Thanks! I guess you guys would be tired of me begging for reviews. I am tired too. So there won't be anymore of those. And this story will continue to be posted as long as there are enough parties keen for it to continue to be posted.
Here's the next installment. To all who reviewed, thanks very much. I really appreciated them.
PK: Thanks. And Z said to email for your password. Manhat's all already there, and all forward sections of Storm. And 'Frank', I need help with that devious clue VM set... ('Jo') And yup, I think the memory flashes are coming along nicely.
Liz: Don't worry, Frank's got the advantage here still ;p How could he not when he's 'Real' and Paul's not?
AnJellyCa: Please don't die of anticipation yet... I need my AnJellyCa-views and my OMGs and my WOWs...
Blue and Bees: thanks and please continue in your generous commentary.
I Remembered a Storm-tossed Night
Chapter 11
There was sunshine from skies. Yet my mood permitted me to enjoy them not. Instead I focused on the alto-Columbus clouds sitting placidly in the distance. I could just make out the grey and burdened underbelly.I knew there were more storms incoming. –Jolly
HBHBHB
34
Fenton Hardy was panting, though he tried hard to hide that fact. He was really getting too old for this; gallivanting around the globe tailing his suspects. He had been following Deemer for a while now. He had managed to bug Deemer's room and knew that he was meeting one of his superiors today. For his son's sake, he needed to know who the players in the next level were.
Instead, he witnessed an execution.
He had watched from the corner at the end of the alleyway where the meeting took place. He watched as the other man, dressed in dark clothes with his hat pulled low to hide his features, pulled out a silencer and shot Deemer point blank.
That guy did not even have a chance, Fenton thought, shocked at the speed at which the entire incident happened.
Then the executioner began to move. And Fenton followed him from the alley onto the busy Paris sidewalk, taking care not to be spotted. Now that Deemer was dead, this unknown assassin was his next lead. He could not afford to lose track of that assassin. He needed at least some clue as to the identity or the person or persons behind that killer.
Then in the next corner, he crashed into someone.
"Fenton!" a voice called out his name as a pair of arms caught him and prevented him from tripping over.
"Durand…" Fenton gritted out.
He strained his neck to see where the killer had gone. He had lost sight of him. Damned!
He turned his attention tiredly back to Durand, who was trying to talk to him.
"What are you doing here, Fenton?" Durand asked.
Fenton almost answered, but he held himself back just on time. Suddenly he did not trust the French policeman before him, though he had yet to place the reason.
"Trying to see if I can spot Deemer in the crowd somewhere… you know I am out of leads, Durand…" He hoped that Durand would swallow that, but to be certain he added another distraction. "By the way, did you manage to get anything else of the potential bookie fraud over the Tour de France?"
Then after a short conversation whereby Durand admitted that the Police Nationale had came up with nothing, Fenton excused himself and left.
As he walked away, he realized why he was suspicious of Durand. He could smell gunpowder when that man reached out to stabilize him. And now that he replayed the entire incident in his mind, it occurred to him that both the assassin and Durand had similar build.
How very interesting.
35
Durand waited till Fenton Hardy was out of sight before his face turned into a scowl. He took out his cell phone and pressed a series of numbers.
"I think Hardy suspects me."
There was a short pause on the other end before the response came.
"Do not worry. Hardy is already being taken care of."
36
It was Friday, and Frank was taking a break with 'Paul' at a nearby Starbuck's. It had been a long week, and 'Paul' was having as hard a time as him learning and mastering the intricacies of the shipping industry.
Schwarz Shipping was divided into four main divisions: Bulk, Container, Gas/Oil, and Research. 'Paul' currently headed the Container division of Schwarz Shipping, and managed a fleet of over thirty Container Vessels that transport of manufactured goods across the globe. It was a daunting task and Frank was surprised that his brother had the patience to go through the logistics and the numbers. Then again, he had a feeling that a lot more of the number bit would be landing on his lap as soon as 'Paul' figure out about his knack for numbers…
Hence he really appreciated it when 'Paul' called for a coffee break and they headed out and away from Schwarz Building. He jumped at the chance to spend some private social time with his brother, away from what he considered the prying eyes of Schwarz Shipping.
There, they had chatted easily just like the old times.
'Paul' told him about his adventures with his parents and that of his time at Oxford.
In return, Frank had talk about his time at Harvard, and shared some of his old adventures with his younger brother.
He carefully chose the few experiences that Joe treasured. He watched 'Paul' closely as he narrated those stories. He used, from memory, the exact same gestures and animations that Joe did when his younger brother narrate those few adventures. And he could not help but feel a little disappointed when they failed to trigger any spark of memory.
And then it was time to go.
Frank sighed. He will try again at the next available opportunity.
They were making their way back to Schwarz Building when Frank caught a quick silvery flash on his peripheral vision. He turned to see a tiny little red dot on his brother's chest. Without thinking he shoved his brother onto the pavement and threw himself over 'Paul'. At the same instant, he thought he heard something whizzed pass his ear.
Next he knew a small crowd was forming around them. And 'Paul' was busy convincing everyone that they were fine. He took a quick glance at the direction where the shot could have come from, but could not see anyone there. It was only logical that the sniper would have been long gone. For that short moment, he just sat back there and enjoyed his brother's natural PR skills in action. Then he started to look around for the bullet.
"Now, do you mind telling me what that was all about?"
