TAKING TO TASK

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Drive-by Planning"

"Someone sounds just a tiny bit paranoid," Nancy smirked as she watched her friend fidget in his seat. "You aren't afraid of a little plan, are you Hardy?"

"If you've seen some of the things those words have gotten me into you wouldn't ask that question, Drew," Joe declared as he continued to drive. He moved over to the left hand lane to get past a large eighteen-wheeler in his lane. "Usually it's followed by some fool-hardy plan that nearly gets me killed!"

Nancy laughed, delighted and she leaned back in her seat again. In front of her, Frank shifted slightly and lolled back again, snoring softly as he tried to get comfortable. She leaned forward and gently brushed a hand along his face, grateful that he was alive, in one piece and with her. He'd heal from the broken rib.

"He's fine," Joe said as he watched her for a brief second before turning his attention back to the road. "Once we get back to work he'll act like nothing at all is wrong. And I'm sure he'll help you tweak his plan to cause me even more danger. Yep. This isn't going to be good."

"Like you wouldn't?" Nancy raised an eyebrow at him. "I know you, Joe. Never say die is your motto."

"Never give up! Never surrender!" Joe referenced the famous quote from the movie "Galaxy Quest". "That's my new motto."

Nancy laughed. "That does sound more like you. And I promise not to come up with a plan that will get you killed, okay?"

"Ha," Joe muttered under his breath. "I know better, Drew."

Nancy's eyes twinkled mischievously but she said nothing in response to that last retort.

The drive was quiet for a long while and they stopped to change drivers, allowing Joe a break as Nancy drove. Nancy continued to run through their options for taking down Ras-Alman and she hoped, more than once, that they weren't getting in over their heads. She and the Hardys were very good detectives and she knew it – but taking down an international terrorist just might be beyond them.

There was Diana to consider, though. Frank's daughter needed to grow up in safety – and with a lot of love surrounding her. The whole thought that Ras-Alman might one day get his hands on her caused Nancy to clench the steering wheel tightly in anger.

It's not happening, she thought. You are not going to touch Diana, Ras-Alman. Never. And you won't get Frank either!

"How are you?" Nancy nearly jumped through the roof when she heard Frank's voice and she turned to see him. He was still leaning back, one hand over the area of the break, a slight grimace on his face as he shifted very slowly into a more comfortable position. "Been driving long?"

Nancy peered at the clock on the dashboard and shook her head. "About an hour now. I'm fine, Frank. I should be asking how you're feeling?"

"About the same," Frank said. "You know, during that two years I was James Fleming I didn't miss the broken ribs, concussions or bruises at all. Sure didn't take long to get right back into it, did it?"

Nancy chuckled softly, mindful of Joe sleeping in the back seat. The light snoring of the younger Hardy was soft and didn't interfere with their talking.

"It doesn't, not with you two," Nancy agreed. "It's amazing how fast we can get into trouble when we're on a new case. I suppose that's part of the charm of being a detective."

"I'm not sure I would put it that way," Frank laughed then grimaced. "Remind me not to laugh, okay?"

"Sure," agreed Nancy as she leaned back in her seat. "No problemo."

Frank stared out the window and Nancy wondered if he was going back to sleep again. She shifted, flexing each arm one at a time and tensing and releasing muscles to avoid cramping.

"Are we sure we can do this?" he asked Nancy a few minutes later. "Take Ras-Alman down, I mean? He is powerful… and he carries a grudge."

"I don't know," Nancy admitted. "But the alternatives are a lot worse. We have to at least try to take him down, to keep you and Diana safe. I know Ras-Alman will carry through on those threats if he gets a chance. He's already tried."

"I know," Frank agreed as he held his side, sat up more fully and turned slightly to look at Nancy. A long leg was folded slightly and pulled up onto the seat as Frank turned, pulling the shoulder belt of his seatbelt so it stayed out of the way. "I've been thinking about that – when I haven't been sleeping. We need evidence, solid evidence, that we can use to take him down."

"Right," Nancy nodded and turned on her blinker to pass a slowpoke in front of her. "I think I should try on a disguise and infiltrate his company."

"No," Frank shook his head. "Nancy, he's a killer. He makes examples of people he views to be traitors. I think…"

"Don't even say what I know you're thinking, Frank Hardy," Nancy's voice rose slightly, causing Joe to mumble something unintelligible. "Don't even."

Frank reached a hand and touched Nancy's arm. "Nan, it's our best shot," he said. "And if I didn't have you and Joe to back me up I would never consider it, not in a thousand years. I just think the best way to get to him, to make him make a mistake, is to turn myself over to him."

"Not gonna happen!" Nancy protested again. "Frank, think about it. It's dangerous. You could be killed right away, instead of just brought to Ras-Alman."

"I don't think so. Nancy, love, think about it. He wants to make an example of me for running away, for, in his eyes, being responsible for Diana's death. I can get close to him again. And you guys can take him down and pull me out before it gets bad. I know you can."

Nancy frowned. "What if he takes you away right away? What if you get put somewhere we can't find you? We don't have backup here, Frank. We're here on our own – your dad will be too far away to help."

Frank shook his head. "He's already helped. He knows people! He doesn't have to be here in person to help us, you know."

Nancy sighed, knowing she was losing this fight. Hardy really was synonymous with stubborn. Every single one of them was too stubborn for their own good.

The whole thought of Frank turning himself over to Ras-Alman made Nancy's stomach hurt with anxiety. She wanted to lock Frank away, to keep him safe.

But he was an adult and, as such, allowed to make his own decisions. Frank hugged squeezed her arm and settled back.

"All right," Nancy said. "I don't like it. At all. But, okay, fine.

"You get yourself killed, though and I'm never going to forgive you. Got it?"

Frank smiled at her. "Got it."