Due to popular demand, a little Frank/Nancy in this chapter. Hope everyone enjoys. Just don't flame me because of the ending. There is more to come.

5. Answers

"What?" asked Nancy, unsure if she had heard Frank right.

"Why?" questioned Joe, who was just as startled as Nancy by the announcement.

"We aren't safe here. Nick is a spy."

Joe and Nancy were speechless as they stared at Frank. Surely he couldn't be serious. Joe studied his older brother carefully, searching for any hint of laughter in Frank's face. There was none.

"You're serious, aren't you?" Joe whispered.

"Dead serious."

"Do you have to use that phrase Frank?" Nancy moaned. This problem could result in just that outcome. Nancy shuddered at the thought of that possibility. She couldn't imagine her life without Frank there.

"Sorry Nan." Frank reached over and squeezed her hand reassuringly. "But this is more serious than any of us thought before. That necklace theft was more than just some high profile robbery. The whole story is that Lady Nicoletta's bodyguard was supposed to deliver the necklace to her aunt's house for safe keeping. He was attacked and 'persuaded' at gunpoint to join the gang. The crooks who attacked said that the necklace would be his 'fee' for joining."

"So what does that have to do with Nick and us?" Joe wondered.

"This is where things get sticky. Nicoletta had talked to her bodyguard after he was arrested. He told her his version of what had taken place. She demanded the gang members be interrogated because she believed his story. One of the lesser of the gang members backed up his story, for an easier sentencing. The bodyguard was freed and Nicoletta hired Nick to investigate the case because she feels there was an inside source."

"And I am a key witness because of my part in solving the case." Nancy surmised.

"Right." Frank agreed. "But he took his investigation farther then he should have when he wanted to start seeing you."

"How did Dad find all this out?" Joe asked.

"An old friend of his works for the London police. Since he was assigned to Nicoletta's case, he had all of this knowledge first hand." Frank answered.

"Then I guess we had better get out of here." Joe announced. He stood up quickly and entered the house.

Nancy and Frank followed silently, still holding hands. Nancy couldn't help but feel a little defeated by what she had just learned. Not only was she still being chased by crooks, but she was involved in an investigation she had had no idea about.

Frank looked over at Nancy. He could tell that Nancy was deep in though. Frank felt a deep pang of regret. He had wanted to help Nancy, but he didn't feel he was doing a good job. Frank would do anything to take away Nancy's problems.

Nancy and Frank each went to their rooms and grabbed their belonging. After a few moments, Nancy heard Frank call out that he would phone for a ride off the island. Nancy took a sheet of paper and a pen out of the nightstand by her bed. She quickly wrote a short note saying that she and the Hardys had needed to leave. When she was done Nancy made her way downstairs where Frank and Joe were waiting.

"Do we have a ride to the mainland?" Nancy questioned.

"Yeah, the ferry broke down so the company is sending a helicopter out to get us." Joe answered.

"It should be a very interesting ride." Frank commented. "There is just enough room for everyone. And the pilot is new. The one guy they had that knew this area well quit."

"I don't care, as long as he can find us." Joe sighed. "So are we ready to go down to the dock?"

"Yeah, but what should we do with the key to this place?" Nancy wondered.

"Don't worry. I talked to the police, let them know we're leaving, and they said that several family members have keys. We should just leave this one in a good hiding place." Frank replied. "I know a place. It will be very safe."

Nancy waited with Joe while Frank ran upstairs and hid the key. He was only gone a moment. Nancy hoped that everything went as planned. She still had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Okay, let's go." Frank said as he led the way out the door.

With the house securely locked once the three were out, there was no opting out of meeting the helicopter. Nancy and Joe followed Frank as he led the way down the footpath that they had followed the first night here. Joe kept glancing around at the dense forest surrounding the path.

"Frank, something's not right. I don't know what it is, but I have a funny feeling." Joe announced.

"I know. We have to get out of here; otherwise we could have some trouble."

Frank picked up the pace after hearing Joe's comment. He wanted to get Nancy out fast. If he didn't, he was sure that she would be in serious trouble. Frank knew the dock was just ahead. The helicopter would be there soon, and then they could plan the next step.

Nancy saw the dock through the trees. In the distance she could hear the beating of the helicopter's blades. They only had to get to the mainland, and then maybe they could disappear from sight. Nancy peered anxiously into the sky, searching for the machine.

About ten minutes later a dot in the sky began to descend. They would be off the island soon. Frank, Nancy, and Joe gathered up their bags and waited for the machine to land in the clearing just past the dock.

The small helicopter landed and the pilot motioned for the three detectives to get in. The trio made a dash for the opening in the side. Frank loaded the bags inside while Joe climbed in. Frank then helped Nancy climb in. Once she was in Frank climbed up.

Nancy tried to see who was piloting the machine but he seemed to be trying to hide his identity. Nancy sat back and tried to calm her nerves down. She couldn't believe that she was even beginning to suspect local workers.

Before long the pilot had navigated the helicopter away from the island. Nancy looked out the open side and saw that there was nothing but water under them. Sighing she leaned back against the seat. The mainland couldn't be too far away.

