Chapter Eight

Ned watched Nancy sleep as he sat across from her on a recliner. They were in a rental property outside Bayport where he had been staying for the past few weeks. He smirked as he read the text from the spy when the Hardys returned to the office. "Boy, was he mad!" was what it read. Ned just wished he could see the look on Frank's face. He stole another glance at Nancy then rose silently from the chair. She slowly popped an eye open, seeing that she was alone and got up quickly, heading for the door.

"You keep forgetting, Nancy, that I know you well," Ned said, leaning against the wall just out of sight of the front door where she was heading. Nancy stopped in her tracks and turned toward him, a look of disdain on her face. "I'm surprised it took you this long to try something."

"I was just biding my time, Ned," she replied, folding her arms in front of her. "Do you honestly think I want to be anywhere near you?"

Ned shoved off the wall and walked slowly toward her. "You don't have a choice, Nancy," he said. "I don't think you realize what kind of predicament you really are in."

She stared at him silently, her breathing slow and steady. Her eyes searched around her for an escape route but she stopped when Ned laughed.

"You are so predictable," he smiled.

"And you are a joke, Ned," Nancy replied. She started toward the door but it opened and a large, beefy man walked in, barring her way out.

"I told you," Ned snickered.

Nancy looked back at him and shook her head. "What happened to you?" she asked softly.

"What do you mean?"

"The man I fell in love with years ago would never do this," she explained, stepping slowly away from the guard at the door. "Why are you doing this at all? You were a good person and I don't understand what corrupted you like this."

"You want to know how I got like this, Nancy?" Ned said, raising his voice. "Ever since I saw that one look you gave Frank back when you had that case at Mount Mirage, that's when. I knew from then on that there was something going on between the two of you. I know you were stuck on the mountain in the avalanche with him. What happened during that time? I highly doubt that it was anything 'innocent' as you keep telling me. Do you honestly think I wouldn't notice the looks every single time the two of you were together? Huh, Nancy? And what was that trip to Egypt about? I heard Bess gossiping about it to George one day when she didn't think anyone could hear her. You posed as his wife? Am I supposed to believe that it was all innocent?"

"You have some nerve, Ned!" Nancy yelled. "What about all the girls you've been with? Were they just 'innocent' as well? I never lost sight of what we had in all the times I had cases, whether they were with Frank or not! I always came back to you! I never would have done anything to jeopardize our relationship but for some reason you think I did? What about Jessica Thorne? Or Callie Shaw? Am I to believe that they meant nothing to you? What were you doing all those months after we were engaged? You disappeared weekly, Ned! Weekly! You said you were going on business trips but did you think I was dense? I called your office the last couple of times you were gone and your secretary said you hadn't been on a business trip in years! So now tell me what was going on then?"

"You know good and well Jessica Thorne was just a way to solve a case!" Ned roared. "She meant nothing as I told your father several times but he never believed me. I was trying to get out from under your limelight. I wanted to prove to you that I could solve a case without your help! It backfired on me and it's the reason why our relationship started to strain. Your father started putting ideas into your head that I wasn't worth it anymore! Well, I showed him! As for Callie, well, she was to get back at Frank for all those times he went after you!"

"Frank never went after me, Ned," Nancy replied softly. "He was loyal to Callie every single time but their relationship floundered recently so what you did was just quicken the end. You should be kicking yourself because you are the reason why he's happier than he's ever been! You are the reason I finally figured out what I felt for Frank. YOU DID US A FAVOR, YOU SPINELESS, FECKLESS JACKASS! And if you think that I'm going to marry you, you have another thing coming. I wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot pole after everything you've done! I know about the women, Ned. How can I not? How can you stand there and profess this love to me if you've given it away to every bimbo and hooker in Chicago and any other city you've been in? That's not love, Ned. That's obsession. That's insanity. You want something that you are never going to obtain. At least, not from me."

