Here's the next chapter! Thank you all for waiting so patiently for it! And thanks again to my reviewers! You da inspiration:) I've noticed things have slowed down on the fic site, but hopefully people will get back to updating their stories soon (hint hint!) Please enjoy!

Chapter 8

Frank and George followed Officer Williams down the corridor into a dimly lit room. The elongated table took up most of the room, except for the chairs tucked underneath and the small table in the back corner. The coffee maker sat, untouched, along with cups and the like. At the other end of the table was a large, frosted glass display. The wireless projector hung from the ceiling, its computer nestled in another corner of the office.

Frank admired the setup. Most police conference rooms he had been in were dull, drab, and dingy. With bright lights, uncomfortable folding chairs, and a television set sitting on a rolling cart.

"Have a seat. I'd offer you coffee but I already know that answer." Williams popped the DVD into the computer and picked up a remote control. He swiftly clicked a few buttons, and the digital image spread across the display.

As they watched, Frank realized they were watching a police interrogation. A young man in his mid-twenties with flame-red hair, was introduced as Trevor Jenkins. His skinny physique made him stand out against the two uniformed officers.

To George, he looked like a kid that was probably bullied in school quite often. To Frank, he looked a bit familiar, but couldn't quite place him. But the name didn't sound quite right.

"Tell us, one more time, what you saw, Trevor," asked the first cop, a female. Her short blonde hair curled up underneath her hat.

"I already told ya, lady. But since you asked so nicely," Trevor drawled, his accent thick. "I was at that downtown computer store, ya know, the one with the big logo across the front? Anyway, I was looking at a computer to buy, and I saw that lady, the one with long brown hair, buying a computer. She was talking to some guy, real soft-like. He asked how she was gonna pay for the computer. I wasn't really being nosy, but I couldn't help but overhear, ya know? She said she would pay in cash and the guy coughed. Ya know, like he was shocked or something. Anyway, I turned around, 'cause that was a lot of money for a nice lady to be carrying around. Dude-man said the price was," he paused. "I don't remember the exact price, but it was dang near two-thousand dollars!"

Frank rolled his eyes at George. This guy was something else.

"Anyway, that's all I know. She bought that computer and walked outta there, leaving dude-man lookin' kinda funny."

The interview continued on, but Trevor couldn't give them any more detail than what he had just said. As the video played, Trevor was shown pictures of women, and he pointed to one, whom the male officer confirmed to be Ann Harper.

The tape cut off and Officer Williams whistled. "What a kid." He leaned back and glanced at the other two. "I'm not so sure I believe him."

George shook her head. "I feel the same way, but how could we prove it?"

"We don't prove it. Not yet. We have to find Nancy first. Let Mr. Drew and the other police look for more evidence. This tape isn't much to go on, and I don't know if it'll fit in to Nancy's kidnapping at all." He rubbed his temples. "It'd be great if Bess and Mick came up with something better than this. We need a clue to go on."

"Alright, Sherlock. We're here to deliver." Bess's head popped into the room as she waved two tapes in the air. "At least, we hope."

Bess and Mick took seats around the table and Bess slid the tapes to Williams. "We're not really sure what we have. Only two places could help us out, and even this might not be much," Mick explained.

While Williams got everything set up, Bess filled in the rest of the details of their morning. "Oh, and Officer, there is an ATM at the end of that alleyway that just might have something if it was recording that night. I figured you would need a warrant for that since it is bank property."

Williams nodded. "I'll check to see if that tape has been requested yet." He tossed the control to Frank. "Get it cued up and I'll be right back."

While Frank cued the tape and Williams was checking on the ATM request, George gave Bess and Mick the rundown on the taped interview they had watched. "I'm sure Williams will let us watch it again. In fact, I bet he is planning on watching it again."

When everyone was settled back into their seats, Frank started the first tape. A few cars drove by, a pedestrian here or there, and then the black-clad figured darted past, followed closely by Nancy. A few seconds later, Frank ran past the camera.

"Can we watch that one frame at a time?" Bess asked.

Frank rewound the tape, and everyone leaned forward, looking hard at the small view of the street. The three figured ran by, but at a snail's pace this time.

Frank tapped the remote against the table. "I still didn't see much. The area of the street that the camera shot doesn't leave room for detail. And enlarging it won't do much good. It'll be too fuzzy."

"Not much to go on, yet again." Williams took the tape out and put the second one back in.

This tape had a shot of Mick approaching, but nothing else of any importance.

Mick glanced around the table. Everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing. This was getting them nowhere fast. "Maybe we just need a fresh perspective."

"You mean to say that these five heads can't come up with any clues," Frank retorted.

"No," Mick answered. "I mean that we've been spending all our time on tracking down these tapes and talking to people. What about those files? Wasn't there anything in those?"

George shook her head. "Not really. Just basic background information."

"But there had to be something! Maybe if I can take a look at it-"

Frank slammed his fist down on the table. "Are you deaf? George just said there wasn't anything. I went over it myself, as did Officer Williams. There wasn't anything else!" Frank shook Bess's hand off his arm. "And don't you stick up for him. I've been at this a lot longer than you all have. I would have seen something!"

Frank jumped up and stormed out of the room, leaving the others staring at now closed door.