Frank returned his attention back to his brother, only to realize that 'Paul' already followed his line of sight and saw the bullet lodged in the wall before them. And he watched his brother's expression turned grim.
"You are not just my PA, are you, Frank?"
The tone was suspicious and mildly accusing. Frank winced. What a record, having his cover blown in less than a fortnight. And also at a time as he was trying to earn Paul's trust. Then again, this was his younger brother he was talking about.
Except Joe didn't remember who he was…
'Yet.' Frank added quietly with steely determination. It would take time, but he would find a way to reawaken those forgotten memories. Whether or not 'Paul' knew, his days were numbered…
Frank turned his full attention back to his brother. He smiled inwardly – one might as well make full use of the opportunity given to him.
"Actually, I am your cousin, your assistant, and your bodyguard, on top of being your PA… now that I have clearly proven my worth, can I ask for a pay rise?"
Frank had to hide a chuckle at his brother's sudden blank expression. He guessed it wasn't often that his little brother got caught out in a verbal riposte. Then he watched as that familiar smile formed slowly on Paul's lips.
"I believe you would have to bring that particular request to your direct employer, cousin mine. But I will make sure grandpa knows you have 'proven your worth' as you say."
"So you knew…"
"That we are cousins? Yes… grandpa told me." Paul arched his brow. "Otherwise you wouldn't have access to our corporate strategy within the first week of your starting work."
"I see," Frank commented as they started on their way back to Schwarz building.
He was surprised when his brother suddenly stopped walking.
"Frank… if I can ask a favor of you?"
"Of course…"
Frank watched as his brother hesitated.
"You can trust me, Paul." He prompted.
"Don't tell grandpa about what happened today…"
Frank opened his mouth, but Paul continued before he could voice his thoughts.
"Can I trust you to keep this to yourself?" Paul asked.
Curious, Frank nodded.
"This is not the first attempt."
What?!
"The first attempt was while I was still in London. Though on the record, that incident was recorded as a failed attempted abduction. But Frank… That was attempted murder."
"But the police report stated that you agree that it was a kidnapping attempt…"
He watched as his brother sighed. "I did not want grandpa to worry more than he already was, so I agreed with the police back then… This is the third attempt…"
Third?!
"You can tell me… I'm a detective. That's why I was hired in the first place." Frank prompted again.
"I know what you are. And that Hardys Investigations has quite a reputation …" Paul said.
Then he added. "I did do a little bit of research into your background when grandpa passed me your CV. … oh well…"
So Frank listened as his brother gave him a quick briefing of the previous two attempts. He had to swallow a crow of delight as he ascertain that his brother still kept his ability to spot important details that were crucial to solving a case.
"Thanks for listening, Frank."
"Don't worry, cousin mine. We'll get to the bottom of this mystery?"
"We? Mystery?"
Was that a flicker in his brother's eyes or was it his imagination? But there was no mistaking that almost wistful smile on his face.
"Yes. We." Frank stated empathically, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Your grandpa hired me to protect you from kidnappers, not murderers. So unless you intended to tell him, or hire me on your own account, I am afraid you'll have to do some detective work there… and I, as your cousin, will of course assist you for free."
Now, there was definitely a flicker of something beyond interest in Paul's eyes!
"Perhaps we can meet up somewhere over the weekend to discuss this further…" Paul suggested.
"Mom always prepares a gourmet meal every Sunday, how about dropping by for tea? I am sure she would love to meet you… and we can have our talk after that…"
"Since I don't have any plans for this weekend, my dear cousin, I would say that is a distinct possibility. I'll have to check with Ehla first… But I'm sure Ehla would love to meet Aunt Laura…"
37
Ehlana was taken by surprise by their disheveled appearance when they finally made their way back into their shared office. Her expression quickly turned into one of concern when 'Paul' explained what happened.
She gave Frank a grateful smile before returning her full attention to her husband, checking through thoroughly and making sure he was not hurt in any way.
Then she did the same for Frank… who was clearly chafing under her scrutiny.
'Just bear with it, its quicker and much less painful that way' was Paul's only advice for Frank.
Ehlana had to hide her smile of amusement as she watched Frank submit quite resignedly to her ministrations.
Laura and Callie must both be quite a personality, she thought.
"Okay Paul dear… what exactly happened out there?" Ehlana demanded to know as soon as the security cameras show Frank driving off.
"Exactly what I told you, Ehla…"
Ehlana blinked in surprise.
"You mean that was not part of your plan?"
"No. Of course not. There is no need for such drama in my plan. And it is now clear someone really wants me dead. This is their third attempt, by the way." Paul told her. "The first, as you know, was in London. The second was last week and now this… And Ehla, Frank really saved my life today."
Then Paul added in a much softer voice and a shake of his head. "And I don't really know why, but I told Frank about the first two attempts. I hoped I won't regret it…"
Ehlana knew there was something there, but she wasn't quite getting it. She was focusing on something else.
"So Frank really did save your life…" She murmured.
Then the truth of what happened suddenly hit her, and she threw herself into her husband's arms. "Oh my god! I almost lost you again today. I almost lost you…"
38
That night I dreamt of a storm-tossed night.
My head hurts. Around me the monstrous waves rose and fell, and the winds howled its fury above me. And I was struggling desperately to hold on to this piece of driftwood.
I was there all alone in the dark churning waters.
Then suddenly a dark and forbidding wall loomed before me. I fought against my fear and looked up.
I saw a pair of desperate brown eyes, so much like Ehla's, staring down at me…
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