Ned stood there, glaring at her. Nancy continued to defy him but standing her ground, her arms still folded in front of her. He knew from the determination that she was right. He wasn't going to get anything from her. Ned suddenly rushed up to Nancy and grabbed her by the neck, slamming her into the wall. The gesture was so quick and hard, that stars danced in front of her eyes. Ned squeezed his hand around her neck, a choking sound coming from her mouth. Nancy kicked and pushed, anything she could to be able to breathe, but Ned just squeezed harder.

"I did everything for you, Nancy," Ned said through gritted teeth. He stared at her bulging, frightened eyes. "I knew you wanted to wait until we were married to do anything intimate and I respected that. I just didn't realize you weren't waiting for me. You were waiting for someone else. You were waiting for him. Frank is not going to have you though, Nancy. I'm going to make sure of that. And yes, I was with those girls but they meant nothing to me. I even made them wear wigs so that they would look like you. I did it for YOU. Now I'm going to do one more thing for you, Nancy."

He let go of her, dropping her to the floor. Nancy choked, taking in gasping breaths as she lay on the floor. Ned bent down, leaned into her ear and whispered, "I'm going to let you live for now because I want you to see Frank take his last breath. And then there will be no one standing in our way of being together. Consider this my one and only wedding present to you."

Ned stood up and looked over at the man by the door. "Get her up and go to the airport to wait," he said. "I have a few errands to run. We'll leave when everyone gets there. Do whatever you need to do to make sure she doesn't escape from you."

"What do we do now?" Joe asked, looking at his brother and father for answers. The three were gathered in Fenton's office once again, a heavy feeling hanging in the air.

"I don't know, Joe," Fenton answered, shaking his head. He stole a glance at Frank who stared at the ground, his arms folded in front of him. "Frank?"

His oldest son looked up at him but didn't say anything. Fenton could tell he was angry and hurting but there was really nothing they could do to change what happened. He was about to say something more when Joe's phone cut him off.

"Hello?" Joe answered, looking confused.

"Oh, Joe!" You need to come home!" Vanessa cried. He could hear CJ crying in the background.

"What happened?" Joe asked, his internal alarms going off. He thought maybe something happened to the baby but nothing prepared him for what she said next.

"Someone was in our house!" she cried. "I was out to breakfast with Mom and when I came home, the back door was open, the lock broken! I didn't know what else to do other than go to the neighbor's house and call the police."

"I'm on my way, Van," he said angrily, rushing out the door. Fenton and Frank watched him go and soon followed behind. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Just stay there and don't leave that house until you see the lights!"

"What's happened, Joe?" Fenton asked once Joe was off the phone. He noticed his son heading toward his car and stopped him.

"Someone was in my damn house, Dad!" he cried. "I need to get to Vanessa and CJ!"

"Not like this, you're not!" Fenton said, taking his keys. He walked over to his own car and ordered his sons to get in, Joe in the front and Frank in the back. Within seconds, Fenton was maneuvering the car onto the road and sped away. None of the three men noticed a van pull out behind them.

"Whoever it was," Joe muttered, his face red with anger, "when I find them, there won't be anything left for the police to take care of!"

"Joe, calm down," Fenton replied from the driver's seat. "It could have been just a burglar for all we know."

"Dad, I don't care!" his son yelled. "This was my house! What if Vanessa had gone in not knowing and someone was there?"

"Be thankful that it didn't happen that way, Joe," replied Frank though Joe could tell his brother was still upset about his own situation.

"Shut up, Frank!" yelled Joe, turning around in his seat to glare at him. "You don't have a family so you don't know how it feels! It's not always about you, you know!"

"That's enough, Joe!" yelled Fenton. He looked in his rear-view mirror at Frank. His oldest son was looking out the window, pursing his lips. Fenton then turned his attention back to Joe. "I know you're on edge but you don't have to take it out on us!"

The stoplight ahead of them was red and just as Fenton pulled to a stop, Frank got out of the car, slamming the door. Fenton was about to go after him when the light turned green. The car behind them honked their horn and he moved forward. He was caught in a bind. Fenton knew that if he let Joe go on by himself, there was no telling what the unpredictable young man would do but if he let Frank go out alone, something might happen to him. Deciding to stay with Joe, he looked over at his youngest son. "Are you happy now?" Fenton asked quietly.

