A US Marshal, an FBI Agent, and a Private Investigator: Chapter Two
-NDHB-
Joe pushed his way past a crowd in front of his gate and started toward the food court. While he decided what to eat, his phone rang. "Bess," he said in greeting after the second ring, "hey."
On the other end, Bess grinned and peered around looking for something, "Joe. You made it there safly? How long have you been there?"
"Yes, and I just got in. I'm trying to decide what to eat," Joe looked around the airport.
Bess sensed Joe's mood form her end of the phone and brought up more news he would need, "George offered me a place to stay while you're gone. So, I'm here with her and Ross. It's getting a little gross. I think I know why Frank refused to stay with us. You know when you'll be back yet?"
"No," he answered, "sorry."
"It's no problem," Bess said, finally spotting what she was searching for. "You need anything tell me, okay?"
"Yeah, I'll call," Joe heard the static on the other end and frowned.
"Have the pizza," he heard clearly from behind him. Whirling around, he saw a grinning Bess, George, and Ross. "Hey, love," Bess greeted.
Joe planted a kiss on her lips and turned to greet George. "What are you doing here?"
"Helping you, apparently," George replied.
-NDHB-
One hour later, Nancy and Frank sat across from the social worker, Cindy. Cindy reminded Nancy of those people on infomercials-way too perky.
"So, you guys get to take care of her. She's the best baby we've got here. Perfect princess. You'll love her. Oh, you want to meet her?" Frank and Nancy nodded and Cindy jumped out of her seat. "Follow me," she instructed.
Cindy led them through halls until she finally stopped in front of a door. She gestured for them to go through. Frank held the door as Nancy entered. A little baby girl slept peacefully in the white crib in the center of the room. Nancy gently picked her up, "What's her name?" Nancy asked the social worker.
"Michaela, but it's spelled Michael-with-an-a."
-NDHB-
The woman thought about the children she had now.
Two had been returned, two were still here. If the parents would pay, I could get rid of them, she thought.
She was already deciding who she would kidnap next, or she had been. Now, she had some detective on her trail. He'll have to be dealt with. That will be…well no, this looks interesting.
She picked up the sales report. Frank and Nancy Olson's report on the buy of their "dream house". In the margin, her boss had scrawled "sweet kids. Send present for adoption of baby". She knew if they could afford that house they had to be loaded. A perfect target. The detective can wait.
"Melinda?" her boss Kip Coles called, "You have my new client list?"
-NDHB-
"She's probably hungry. I'll go," Nancy volunteered. She stepped across the hall and picked up little Michaela. Yep, the baby girl was hungry. Taking her down the hall and into the kitchen, Nancy ran into Frank who was heating up a bottle. It amazed them both how they could find a rhythm here as well.
"Here," Frank handed over the prepared bottle. As Nancy fed her, Frank started both the adults a midnight snack. "You want turkey or ham?" Frank asked.
Nancy glanced up from Michaela to look at Frank. "Uhh…turkey. So how do you think the kidnapper picks her victims?"
Frank glanced over. Nancy usually never jumped to conclusions, "What makes you think it's a woman?"
"What man would kidnap babies?" she answered.
"You have a point there. To answer your question, I have no idea. She could be a neighbor or in the real-estate agency that owns the land around here. Or, just some crazy person who's incredibly lucky," he replied.
"Stupid maybe, not lucky," Nancy came back.
"Can't be that stupid. She gave two of the four babies back safe and sound." Frank handed Nancy her sandwich in exchange for the bottle.
"Yeah, but she still has two of the four."
Frank slid his arms around Nancy, "Which is why we're here. We'll get her, Nan."
-NDHB-
Bess looked at Joe. Joe looked at Bess. They were in a dull hotel room in some fancy hotel/casino/chapel. "Let's get married," he blurted.
Bess stared at Joe. Did he just say what I think he said? "Wha…what?"
"There's a chapel here at the hotel. They rent gowns and tuxes; we can have a real ceremony after the baby comes. I want to marry you Bess Marvin. So, will you," Joe drooped down on one knee, "Bess Marvin, marry me?"
