Chapter 8

Frank's View

They sat there about to spout out their view of the evidence and all Frank could think about was the fact that he would be bossed around by a twenty-three year old. His age, he thought to himself. He would look at Nancy and get this feeling of want and need. He couldn't help it. He at one point felt the world for her and mixed up his feelings for Callie a while ago. He thought and hoped things would of changed between then and now but that isn't the case. He had to come out of his mode of ignoring the world. He had to become Frank again. He was loosing Joe, his brother and he would loose Nancy or Callie when she comes into town.

He had to do his best to realize what happened earlier for the past few days and hours were just, him trying to be tough. He was trying to prove he knew everything and that he was changing to a man and a path he didn't want to go down. He thought ignoring the situation would keep things under wrap. He thought it would keep him away from Nancy, keep him away from Joe, and keep him away from the past. How could he forget the past between Joe, Nancy, and him self? He can't forget the past. Just looking at Nancy, George, Bess, and Joe made him realize the thing most precious to him. He did miss the excitement. He did miss the mysteries, but with Callie that wouldn't be possible.

He wanted to be a lawyer. He wanted to prosecute these criminals and that's why he has been being an ass. He had to study for this test. He had to study and do school and take the LSAT hoping to get into a good law school. That was his hope. Maybe Nancy could study with him, he thought to him self. She had to have schoolwork to do.

"Frank you there?" Nancy waved a hand in front of his face.

"Sorry, I'm just thinking." Joe looked at him funny and Frank just gave a smile.

"My stack of information was logistics of everything. I think we need to do more field investigation. Like questioning people more on the whereabouts of people these people know, and see if they noticed anything in particular going on in their lives that is similar in all the cases. Cause each case seems to be different, except the outcome becomes the same." Emily nodded her head.

"When there are many victims it gets difficult. We have very little time to distinguish the difference between the different victims. That is always the problem. This case could last for years at a time." Frank frowned and so did the rest of the group.

"We don't want it to last that long and it won't. We will find the criminal. Now what I found interesting in my pile wasn't Tad, but Michael, the third victim's brother. He was in town the duration of the crime, and visited his sister Nate, I don't know if that significant or not though." Joe stated from his side of the table.

"Not only that, Nate had only been in the school for a semester. It looks like Michael wasn't even on the list to get his DNA testing done." Emily frowned.

"You think Michael killed his own sister?" Joe shrugged.

"I got to Michael too!" George piped in.

"He wasn't a nice brother and a bit creepy by his file which is short. He lives in New Jersey right out side New York City. He is a producer of some sort." Joe stated. Emily looked at Joe then at Frank.

"Sounds like he is a candidate for a DNA test. We just need a warrant for one. Then again, all the bodies found were clean of DNA and there was no DNA of the suspect anywhere on the body. When they were found, besides the mutilation, they were cleaned with a bar of soap. If it weren't for the pathologist and the autopsy we wouldn't have found any DNA on the victim to match with any criminal. Each victim is found a bid different but the mutilation is the same across the board." Frank was sure this would get even more intense cause they all knew this suspect and serial killer had another subject or target. They just had to beat him to the punch.

"Do we really have to talk about this over lunch, I'm trying to eat." Bess complained from her corner of the booth.

"That's what we are here to do, so were the victims ever raped?" Nancy asked Emily. "I think they were debating that they weren't raped but found a piece of hair on the last victim." Frank was taking this all in and noticed Bess made a face with the word rape. She was always the one less interested in the criminal investigation. He just hoped that Nancy and Callie would be fine working together.

"So what about Tad? He is a violent individual by what I read of his big bio. He wants to go into surgery." George debated.

"I don't know about this brother, it sounds gross to think one's brother would kill each victim. But how does he know the victims? Does Tad know the victims? Or does Michael give us a base to go off of? How will we interview him? Nancy we need a car." Emily shook her head.

"I'll interview Michael. I'll take that chance. He has to listen to me. I'll do that on Saturday when I know he isn't working. What else did you find out about Michael and Tad?" Emily leaned back and Frank could tell she was taking in everything.

"I found Tad a bit of the jealous type by his file. He gets attached to his girl friends, and sometimes gets violent. They questioned his last girl friend before Lisa was the girl friend. It seems he has the habit of being jealous and be a little violent, but I interview Tina for dinner tonight." Nancy stated. Frank missed seeing Nancy but he really missed Callie. He would have to show Nancy the ring and get her opinion on how to propose. He thought how cool it would be for Nancy to give her approval.

"Let's go for a walk." Bess stated. They were done eating and the table had gone silent for a second.

"Tina had a lot to say she just had a class. I'd like to go with you Nancy, and Frank could go." Joe asked Nancy. Nancy smiled and George patted a hand on Bess's shoulder.

"Looks like we are by yourselves for the night. We can go see a Broadway performance, like the Lion King." Bess brightened up.

"Don't we need tickets?" Emily smirked.

"We can go buy those now, and talk on the way. They usually sell out. I know I went once. It was great." They all got up from their booth and made their way out the door. They separated down the street into groups. Joe walked with George and Bess. Nancy walked with him, and Emily walked by herself. She was in the rear.

