CHAPTER 3

Joe found a booth in the back corner, making sure that he sat facing the entrance. It didn't escape his attention that Manny was carrying a briefcase. He figured the drugs and weapons were inside.

"So Joey, do you mind if we talk business while we're eating?" asked Manny while he looked over the menu.

Joe glanced at the two women then back at Manny. One eyebrow shot up as he gave Manny a quizzical stare. Catching Joe's expression, Manny snorted with laughter.

"Don't worry about these broads, they know if they blab what will happen to them…don'tcha?" Manny held tightly to the blonde's forearm, squeezing it hard.

"OW! Yeah Manny…we won't say nothin'….honest!"

"Well, if you don't mind then I don't either," said Joe.

"Scoot over, Millie," said Manny as he placed the briefcase on the table.

"Hold on, Manny…let's go somewhere…private. Girls, order whatever you want." Joe got out of the booth and walked towards the men's restroom. Manny followed a few steps behind him.

Millie was too busy thinking of how much she was going to spend and didn't notice the two men walking into the restaurant. She prided herself on being able to spot any type of corrections officer. Although the two men were causally dressed their attitude and mannerisms, not to mention the holster bulge, gave them away.

Eric and Raul sat in the next booth and they both listened intently to Joe and Manny.

Making sure there was no one else in the restroom, Joe checked the stalls before giving Manny his full attention.

.. ..

"Okay, show me what you got."

Placing the briefcase on top of the sink Manny opened it to reveal several bags filled with white powder. On top was a .45 magnum. He took out one bag.

"One hundred percent pure Columbian. I can also get you a few more of these babies plus the ammo."

"You can…personally, no middleman?" asked Joe in a calm voice.

"I don't deal with middlemen…I do everything myself. This way I don't have to share the profits," replied Manny with a grin.

"Good, 'cause that's how I like to deal...no middleman, always with the boss."

"I knew there was a reason I liked you, Joey. Now for the deal breaker…"

Suddenly the door crashed open. "Freeze!"

Manny reached for the gun but found himself crashing into the wall. Joe had taken immediate action, lunging at Manny with a flying tackle.

.. ..

It wasn't until the two men ran towards the back that Millie knew something bad was about to happen. Several minutes later Manny was being dragged out of the restroom with his hands cuffed behind his back. Joe stopped at the booth; the waitress was just bringing the food. Taking out some money, he placed it on the table.

"We'll be taking this to go."

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Joe's jaw cracked as he let out a huge yawn. He couldn't wait to get home. He turned his attention to the two-way mirror, watching Eric interrogate Manny. Eric was trying to get Manny to name his suppliers and possibly a few more dealers.

A small smiled crossed Joe's face as he let his thoughts drift to Vanessa. His mind went back to the car accident. By the time Joe and Frank had captured Dobs and Jocko, Vanessa was out of the hospital. She was a little upset that Joe wouldn't be going to college with her but she was proud that he had been recruited personally by the head of the Justice Department.

They hadn't thought how hard it was going to be to continue their relationship. They saw each other as much as possible but soon college and work got in the way. At one point they parted amicably, staying friends. Vanessa stayed single for several months but began dating again. She was seeing someone she met at Bayport College and had been dating him for almost a year when Joe arrived for Frank's graduation. When they saw each other again it was as if only hours had passed instead of years.

Joe and Vanessa had never stopped loving each other. Vanessa broke up with her boyfriend and followed Joe to Washington, D.C. They moved in together and Vanessa got a job in the graphics department of an up-and-coming business where she was now the head graphics designer.

Joe was tempted to call to let Vanessa know that he was back but decided to surprise her instead. A romantic dinner, flowers, candlelight and soft music... Joe let out a small sigh when he heard a soft cough. The sigh became heavy as he turned around to find a tall blonde-headed man grinning at him. Allan Jefferys stood six feet tall with the same muscular build as Joe. While Joe had blue eyes, Jefferys' eyes were green. Because the two men could pass for twins the department nicknamed them 'Thing 1' and 'Thing 2' after the Dr. Seuss characters.

"Quit thinking about your lady, Hardy, keep your mind on business," Allan teased.

"You're just jealous you don't have someone as beautiful as I do waiting at home," Joe smirked.

"Whatever…anyway, I'm here to give you a special message from Hammond…go home!"

"With pleasure!" Joe gave a small salute as he walked out the door.

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Vanessa got off the elevator, adjusting her purse strap on her shoulder. Her keys at the ready, she opened the door to the apartment and then stood still in the open doorway. There was a trail of rose petals on the carpet. Closing the door softly, she followed the rose petals into the small dining room. A smile blossomed on her face when she saw Joe lighting two candles.

"Hey, you're home!" Joe walked over and enveloped her in a hug.

Vanessa was too overwhelmed to speak as she returned Joe's hug with equal enthusiasm. She ran her fingers through his hair, which now hung past his collar.

"You need a haircut," she whispered huskily.

"Yeah…you should have seen me with the beard."

Vanessa giggled at the thought. Whenever Joe had tried to grow a beard it always grew out in sparse patches and looked scraggily. She pulled back so she could look him in the eye. "You had a beard? I find that hard to believe."

"It's true…go check the trash can in the bathroom! That glue was murder to get off!" pouted Joe.

"My poor baby!" Vanessa began to drop light kisses along Joe's face before giving him a more passionate one on the lips.

"Does this mean we're having dessert first?" grinned Joe wickedly.

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A guard opened the prison gate, releasing a silver-haired man who held a small box in his arms containing everything he owned.

"Behave yourself Lassiter, you caught a lucky break," sneered the guard.

"Not much I can do now…I'm an old man…I'm harmless," Lassiter replied with contempt tingeing his voice.

"Why do I have a hard time believing that?"

A black Mercedes drove up and a husky looking man emerged from the backseat. The man walked over to the guard and Lassiter.

"Let me take that, Mr. Lassiter. Your family is anxiously waiting for you at home."

Without another word to the guard Mr. Lassiter silently walked to the car. Once inside he turned to his companion.

"Is everything all set?"

"Yes sir, tomorrow morning you'll be leaving and arriving in Bayport in the afternoon."

Mr. Lassiter smiled.

*endofchapter*

Authors Note: Please read the author's profile for this story. The author, copagirl, passed away in 2013. I am posting these stories up with the permission of her family, who want her to be remembered as well. Lola was a long-time member of the Hardy Detective Agency and we miss her soooooo much! Love you Lola!

Thanks to those of you leaving feedback! I know copagirl would love all of it.