Here it is chapter 3 i hope you all enjoy it!

Chapter 3

I had just turned around looking back when Frank grabbed me and we dove into the alley behind the restaurant. An explosion ripped through the quiet neighborhood sending metal and glass everywhere. I looked up to see a masked gunman enter the alley ready to let loose. Frank and I started running as bullets flew everywhere. We ducked around a corner into a smaller, narrower, alley.

"We need to circle around and get to my car," I shouted behind him.

Whether he heard me and chose to answer or not, I didn't hear him. A fresh round of gunfire started this time farther away from us. Frank and I had lost our stalker but only for the time being. We were getting closer to the streets as I heard screams from the explosion. At least that's what I though until we rounded a corner and there was a locked metal wall. Now regardless of what any man in my life might think, when it comes to a daunting task of trying to escape I can handle it. I do not give into feminine scruples. I attack it head on.

"Give me a lift," I whispered to Frank.

"Nancy what the hell are you doing?" he snapped. "This isn't a time for you to try some new trick out. We are in serious danger here, that madman is right behind us."

"Do you think I don't know that Mr. Wiseass? In case you were wondering I was going to have you lift me up so I could unlock it and let you out. I can't very well lift you up now can I?" I retorted.

Our heads had been close together when we both looked up at the sound of trashcans and crates being thrown aside as the masked man was looking for us. I looked at frank meeting his eyes with a ferociousness in mine. He looked away first and nodding silently cupped his hands and motioned for me to step on them. I took my high heels up and yanked the skirts of my dress up in a fashion that would make Coco Chanel scream bloody murder. I grabbed hold of the fence. And pulled myself up. I flung my shoes and purse over the side and proceeded to try to get myself down which was quite the difficult feat. Halfway down I let go of the wall falling to my knees and getting heaven knows what on my dress. The real task now was to open the gate

"Are you all right Nan?" Frank whispered.

"I'm fine. But you might not be. The lock is rusted and there are no dull metal objects around," I whispered back.

"Go then. Get out of here." Frank urged.

"Like hell I am leaving you to deal with that creep," I retorted. Before he could say anything else I turned my back to him and proceeded to take in my surroundings.

I was in another alley but unlike the one I had just exited, it was made for shipping trucks to come and unload by the buildings but not to be seen. It also wasn't as twisted as the one adjoining it. I could see people running up and down the street away from where Frank's car had blown up. There were old, worn out and splintered crates on the sides of the buildings. I went to check them out and finding them empty I proceeded to go check on Frank he was crouching behind some crates on his side of the fence trying to keep a low profile as to avoid the masked mad man who I could here in the distance trying to find us. After making sure he was okay I checked the lock out and did the only thing I could think of. I tanked a piece of plywood from one of the crates praying that the man wouldn't hear. I then gave the lock a couple hard hits; on the third try I finally broke it. Frank having gotten up at this point rushed over and together, we pushed the gate open. It gave a loud squeak and a few seconds later gunfire started again. Frank dashed through and we put two of the big crates against it then started running.

Back on the street we made a B-line for my car, which was in the opposite direction of Franks. Broken glass was everywhere, and people were screaming. In the distance we heard curses being shouted and a rattling of the gate at least for now we had eluded our would be killer.

Beep. Beep. Beep, my alarm clock went waking me from my deep sleep. I grabbed at it and pressed the off button then I buried my head back in my pillow for a few minutes. I finally got up and went and took a quick shower. Instead of walking to the cafeteria I made myself a cappuccino and poured myself some frosted flakes. I sat back on my bed, chewing my cereal and pondering the events of yesterday evening. Different facts stuck in my head so I proceeded to write them down:

List

Joe and Frank-working for Duric and the FBI

A man strangles people (all unconnected) with fishing wire-

Possible link to the Crada crime-ring family

Joe- missing worked undercover at the Crada's did he know/find out something?

Frank? Nancy?

I had nothing I realized. I needed to get more information on both the case and my personal life. Frank had awakened feelings in me that I hadn't had in awhile. He been the same Frank Hardy; protective, serious, caring guy I had known. He certainly had treated me differently with a more grown up finesse then he had before. Maybe things were different or maybe as the intercom beeped it wouldn't

Frank and I walked into the FBI Chicago headquarters a half hour later. Agent Charles Duric met us as we were signing in.

"Nancy Frank I need you in my office after your done here," he said. Head of the Chicago office Charles Duric was a balding, graying, heavyset man. He was fair but tough on his agents and even tougher on criminals. He wasn't a man to be reckoned with and was the one who had recruited me. In many ways he had become a father and mentor to me.

His office was in many ways like he was; the furniture old and scuffed, the carpet stained, yet the view was beautiful and breathtaking. Duric motioned us to site in identical wingback chairs. After he debriefed us he gave each of us files to read. I headed back to my office, that was more like a cubicle and frank headed to a cubicle that was more like a closet. I sat down in my leather swivel chair and booted up my computer. I then checked my messages all of them were the same for the exception of the last.

"Hello Nancy. I see you have been keeping yourself busy or at least that is what Hannah has told me. I just wanted to let you know that I will be stopping by tomorrow at noon. I have some business to attend to and I also wanted to catch up with Frank. I didn't want this to be a surprise to you. I will see you then."

The answering machine turned off, as I sat in disbelieve. My father was coming here, to the FBI, to where I worked. More then that he was having lunch with Frank who had never even mentioned anything about it. I glanced at him. He was sitting scrunched up at the cubicle reading the file acting all innocent. I shook my head, when noon came I would make myself scarce I decided. I settled into reading the files, which were about the Crada family.

At quarter too twelve I got up grabbed my purse and some files and headed for the elevator. Frank glanced up but didn't say anything as I passed him. When I reached the first floor I was stopped by a friend and then continued my way right into a man who had his nose in some papers. We plowed right into each other. Papers went everywhere. To make matters worse we bumped heads as we both stooped to pick them up

"I'm so sorry miss. I should have been looking where I was going." He said.

I glanced up quickly in shock. "Oh! My! God! Ned!"

At that the face I remember so well glanced up a look of amazement crossed his face. "Nancy? I'm so sorry I didn't realize it was you,"

After picking up and sorting the papers I handed his to him. "I have to go. It was uhh different seen you here," I told him. That is when I saw my father. He looked slightly older and had a few more gray hairs but it was still him.

"Hello Dad," I said to him courtly.

"Nancy, I'm sure you got my message,"

"I did and if you will excuse me I have an important lunch date," with that I turned around and headed out the door. I started walking towards a café I eat at when I heard a dull pop. I kept walking until my arm started to ache and then looked down. Crimson blood was spreading across my arm staining my blouse. I heard some screams and then everything went black.

reviews please

love kat