"I have something to show you Nancy, and I want your opinion." He took out the ring box from his pocket. Nancy looked at him for a long moment.

"You plan on proposing?" Frank smiled.

"To Callie." Nancy smiled.

"That's great. This must be the ring." She took the box, and opened it. Frank held his breath at her thought. It was a diamond with emeralds. He was still paying for the ring. It was on a payment plan.

"Wow Frank, I think you out did your self. Any girl would die to have this ring." Nancy shut the box and handed it back. He took it and put it back into his pocket.

"I hope this doesn't interfere with the case though." Nancy stated before he could reply. Frank frowned and hoped that wouldn't come, it saddened him that Nancy would think like that.

"I'm a professional Nancy and it won't get in the way." Nancy just looked at him.

"You sure? I know you are planning to propose now, and why I'm happy for you at the same time I worry about the case. People's lives are on the line."

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Emily's Point of View

She was walking behind Nancy Drew and Frank Hardy thinking of the looks they were giving each other. It was obvious that Nancy was a bit upset at Frank now and for good reason. This was a personal case for Frank and that might not work for Emily. That is how people got killed but they were known for their professionalism. She was just watching them and listening into their conversations as they walked down the street.

"I can keep myself in check." Frank stated to Nancy. Emily just sighed at Frank. He definitely showed Nancy that ring for a reason. Nancy seemed like air balloon was popped and whatever luck she had in reining him in was gone. She didn't know them but there was definitely chemistry between them. She knew Nancy was single. Frank was definitely not, and bringing his girl friend along for the case. Nancy brings friends and Frank brings a girlfriend. That was just not how things were done, but Emily would have to watch them as a professional over a bunch of kids.

The funny part was they were her age. She was sure that annoyed them. She just got an early start in school and sailed through classes like lightning. She was just smart, and good at taking test and thinking. These kids were the same, they were just on the normal schedule.

"So Emily do you think Callie should be on the case?" Nancy looked back at her. Emily had turned out their argument. They were getting heated.

"I think as long as he can keep the emotion out of it and keep it professional, I don't have a problem. But once there is emotion, then she will have to be kicked off the case and so will Frank. There is no room for error."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Nancy's point of view

Nancy was looking at Frank with the face saying, I told you so. She was a bit saddened at this move of Frank. She also didn't know his purpose in telling her that news. Was he being trying to tell her not to come onto him? She wasn't thinking of having a relationship with Frank. Her brain was all professional, but he had to show the most gorgeous ring. She knew Callie was one special girl. Emily approved of Callie and the situation so that was good with Nancy.

"What are you two arguing about now?" Joe walked with them now.

"Your brother wants to propose now." Joe nodded.

"I know. You think its risky to have her on the case." Nancy nodded.

"Yes, I never brought Jack along to any of my cases. Except the one to that ski trip, which wasn't that much fun." Emily coughed from behind them.

"Don't worry so much Nancy. Sometimes it happens." Joe smirked and Nancy sighed. She wasn't sure about Emily.

"Okay." She was a bit jealous of Callie. She had to admit and really didn't need to see an engagement ring. She remembered her last relationship at her college. It was a serious relationship until he couldn't take the work. He couldn't take her working constantly and she found him cheating. Yea, that was real nice. She remembered finding him in bed with another woman. It was like her long time boyfriend. It just didn't work. She hoped Frank could trust Callie when they were separated, then again. She might say no. Who knows?

"So what should we do about the case?" Joe asked.

"I need to get going to meet Tina. Frank and you can come. Emily said something about going back to the police station." They had reached their destination. Bess and George were in line to buy the tickets.

"We will be right back." Bess waved. They stood on the side waiting.

"Yes, I go back to plow through all those files and evidence." Emily stated.

"Do you need any help?" Joe stated.

"Sure. How about Joe you go with Nancy, and I take Frank?" Frank seemed surprised by picking him out of the group.

"That sounds fine. Frank you good with that?" Frank did frown for a second.

"No its fine. I was just looking forward to interviewing Tina." Nancy had her disregard for Frank now. He was growing up, she guessed. She wasn't surprised and she wished she had the same luxury of having a family one-day. Her field was different and came with traveling.

"Then its settled. We separate and meet back up where?" Bess and George walked up to them with their tickets.

"Well I'm going back to the hotel when I'm done with Tina, then we have a meeting with Tad tomorrow. I think we should meet for dinner somewhere. Or meet at the restaurant in my hotel tomorrow with what we found out." Frank and Joe had a frown.

"Sounds good. You two have classes, and if you get a chance to go and interview people at your school. That will be great. Just do some investigating. Then we will meet up and go over what we found out. I have to plow through those files and see if there are any dots that I can find."

Note from author, sorry it took so long. I've been sick and haven't been able to move from bed for a while. But I finished this chapter. And the mystery is starting. Trust me there is a lot to develop. Hope you like this story some more after what I have planned for it. – warriorasag82