was in fact a hidden camera.
Nancy's jaw almost hit the floor as she watched Michael remove his clothing. Her eyes drank in the sight of well toned muscle and nicely tanned flesh all wrapped around 6 feet and 5 inches of the most gorgeous man on earth.
"Honey do you want a napkin? You're drooling," Michael grinned cockily.
"I was not!" Nancy exclaimed, flustered.
"Then what's that on your chin?"
Nancy stood up and slowly removed the t-shirt she was wearing to reveal a dark blue bra. She grinned devilishly at Michael, who looked awestruck, before moving closer to him. She buried her fingers in his dark hair before pressing her lips to his. Michael responded, his lips moving effortlessly, hands finding their way further and further down Nancy's back. Nancy ended the kiss abruptly, leaving Michael confused.
As she began to walk away Michael frowned, "Where are you going?"
"I have to take a shower."
"Would you like any help?"
"Nice try."
After hearing the click of the door shutting Michael decided to lie back down on the bed, finding That 70s Show playing on the screen. The episode was one Michael had seen before, Donna and her boyfriend were about to have sex, Donna changes her mind, yadda yadda.
At least they get that far and they're still in high school. Nancy and I have only talked about sex as a part of our relationship. Michael knew that Nancy was a virgin Probably the only one left over the age of 17.
Ring!
Michael let his thoughts go as the phone sitting next to him interrupted. "Hello?"
"Hi, this is Frank Hardy, you must be Michael."
Confusion clouded Michael's mind for a few minutes then he remembered, "Oh yeah, Frank, Nancy told me you were going to call."
"Um, is she there?"
"Yeah, but she's taking a shower, can I take a message?"
"Yeah, tell her I'll be over to exchange case information in about a half-hour."
* * *
Fenton hardy entered FBI headquarters in Philadelphia.
Flashback
"Fenton that's enough!" yelled FBI Agent Jaswall. "I am your superior on this case and you will not go against a direct order!"
A young Fenton Hardy stared at the FBI Agent in horror. People were dying and Jaswall wouldn't let anyone help. Sometimes Fenton couldn't understand the FBI; the NYPD precinct he worked in would have allowed him to solve serial murders. Fenton rubbed his eyes....
Present
And took a deep breath.
Looking around at his stale gray surroundings, Fenton wondered how anyone could possibly work there without going crazy.
"Fenton, I think I should ask to speak to..."
"Shut up Vlores."
Vlores seemed taken aback, "But I work for the FBI, I'm pretty sure they will appreciate what I have to say."
Fenton was about to object but thought better of it. "Fine Vlores, it's all yours."
Vlores, leaving Fenton near the entrance, walked forward to a slate gray desk where a man in a gray uniform sat reading the New York Times. "Excuse me, my name is Special Agent Vlores. My partner and I were wondering if we could talk to Assistant Director Yaline."
The man behind the desk didn't even look away from his newspaper, "No, the Assistant Director is busy."
Fenton smiled in amusement, walking towards the desk he said, "Agent I'm Fenton Hardy, formerly of the NYPD, it is extremely important..."
At the mention of Fenton's name the agent looked up. "You're Detective Hardy?"
"Yes."
The agent stood up and grabbed Fenton's right hand, shaking it enthusiastically. "You are the reason I became an FBI agent. You're cases were so amazing to read about and." The agent switched gears mid-sentence, "just go on and talk to the Assistant Director, I'll call him to let him know you're coming up."
"Thank you."
The agent and the desk nodded before picking up the phone to call the Assistant Director.
Flashback
"Detective Hardy is coming up to see you sir."
"Good Lord," Special Agent Yaline muttered to herself, "that man never rests."
"I guess that's why he's the NYPD's most celebrated Detective ma'am."
"Melini why didn't you tell him I wasn't at my desk?"
"I tried but he wouldn't listen, just rushed on by me and said it was important to some case he's working on."
"Damn, I'll bet he's already in the...
Present
elevator, which sparkled just as bright as Fenton remembered it.
"Hardy will Yaline really help us? I mean I know she was one of the lead Agents on the BLACK WIDOW case but if she already went through all of it once what makes you think she'll help again?"
"Vlores she's a fighter, always was, always will be. She never lets evil go, won't rest until the criminal is caught."
"Alright, alright, you're starting to sound like the president of her fan club."
"She deserves all of the positive comments Vlores, her hard work is what made her the youngest A.D. in FBI history. In fact she is always...
Flashback
"..Willing to help."
"Good to hear it, " Detective Hardy told her, "because it looks like the NYPD and the FBI have chosen to make you the lead Agent on this case."
Yaline brushed back her shoulder length red hair with a grin, "I guess that means I'll see more of you Detective. We always work well on cases when we're together."
