I should probably reiterate this:
Disclaimer: I don't own Nancy, Bess, George, Carson, Hannah, Frank, Joe, Laura, Ned, Callie, McGinnis, Mick… and I think that's everyone. Oh! Fenton and Gertrude also. Ron Wililams, Buck Collins, and David & Roger & Ann Harper, and Kimberly are all mine.
Chapter 11
When Frank, Joe, George, Bess, and Mick arrived at the address given by the tipper, they were shocked to see flames licking up the sides of the house. In the distance, sirens could be heard.
Frank was the first to jump out of the car, and made a mad dash towards the house, but not before Joe could tackle him down. "Frank! Think! You can't just go charging in there yet!"
"There's no time! If she's in there, I have to get her out! I'm not going to lose Nancy!" Frank shouted, throwing Joe off his back and running back to the house.
"George! Mick! Split up and go around the sides of the house, just in case anyone is trying to escape. I'm going after Frank!" Joe hollered. "Bess! Call the police and tell Williams to get here NOW!"
Bess nodded, pulling out her cell phone.
Meanwhile, Joe and Frank had run inside, barreling through the front door. The fire hadn't spread too badly yet, and the flames they had seen outside where coming from open windows. But that meant more oxygen to fuel the fire.
"Nancy!" Frank called. "Nancy! Are you in here?" He listened carefully as he walked down the hallway that divided the house. The fire seemed to have started on each side of the house, but had not yet reached the middle of the house.
He paused as he heard muffled coughs coming from a room off the right side of the hallway. He could barely hear it over the crackling and popping of the house and the fire. "Nancy!" He dashed into the room.
She was lying on her side on the bathroom floor, coughing from the smoke. "Oh, Nan!" He bent down and scooped her up into his arms. "I've got to get you out of here." He held her close to his chest, and carefully made his way back down the hallway towards the door. The walls of the hallway were now extremely hot as the fire threatened to break through. "Joe! I've got Nancy!" he yelled, praying that his brother heard him.
Nancy continued to cough, but already felt slightly better, protected in Frank's firm grasp.
Frank made it outside, where fire engines and an ambulance and three police cars were parked, lights flashing and sirens wailing. As soon as Frank burst through the door, a firefighter ran up to him and took Nancy from him, and the three headed to the waiting ambulance and emergency medical technicians.
On the other side of the hallway, Joe was carefully checking every room in case anyone was still in the house. He had heard his brother yell about finding Nancy, but his gut told him someone might still be inside.
As he rounded the corner into the kitchen, he saw a body lying on the floor. Under the man's head was a slowly growing pool of blood. Joe checked the man's pulse. Still strong. Heaving the body over his shoulder, Joe carried him out through the kitchen's back door where he met George and Mick. Between them stood Buck Collins, his wild eyes dancing manically in the light of the fire.
He snarled when he saw the man Joe was carrying. Mick tightened his grasp on Buck. "You should have left him there to die, the punk."
Joe headed towards the front yard. "Mick, George, bring him around. I'm sure he'd like to meet some good friends of ours!"
When the group rounded the corner, Nancy was sitting by the sidewalk, holding an oxygen mask while an EMT monitored her breathing. Frank was standing over her protectively. Bess had sat beside Nancy and was talking on her cell phone.
When Joe approached, two EMTs took the man from him. "Nan!" he cried, rushing to her.
Frank met him and smiled. "Don't worry, she's fine. Let's let the medics finish checking her over. And Bess is talking to Mr. Drew."
Joe started to reply but was interrupted by a grunt behind him. He turned and saw Mick doubled over on the ground and George shaking her head, dazed. Behind them, Buck had taken off running. Without a second's hesitation, Joe took off after him.
"Hey!" Joe yelled, the roar of the fire drowning him out. His legs pumped harder. There was no way he was letting him get away a second time.
Frank's gut twisted, torn between helping his brother, and staying with Nancy. He turned back to the house, where Nancy was still being examined. Bess was right by her side. Mick stood back a bit, having caught his breath, still out of Nancy's view.
Hating himself for being jealous, but knowing she was in good hands, he turned and ran in the direction Joe and Buck had headed. "George!" he shouted when he saw her running just a few steps ahead of him. In an instant, they were running side by side.
Meanwhile, Joe was closing the gap, using every bit of momentum to propel himself closer and closer. His adrenaline level rose, as the familiar rush of chasing a criminal came back to him. It was a feeling he missed.