"No," Joe said quickly. He stared out the window at the shops and houses they passed. He regretted the words the moment they came out of his mouth. The two men rode in silence until Fenton pulled into Joe's driveway, police cruisers everywhere. Vanessa came running over to Joe the moment she saw him. She was still scared, clutching the baby in her arms.

A few minutes later, an officer came to them to report that the house was empty. Whoever broke in stole nothing, the house as clean as it was when Vanessa left earlier. The only thing wrong was the backdoor was busted open.

"You're coming to stay with us," Fenton ordered Joe. Although his son tried to protest, he eventually gave in. "Gather a few things together and the three of you need to go on to the house. Joe, you stay with Vanessa and your mother. Do not leave them alone. Am I clear?"

When Joe didn't answer, Fenton glared at him until he nodded. "I'm going to go find Frank and I'll meet you there."

Joe watched his father run to his car and drive away. The only thing was, he had no intention of following his father's orders.

Xander was in the tech room of Hardy Investigations when he saw Frank storm back into the building alone. He could tell the man was angry but he knew that it was a good time to talk to Frank as Miranda had left just moments before.

"Frank?" he called down the hall after opening the door. Xander heard a sigh and Frank reappeared in the hallway, looking annoyed. "You got a minute?"

"I guess," Frank replied, walking toward him.

"You okay?" Xander asked. "It's not really that important if there's something bothering you."

"Sorry. It's nothing, Xander," Frank waved it off, lightening up. "What's up?"

"I thought about what you said yesterday," the young tech replied sheepishly. "I need to show you something that I saw."

He gestured for Frank to follow him toward the tech room. The room was small but sufficient for their needs. It was just the office surveillance room but was also where the investigators could view their own surveillance videos from cases. Another door was at the other end of the room, a storage closet.

Xander sat down in front of a small bank of screens and began typing something into the keyboard as Frank took the chair next to him. Seconds later, a video popped up onto one of the screens. It was grainy but Frank could make out three people gathered together.

"This was yesterday morning," Xander explained, pointing to the screen. "This is Stacy but I can't figure out the other two."

There was no sound but Frank still watched intently. He knew who the other two were but he couldn't figure out why the three were together. He thought back to the files from the night before. Sam was helping but how did he even know? And why was Stacy involved?

"Did you show this to my dad?" Frank asked, still staring at the screen.

"No," Xander hung his head, slightly. "You're the first person I told. I tried to confront Stacy but Sam came up. Is one of them Sam? Who's the other?"

"Nan…Wendy," Frank replied, correcting himself. He still didn't' know if Xander had anything to do with Nancy's disappearance. He was about to say something more, when they heard a noise coming from the hall. "Are you the only one here?"

"I think so," he answered. "Mostly everyone didn't come in today, which is understandable and Miranda left not long after you, Joe, and Mr. Hardy did. Stacy and Wendy also never showed up and I think Sam went to the bay to investigate Jessica's murder."

The two stared at the screens but didn't see anyone in the halls, offices, or lobby. Frank took out his gun just in case and checked to make sure it was loaded. He then looked to Xander.

"What I leave this room," Frank said sternly, "I want you to lock this door and barricade it. No matter what you hear or see, don't. Leave. This. Room. Understand?"

"But there's no one out there," Xander pointed out. "You might be overreacting."

"I know and I'll make sure you know it's clear," Frank said pointing to the screens. "Just do as I ask for now. Okay?"

Xander huffed but nodded. He wanted to help but he also knew he wouldn't much good to Frank. Seconds later, Frank slowly opened the door and left the room. Xander rushed over, locked and bolted the door. He then moved a table over in front of it. The table wasn't much of a barricade but the dead bolt sure was. He returned to the screens, noticing a man come in the back door from the alley. It caught Xander's eye since everyone usually came in through the back door. Checking the screens, Frank was about to round the corner in the lobby pausing just before. Xander had a feeling something was off and picked up the phone but he slammed it down when there was no dial tone. He checked his pockets for his cell phone and cursed himself. At the worst possible time he could have done it, he realized he left his cell phone at home…again. There was no way of warning Frank about the intruder without giving himself away in the process. All he could do was record what was happening and pray that Frank would come out okay.

