A/N: So, Smithy was right about the timeline regarding Ned's wedding. I went back to Chapter 3 and changed it from 'a year ago' to 'a few months ago.' Thanks, Smithy! And thanks to those who have left a review! Now on to the story.

Chapter 4

After dinner, Frank said, "Now that we're officially on the case I'd like to figure out our game plan. Go over what we know and don't know and I think it'd be best if we discussed that in the privacy of one of our rooms."

"We can use our room," Nancy said. "If that's okay with Bess."

"Fine by me," Bess said.

The group arrived at the women's room and Bess slid the key card into the door's slot. A familiar click and flashing green lights signaled the door was unlocked.

Joe stepped forward. "I'll hold the door."

"Thanks," Bess said and switched on the lights as she entered the room.

Nancy checked her watch. Eight forty-five pm. No wonder she was feeling a little tired, but like Frank she was anxious to go over the facts they'd gathered and decide on a game plan.

Bess kicked off her sandals, tossed her handbag on one of the double beds, and collapsed next to it. "What a day," she mumbled.

"We can sit over there." Nancy pointed Frank and Joe in the direction of a glass table and chairs located at the far end of the room.

The room was identical to Frank and Joe's. Taupe colored wallpaper with a bamboo motif gave the room a tropical feel. Two double beds separated by a nightstand and lights took up one wall. A large armoire containing a TV and closets dominated the wall across from the beds and provided excellent TV viewing while relaxing in bed – if one was so inclined. A computer desk and chair shared the same wall as the armoire.

Frank and Nancy took seats at the glass table while Joe pulled up the chair from the computer desk. Bess forced her tired body into a sitting position on the bed.

Nancy pulled a notebook from her handbag and flipped through the pages. "Okay, here's what I have. Mr. and Mrs. Airedale arrived yesterday at about three o'clock."

"At the hotel?" Frank liked to be specific.

"Yes," Nancy answered with a nod.

Joe shook his head sadly. "Only in Hawaii one day and his wife is murdered. That's rough. They didn't even have a chance to enjoy the place."

"How true," Nancy agreed. "Mr. Airedale told the police that he and his wife unpacked yesterday then went to the hotel's Hanalei Bar and had drinks on the terrace. They took a quick stroll on the beach and then met Melinda for dinner in the Waikiki Restaurant."

"That's in the hotel, too and it's expensive," Frank said. He and Joe had seen every restaurant and bar in the hotel during their search. They now knew the complete layout of the hotel and grounds.

Nancy continued reading from her notes, "After dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Airedale returned to their room and watched the sunset from their balcony." Her eyes flickered to Frank. His earlier comment about the beach and sunset came to mind, but she quickly returned to her notes. "Mr. and Mrs. Airedale talked for awhile and went to bed early."

Joe drummed his fingers on his thigh. "Sounds like a pretty uneventful day to me."

"Except," Frank said and all eyes turned to him, "at some point the murderer spotted the Airedales."

"Yeah," Joe said slowly, "he could've seen them at the bar or the swanky restaurant."

"The Airedales have been here a full day. The murderer had plenty of time to find out what room they were in and plan his attack," Frank said.

Nancy said, "And whoever the murderer is, he came prepared, he had a gun."

Joe rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Crime of opportunity or was Gwen Airedale the intended target?"

Frank frowned as he mulled over those options. "What about today?" he asked nodding at Nancy's notepad.

"Today." Nancy consulted her notes. "Today, the Airedales were together until approximately two thirty or two forty-five. That's when Mr. Airedale left the room to check on things for the fashion show. He met with John and Kate Mansville in the lobby."

"I know them," Bess spoke up. "They're big names in the design and fashion industry."

Joe turned to Bess. "Have you met them?"

"Only once," she said, slumping a bit in defeat. "When I said I knew them, I meant more as in I know of them. Sorry, I guess I'm not being very helpful."

"You're very important to our investigation," Frank said with sincerity. "Anything you can tell us about the Mansvilles is useful. Do you think either of them could be a murderer?"

"Gosh, no." Bess was emphatic. "They're in their late fifties or early sixties and they're the nicest couple in the world. I can't imagine either of them being a murderer."

"Well, we'll check their backgrounds anyway," Frank said. He grabbed the complimentary hotel notepad and pen resting on the table and scribbled John and Kate Mansvilles' names on it.

Nancy continued from her notes, "Mr. Airedale and the Mansvilles checked the stage construction and lighting and ordered some changes be made. Shortly after that Melinda Smith joined them and they all inspected the outfits for the show."

"That's another person we need to check out," Joe said, "Melinda Smith."

Frank wrote her name on the pad.

"I'm telling you, she really is nice!" Bess insisted.

