Here is the next chapter. Please read and review. Amber

Chapter 3

Callie sat on the sofa numb. Her memories were overwhelming her at the moment. Frank didn't disturb her. He sat with her. She jumped when her phone rang. She saw the readout. "Dad? No I'm not at home. The police just finished asking me questions about mom. No they aren't. Dad! George had a heart attack! He is having surgery or just finished surgery. Dinner party what dinner party? Dad can't you reschedule this mom just."

Frank watched as Callie paled. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. When are you coming and when is...okay."

Frank held her hand. "How's your dad?"

Callie wiped her tears. "I don't know what to do or what to think."

Alarmed Frank pulled her into his lap. His girlfriend was angry. He hadn't dealt with her father much. He was always busy. The handful of times Frank had been in the same room with him he had been cordial enough. But his impression was that he was cold and exacting. "What are you feeling? Tell me."

Callie shook her head. "I can't talk about this here. That other detective is still here."

Frank grabbed her keys. "Then let's go somewhere that we can talk." He took her arm and they got in her car. He drove to Lookout Point and stopped the car. Callie got out and moved to the back. Frank followed her lead.

"My dad is having a dinner party at our house Monday night and the President is attending. The house has to be perfect as well as the menu. He wanted to know where George and Joanne were why they weren't getting things ready. Now I have to do it. How am I supposed to coordinate all this. Mom did all the planning. Why can't dad tell the President what happened to mom? He refuses to reschedule. It's as if he doesn't care! It's not fair! Why is this happening? Oh god! I have to call Emma!" She started sobbing.

Frank pulled her into a hug. He was still digesting everything she said. "Take a minute sweetheart. Just breathe."

Her phone rang. Frank cursed mentally. He saw the readout . 'Linda.' Callie answered. "Linda did dad call you?"

Callie listened for a second and replied. "I'm with Frank."

More silence. Callie's face turned red. "Linda, Joanne is at the hospital with George. He had open heart surgery today."

Frank could feel Callie shaking but this time it was anger. "You're not my boss. I was planning on getting the house together myself. I know mom usually uses a catering company for her dinners. I'm assuming she knew. I'm sure it's in her planner and I'll check when I get home. If not I'll find a catering company and book them."

Callie rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine at the house, don't worry about me. I'm not ready to go home yet. Again you aren't my boss. Bye Linda." She hung up the phone and threw it on the dashboard.

Frank raised an eyebrow. "Who was that?"

Callie huffed. "Linda Reed, my godmother. Her son Patrick Reed plays receiver."

"I know Rick. Can't remember meeting her. His dad is the assistant coach of the football team and teaches calculus. We get him next term. What did she want? And you usually don't get snippy with adults."

"She said dad called her. He wanted her to make sure we were getting the house together. You'd think she'd be upset about mom."

Frank let her vent. That was pretty callous of the women. Then a memory flash. "Cal, wasn't that the woman at your doctors office two weeks ago?"

"Yes she is a certified nurse midwife. She was the one who recommended the depo shots because of my hormone headaches before my very heavy period starts."

He remembered discussing this with her a few weeks ago. He wiped a tear that had started to fall. Callie leaned into him and kissed him. The mood in the car quickly changed. "Love me Frank."

"Always."

Sometime later Frank drove Callie to her house. Callie frowned at the car in the driveway. "What is she doing here?"

"Linda?"

Callie nodded. "Yes Linda."

Frank got out of the car and opened the passenger door for Callie. They walked hand in hand to the door. Before she could get her keys out the door opened.

Linda was there. "Oh honey I was worried. Your father called me in a panic. I'm sorry if I was harsh."

Callie hugged her. "It's alright. It's just a shock. Let me check mom's planner. Hopefully, everything is all set."

"I'm sure it is darling. Your mother God rest, was always organized. Something we had in common. Hello Frank. I hope your parents are well."

"They are Ms. Reed."

"Come in out of the cold for a bit. Where did y'all go?"

Callie answered truthfully. "We went to lookout point."

Linda Reed chuckled. "Nothing wrong with a long talk with a little romance thrown in I hope." She wiggled her eyebrows.

Callie blushed. "Maybe a little."

"Oh honey I was young once."