Fenton shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "Yaline I think you should know I'm married now, have been for two years. We're even going to have a son in about six months."
"Fenton," Yaline held one hand up to stop him from speaking, "don't worry. I'm not going to do anything to jeopardize your marriage. Congratulations by the way, on both the marriage and the child. I'll have to come visit you in New York City to see your wife and child."
"Good, that would be great. I know Laura would think it a...."
Present
"...pleasure to meet you," Vlores was saying as he shook the Assistant Director's hand.
"Same here Agent." Yaline took in the sight of Fenton Hardy standing in her office, "And you, Mr. Private Investigator, came here and give your old friend a hug."
Fenton laughed as he hugged her, "Well I wouldn't say old."
"Oh please," Yaline said as she stepped out of his embrace, "stop trying to get on my good side."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Fenton shrugged, "Besides you don't have a good side." "Funny Hardy, real funny. Now please, both of you sit and let me know what's on your minds." Fenton opened his mouth to speak but Yaline cut him off, "Actually I think I know what this is about."
"Do you now?" Fenton asked.
Yaline sighed, "Yes, I heard they reopened the BLACK WIDOW case earlier this week. I didn't know or think they would bring you back into this."
"So did your superiors tell you why they re-opened the case?" Vlores questioned.
"No, they just mentioned a disturbance."
"They have the girl," Fenton told her.
Yaline paled, "Come again? How is that possible?"
Fenton shrugged, "I got the call from Griswald a few days ago. At the moment we are investigating a bar called Grassroots, apparently there was some commotions there a few weeks back."
"So?"
"That's actually what I was thinking when Griswald told me to check it out but it turns out the bar is government owned and even though it's been closed for three years it's spotless."
"Not only that," Vlores continued, "I found a shard of glass on the floor with some alcoholic residue on it. According to the scientists at the lab the residue can't be anymore than three weeks, coinciding with the disturbance reported at the club."
Yaline frowned, "This doesn't sound like the original case."
"No, that's what worries me," Fenton admitted, "it has it's similarities but I'm starting to think it's a copycat."
"So why are you two here exactly?"
Vlores and Fenton looked at each other before turning back to Yaline. Carefully Fenton spoke, "We think it might be the FBI this time."
"The FBI?" Yaline asked incredulously.
"Why not?" Vlores asked, "it was the FBI before too."
"But those were double agents."
Fenton rubbed his temples, "It's the only thing that makes sense, a government owned building is perfectly clean after three years of being shut down. I'm positive, I've got a gut feeling, that the FBI is using it to make superhumans."
"Fenton," Yaline sighed, "if we were I would know."
"Not necessarily, we both know that all agents are on a need-to-know basis. Maybe you and Griswald don't need to know."
"So what do you want me to do?"
"Explore Yaline. You have the means and motivation."
Yaline smiled at her old friend, "I guess you're right. All right Hardy you win, I'll help. By the way how is your family? Especially your boys, they were so..."
* * *
Kind to Agent Yaline on a visit
Frank shuddered.
"Are you alright?" Callie asked on their way up to Nancy and Michael's hotel room.
"Yeah, just remembered another caption."
Chet patted him on the back, "Dude we will get to the bottom of this."
"Thanks."
The elevator doors opened, allowing the three college students to enter a long hallway.
"Let's see, room 112," Frank muttered, smiling when he finally found it. He knocked on the door quickly.
"Who is it?" asked a feminine voice.
"Us," replied Frank.
Nancy threw open the door and hugged Frank, trying to ignore the little summersaults her stomach was doing. He just keeps getting more and more attractive, she thought as she checked out his tall, lean frame. Stop it, you have Michael.
Oh man is she more gorgeous than ever, Frank thought as he watched her move on to Callie and Chet. But now she has Michael and I have...well I'm not going back to Kim but what exactly is happening with Callie? He moved all thoughts to the back of his mind and smiled politely as he shook Michael's hand. "You must be Michael."
"Yup, and you must be Frank. Nancy's told me a lot about you and your brother."
"Nancy's told us a lot about you too." It was the honest truth; Nancy had been talking to Frank about Michael since before they had started dating, back when she thought he was an arrogant jerk.
Michael winced, knowing full well what Nancy must have told Frank. He then went on to greet Callie and Chet. "So you're the big eater right?" he asked when he got to Chet.
Chet laughed, "wow Nancy you really have filled him in on everything."
Nancy grinned, "Every little detail." *Well except the attraction to Frank. Oh shut up conscience* She lead her visitors into the hotel room, "Take a seat."
* * *
"Sweet are you going to buy anything or what?"
"Relax Vanessa," Sweet said as she sorted through several t-shirts, "Pac-Sun doesn't really carry anything my style."
