A/N: Thank you for the wonderful reviews, max2013, Lady Emily, Stork Hardy, zenfrodo, Vinsmouse, Jackie, bhar, Caranath, Guest, catlover1033 and Manchu! You all are awesome! And Guest, unfortunately, everyone is a bit hampered in their investigative abilities because this story takes place in the same time period the show did...1977-79. Not a ton of technology available yet, and what we did have was a bit lame. LOL But they'll figure it all out anyway, just a little more slowly. And Manchu, Frank and Nancy tend to be too pragmatic and reasonable to get very dramatic. Especially the TV show characters...those two were not prone to histrionics at all. In fact, Frank even asked Nancy once if she was excited about something, because he couldn't tell. LOL So they will be in dramatic situations, but they'll never act in a dramatic fashion. It's just not who they are. I hope you like it anyway. :) Thanks to all who are reading! The fun really begins in this chapter!

Chapter 7

Early the next morning, Nancy walked quietly over to the marble chapel inside the cathedral, where she found Emily in front of the Madonna statue, writing on a notepad.

Nancy slipped inside the small chapel and approached her. "How's it going?"

Emily turned and smiled. "Great. I've gotten lots of information from the library with Guillaume's help, and now I just want to check some measurements and take a few photos."

"I didn't think cameras were allowed in here."

"Not the kinds of cameras tourists bring in. They have to use bright flashes to record an image." She reached into a tote bag resting on the pew. "I have a camera that curators use. The Bayport museum let me borrow it."

"Wow, that's terrific," Nancy said.

"Yeah, it's really nice. I already took photos of the main altar and where the monstrance was kept." Emily glanced down at her watch. "It's almost six o'clock, isn't it?"

"Yep, Father Bertrand will be getting ready to say Mass in a few minutes, so we'd probably better leave. They'll be opening the doors soon."

Nancy gazed up at the statue. She thought it was rather primitive and somewhat crudely carved, but the golden dress, crown and veil the Madonna wore were all very ornate.

"She's really old, isn't she?"

Emily laughed softly. "Yes, she is, but she's had some restoration work done. And her clothing isn't that old, relatively speaking. Seventeenth century."

"What? You mean they change her clothes?"

Emily nodded. "She and the Christ child she's holding have over fifty different robes and head pieces. Guillaume showed them to me. They keep them under lock and key in the library."

"That's interesting. So, is her history as important as that of the monstrance?"

"More," Emily replied. "She's what the pilgrims who travel here really come to see."

"Then why do you suppose it was the monstrance that was stolen?"

"I don't know," Emily positioned her camera to take another photograph of the Madonna statue. "That would be your job to figure out, Miss Detective."

OOOoooOOO

"Joe, I am not staying locked up in this suite today," Kathy insisted as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "We're in Switzerland, it's a gorgeous sunny day, and the ski slopes are calling me."

"And out there in the open, you would be very vulnerable."

Joe took a large bite of his omelet from room service. The note left in the suite yesterday was an overt threat, and he didn't want to take any chances by giving some nut easy access to the client.

"I'm not afraid," she said, a note of defiance in her voice.

"That wasn't the tune you were singing last night."

Lauren and Tammy entered the room and Joe watched as Kathy walked over to where he was sitting and perched herself on the arm of his chair.

Here it comes, he thought, mentally bracing himself for the attack.

Kathy leaned down and hugged him tightly. "Oh honey, I love that you're so worried about me, but I want us to enjoy our vacation. We don't get to spend enough time together as it is."

Joe paused and untangled her arms from around his neck so he could swallow his eggs without choking.

"Kathy, I just want to make sure you stay safe."

She leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"I know, sweetheart, and I love you for it. But please, I just want to make a couple runs this morning. I'm feeling all cooped up in here." She ran her hand over Joe's cheek. "Please, baby?"

He cringed inwardly at the endearment, and looked up to find his brother smirking as he strolled into the room.

Joe narrowed his eyes and glared at him, then turned to Kathy. "Fine. But only a couple of runs. At least until Frank and I can get a better handle of what's going on around here."

He steeled himself as Kathy threw her arms around him again, hugging him so hard she toppled herself into his lap. She squealed and went to kiss him, missing his mouth by mere inches, as Joe quickly turned his head away from her.

"Thank you, sweetie. I love you so much!" she cooed.

Joe's fists clenched as he saw Frank choking back laughter while Tammy sighed and said, "Gosh, I wish I had a boyfriend like that."

OOOoooOOO

"Oh, come on," Bess pleaded, when Nancy and Emily returned to the hotel later that morning, "you need a break. You've done nothing but work since we got here."

"That's what I was hired to do," Nancy said dryly.

Bess had been on her case all morning about taking some time off to ski. But how could she do that? She'd been here for three days and still had no solid leads on the theft of the monstrance. It was driving her crazy. If only she could talk to Frank.

"Yes, but it's not getting you anywhere." Bess pulled on her parka. "I'm only asking you to take a couple hours off. Maybe it'll clear your head. Give you a fresh perspective on things."

Nancy put her hands on her hips and stared at her best friend. "You're really good, Bess. You almost have me convinced."

"Maybe she's right, Nancy," Emily said. "A couple of hours in the fresh air will do us some good."

Bess clutched Nancy's arm. "You can't come all the way to Switzerland and not hit the slopes at least once."

Nancy rolled her eyes. Obviously the only way to get Bess to leave her alone was to give in for a little bit.

"Fine. Just until lunch though. Then it's back to work."

"Perfect." Bess gave her a dimpled smile. "Lars is waiting in the ski shop for us."

"I hope I don't regret this," Nancy muttered as Bess led her out of the suite.

