Chapter 19

itsmeocean@hotmail.com

Psychedelic Hollow

"Hi." Callie stood outside her room, her mien a picture of icy coolness. A chilly air surrounded the two young women and Nancy, overcoming her discomfiture, moved aside to let Callie pass.

"I'm sorry to call you so suddenly… I'm sure you're quite busy…" Callie added as she walked in, eyeing her laptop and the pile of internet and FBI database research on thedressing table, "But you know something? I don't think I care." She spun around, her hands on her hips.

"Look, Nancy. I guess Frank would be flinging his hand phone against the wall right now. I heard your conversation with him in the car this morning."

Nancy blinked, rather taken aback. Yes, Frank was talking to someone on his cell phone before she barged into his car. And if Callie heard everything…

Her heart skipped a beat. The polite smile wiped from her lips, she shut the door gently behind her and gestured for Callie to take a seat on the armchair by the window while she sat on the edge of the bed. There was a tensed spell of silence and she didn't know if Callie had wanted her to start or that she too was struggling to continue with this conversation. The enormity of the situation- no longer a high school love triangle or some secret college betrayal- hit her then. Bayport was a bad idea. Frank Hardy was a bad idea.

At the same instance, they both looked up from their own thoughts to face each other. Nancy could see the hurt behind those hazel eyes and knew she had contributed to it. But her heart was broken as well. They were so opposite and yet, so similar for they both fell for the same man in the very worst way and there could be no comparison between their love for Frank Hardy.

"I guess I'll start first…" Callie began awkwardly, the initial gumption lost to the reality of the painful knots they were bounded with, "I know you are my peer so… well… during our second year in college, sometime in Fall, were you and Frank a couple? Or were you both already an item before then? Please don't lie to me. You can't say you didn't have the conversation with him this morning in the car and I know very well I'm not suffering from dementia such that I would just imagine things."

Fall. Second year of college. Frank broke up with Callie so he would stop cheating on her. Nancy decided that half-truths were perhaps the best in this case.

"In Fall."

Callie laughed shortly and sharply. "If I hadn't done my homework or did some Math, I will believe you. But this lie you told just ascertain everything I've discovered. I remembered in college, he told me he wanted to a break as he thought he found something he wanted to pursue. I thought it was some lofty ambition or dream for even before then, I could see that he was distracted by something ever present behind his eyes... I never knew it would be you. I have what I wanted now." She exhaled heavily and stood up. Nancy couldn't meet her eyes but if they were to analyze and dissect, the truth would be that the man they loved and thought was perfect, had failed the both of them by his atypical fickle-mindedness.

"I'm sorry, Callie." She whispered as Callie walked past her for the door.

"No, Nancy. You shouldn't be. Frank should be the one sorry. He was the one who lied to us." Callie muttered and seconds later, Nancy heard the door closing behind her. In her quest for love, she had neglected the factor that someone was going to get hurt and that someone was Callie, definitely an innocent party in this mess.

Without the need for clairvoyance, Nancy knew in the end, three people were going to be scarred forever by this episode. Everything would come to naught for if Callie broke up with Frank, there was no way she could rekindle the flames again, knowing just how complicated the baggage lugged by the three of them was.

***

Nancy splashed cold water against her face in a bid to dissolve away the sticky webs of the night before. She had slept long but hadn't slept well- the research and Callie's visit had done their best to drain her of all her energy such that she was too exhausted for the trip to dream land. Brushing her strawberry blonde hair, she tried to smile but couldn't. Frank lingered behind in her eyes and with the past between them weighing heavily down on her, she was unhappy; very unhappy.

It was a good thing she had work- her panacea for woes. Strangely, stress was therapeutic for her. She would die an old maid, someone who had dedicated her life to fighting crime, seeking out truths and left herself no time for romance.

"So, Nancy Drew. You have officially broken up your friendship with the Hardy Boys. Today will be different. Frank may not want to ever speak to you again. You can't blame him, but you do hate him so." She spoke to her reflection. Setting her brush down on the glass shelf above the basin, she tightened her robe around her waist and went out into her room to change.

And love you.

Resolved to disallow her own personal feelings hinder the progress of her work, she breathed steadily in and out and counted to ten. Very interesting facts had been uncovered last night about Tobias Anderson- correlations which were too much of a coincidence to ignore.

Picking out a pair of jeans and a practical button down blouse, she dressed quickly and for a moment wondered if she should tell the Hardys of her findings or just let Con Riley in on them, knowing he would somehow find a way to relay the information to the brothers. However, as she retrieved her hand phone from her dressing table, she knew she worried for nothing. Frank had messaged her early in the morning, about two hours ago. Justin was dead.