Joe smiled at Bess. "You say everyone's nice."

Bess pouted and crossed her arms defiantly. "Well, they are." A smidgen of anger washed over her. She knew these people and her friends didn't. She'd worked with these people for the past two and a half years.

"It's okay," Nancy said in an effort to calm and reassure her friend. "And we really do value your opinion, but we have a job to do and it's important that we remain objective. We wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't consider every possibility."

"And every possible suspect," Frank added.

Bess let out a heavy sigh. "I know, you're right." She plopped back against the pillows on her bed and spoke more to the ceiling than her friends. "I just can't imagine any of the people I know being a murderer."

"Maybe none of them are," Joe said. "At this point, we don't even know if Gwen Airedale's murder was planned or it was a robbery gone bad."

"A random robbery is a very real possibility," Nancy said although she didn't feel that was what had happened. Mr. Airedale had not mentioned anything missing from his room and the brief glimpse Nancy got of the room showed it was not ransacked.

Joe nodded at Nancy. "Exactly. Where was Mrs. Airdeale found?"

"Behind the couch," Nancy said, "which could suggest she was trying to hide or take cover."

"This wasn't a robbery," Frank said firmly.

"Huh?" Joe frowned. "You can't be sure of that."

Nancy's blue eyes shone with curiosity.

"Think about," Frank said as he glanced at each of his friends. "Mr. Airedale hired us less than three hours after his wife was murdered. That tells me he knows something, something he didn't tell the police, something important. If he truly thought his wife was murdered during an attempted robbery he'd have let the police handle this case all on their own. He wouldn't need us as Melinda said, 'to find his wife's killer.'"

Frank's reasoning impressed Nancy and a discreet smile of admiration curled her lips when she spoke, "I think Frank's right and we need to meet with Mr. Airedale first thing in the morning to get some answers. Some honest answers."

Bess started to speak, but the chirping of her cell phone stopped her. She reached for her handbag and withdrew her phone. "It's a text message from Melinda," she informed her friends.

Joe flashed a wary look. He wasn't at all sure Melinda could be trusted.

"Well, you got your wish," Bess said, dropping her phone on the bed. "Mr. Airedale wants to meet with all of us tomorrow morning at 9am sharp."

"Perfect," Frank said.

Nancy looked at her watch. "Goodness, it's after 9pm. I need to call dad and Hannah. With everything that's happened I completely forgot to call home."

Frank tore the sheet of paper with the suspects' name from the notepad and got to his feet. "Joe and I need to get going. We haven't called our folks yet either. When I call them I'll ask dad to have Walter or Maggie run background checks on some of these names for us." He held up the sheet of paper.

Frank and Joe's father was the well known Fenton Hardy. He'd started his career as a detective for the New York police department. He'd resigned years ago to accept cases of his own. His reputation quickly grew and he started the very successful Hardy Detective Agency. Walter and Maggie were two of the agency's employees.

The group said their good-nights and once the door shut behind the Hardy brothers Bess collapsed on her bed.

"Oh," she moaned, "what a day. I hope you, Frank, and Joe catch this killer soon."

"As do I," Nancy said.

She scooped her handbag off her bed and dug through it in search of her phone. She was anxious to call her father and their longtime housekeeper, Hannah, and tell them about her new case. Her thoughts drifted to Frank as she dug through her bag. The quicker this case was solved the better chance she had of spending time alone with him.

Two hours later Nancy and Bess were ready to turn in for the night. Both had phoned their parents and informed them of the murder. Of course their parents were concerned, but anyone who knew Nancy Drew knew mysteries and murders usually found their way into her life.

As Nancy pulled back the bed covers her phone rang. She picked it up from the bedside table and her eyes lit up when she saw the caller ID.

Frank.

Frank's deep voice came over the line. "I know it's late Nan, but well, it's Hawaii and there's a full moon and we haven't had two minutes alone since we arrived."

Nancy sighed softly. "I know." She looked at the sliding glass doors leading to the balcony. She and Bess had left the doors and drapes open to enjoy the cool, evening breeze.

"What would you say to a quick stroll?" Frank asked.

Nancy's blue eyes sparkled. "I'd say you read my mind."

"I'll pick you up in five minutes."

Exactly five minutes later Frank tapped on the door. Nancy was ready. She'd pulled on shorts, a tank top, and a light sweater. Frank wore cargo shorts and a blue polo shirt.

As soon as the door closed behind them Frank slipped a hand into Nancy's. It amazed her just how comforting that one simple gesture could be. A feeling of warmth spread over her and a smile of pure happiness lit her face. She leaned her head against Frank's strong shoulder.

"I've missed you," Frank said as they walked to the elevator.

"I've missed you, too."