-NDHB-
Kip Coles watched his secretary walk through the office first thing in the morning. She looked more tired than ever. The days he had given her off didn't seem to be helping. "Mel, why don't you take the day off?"
"Thanks, Kip, but I'm fine. My niece is visiting. She just kept me up later than I expected. I just need some coffee and I'll be fine."
Kip was not blind and years spent with the Hardys had taught him a few things. Something is up with her.
-NDHB-
Two days later, Bess still marveled at the ring encircling her left ring finger. She had been helping Joe as much as possible on the case, but knew he was very annoyed at getting nowhere. "Good morning," she said falling out of his embrace, she headed for the shower.
Joe watched as Bess walk into the bathroom. She had been very helpful the past two days. Bess had taken it upon herself to create a profile of the woman responsible for the kidnappings. I still can't believe we're married. Joe looked at his left hand: there was the proof. We're married. Joe pulled himself from the bed to the dresser.
-NDHB-
Ross looked at George. She was talking to Kip Coles, an insurance agent, whom she apparently knew. He was a commonality in the list of people the victims knew. Ross didn't like Kip, but he couldn't figure out why.
Then it hit him: Kip was flirting with George. "I'll do what I can, George," Kip was saying.
George looked at him and Ross could tell she was checking him out. He looks good, she thought about Kip. "Thanks. So why'd you quit the guide business?"
"Injury," the man replied shortly.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that. Can you think of anyone who could be the next target?" George brought the subject back.
"There is this new couple," he answered. "They just bought a new house here. A lawyer and a pediatrician. They adopted a baby girl, which reminds me, I need to get them a gift. Frank and Nancy Olson."
George grinned, "Thanks. Did you hear Joe's going to be a dad?"
Kip glanced up, surprised, "Really? He marrying the lucky girl?"
"Not that I know of," answered George. "Bess Marvin, my cousin, by the way."
Ross looked at them, completely forgotten. He turned around and noticed a young, very pretty, woman sitting at a desk. "Hey, Ross Yeager," he introduced himself.
She looked up, smiling charmingly, "Melinda Thackerson. I'm Kip's secretary."
-NDHB-
Frank was at "work", a firm the FBI had set up. It was a lovely meeting place for the agents. Nancy was at home watching Michaela. The FBI would set up a position for her in a few days, until then, she would stay with Michaela.
Right now, Michaela was lying on the floor, staring at the television. Nancy was making lunch and keeping one eye on the baby. That was when the doorbell rang. And snapped Michaela out of her dream state to hysteria.
Picking her up, Nancy headed for the door. She peered through the peephole into the smiling face of Bess Marvin. For a second, Nancy was unsure of what to do. She took the risk and yanked open the door.
Bess looked shocked as she stared at Nancy. With a baby crying in her arms. Oh, God, she thought, what is going on?
George and Ross walked up with Joe and Kip. They had the same reaction as Bess. "Nan…" Joe questioned.
"Nancy Olson, yes?" she said gesturing them inside. Nancy securely closed the door before speaking again, "I'm gonna call Frank. You guys can just wait here for a bit." That said, Nancy handed Michaela to Bess and walked into the kitchen.
The living room group looked at each other. The same expression written clearly on everyone's face. "What the hell is going on?" Joe demanded.
"Joe, Nancy'll explain what's going on. We need to wait a bit." Bess moved Michaela to a better position in her arms as she spoke.
"Right. I want to know now," Joe complained.
"Guys, Nan will tell us when Frank gets back from wherever he is," Bess said,
In the kitchen, Nancy pulled the phone off the hook, thought better of it, and pulled out her cell. She expertly dialed Frank's number and waited for him to pick up. "Your brother is here," she said when he answered, "and he brought friends."
"What! I don't think I heard you right, Nan." Frank spoke from the other end.
"If you heard me say your brother's here, then you heard me right. I knew his case was involved," Nancy sighed.
"Don't tell them anything until I get there. Hey, Nan, it'll work out."
-NDHB-
Melinda sat at her desk. She had just met the private investigator on her case. I have to eliminate him. It's a good thing I poisoned his drink.
-NDHB-
Edited: 27 December 2008…ladybug1115