No…

A minute of respectful silence later, she grabbed her briefcase with her notes and left the hotel room. Frank, in his message, told her that he was going to accompany Conrad Daye for a while and if she had any need to contact them, she could call on Joe. And she would do exactly that.

***

Joe pestered the cab driver to drive as fast as he could to the hotel. Nancy was already waiting by the porch, leaning against his Land Rover. On his way to the hotel, despite the overhanging gloom of death, he thought about the kiss between Nancy and him. In their teens, such physical attraction would seem almost incestuous as he had regarded Nancy as more of an older sister than a peer. When the numbers were smaller, a year seemed much more significant. Now that they were in their twenties, it made no difference and in a way, he welcomed that chemistry, as futile as it was. It distracted him from Vanessa. Thoughts of his ex-wife and the burden of single parenthood and work could easily land him into the doldrums. Somehow, the attraction he had for Nancy somewhat eased the frustration he couldn't articulate. Paying the driver who was sufficiently annoyed already, he got out of the cab and waved at Nancy who threw him a lop-sided smile.

"Hey, good morning. Thanks for your car." Nancy smiled and slipped inside the passenger side of the vehicle. Joe scowled while he climbed into the driver's seat, but was happy to be acquainted with his baby once again.

"It's no car, Drew. It's a Land Rover. And it's already lunchtime, not morning."

"Hmm, so I see… what's the bruise doing on your jaw?" Nancy eyed him with some concern, "What happened?"

"Oh, nothing." Joe mumbled, engaging the gear. "I fell."

"Right." Nancy wasn't buying it but neither did she pursue the matter. "So, where are we going?"

"Frank wants me to check out on Colin's dad. Oh, and Colin's out on bail… so we'll be meeting Frank at Marcie Brown's villa later in the afternoon."

"Harold Wain doesn't seem to be involved…" Nancy wrinkled her nose. "I have more information though. I have spoken to the warehouses owner's wife and sister. His sister's fiancé, a guy named Tobias Anderson, knows about the warehouses and, according to Maria, McCain's wife, Anderson's is a rather questionable character."

"Is it?" Joe remarked, keeping his eyes on the road, "Why?"

"Well, I went to Lisa's house, that's McCain's sister, and realized that she's a homebody. Anderson is a salesman but their house is definitely too much for his income, not to mention that rock on her finger. And it would appear that McCain's business isn't doing well though his wife isn't exactly forthcoming with the information. I had to deduce it. I think that McCain struck a deal with Anderson for the use of his warehouses. McCain may or may not know about Anderson's true intent for the premises but he did purposely hide the fact that Anderson knew about the warehouses from the police when we asked."

"Is Lisa McCain married to this Anderson guy?"

"No, they are engaged but cohabiting together." Nancy replied, "Why?"

"Oh, nothing. Just asking… I want to get all the relationships cleared up, that's all." Joe pulled his lips tightly, "But I still think we should pay Harold Wain a visit. I just want to know if the drugs belong to him and Colin somehow found it. Colin wouldn't tell where he got the drugs from…"

"Does Colin know that Justin's dead?"

His chest muscles clenched up painfully once more. "No…" he mumbled, "I think not yet."

"Maybe that will get him to speak." Nancy said, a quiet anger in her voice. "I did some background check on Anderson. It seemed like every town he stayed in, there have been cases of youths dying from club drugs' reaction. In his previous town, there was two suspected case of Rofomyn. And another thing- I remember you mention something Justin told you- about the rave parties being held every Friday. Well, it seemed like McCain and his sister had this bi-weekly dinner thing going on before and Anderson, when he became Lisa's fiancé and accompanied her to the dinners over at the McCains, stayed on for very long before he would leave. One of the days during the week that they held this dinner is Friday… maybe Anderson, before he could persuade McCain to let him use the warehouse for his illicit activities, had to keep the McCains occupied just in case Kevin decided to pop by his warehouse for a rare visit. "

"We should pay Mr. Anderson a visit then…" Joe stopped at the red light, looking at Nancy questioningly, "Where does this Lisa McCain stay again? I think we will go follow up on your lead and I'll get Frank to check out Harold Wain, since he was the one who wanted to question Colin's dad,"He smiled mirthlessly, "This is a major breakthrough, Nan. Thanks."

