A/N: While stating the year would make this seem even more realistic, I'm omitting that, since the ND/HB books never mention years either. The name of the town where Frank and Nancy were held, does not exist that I know of; I just made it up.
"Please raise your right hand." He did so. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"
"I do."
"You may be seated."
The young man sat down slowly, watching the courtroom as he did so.
"State your name for the record, please."
"Frank Hardy."
"Frank, I understand you are an amateur detective. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"I am also told you investigated at times with your brother, Joseph Hardy, and a friend, Nancy Drew. Am I correct?"
"Yes."
"Frank, you told police you and Nancy Drew had been abducted on the morning of March 5, while returning home after an investigation, is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Just you and Nancy?"
"Yes."
"Why not Joseph?"
"Our case had been in Ohio. After it was over, I drove Nancy to the airport for a flight back to Chicago, while Joe napped at the hotel."
"I see. What exactly happened when you reached the airport, Frank?"
"We pulled into the parking lot, parked, and began walking toward the airport entrance. Midway there, we spotted a man who seemed to be having engine trouble. Nancy and I walked over to see what we could do to help. Nancy offered to loan him her cell phone to call for a tow truck, and when she handed it to him, he grabbed her." Frank stopped for a moment. "I stepped forward, thinking maybe I could talk him into letting her go, and he pulled a gun. Nancy and I were forced into his car at gunpoint, and he made sure to keep the gun aimed at one of us while he secured the other, to prevent us from fighting back."
"Frank, was this the same man who was also your captor for the following week?"
"Yes."
"Is he here now?"
"Yes."
"Please point him out."
Frank raised his arm and pointed straight at Hendricks, glaring at the other man as though he'd like to kill him. Hendricks smiled slightly, and Frank's face slowly began to purple.
"Let the record show the witness has indicated the defendant."
As if nothing had happened, Frank schooled his features to calmness, and returned his gaze to the prosecutor.
"Frank, you mentioned he secured you in the car. How?"
"He handcuffed us, with our hands behind our backs, to the doors, and gagged us."
"And after that?"
"We drove for a while. I tried to look at road signs, but we were on back roads for most of the way, and he deliberately drove in circles a few times, so I gave up. I spent most of the ride trying to communicate with Nancy."
"Excuse me, if I'm correct, you stated a minute ago that you were gagged."
"That's correct."
"Then, how, exactly, did you plan on communicating with Miss Drew?"
Frank sighed. Seated in the benches provided for courtroom audiences, family and friends wondered how exactly he would answer. "We….Nancy and I…we had a connection between the two of us. We worked well together, and were closer friends, because of it. It was if our minds ran on the same tracks...sometimes we'd finish thoughts for each other. Sometimes, words weren't even needed. She just instinctually knew what I was thinking, and I'd feel the same….I'd hoped that if I could make eye contact with her in the car, that…well, that we could hold one of our silent conversations."
"You say you'd hoped – does this mean you were unable to catch her eye?"
Frank shook his head. "No…I caught her eye, but…I could tell she didn't have any ideas and neither did I. There wasn't any feasible way to get out of the car, and no sense of where we were going, so I just…." Frank faded off, sounding half-embarrassed, half-angered.
"You just what?"
"I...I fell asleep watching Nancy, and didn't wake up until we got there. I didn't plan to but I knew Nancy would've woken me up if there'd been a chance to escape."
"And where is this "there" you speak of?"
"An abandoned warehouse, in Elmsville. It's a city about an hour and a half from Cincinnati."
"Did you stay in this location for the entire week?"
"Yes."
"How were you treated?"
"For the most part, he left us alone. For bathroom and food breaks, he'd leave one of us handcuffed while he stood guard over the other. We had no privacy, and I could see it was embarrassing Nancy, though she tried not to show it. He took our gags off sometimes, so we could talk to each other."
"Did you and Miss Drew talk about escape?"
"Sometimes. Hendricks had told us that we would be released after our ransom was paid, but Nancy and I knew that once a kidnapper's name and face is known, it isn't likely that the victims will be returned alive. We'd already tried to pick the cuffs, but none of the stuff we found on the floor was useful, so we debated over jumping him when he came in to escort one of us to the bathroom or feed us."
