Disclaimer: Nothing's mine. At all. Ever.

A/N: Well, it took me long enough, but I finally got to it. Sorry about the wait. Also, thanks to all my reviewers; I really appreciate it. I would further appreciate reviews for this chapter... (Hint hint)

The phone rang, shattering the sullen silence in the Drew house. Nancy stiffened before sighing and picking up the receiver. "Hello?"

The tension evaporated when she heard her father's voice. "Hi, sweetheart, it's me. How are you?"

Nancy considered carefully for a moment before replying. "I'm fine. I'm still getting those messages, but it's nothing we can't handle." She looked up to see Frank and Joe staring at her incredulously, but ignored them. "How are things up in D.C.?" she asked brightly.

"We're not doing so well." her father answered. "It might take longer than expected to clear this up." He paused, sounding uncomfortable. "Are you sure you can handle it? You really shouldn't shrug off death threats too easily..."

"Really, Dad, everything's under control. You don't have to rush home. We'll be here." Nancy said reassuringly.

"Okay," Carson replied, obviously still worried. "But if you need me, just call and I'll be there as soon as I can." Someone was calling his name in the background. "Sorry, honey, but I have to go. Call if anything happens, okay?"

"Alright." said Nancy. "Love you. 'Bye." she hung up and turned to face the Hardys.

"Under control?" Joe said, quirking an eyebrow.

Nancy sighed. "You don't understand. This case is really important to my dad, and he has it hard enough without having to worry about me."

"Maybe you need to be worried about!" Frank exclaimed, running a hand through his hair.

"Maybe you do enough worrying for everybody!" she retorted.

"She's got you there, bro." Joe said, neatly avoiding a standoff. When Frank glared at him, he said to Nancy, "But, um, we still have to be careful." Frank didn't seem satisfied, but at least he stopped glaring.

Nancy opened her mouth, but before she could protest, the phone rang again. She groaned impatiently and grabbed it. "HELLO?"

"Nan?" It was her other best friend, George Fayne, evidently calling from summer camp.

"Sorry, George." Nancy said sheepishly. "What's up?"

"Don't you 'what's up' me, Nancy Drew!" George said teasingly. "I know you're on a case."

"Yeah?" Nancy said amusedly.

"Yup. I was talking to Bess." George explained. "So are you gonna tell me about it?"

Nancy gave her a brief version of the phone calls, the letters, the break-in, the dognapping, and the snake.

"Aww. Poor Togo!"

"Poor Togo? What about me?" Nancy laughed.

"Well, you're used to it by now, right?" Nancy could hear George grinning. "And I also heard that Frank's with you." she added suggestively.

Nancy could feel her face reddening. Honestly, she thought. "Yes, they're here." She said carefully, seeing as that they were watching her.

"In the room with you, huh?" George asked merrily. Suddenly her demeanor changed. In a somber voice, she asked, "Is there anything I can do to help? I mean, from up here in Havenwood Tennis Camp?"

Nancy smiled at her eagerness to help. "Not unless you know who Daniel Morgan is." she said dryly.

"Wait... Daniel Morgan?" George thought for a minute, and then exclaimed something in an excited voice that the Hardys couldn't make out.

They watched the blood drain from Nancy's face. "Oh my gosh, you're right!" she murmured in an upset voice. Oh, gosh... Yeah, thanks, George, you're the best... 'Bye." Nancy hung up and fell into a nearby chair. "I know who Daniel Morgan is." she told Frank and Joe in a breathless voice.

Frank was concerned by her paleness. "Are you okay, Nan?"

Nancy either didn't hear him or chose to ignore him. She launched right into her explanation while the Hardys listened attentively.

"A couple of years ago, Ned, George, and I were in Colorado visiting one of Ned's high school friends. Bess was supposed to go, but she got sick at the last minute... oh never mind! Anyway, Ned's friend- his name was Eric- had an older brother who worked in a mining company as a land surveyor. Weird things started happening at this company, embezzlement was discovered, and Eric's brother- I forget his name, Richard, maybe? - Well, the brother got framed for the crime. George, Ned, and I stepped in to clear him, of course, and, eventually, we found out that the embezzler was none other than Colleen Morgan, the owner's wife. Mr. Morgan had no idea, and he was so ashamed... Colleen went to jail, and I think Mr. Morgan, er, it might have been Mr. Christopher Morgan, I think he filed for divorce..."

Joe cut in. "Is Daniel Morgan their son?"

"Yes," Nancy replied. "He must be. I never met him, though. He was away while I was there. I think he was visiting his grandparents in Guatemala or Yugoslavia or something."

Frank recalled something he had read last night on the internet. "Morgan Mining, specializing in anthracite coal." he murmured thoughtfully.

Nancy gave him a look. "Right."

RING.

"Geez, Nan, your phone bill's gonna be through the roof!" Joe said jokingly.

"It doesn't usually ring this much." Nancy replied. "I'm thinking of getting it disconnected." Nevertheless, she answered it, only to hear the sinister voice that had been haunting her since she had first heard it.

"Congratulations, Nancy Drew." the voice wheezed.

Nancy decided to try for a reaction. "Hello, Daniel." she said calmly. She pushed the speakerphone button so the Hardys could hear.

The voice gave an evil laugh. "You're such a hot-shot detective; I knew you would get it eventually. Shame it's too late for you to do anything about it." The voice- Daniel's voice- resumed its spine-chilling cackling.

Nancy glanced at Frank, who was staring at the phone with a furious look on his face.

Nancy's eyes widened as Daniel continued ominously. "Oh, Miss Drew, you were so close to getting full marks... My grandparents live in California, not Guatemala."

A/N: I know it's a bit short, but that seemed like a good place to end it. For that last part, I wanted to put "perfect score" but "full marks" sounded so much better. I hope you knew what it meant. This chapter is completely mystery. Very informational, doncha think?

A/N: Please review? I'll be your metaphorical best friend!