Here is the next chapter. I have most of this story written just one or two chapters to go. Please read and review. No flames please. I welcome constructive criticism. Amber

Chapter 2

Fenton Hardy sat in the chair beside them. A glass of water was handed to him by the medical examiner. He nodded his thanks. He waited and when he gaged the time was right gave Callie the water.

Callie couldn't stop shaking. Frank steadied her hand enough for her to sip. "I don't understand! How did this happen?" Callie wailed.

Frank kissed her head. "I don't know Cal. I'm so sorry."

Fenton stood up abruptly. Frank watched fascinated as his father physically stopped the detective from approaching his girlfriend. Who had succumbed to another storm of tears.

Fenton's voice reached Frank's ears. "Give her some time you prick."

"You know how this works."

"I do but I usually gave the family a few minutes to collect themselves. It gave me time to observe them."

The medical examiner came out. "Her time of death was approximately two hours ago."

Fenton nodded. " Well that clears Callie. She was watching a movie at my house. I was there, both my sons, and my wife."

Another man approached and he was familiar to Fenton and was a friend, Detective Sergeant James Stephans. He spoke. "Thank you for that. She wasn't a suspect the minute I saw her face when the sheet was moved. I was standing in the back."

"What was her father's reaction James?" Fenton asked.

Detective Hayes sneered. "That's private."

James answered. "He basically told me to go tell his daughter. I asked if he could come ID the body but he said that he was tied up in Washington to have Callie do it. That surprised me normally parents want to shield their kids from that stuff. He said to keep this quiet that he didn't want it plastered all over the news. Apparently the President is planning a visit next week. Honestly, something felt off about the conversation. I'll be honest I'm looking hard at the father."

Hayes said pointedly. "He has an alibi since he is in Washington DC."

Ignoring Hayes he continued. "The evidence so far suggests a pro Fenton."

Fenton didn't want to say what he knew in front of Hayes. He acknowledged his friend. "Thanks for the information. I know that Ellen visited her sister for two weeks in LA. She returned to Bayport tonight which is why she was at the airport. I'm surprised her limo driver didn't meet her."

"There is surveillance footage of the curb. A dark sedan pulled beside her before the limo. She collapsed to the ground. The driver was taken to the hospital cardiac emergency which is why we needed Callie to do the ID."

"George?"

They all turned. Callie was pale. Her tears still flowed but she looked grave. "He's been our butler/driver since I was little. Is he okay?"

Hayes shrugged. "He was being taken into surgery when I left the hospital."

Callie jumped to her feet. "Does Joanne know?"

"Who's that?"

Callie bristled. "His wife! Our maid/cook! They live in our house." She pulled out her phone. "Joanne? It's Callie. Where are you? At the hospital...what did the doctor say? Okay. What! Absolutely not. Stay there...I'll worry about the house. Dad can shove it, George needs you. Alright call me if you need anything." She hung up. "He has a blockage. They are doing a bypass but think he'll be okay."

Stephans said. "That's good to hear. Miss Shaw are you up to some questions?"

"Yes but can we go to Frank's house? This place is…"

Fenton nodded. "Yes."

Joe Hardy was pacing in the living room alternating staring at the main phone line and his cellphone. His mother was just as worried but sat on the sofa. "We'll hear something soon Joe."

Laura's phone beeped. They both recognized the tone as a text from Fenton. Laura read and her heart broke. "Oh no. It was Ellen. They are coming here. The police have questions for Callie."

Joe cursed. He knew it had to be done; the first forty-eight hours were critical. Still it was a cruel reality. Poor Callie. The car lights from the driveway alerted him and his mother. They were on their feet and at the door in seconds. Laura Hardy hugged Callie tightly. "Sweetie I'm so sorry."

Callie cleared her dry throat. "Thank you. Can I make some hot tea? I need a minute."

Laura nodded. "Yes honey."