"Did you try such a method?"
"On our last day….he told us he was making the final call, and that if we behaved, he'd take off the cuffs, so we could reassure our families that we were safe. Maybe he thought that after a week, we were suffering from Stockholm Syndrome and it'd be okay to release us. I don't know."
"What exactly happened that day, Frank?"
"We woke up, and Hendricks came in to feed us and such….he told us he'd be making the call that afternoon and he'd let us out of the handcuffs then. When he left, I told Nancy that we should try getting the best of him then, since it'd be two against one. I figured we could stun and disarm him fast enough…we both had martial arts training. Nancy…Nancy was…reluctant." Guilt crept into Frank's voice, though he spoke as steadily as ever. "I think she suspected Hendricks might have prepared for the possibility of us fighting back. He knew enough of our history as detectives, after all. But I…I talked her into it. And when he came in later, he had his cell in hand, and I could hear Dad on the other end. Hendricks told him to wait, and uncuffed us …" He trailed off.
"Please continue, Frank."
Frank's mouth opened, but nothing came out. He shut it and blinked a moment, clearly struggling with the thought of voicing the next set of memories.
"Frank. What happened next?"
Still no answer from the young man, merely an audible swallow, and more furious blinking. The prosecutor allowed him another moment, then entreated him a third time.
"Frank. You need to tell us what happened next, no matter how difficult it may be."
The younger man nodded, swallowed once more, and began. "Hendricks turned his back on me while he uncuffed Nancy. I took the chance, and the minute she was loose, I attacked Hendricks from behind. He had his gun in one hand and the cell in the other. When I hit him, they both went flying. Nancy went for the gun while I kept fighting Hendricks. But….he landed a good blow to my head, and I landed against the wall, my back to him and Nancy. I…I wasn't worried, since I knew Nancy would get the gun before he did, and she could hold her own…but…"
"But, what, Frank?"
"There….there was a gunshot as I was getting up. I looked over at Nancy…and…and I realized I'd really messed up. Hendricks…he'd had another gun…he'd pulled it out…and….Nancy…she was on the floor. He'd shot her…I forgot about Hendricks then."
"Why?"
"Nancy. She…there was blood…and…I just forgot…I forgot everything but her. She was hurt…" Frank stopped, his voice caught in his throat as he shook his head. "There was…nothing I could do to help. I tried…but…she was…she'd lost so much blood…and …she…she'd told me…to go after Hendricks…but I couldn't…she needed help…but then…her eyes closed and I couldn't find a pulse…"
"911 reported a call from your area at about 3:33 pm, near the time the medical examiner believes Miss Drew died. You're the one who called, correct?"
Frank nodded. "I had to leave her; I had to call for help...I didn't want to...I got back to her as fast as I could, but…"
The prosecutor took pity on him then, noticing the young man was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. "From now on, Frank, just nod or shake your head, all right?"
"Objection, Your Honor! The witness is still able to speak clearly." The defense looked smug. The judge thought for a moment.
"Objection sustained. But due to the witness's state of distress, the prosecution will please try expedite questioning."
"Yes, Your Honor. Frank, am I correct that the ambulance arrived about ten minutes after your call?
"Yes. But…it was too late. I tried not to believe it…but…"
"Just a few more questions, Frank. You were treated for shock at the hospital, were you not?"
"Yes."
"And later admitted for dehydration, correct?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I stopped eating for a few days after…everyone got worried."
"While you were in the hospital, you saw a grief counselor, correct?"
"Yes."
"Thank you, Frank. That's all." The prosecutor turned to the defense. "Your witness."
The defense attorney walked over to stand before Frank. "Mr. Hardy, you stated you attacked my client before he shot Miss Drew, correct?"
"Yes."
"He was unaware of your intent to hit him and reacted defensively, correct?"
"Yes."
"If Miss Drew had reached the gun, would she have shot my client?"
"I don't know." Frank mumbled.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Does you honestly mean you had not discussed what would be done with the gun during your planning to get away?"
"We had, but…"
"No further questions, Your Honor."
"You may step down, Mr. Hardy." Frank returned to his seat, and slumped down. "The court will now take a brief recess, and when we return, we will hear Mr. Hendricks' testimony."