"Uh, is that normal? Because he doesn't strike me as a hot-headed guy," Williams commented softly.

"No, that is not normal. In fact, that's just the opposite of Frank Hardy." Bess stood up. "I'd expect that outburst from his brother Joe instead. But with Nancy missing…" she trailed off, feeling that spoke for itself.

"And I'm here. It's irritating him to no end."

"Well, you didn't cause Nancy to be kidnapped, and you didn't know she was engaged." Bess gave him a sympathetic smile. Don't beat yourself up. Not yet anyway. I'll let Nancy handle that when we find her." She turned to Williams. "I apologize for Frank. What he said, he didn't mean it."

Officer Williams just chuckled. "I've heard it before, and I'm sure I'll hear it again. Tends to come with the territory." He picked up the tapes and the disc. "To prove there are no hard feelings, I'll give you copies of these and of the file to take home. When he clears his head, look them over again, see if you catch anything."

"Thanks, Officer." George grabbed Bess's arm and shot over her shoulder to Mick, "We should find Frank. You two need to talk. Again."

NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB

Frank stood outside the police station, fuming. What is wrong with me, he scolded himself. I'm the calm, smart, rational, patient Hardy. I'm not Joe!

And at that precise moment, his cell phone rang.

"Bro! How's it going? How's the beautiful Ms. Drew, soon-to-be-Hardy?" Joe greeted his brother.

"Long story, Joe. The long and short is, she's been kidnapped, and I'm running out of trails," Frank admitted. "Think you can get here soon and give me a hand?"

"Nancy's been kidnapped! Why didn't you call me? Have you heard anything yet? Why was she kidnapped?" The questions tumbled out, and Joe couldn't help but feel slighted that his brother hadn't even bothered to call him and let him know.

"I didn't want to bother you while you were busy," Frank offered quietly. "I didn't want to jeopardize your new job."

"You still should have called," Joe grumbled. "Tell me the details later. I can be there by five this evening."

"But what about you? Don't you have things scheduled for the rest of the week?" Frank asked.

"Don't worry about it. The athletic director was called away on a family emergency. He cancelled everything for the rest of the week, so I'm free now. I've already checked."

"Alright. We'll bring you up to speed on everything. And we'll order pizza, unless you plan on eating before hand," Frank added. Joe's appetite never ceased to amaze him.

"Excellent idea! I'll see you soon, Frank!"

"And thanks, Joe. I really appreciate you coming." Frank already felt more relieved, knowing Joe was on his way to help. Ever since they were little, Frank and Joe had been a team. Their different approaches complimented each other perfectly.

"Hey, what are brothers for? Just make sure you have that pizza and we'll call it even!"

NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB

"Alright, Drew. I brought you food." The bathroom door opened, and Nancy blinked in the light. As her eyes adjusted, she saw a young man, around her age, standing in the doorway. He set a paper bag on the floor, and undid the bond around her hands.

"What do you want with me?" she asked, rubbing her raw wrists and stretched her limbs.

"Nothing, really. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," the man replied in a gruff voice.

Nancy glanced through the doorway, but all she could see was a wall. No sign of the other man.

Gruff voice continued. "I brought you food. You should eat it. I'm only allowed to give you ten minutes to eat."

Nancy cautiously opened the bag, and saw a slightly squashed hamburger and a drink. She eyes the food warily, not sure if it was worth the chance. She was hungry, but not stupid.

Gruff voice saw her hesitation. "Don't worry, it's not poisoned. We're not gonna kill you. Not for a while, at least."

"Then why are you holding me? If you are going to kill me, why not do it now?" Nancy asked as she ate a bite of the hamburger.

"You weren't supposed to be there. That is your fault."

Nancy's stomach flip-flopped. That wasn't the answer she was expecting, and it wasn't an answer she liked, either. "So then, tell me. What were you doing in my father's office? I assume it was you. The other guy hasn't had the guts to show me his face yet."

Gruff voice stood up and leaned against the wall. "Your father had some stuff on me that could ruin my life. I couldn't let that happen."

"Some stuff? Like information?" Nancy's mind reeled. "What's your last name?"

"None of your business!"

"It's Harper, isn't it? You're Roger and Ann's son, David!" Nancy exclaimed.

"So what if I am?" David averted his eyes. "Is that a crime?"

"Kidnapping me is. Breaking and entering is. Stealing something that doesn't belong to you is," Nancy retorted. "And if my father has something that could prove you did something unlawful, then I'd say that makes you a criminal in the first place."

"And what do you know about it? Of course the great Nancy Drew has never broken the law. Perfect little princess." He glared at her. "Everyone breaks the law at one point."

Nancy finished eating her food in silence. She couldn't argue with that. She'd had speeding tickets, gotten into jams with the police, breaking and entering was even a specialty of hers. Yeah, she thought glumly, no one's perfect.

NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB

There ya go! Have at it! Just be nice! Also, I know some of you have been waiting patiently for Joe to jump in, and I hope I don't disappoint. I'm trying to give all the characters more "paper" time, including Bess and George. The books didn't give them much character, and I think they are fabulous characters who deserve more time. So thanks for the commentors who have enjoyed it! Thanks and keep reading:)