OOOoooOOO

"Is everyone ready?" Kathy asked, surveying her friends and Frank and Joe as they gathered their ski gear in the living room.

This was exactly what she wanted. Spending time doing something fun with Joe. He was never going to be able to see how perfect they would be together if all they did was stay in this suite and worry about her stalker. She was done with that.

"Yeah," Joe said, a note of irritation clearly evident in his voice. "I'm still not sure how I feel about this."

Kathy sidled up to him and linked her arm through his. "Oh, honey, I know you're worried about me, but try not to let it spoil our fun today, okay?"

He was so amazingly attractive. She could hardly believe she had him at her beck and call for the next two weeks. And by the end of that time, she knew he would be hers permanently.

Joe pulled away from her and snatched up his skis and poles. "I'm not trying to spoil anyone's fun, I'm just trying to lie low until I can get a handle on what's going on around here."

She leaned into him again, running her hand along his back. "Look, I already told you, I don't want some psycho to keep me from enjoying this vacation. I trust you, Joe. I know you can protect me."

"Kathy, I'm not a superhero."

"No, you're just great at what you do." She smiled seductively, hoping she looked alluring. "And don't worry, I won't let you out of my sight. I'll hold onto you as tightly as I can."

"Swell," he muttered as they walked toward the elevator.

There. She knew he would come around. He really did want to ski with her. And she was going to make the most of it.

OOOoooOOO

"Ah, there are my beautiful American girls," Lars called out as Nancy entered the ski rental area of the resort with Bess and Emily at her side.

Bess blushed and ran over to him. "I talked them into coming," she said, gesturing to her friends.

"Wonderful!" Lars grinned. "Marco and Matteo are waiting outside. Let's get your gear on, and we can join them."

Nancy tried not to roll her eyes. Bess had obviously arranged this ski session as a way to get another date with Lars. She should have known…it was the way Bess operated.

Emily walked over, a look of alarm on her face. "Bess didn't mention anything about this being a triple date."

"No, she didn't," Nancy replied. "And I'll get her for that later."

Nancy looked outside the large panoramic windows bordering one entire side of the ski shop. The sun was shining and the snow was fresh and powdery, and she thought that maybe Bess had been right. This might be exactly what they needed. She grinned at Emily. "But for now, I want to ski."

Emily laughed. "Me, too."

Lars came over with some ski-boots and gestured for Emily and Nancy to sit on a nearby bench. "Let's see if these fit you."

Emily smiled at him as she sat down. "Oh good, are you're going to help me? I hate putting my boots on. I can never get the clips and straps tight enough."

Lars grinned. "These boots will fit you like a glove. This is one thing I'm very good at."

"Surely that can't be the only thing you're very good at," Bess teased.

Nancy couldn't help rolling her eyes at that obvious line.

"Don't you ever stop, Bess?"

OOOoooOOO

Joe turned his head swiftly at the sound of familiar laughter.

It couldn't be.

It was.

Emily was seated across the room, with some blond Adonis kneeling in front of her and adjusting her ski boots.

What?

Joe was baffled.

Kathy continued to clutch at him. "What's wrong, honey?"

Joe didn't answer, he just continued to stare at Emily. He watched Bess Marvin take a seat next to her and spotted Nancy directly behind her. He shook his head.

I must be seeing things.

Suddenly, Emily looked up and her eyes widened. He saw an expression of excitement and joy on her face, then just as quickly it turned to one of bewilderment and hurt.

What's the matter, baby?

He tried to walk toward her and realized Kathy was clinging to his arm tightly, leaning her head on his shoulder and rubbing his back.

Oh, no, Em. It's not what you're thinking.

He tried to untangle himself from Kathy, but her grip was too tight. He looked at Frank and gestured with his head wildly toward the girls.

Frank's mouth fell open and he shot a warning look at Joe.

Damn it. Joe knew this was a mess. If only he hadn't told Emily he would be working in some stuffy D.C. office for the next few weeks. He didn't blame her what she must be thinking now…he just had to fix it before it was too late.

OOOoooOOO

"Are these okay? Not too tight?" Lars asked.

Emily didn't respond. She was staring across the room at someone who looked exactly like Joe. But it couldn't be, because a blonde girl, who looked for all the world like she was in love with him, was clinging to his arm and leaning her head on his shoulder.

He's not stopping her. He's not pushing her away.

Emily began to breathe rapidly. The flash of hurt was swift and hard, like she'd been kicked in the chest.

Oh my gosh, I've been so stupid. He's not on a case. He's skiing with someone else. He's here with another girl.

Her world was imploding. The room began to spin and she reached out for something to hold onto.

"Emily?" Lars took her outstretched hands into his. "Are you all right?" He looked around wildly. "Bess? Nancy?"

Bess put her arm around Emily and Nancy leaned over her.

"What's wrong, Em?" Bess asked. "Are you feeling sick?"

She couldn't answer. She couldn't take her eyes off Joe. He had seen her now, but he wasn't moving. Wasn't coming toward her. He still had his arm around the other girl. She was kissing him on the cheek. Kissing him!

Oh, God, it's true. He doesn't want the blonde to know about me.

Hot tears stung her eyes and her breath was coming in gasps, as she pulled her hand away from Lars and grabbed Nancy by the arm.

Nancy leaned down and whispered in Emily's ear.

"There's a good explanation for this, Em. There has to be. This must have something to do with their case."

Emily shook her head violently and her voice was quivering. "What other possible explanation could there be? He told me he was on a boring government case in D.C. That he probably wouldn't even get outside to see the sun for weeks."

She struggled to her feet, running out the door of the shop as quickly as she could with the heavy boots on her feet. She stopped when she got outside and looked around wildly.

Where can I go? I can't look at them. I can't. I can't.