Frank held his gun out in front of him as he slowly walked down the hall toward the lobby. He heard another noise and prepared himself before he rounded the corner. Knowing surprise would be his best tactic, he swirled around the corner, taking aim.

"Jesus!" cried Miranda, looking startled. She nervously eyed the gun while holding her hand to her heart. "What the hell, Frank!"

"Miranda?" Frank said, looking around. He lowered his gun just a bit. "Is there anyone else here?"

"Just me and your crazy ass!" she cried. She was gathering a few things, one of which fell onto the floor, face up. Frank's face went pink a little bit as he picked up the bridal magazine and handed it to her. Miranda saw his reaction and smirked just a little. "Did you think that I was looking at that because of you?"

Frank blushed again and turned away. Miranda's sudden change in demeanor should have alarmed him but his thoughts were elsewhere.

"You didn't answer my question, Frank," Miranda said sweetly, eyeing him.

"I don't know what to think when it comes to you, Miranda," Frank answered, irritated.

"Well, Frank, it was for a 'friend' of mine," Miranda smiled. Frank gave her a blank stare. "I mean, she's not really a friend, per se and she didn't ask me to help. Her fiancé asked me to find the perfect gown for her. See, she's not really into the whole wedding thing. Well, at least not with him, anyway."

"Huh?" Frank looked confused. He lowered his gun even more but kept it in his hand. "What woman wouldn't want to marry the man she's meant to be with?"

"That's a good question, Frank," Miranda said, pointing at him. She walked around the desk, her hands behind her back. Walking slowly toward him, Miranda continued. "Honestly, I think he's delusional at times but it is what he wants even if she doesn't want him." She lowered her voice just a bit, stopping a few feet from him. "She has her eye on someone else if you catch my meaning." Miranda winked at him.

Frank stared at her, taking in what she was saying. He noticed the change in her voice, the alarm bells finally going off in his mind. "Who…who are you?" he asked.

"Well, I think that it was obvious," Miranda said sweetly. "But then again, it took you five and a half weeks to figure out Wendy."

Frank's eyes went wide at the realization that the mole was standing in front of him. There was only one person she could be. He saw movement out of the corner of his eye and turned toward the cubicles to see a familiar face sneering at him. Before he could raise his gun again, Frank heard a puff of air and felt a prick in his neck as if a bee stung him. Instinctively, he reached up to feel his neck, pulling something out. Looking down at his hand, he saw a small dart though his vision was already blurring. Frank looked up at Miranda who held a small tranquilizer gun in her hand and a smile on her face.

"No hard feelings, Frank," she said. "Just business."

Taking a step forward, Frank's knees buckled, the gun falling from his hand. By the time his head hit the floor, he was out cold.

Author's Note:

I hope that everyone had a wonderful and blessed Easter holiday (and if you don't celebrate it, blessings to you anyway!). Even though I had this chapter written on paper Friday night, I wanted to wait until tonight to actually get it onto the computer. I had a busy weekend with Easter egg hunts and family gatherings. It was so much fun watching my one-year-old picking up eggs and the girls looked so cute in their matching dresses today! Maybe one day, I'll put up a picture of the two for everyone to see. Anyway, most of you figured out that Miranda was the mole and this was just confirming that. I'm just wondering if, after this chapter, you guys figured out who she is. Kudos to anyone who can figure her out along with who Jessica Thorne is (and no, she's not the Hardy's Jessica). Oh, and if you were wondering about Nancy's middle name, I made it up. I have no clue as to what her middle name is and I don't think there's any mention of it in any of the books. If there is, let me know! Lots of great ideas and theories floating around in the reviews as well! Thanks to everyone who left a review! I love what you have to say! Well, I will leave you at this. And don't forget to leave your mark to let me know you were here! Until next time, God bless.