Buck was just a few feet away now. Joe took a breath, a few last steps, and lunged at the lanky man. The two hit the ground hard, but Joe didn't loosen his grip on Buck's arms. Buck kicked wildly, cursing and screaming at Joe. One of his feet connected with Joe's stomach, causing his grip to loosen just enough for Buck to squirm out of his grasp.
Joe rolled over onto his side, the wind knocked out of him. He watched through tearing eyes as Frank and George caught up and took off after Buck. He pushed himself off the ground, trying to catch his breath.
Buck ran up to a street, lined with white fences, about three feet or so high. He turned and ran along the fence line, and turned a corner, headed towards a backyard. Frank followed the same path, but George vaulted the fence with ease. Soon, they had Buck cornered.
"Buck, you can't get away. You may have gotten away previously, but this time, you're going to jail for everything you've done!" Frank charged at Buck, his anger getting the best of him.
Buck jumped backwards, but crashed against George, sending the two tumbling into the grass. But George managed to maneuver herself so she was on top, with one knee on Buck's back, and pinned his arms behind him. "That'll teach you to mess with me." She flashed a triumphant grin up at Frank.
Joe and Williams appeared next to Frank and Joe laughed. "Glad to see you haven't lost your touch."
Williams knelt beside her. "I'll take over from here, George."
George gratefully stood up as Williams handcuffed Buck. "Buck Collins, alias Trevor Jenkins, you are under arrest for embezzlement, kidnapping, resisting arrest, arson..."
Joe turned away from the cop and criminal to face Frank and George. "In the end, we always get our man," he quipped in a low, gravely voice.
"Always the performer," Frank teased.
George smiled. "That felt really good. Hanging out with you guys is never boring!"
NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB
"Nancy, you should be fine." The paramedic finished packing his bag. "But if you start to feel any shortness of breath, congestion, or headaches, get yourself to a doctor, pronto."
Nancy nodded. "Thanks. But I think I'll be okay."
She watched David being led away in cuffs. He had regained consciousness, and the police had Nancy identify him. Firefighters were checking the grounds for any signs of remaining fires. She hadn't seen where they had gone, but she knew enough to realize that Frank, Joe, and George had gone after Buck.
She sighed from her seat on the ground. It had been a long few days, and a hundred thoughts ran through her head. She was so exhausted that she wasn't even sure what she should be concerned about first.
Bess hugged her, knowing that her friend had been through a lot, and there were still a few hurdles she didn't even know about. "Nancy, when you're ready, we'll take you home."
She nodded. "Thanks, Bess. But first, I want to make sure that the guys and George are all right."
Bess studied her face. She looked exhausted, dirty, and a little…what was that, she though. She looked a little lost, left out. But no wonder, Bess thought. She hadn't been involved in this case at all, except to be the one kidnapped.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mick approaching. Whether this was the best time or not, Bess knew she wouldn't be able to stop him. She turned to Nancy and gave her another hug. "I'll be right back. I'm going to see if they got Buck. Holler at me if you need anything."
Nancy nodded, closing her eyes. She jumped when she felt another body sit down beside her.
"Hey."
The voice made Nancy's stomach flip-flop. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as she turned her head, and Mick Devlin's face appeared. "Mick?" she whispered, completely caught off guard.
He smiled and nodded. "I see you still lead an exciting life." He took her hand in his and kissed it softly.
Nancy tried to pull her hand away, but exhaustion and emotions fought her. "What are you doing here?"
Mick gave her a dubious look. "I came here to see you. I actually came to surprise you a few days ago. I've been thinking about you a lot lately." He leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear softly, "I've really missed you."
"How could you miss me? We haven't seen each other in such a long time. I figured you would have-" Nancy stopped herself.
"Would have what?" he asked suspiciously. "Moved on? Gotten engaged, perhaps, married?"
Nancy looked away. She never really thought she would see Mick again, or at least, so soon, since he lived so far away. It had also never occurred to her to even mention her engagement to Frank to him.
Her heart sank when she remembered Frank. If Mick was here when she was found, then he and Frank... Tears sprang to her eyes as she realized how much she may have just hurt the man she loved most. She had never told Frank about Mick's proposal. To be more accurate, he didn't even really know anything about their relationship. He must hate me, she thought. I've hurt him and I have no good reasons for it.
Nancy wiped her eyes with her sleeve, forgetting how dirty she was. Tears slipped down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Mick."
"Don't be sorry, Nancy. We haven't kept in touch lately." He reached out to wipe her tears, but she turned her face away.
"Please, don't, Mick. I…I'm engaged now. To Frank."
"Nancy, I don't think you understand how much you mean to me." Mick hesitated. "I was hoping I could convince you to give me another chance. I'd like to make you an offer I hope you won't refuse a second time."
