Author's Note:

Merry Christmas everyone! I wanted to get at least the last chapter out before the holiday. Depending on the next few days, I'm hoping to get out the epilogue before the new year begins. Thanks so much for the reviews! This one is very short so I hope that you enjoy it! Ironically, I think the epilogue will be longer. Anyway, enjoy, leave a review and tell me what you think! Tootles!

Chapter Eleven

"What do you mean 'he was released?'" Frank asked. Joe stood behind him, his mouth open in shock.

"A lawyer came in about an hour before Sheriff Doyle arrived and was able to get him released," Carson explained, shaking his head. "The judge never knew about the warrant and the lawyer was able to get all charges against Ned dropped. He walked out of here a free man."

"How is that possible?" Joe asked, confused.

"The judge said he believed Ned's excuse about not being able to hear the sirens, so the evading the police charge was dropped along with the speeding ticket," Carson growled angrily. He rubbed his forehead in frustration.

"Is he going after Nancy again?" Frank asked, concerned.

"We don't think so," Sheriff Doyle answered. She seemed just as frustrated as Carson. "He left before Nancy did and the only ones who knew she was staying are standing here. He's probably on his way back to Chicago. I'm just furious that all of the charges were dropped over several technicalities and loopholes. The judge didn't even hear my side of the story because this lawyer came in when I wasn't available."

"But what about the outstanding warrant?" Joe asked. He looked over at Frank, seeing his brother getting worked up again over the news. Placing a comforting hand on Frank's shoulder, Joe continued. "Can't we bring him back for that? Why didn't the judge know about it?"

"Titus Greyly, Ned's lawyer, neglected to tell the judge about it," explained Carson, shaking his head. "Seems there were several miscommunications in which people here didn't know anything about it until it was too late and Ned was already gone. It's almost as if they were never able to access the information. I've been on the phone with my office and it sounds like someone is trying to get the warrant dropped."

"Can they do that?"

"If they stop the one who's making the complaint, which would be Ned's mother. I was planning on talking to her while we were on our way back to Chicago, which we need to get moving now. I'm worried about Edith Nickerson though. Ever since her husband passed away a few years ago, she's been very vulnerable and sick herself. I'm concerned that someone might do something to her in order to get the warrant dropped for Ned's arrest."

"What about Nancy?" Frank finally asked though his hands were still clenched at his sides. "Is she in any danger of Ned coming back?"

"You've already expressed your concern about her, Frank," Carson stated, placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "And I appreciate that but she is completely safe, as far as I'm concerned. I'd rather her be here over the next few days anyway until we can get the whole thing squared away with Ned. Marcus knows the situation and he'll keep an eye on her while she's with him. Besides, she can take care of herself. She doesn't need my hand or yours to help her."

"I'll keep you all posted if he shows up here again," Sheriff Doyle replied, looking at each one of them. "I'm just as frustrated as you are. That lawyer made me look like a fool and I don't take too kindly to that. Mr. Nickerson should be sitting in my jail still. But then again, there are times that the judge and I don't see eye to eye very much. As for you Carson, I wish you the best of luck with your own case. This Titus Greyly character sounds like a real slime ball."

"He is, Sheriff," Carson said, serious. "I've had many run-ins with the firm he's with. They're known for being hired by big shots to get them out of trouble so I'm wondering how Ned was even able to afford him. They're not exactly cheap."

"Well, I trust that you and the Hardys here will be able to figure that one out," Sheriff Doyle smiled. "But for me, I need to get back to my duties. It was nice meeting y'all and please, Mr. Hardy." She looked at Frank with raised a eyebrow. "Don't come back. You're too exhausting."

Joe snickered and Carson hid a smile while Frank looked confused. The sheriff waved goodbye before stepping off the last step and walked away from the three men.

"Am I really that difficult?" Frank asked looking from his brother to Carson then back again. Joe burst out laughing and hugged his brother before the three headed to Carson's rental car.

Within 20 minutes, the three were packed onto the small jet with Jack at the controls, on the tarmac of the airport. As the plane took off, Frank watched silently from the window seat as Arizona grew smaller and smaller, his thoughts on someone miles away. He wondered what would have happened if he hand done something different to stop her from leaving.

A few hours later, the Hardys and Carson Drew landed in Chicago. The three were somber as Frank and Joe walked Carson through the terminal of the small airport.

"Is there something you're not telling us about Ned, Mr. Drew?" Frank asked. They were stopped just before the doors that led to the parking lot of the airport. Carson sighed and pursed his lips.

"I can't really say anything at the moment, Frank," he finally answered after a brief moment of silence. "Honestly, I don't know what's really going on with him but after this experience and the fact that he is lawyered out the wazoo, I'm concerned. I'm concerned about Edith and I'm concerned about Nancy. Neither one of them really know what Ned is really capable of. I'm not even sure what he's capable of. All I know is that it has something to do with his employer and that's as far as I've gotten for now."

The three grew quiet, the terminal nearly empty. Frank bit his lip as he stared at the ground, thinking. Joe munched on peanuts while Carson sighed again.

"I need you both to promise me something," Carson finally said, looking sternly at each brother. "If Nancy ever needed your help, I want you two to be there for her, no matter what. Promise?"

"I promise," Frank nodded seriously.

"WE promise," Joe corrected, looking at his brother. Frank barely said a word the entire flight to Chicago except for the occasional yes or no. Joe wondered what was going on with him but he knew that if he pressed it, Frank would either clam up or blow up.

Carson laughed, shaking his head. "You two always knew how to put a smile on my face," he replied. Both brothers gave him blank stares. Carson turned serious once more as he continued. "Whatever is going on, I feel that Nancy will need her friends close to her, no matter what happens. Even if it turns out she just needs some support. I trust that the two of you will fulfill your promise when the time comes."

Frank thought for a few moments while he listened to the older man. He wondered what Ned could have possibly gotten himself into that would make Carson so edgy about him. Ned wasn't really the smartest tool in the shed but he wasn't completely stupid.

"Frank?" Carson's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"You okay?"

"Erm, sure, oh yeah," Frank stuttered, nodding his head. "Whatever you need me to do, I'll do it. I'll be there."

"Am I invisible all of a sudden?" Joe shook his head but didn't elaborate or correct Frank. "Just give us a call, Mr. D. You know where to find US."

"Thank you both," Carson smiled. He turned to Frank and became serious again. "Remember what I told you, Frank. I'm counting on you to do so."

"I'll remember, sir," Frank nodded with a small smile. Joe looked from Frank to Carson, confused. He mumbled something about being invisible.

"Good boy," Carson smiled again, lightening the mood. He held out his hand and shook hands with each brother, wishing them good will. He waved again and strolled out of the terminal towards the parking lot.

"What was that all about, Frank?" Joe asked as they watched Carson head toward his car.

"Nothing, Joe," Frank turned back toward where their plane stood waiting.

"Nothing, my ass," Joe retorted, following his brother. "What did he tell you?"

"Drop it, Joe."

"Oh, come on!"

"Joe."

"It's about Nancy, right?"

"Joe!"

"I knew it! Ha!"

"Do I need to duct tape your mouth shut before we go home?" Frank stared down his brother as the plane's engine started. "Because that's what I'll do if you don't stop asking."

"No, you won't. I'll tell Mom."

"I'll tell her about Vanessa."

Joe pouted, crossing his arms in front of him. He hated the fact that Frank held a bigger secret about him that he couldn't counter on. He glared at Frank who stared lightly back, knowing that he won the battle. But Joe knew that the war wasn't over yet.