After several minutes Frank nudged Nancy. He had a disturbed look in his eyes. Nancy leaned over but Frank motioned out the side. Below them was open water, the same sight that Nancy had seen earlier. Frank then pointed to his watch. Nancy looked at her own watch and realized what Frank was worried about. They had been in the air too long. They should have been to the mainland some time ago.

Frank stood up and made his way to the co-pilot's seat. He tried to talk to the pilot but the man didn't seem to be listening. After a moment Frank shook his head and stood to make his way back to his seat next to Nancy.

"Won't he listen?" Nancy questioned.

"He wouldn't even acknowledge my presence. I don't think he knows where he's going. We have to do something. If we fly to long over the water we could run out of fuel."

Nancy turned to Joe and spoke quickly, explaining what Frank had said. Joe nodded his agreement. He had been watching for any sign of land but had seen nothing. Joe looked over at Frank and jerked his head toward the pilot.

Frank shook his head. He knew what Joe had thought up. And even though Frank could fly a plan, a helicopter was slightly different. They needed the pilot to keep the machine in the air.

"I am going to see if I can do anything." Nancy told Frank before she began to make her way to the front. She hoped she could get some kind of response from the pilot, or at least see how much fuel they had before they needed to worry about running out.

As Nancy neared the pilot's seat she thought up an excuse to get him to talk to her. All the words died in her throat when she got beside the seat. The pilot was the same man she had seen at the hotel when she received the phone call.

Trying to stay calm Nancy coolly asked about refreshments. The pilot ignored her so she asked about the time left before they would be landing. Again no answer. Nancy glanced quickly at the fuel gage before turning to sit back down with the Hardys.

"What did you find out?" Frank asked.

"We have to off this thing, now. We have to land or something. That guy isn't a pilot."

"What?" Joe said, shocked. "Who is he then?"

"He was at the hotel I stayed at just before you guys caught up with me. His name is William Shrikster. Nick said he was a business man who has been trying to buy the hotel for some time. However I think there is something more to him."

"Then I think we need a new pilot. I hope the radio works."

"Frank can you really fly this thing?" Nancy questioned.

"I guess we're about to find out. Everything will be fine." Frank said. He gave Nancy a quick, reassuring hug before he nodded to Joe.

Together Frank and Joe moved up to the front of the helicopter. Nancy watched as they attempted to take control from the pilot. The brothers were having a lot of trouble restraining the older man. Nancy grabbed her bag as an idea hit her. A sweater and a pair of leggings lay in the bottom of her bag. Nancy grabbed them quickly and made her way to the front.

"Here," she yelled, "tie him up with these."

Joe turned and grabbed the clothing. Frank was wrestling with the man as Joe began tying him up. Joe worked fast. Finally after some struggling, Joe had the man's arms bound to his sides. Frank backed up and took a deep breath.

Suddenly Shrikster kicked the steering mechanism viciously. Hatred shone in his eyes as he watched the three passengers struggle for balance. Using his legs Shrikster jerked the steering mechanism back and forth, causing Nancy to pitch toward the open side.

Nancy let out a scream as she fell toward the opening. Frank, hearing the scream, whipped around. When he saw Nancy falling he reached out his hand, grabbing Nancy's shirt. Frank jerked the material, pulling Nancy against him.

Joe wrestled Shrikster for control of the helicopter. The more the two men fought the more the machine jerked and bucked. Frank pushed Nancy toward a seat and made her sit down. After she was secured he made his way back toward the struggling pilot. Frank was almost to the front when the helicopter banked sharply. Frank was tossed against the side of the helicopter.

"Joe, keep the copter steady!" Nancy yelled franticly.

Joe grabbed the wheel and steadied the helicopter before glancing back at Frank and Nancy. Frank smiled at Nancy and stood back up. Joe was attempting to switch the control from the pilot's steering to the co-pilot's when Shrikster suddenly head butted him. Joe doubled over as Shrikster jerked the wheel with his knees.

Frank, who was just gaining his balance again, was thrown as the helicopter banked. The opening seemed to be gaping as Frank rolled toward it. Nancy screamed for Joe. Joe staggered back and punched Shrikster, gaining control over the steering. Nancy whipped off her belt and raced to the opening.

Looking down Nancy's heart gave a leap. Frank had grabbed onto the runner below the opening. Nancy reached down to grab Frank's hand. Her reach was too short to do any good so she grabbed at the first thing she found. Leaning down Nancy swung the bag down for Frank to grab.

"Frank," Joe called, "we have a problem. One of the engines is failing! We are going to lose control!"

No sooner had Joe made the announcement than the helicopter began to sputter wildly. Frank attempted to grab the bag but the bucking of the copter made the task difficult. Nancy reached down as far as she could, willing Frank to grab the strap. Joe came up behind her and lowered the leggings she had given him earlier. Suddenly the helicopter pitched violently and Frank slipped lower. Looking up Frank smiled weakly.

"I love you Nancy." Frank said. "Take care of her Joe."

As Nancy watched with tears in her eyes as Frank slipped the rest of the way from the runner. She heard his last words in her head.

"I love you Frank Hardy." she whispered.