Laura watched her walk down the hallway. She saw the younger detective, one she didn't know. "You heard her, she needs a minute. Let her settle. She'll come to the living room. You won't step a foot in my kitchen."

Fenton bit the side of his cheek to keep from chuckling. He gestured to the living room. "Gentleman."

Laura watched amused. She saw Detective Sergeant Stephan's grab the other detective and pull him into the room. He saw her look. "Laura, this is my partner on this investigation Detective Hayes."

"Transferred here from Brooklyn PD."

Laura shook his hand. "Nice to meet you Detective. You've met Frank. This is mine and Fenton's younger son Joe."

Joe shook his hand. "Sir. Mom, I've got some homework to do."

Laura squeezed his shoulder. He was thinking of Callie first and not hovering.

Frank walked Callie to the kitchen but stayed in the doorway. He was worried about her. Her hands were still shaking. He crossed the room and grasped her shoulders. "Sit Sweetie. I'll make it."

He helped her to a chair and made the tea. He used the kettle on the stove. "Do you want chamomile or earl gray?"

Callie wiped her eyes with his handkerchief that he had given her from his pocket. "Earl Gray please."

Frank made the tea. When it was finished she took it and grasped it. Frank had used a thermal mug for that reason. "Are you ready?"

"No. But I know they are doing their job. My mom deserves justice and if I can help."

Frank helped her back to the living room. He sat next to her on the sofa. The detectives were both sitting in chairs. Fenton sat on Callie's other side.

Detective Sergeant Stephan's started things off. "Callie can you think of anyone who would want to hurt your mom?"

Callie sipped her tea to clear her throat. "No. My mom was well liked. She was involved with the community. My dad has upset people...being a politician. Nothing stands out."

Stephan's asked. "How was your father's relationship with your mom."

Callie flinched at the question. She didn't know what to say here. She knew she couldn't lie. Her father had been in Washington; it wasn't like he killed her. But her father wouldn't appreciate her sharing any personal feelings or anecdotes. What happened in their house he said stays in the house. It was a big rule that you never broke. Her father got furious if you broke it. Sensing her discomfort Stephans reassured her. "It's a routine question honey."

"I know. Mom and dad met at Harvard their freshman year. He swept her off her feet. They've been married for twenty years. They argued of course who doesn't. Dad is particular about things."

Detective Hayes leaned forward. "Your dad is successful, he was a lawyer, then Judge, then he ran for State office and now he is a Congressman. Did he use your mom's money for his political benefit? Campaigns are expensive. He was just a regular Joe at Harvard. There on an athletic scholarship."

Callie gaped. "How am I supposed to know about my dad's campaign finances? Yes my mom inherited a lot of money when her parents died and she had a trust before that. I don't know if my dad knew about it or not. My mom and I are supportive of my dad. Why shouldn't we be?"

Detective Sergeant Stephan's soothed. "Of course you should support your dad honey. I'm sure your mom did too."

"She's the best. She'd give you the shirt off your back if you needed it." Callie burst into tears.

Frank held her close to him. "Is this enough for now?"

Detective Sergeant Stephan's said. "One more question. Who would your mom's best friends be?"

Callie sniffled. "My godparents are the closest. They are Michael Reed and Linda Reed. They knew each other at Harvard. Michael and Linda divorced though last year. Mom kept a relationship with both of them but dad I guess didn't see eye to eye with Michael they haven't spoken for two years. That's not relevant. Um theirs Melinda Sykes from the country club and her husband Dale. Mom loved the Hardy's."

Detective Stephan's nodded. "Alright. If you think of anything call us." He gestured to Fenton. He addressed his partner. "Detective go to the precinct start the runs on Michael Reed, Linda Reed, Melinda Sykes, and Dale Sykes."

"Yes sir. We should have asked more questions though."

Fenton shook his head. How did this hothead become a detective? The two men watched as he drove off. Fenton said. "Let's go to my office."