A US Marshal and FBI Supermystery: Chapter Three

-NDHB-

"Sir, are you sure? Kill Nancy?" Sophia exclaimed.

"Yes, kill her," this time no regret sounded in his voice as he issued the hit on Nancy Drew.

-NDHB-

"Joe, I have a bad feeling," Bess started the dinner conversation.

"What kinda 'feeling'?" her boyfriend questioned.

Bess shrugged, "I don't know, Joe. Bad. Something bad's gonna happen." I know it.

"I'm sure it's nothing." Joe assured her. He paused trying to decide how to phrase the subject change. "Bess…I'm going to meet Frank for lunch tomorrow," he said suddenly.

"That's…good, Joe."

-NDHB-

Frank and Nancy stopped for dinner on their way back to the federal building and Nancy's office. Frank continued to watch Nancy carefully for any signs that the blood loss was getting to her.

"Nan," he said suddenly over salad.

"Yeah," Nancy glanced up from the dessert menu.

Frank started, "Joe and I had a fight."

"Really, when was this?" Nancy questioned, badly feigning shock.

"Yes, and I'm sure you know all about it," Frank added. He paused as he tried to find a way to change the subject. He decided there was no reason to be subtle, "We're meeting for lunch tomorrow."

"That's…good, Frank."

-NDHB-

"You didn't tell your friends. Did you, George?" her long-time boyfriend asked.

George replied, "No. Nan wasn't there and I think they both need to be there, you know? I want to tell them at the same time. I wouldn't be fair for one to know before the other."

"Sure, but it's beginning to look like you think I'll back out," Ross Yeager teased.

"Of, course you'll back out," George teased right back.

"I love you, George," Ross declared. "I'll never leave you!"

"I love you too, Goofball," George pushed him away as he tried to capture her waist.

He pulled away, "And you'll tell Nancy and Bess we're engaged?"

"Nancy called and said she could have lunch tomorrow, so I'll tell them then I guess," she leaned in and kissed him.

-NDHB-

Late that night (the same night Nancy caught the case) she called her "shrink", Bess. "George called me; I told her I could meet you guys for lunch tomorrow," she started.

"That's good. She came by to see me today for lunch. I think she wants to tell us something. Any ideas what it could be?" Bess's voice came through the phone.

"None," Nancy replied. She brought up one of the things she called about, "So I was talking to Frank and he mentioned a certain lunch with his brother tomorrow."

Bess sighed, "Joe told me. I'm trying to stay out of it. God, that's hard. I just want to shake them and tell them how stupid their being! You know that's like, I'm sure."

"Yes, I can see how they've been idiots for years," Nancy agreed

"So, you kiss Frank yet?" Bess changed the subject.

"Bess, we're just…"

"Friends, I know," Bess finished the much-used statement. "But, you've got to admit you like him, Nan. Love him?"

"Sure, I like him. We're friends." But deep down Nancy knew the truth. I love him. Why can't I tell Bess and George? , Nancy chided herself. "You know what, Bess, maybe I do love him," Nancy whispered after Bess had hung up.

-NDHB-

The next day Frank Hardy walked into the pizzeria Joe asked to meet at. He immediately spotted his brother. Joe was sitting at the very back of the restaurant; facing the door as any cop or private investigator would. Just like Frank, he needed to see who was approaching. Consequently, he saw Frank as soon as he entered.

"Hi," they both nervously said as they hesitantly shook hands.

"How've you been?" Joe questioned after a few tense seconds.

Frank answered, "Good, you?"

"Fine," Joe let the conversation trail off.

"So…," Frank said grasping for a topic.

"Yeah…uh…so…Bess said you're working with Nancy on a case?" Joe said after searching just as hard for a topic to discuss.

"Yeah," Frank agreed. He sighed, "Joe I'm sorry I left you to run dad's business."

"You didn't. I decided to stay with it," Joe acknowledged the truth.

Frank grinned, "You want to help us with the case?"

Just like that, they cleared up years of silly fighting. Frank quickly shared the basics of the case with his younger brother.

As they waited for dessert, Joe decided to catch up, "So, Frank, you still in love with Nancy?"

"Joe, I was never in love with Nancy. We're just…"

"Friends, God, Frank, just admit you love her," Joe demanded.

"I don't love her," but Frank knew he did, in fact, love Nancy Drew. "And besides, what's up with you and Bess?"

"I'm asking her to move in with me," admitted the once playboyish brother.

"Really? So you guys are serious," Frank noted.

"Oh, yeah. I'm not afraid to admit when I love someone," Joe commented.

"I'm not afraid to admit when I love someone either. But, I don't love Nancy," Frank cut Joe's train of thought off.

"Of course not," Joe sarcastically replied.

-NDHB-

"Hey, guys. Sorry I'm so late," George said rushing to the empty seat.

"'s okay, George," Bess and Nancy replied as George joined them.

"So. I have news," George started, "you know how Ross asked me to move in? Well that wasn't the actual question…he asked me to marry him. We're engaged!"

"George," Bess screeched; she and Nancy jumped up to hug the smiling George.

"This is great news, George," Nancy said breaking the hug.

"I know," grinned the dark-haired friend.

"You realize this is a little weird, right?" Bess commented.

"It's not that weird," George defended her choice, "we love each other."

"Bess is just pointing out that he used to be your teacher," Nancy backed Bess up.

George rolled her eyes, "I know, but…it doesn't matter any more. And he's not that much older than I am."

"I have news too, guys," Bess spoke softly.

"What's wrong, Bess?" George asked, concerned.

Nancy noticed her friend's tone of voice as well. This would not be good news.

"I'm pregnant," admitted the young woman.

-NDHB-

Sophia was done with this.

She no longer cared if her boss, her one true love, came after her.

It was over she would die either way, so it didn't matter. Did it?

She had framed the man now in prison. She had carried the order out to kill the only witness. Jane was going to turn on Sophia's boss and they couldn't have that, now could they? N, as he was known, had issued the execution order. But, Sophia had "borrowed" the knife.

She hadn't wanted to.

Sophia knew the famous Nancy Drew would figure it out. Now Sophia had taken on the hit for Nancy. She couldn't kill Nancy. They weren't true friends, but they had been partners. There had to be something in that.

The only problem was how to get out of the hit.

-NDHB-

Edited: 27 December 2008…ladybug1115