"Don't mention it. It is my job, after all. I'll direct you to Lisa McCain's house. She stays in Tucan's Street but I'm not very sure how to reach there from here."

Joe stared at her blankly. He had no idea where or what was Tucan's Street- probably a newly named suburb in his absence. Stopping by the curb, he messaged Frank about the change in plans first before taking out Bayport's street map to trace out the most direct route which would lead them there. With Nancy's assistance, they reached Lisa McCain's house within another twenty minutes. When she opened the door in answer to their knocks, Joe was pleasantly surprised that she was pretty cute- not gorgeously pretty but cute in that friendly, approachable manner.

"Hi! It's you again!" Lisa smiled widely at Nancy and then Joe, "Who's this?"

"This is my friend, Joe. Lisa, is your fiancé in?" Nancy looked inside from over Lisa's shoulders as if trying to spot someone else in the house, "I think I may need his help."

"Toby? No, he is not in… he wouldn't be home for quite some time. Business trip and all." Lisa twirled a lock of curly hair around her finger, pursing her lips contemplatively before her expression brightened, "But I can leave him a message for you! Do you want me to?"

Is she too bored that she's excited about taking down messages? Joe pondered as he observing her with the casual eye, But she is rather cute… I wonder how old is she… hmm…

"He's really not in, Lisa? When will he back? Did he tell you specifically?" Nancy pressed on but Lisa seemed oblivious to the demanding tone. She merely shrugged and gazed at the detectives apologetically.

"I don't know. He goes on trips for days to get new stocks for his sideline- he sells healthcare products and they are, well, very sellable. I help him sell some too. You want to see the samples? We have Vitamin Cs, calcium pills, extract of ginkgo nuts… that's good for brains. I've started taking them and I think I grew a little smarter…" Lisa let out a soft giggle, "I'm quite dumb, you see. Kevin calls me an airhead all the time."

Joe grinned at her, knowing that he had better suppress the laughter building up pressure in his throat, Yup. Bingo. Hit the nail on the head…

Or are you faking it?

"It's all right. I'm pretty healthy at this point in time. But thanks anyway. I'll pop by again. Did he say where he went?"

"No, Miss Drew… he didn't say. But sometimes he buys me t-shirts and I have this from the Hard Rock Café in New York City. Maybe he went to NYC?" Lisa beamed sweetly, tapping the side of her head, "See, I told you I was getting smarter."

From the corner of his eyes, Joe thought he saw Nancy's eyes widening slightly when Lisa mentioned the NYC. However, when he did a double take, she looked as inscrutable as before again.

"Yes, you are, Lisa. I'll be back again. Take care."

"Bye bye, Nancy. And you too, Joe, though you don't really talk much." Lisa bade them farewell, "Bye bye!"

"Do you think she's faking it, Nan?" Joe commented when they were out of Lisa's earshot, "Maybe she's in cahoots."

"Maybe, but we have nothing on her and she's very accommodating…"

"If she was that… well… bimbotic, I'll think twice before making her my girlfriend if I'm a crook." Joe slipped inside the vehicle, an amused smile creeping up the sides of his lips, "But she's cute though. Is that what they say about brains and looks are inversely related?"

"Are you saying that I'm not pretty?" Nancy threw him a lethal glare as she buckled up. Joe shook his head and winked at her cheekily.

"Nay, I'm just saying that you're very smart."

"Shut up and drive, Hardy. You're so handsome too."

"Thank you. I'm always the exception to the general rule." Joe couldn't resist ribbing Nancy, "But I think you're a girl who follows the rules."

Nancy folded her arms in feigned anger, "I have been known to break a few."

"Are you just trying to get me to say that you're pretty?" Joe drawled, "You know I can't tell a lie."

"Forget it, all right? Just drive." Nancy dismissed his ribbings with a careless wave of her hand. The mood turning somber once again, Joe decided to investigate the shadow fleeting across Nancy's eyes when he hit a red light.

"Nan, is there something that you know which you are not sharing with me and Frank about your case? I mean, when Lisa mentioned NYC, you did look … well… I don't know… like it hits you with some new understanding or insights…"

"Right. New insights- like knowing he most probably went to NYC." Nancy answered his questioning look with an arch of her brows, "Why?"

"Oh, I just thought, never mind."

"Joe, I think I will be in a better position to offer some views and, as you put it, insights when we meet up with Frank later and obtain more pieces of the puzzles, all right? I won't deliberately hide anything from you two." Nancy smiled at him genuinely with that familiar warmth in her sky blue eyes, resembling the old Nancy Drew he knew in his teens once again, "Okay?"