Callie quickly changed the subject. She did NOT want to admit to anyone except Frank about their lovemaking. "Let me check mom's planner. Frank could you get us some tea."

Patrick came out of the den. "I'll make it for all of us. Hey Frank! The last game is tomorrow night. Unless we go to state."

Frank grinned. "We're going to kill them." He followed Rick into the kitchen. "How is your dad?"

"Doing great. He's dating another teacher, Evelyn Sykes."

Frank nodded. "Doesn't she teach middle school English?"

"Yep."

Frank left Rick with the tea. He found his girlfriend in her mother's office. Tears were streaming down her face. He rushed to her. "Callie?"

Callie sobbing said. "She has everything planned. The set up will happen Sunday. The catering company will come Monday around two PM. Reading her writing made it seem she was still here. Then I remembered seeing her on that table."

Frank hugged her tight and rocked. "It was hard for me to see. I can't imagine how hard it was for you."

The doorbell rang. Callie sniffled. "Who could that be?"

They went to the door and Callie peered at the doorbell camera. "It's your dad."

Callie opened the door.

Fenton gestured toward Ellen's office. Frank noted the tense look and knew that arguing would not be wise. Callie brought him in and closed the door. Fenton gave Frank a cool stare. He mouthed. 'Bugs.'

Frank pulled out his old phone which he had modified. He scanned the room. Frank found two bugs. He handed them to his father who put them in a lead lined case.

"We don't want to destroy them." Fenton said. "Callie, I want you to have these. One looks like a locket with Frank's picture. You squeeze the locket at the hinges and it is a panic button. There is a transmitter inside that will tell me your location and when you are with your father it will record. Here is a second similar device. It's a pen. You click it once to use the pen. After five seconds click it to disengage. Click the pen twice fast and the panic function will work. It also has a transmitter. If you are in any danger use them. These devices are programmed to record any encounter with your are programmed to your father's cell phone frequency."

Callie nodded, taking the pen. "Thanks."

"I need you to record a statement with your name, the date, and that you give me permission to record your daily interactions while with your father.

Fenton engaged the video recording. "I Callie Anne Shaw as of November third of 2020 give permission for Fenton Hardy to record all my interactions with my father."

"Great. Now Frank you will give Callie the locket in the other room. Put the bugs back."

Frank took the lead lined box and put the bugs back in place. Then he took the gift box from Fenton. "How are you holding up sweetie?"

"Not well. I can't."

Frank hugged her. Fenton held up the box with the locket inside. "You left this at the house."

Frank took it. "Thanks dad. I got you a birthday gift. Since you have that state function on Monday. I wanted to give it to you early."

Callie smiled. "I have your gift too. Let me go get it."

Fenton and Frank went to the den. They saw Linda and Patrick Reed sitting on the sofa with a teapot. "Would you like tea Mr. Hardy?" Patrick Reed asked.

"Thank you." He took a mug that Linda offered.

"Poor Callie needs some rest. I insisted on camomile."

Fenton nodded. "It's fine. Frank and Callie are going to exchange birthday gifts. Then Frank and I will leave."

Rick chuckled. "How ironic they both turn eighteen on the same day."

Frank sipped his own tea. "It is."

Callie came downstairs with a rather large box. Frank raised his eyebrow. Callie pushed it into his hands. "Open it."

Frank unwrapped it and when he opened the box. "Wow!" It was a brown leather jacket. "Thanks Babe!" Then he pulled out the wrapped gift his father brought. "Your turn."

Callie unwrapped her present and opened the box. The locket inside was beautiful and simple. "Oh Frank! It's beautiful!"

Frank took it out of the box and put it around her neck. "I thought you'd like it."

Callie turned around and kissed him. "I really do. I'm not taking it off."

Linda looked at it. "Oh it's lovely!" She opened it and saw the picture of Frank on one side. "What a lovely picture. Is that your senior picture Frank?"

Callie looked down. "Yes."

They finished their tea. Fenton looked at his watch. "We should take our leave."

Frank did not want to leave but knew it was getting late. They had school tomorrow. Callie walked them to the door. Frank pulled her into his arms once more and kissed her. "See you tomorrow."

"Can you pick me up?"

"Absolutely."