Vanessa crossed her arms across her chest, "They have lots of dark clothing here I don't know why you can't find anything you like."
Sweet shrugged, "I don't know either. I really shouldn't spend any more money though, Joe and I spent way too much at that flea market this morning."
"Hey this is totally my gift to you, I never got you a house warming gift or anything."
Sweet examined a black t-shirt, "Vanessa you really don't have to. Besides haven't you seen the prices on some of the stuff in here? Some of them are downright criminal." After getting no response from Vanessa, Sweet looked at her friend. Vanessa looked as though she had left her body. Sweet had never seen such a blank look. "Vanessa are you in there?"
"Huh?" Vanessa snapped back to her usual self.
"What had your attention?"
"That guy over there," Vanessa told Sweet, pointing in the direction of the men's section.
Sweet looked in the direction Vanessa had pointed. Standing in the middle of the men's section was a tall redheaded Adonis.
"Isn't he gorgeous?" Vanessa asked.
The other girl smiled, "Go talk to him."
"Alright I will," after gathering up enough confidence, Vanessa strutted down to the man.
From where Sweet was standing she could see everything. She saw Vanessa introduce herself, shake his hand, then begin a conversation.
That girl has way more guts than I have
* * *
"So you think your teacher is trying to kill you?"
Frank sighed, "Nancy I know it sounds crazy, especially because I have no proof whatsoever but I'm so confused."
Frank sat in a chair next to the hotel room's window. Callie, who sat in the chair next to his spoke up, "But it doesn't make sense that he should ask for help from you. It would be like trying to get caught."
Michael frowned from where he stood, leaning against the wall, "It sounds to me like he just wants to scare you. If he has pictures of you from the last 18 or so years then he could have easily killed you long ago."
"And why does he have those pictures?" Nancy questioned. "Usually something like that would mean the criminal has known the family, in this case yours, for quite some time and is maybe even trying to get revenge on some one in that family."
Frank eyes widened, "You know what I've been forgetting? Jaswall didn't ask me to help him."
"What do you mean Frank?" Chet asked.
"He asked me to ask my dad to help him," Frank's voice became more urgent, "So either he's trying to set me up or get me to hand deliver my father to him."
"Have you called your father lately?" Michael asked.
"I tried but he wasn't home. In fact he's on a case somewhere in Pennsylvania and he can't be bothered. Instead I got Joe and he hasn't been able to find anything about the OTTO."
"The who?" Callie asked.
"Oh right I forgot to tell you. I did research on my teacher and this new terrorist group, the OTTO, seems to be his project."
"And this guy's a philosophy teacher?" Michael asked.
"Yeah, odd, but yeah."
"Sounds like the first thing you have to do is track down your dad and ask him if he knows anyone named Jaswall," Nancy said, "then find out why he's been taking pictures of you and Joe, if it's him taking the pictures."
"What do you mean if?" Chet asked, "we saw him go into the building, he has to be behind it."
"Not necessarily," Michael told him, "he could have some on else take the pictures for him or maybe the whole pictures thing isn't a part of his plan but some person in his terrorist group."
Frank rubbed his temples, feeling a migraine coming on. "Actually I think the key to all of this is in Bayport."
"Bayport? Why?" Nancy asked.
"Well my brother called earlier to fill me in on what's happening in Bayport." Frank quickly summarized what had happened, "And know he doesn't know if he should trust this new girl although he promised not to investigate."
Nancy spoke, "Poor Joe. What's this girl's name?"
Frank thought for a minute, "Sweet Rodriguez." Noticing the surprised look in both Nancy and Michael's eyes he said, "What?"
Michael spoke first, "Well, let us tell you about our case."
Alright, well that's all for this chapter. I need you all to vote on different couples in this story. I just need an idea of where the fans want this to end. Here are some of the choices:
Frank/Nancy (for the f/n shippers)
Nancy/Michael (want to give the new guy a break?)
Frank/Callie (anyone for the classic couple?)
Frank/Kimberly (for anyone who actually liked her)
Nancy/Ned (yeah he's not in the story but I can always bring him in)
Vanessa/ ? (she doesn't really have anyone right now)
Well you can vote on anyone you want, even those who aren't listed. But if not enough people vote then I really can't take it seriously. Thank you very much.
Pitaqueen: There were super mysteries that came out after the college series? Do you happen to know the names of any of the books?
Gena: Don't worry, I'll keep updating to keep you happy.
Wingweaver: ::Blushes:: I feel special.
Fandnshipper: I'm glad you are so enthusiastic about the story.
Katie janeway: It's good to be back.
Ananke: LOL, definitely.
Those were just the people who reviewed last chapter, thank you to everyone else who reviewed; I really have enjoyed reading the reviews. They give me the encouragement I need to write this story.
See you all next chapter.