"Okay, I'll try to understand that too… see… I'm a pretty understanding guy of late." Joe absentmindedly touched his bruised jaw, thinking about just how much Frank's predicament was training him into becoming a big-hearted and understanding man. Nancy frowned at him and gently pushed his hand away.

"Let me look at that… it looks really bad."

"Oh, it's nothing. The door was hard and so are my bones."

"I thought you said you fell?" Nancy caught his slip immediately and abruptly, he jerked his attention towards her. The lights had turned green but there was no other vehicle commuting on the road they were at so he didn't bother moving on.

"I ahm, I did! I fell on my door which was on the floor because I took away the hinges and lay, ahm, it down on the floor." Joe slapped the side of his head and winced. Is that the best lie you can come up with, Joe? This is Nancy Drew! She can unravel the most tightly spun web and you throw her such a sloppy tale. Maybe you need some gingko nuts!

"Right…" Nancy muttered sardonically, "You can rub a hard boil egg on that. I use that method to heal bruises fast and you can eat the egg later, so you treat your hunger as well."

As she spoke, she started massaging the afflicted area gently with her thumb, her eyes filled with reproaching concern, most likely drawing the conclusion that he was just a klutz. Whatever it was that she was thinking, her action and the closeness caused Joe's heart to skip a little. It felt really pleasant and all fuzzy in the tummy to be pampered by a girl again. "Any teeth broken?"

"Nope, no teeth broke. Once it heals, I'll still be so devilishly good-looking, not that I'm not now. I mean I'm so good looking that a bruise is not going to affect my good-lookingness much…"

"You're still as egoistic as ever, Hardy." She chuckled lowly, giving his shoulder a sharp, affable shove. Suddenly, the humor extinguished from her eyes and she looked away, staring out of the window, "Can I confide in you?"

"Ahm…" Joe dragged, torn between wanting to be a friend and yet, wary about being burdened with more dirty secrets. However, Nancy didn't notice his discomfiture and it seemed like the lack of a definite answer didn't bother her in the least.

"Callie came by last night to my hotel room. You remember me running out of your Land Rover to slip into Frank's car? I'm surprised but thankful you don't hold what happened yesterday against me."

"Callie visited you?" Joe was sufficiently curious and concerned, "Did she ask you anything about you and Frank?"

Nancy turned and looked at him quizzically, "Yes, how do you… well…" She pulled her lips down, blinking hard a couple of times, "It's pretty obvious, huh?"

"Yes, it is. What did you and her talk about?"

"She asked me about my relationship with Frank in college. I guessed she found out that Frank was dating me behind her back for a spell before he actually broke up with her. I tried to, well, temper the truth but she knew. She didn't pressure the answer out from me but I can tell that she already knows and was just trying to see if I would ascertain her information for her." Nancy pushed her fringe back as her features crumbled, "I'm a lousy liar when it came to that. I mean, she already heard the conversation I had with Frank in his car…"

"What? How did she hear it? And what did you and Frank say?" Joe was rather baffled- Frank, Nancy and Callie's relationship wouldn't constitute a love triangle. Nope, it was more like a love polygon and he had lost track of everything. Part of him wanted to just tell Nancy to keep everything to herself but he couldn't help wanting to discover the truth behind Callie's knowledge as well.

"One question at a time. I don't know how she heard it, maybe Frank didn't disconnect her call properly. I did kind of barged in… As for what I and Frank discussed…" She grimaced and sucked in a deep breath, "Let's just say that I'm not feeling very good about myself."

"Love makes us do silly things, Nan. We are not saints… don't worry. Maybe you did Frank a favor. Maybe he isn't meant to be with Callie…" Joe bit his lips as Nancy's expression turned even more melancholic. Man, he sucked at consoling people, "Well, you know what I mean. If they are meant to be together, your presence wouldn't change a thing…"

"What if they are meant to be together and I blew it?" Nancy muttered glumly, "He was sure about her before I arrived. Maybe I shouldn't even have come here in the first place…"

Joe didn't want to badmouth Frank in front of anyone and thus, kept silent as he drove off. Deep within him, the answer to Nancy's question was very clear.

If he was sure about her, Nan, like I said, your appearance wouldn't change a single thing.

"Oh, and Nancy?"

"Yes?"

Joe took his shades from the dashboard and slipped them over his eyes, concentrating on the road simultaneously, "I don't blame you for yesterday."

Nancy patted his lap and the both of them slipped into an easy, friendly silence.