Nancy stared at the ground, not moving, not even blinking. And completely unaware that Bess was now standing with Frank and the others, who had returned just seconds before, and who were watching the little scene.
NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB
As they approached the busy scene, Williams saw Nancy and Mick sitting together on the ground, involved in what seemed like a pretty heavy conversation. Without turning his head, he saw Frank's eyes were focused in the same direction. He turned to George, Joe, and Frank as Bess walked up.
"Let me get Buck here settled in one of the squad cars, and then we'll get statements from everyone. Then I'm making sure each and every one of you goes home for some much needed rest." Williams walked away, escorting Buck to a patrol car.
Bess stifled a yawn. "I don't even know what time it is."
George chuckled. "Believe me, you don't want to know."
"I called Mr. Drew and gave him the good news about Nancy, and that David and Buck were in custody. This is going to really blow holes in the prosecutor's case, so Mr. Drew thinks that with all this new evidence, and with David's confession and cooperation, Ann Harper will be off the hook in no time."
"So that was David that I found?" Joe asked.
"Yup. Apparently, well, according to David, he was the one who called in the tip. He wanted someone to find Nancy and help her escape so Buck wouldn't kill her. He was too afraid to do it himself. Apparently, Buck found out and bashed him on the head, then set fire to the house, to destroy any evidence," Bess explained.
George shook her head. "All this over money. It's really sad how greedy some people get."
Joe ran a hand through his hair. "It is. I'm just glad we found Nancy. Right, Frank?"
Frank didn't answer.
"Frank?" Joe asked again. He pinched his brother's arm. "Frank!"
"Hey! What was that for?" Frank asked, rubbing his arm.
All three laughed. "You weren't paying a bit of attention to us." George answered for Joe. "But maybe you should go rescue your princess."
Bess nodded. "Nancy is going to need you." She glanced at her friend sitting by Mick. "In fact, I think she may need you now."
"No. I promised Mick I'd give him time to talk to Nancy and let her make her own decision." He watched the two anxiously.
Joe felt bad for Frank, but greatly admired his respect and consideration. He wasn't sure he'd be able to do the same thing, were he in that position.
Officer Williams approached them again. "Well, David is babbling like an idiot. I guess his conscience got the better of him."
"Or Nancy got to his conscience," Bess interjected with a wry grin.
"And Buck won't talk. I think David is spilling his guts so we won't be too hard on him. We'll just have to see." He glanced at Frank. "You should fight for her. She's a special woman, and she deserves the best."
Frank nodded. "She does. And I only want the best for her."
"Then go to her!" Ron was amazed that this guy would just stand back and watch some guy try to take Nancy away.
All watched as Mick tried to put an arm around Nancy as they talked, but Nancy moved his arm away and shook her head.
"He may not have to fight too hard," Joe commented.
As soon as Mick stood up, Frank was there as fast as he could. He sat down next to Nancy, and Mick sauntered over back to the group.
Frank didn't look at her or even try to put an arm around her. He just sat there.
Nancy reached for his hand. "Frank, I'm really sorry," she whispered softly.
Frank shook his head. "Don't talk now. There'll be plenty time for that later." He glanced at her quickly, and then turned away. He was afraid of what he might see in her eyes. "How do you feel?"
Nancy took a deep breath. "I feel okay. Just tired. I've told the police everything I know. I think I just want to go home for now." She squeezed his hand. "We really need to talk."
"In the morning." He glanced at his watch. "Which should be here in about five hours."
The next hour or so was a blur to Nancy. The police finished gathering evidence and getting statements from everyone. George, Joe, Mick, and Frank were checked briefly for any smoke inhalation. The six young people were sent back to the Drew house for a few hours of sleep. A police escort took Nancy and Bess, and the others followed in a separate car.
The ride home was quiet. Each person was lost in their own thoughts, weary from the adventure. Upon arrival, Bess and George opted to stay the night, in case Nancy needed them. They took charge of sleeping arrangements, ushered Nancy straight to bed after she had a shower, and made sure the guys were settled and comfortable.
It had been a long night, and all six fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows.
NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB
Well, there ya go! (No! Not the end yet!) But at least Nancy is now safe! I hate to say this, but there's probably only one more chapter left in this story. I've had lots of ideas for sequels and side stories that would fit in this universe. And I have an idea of a story that would take place in the distant future (three or four years) so we'll see. Until then, one (maybe two) more chapters to go! Thanks to everyone who has continued to read (and those who are wonderful to drop me a comment). You guys are fantastic. It's motivating to see that people come back to read the newest chapter.
Enough talking.. and more writing!
