A/N: So, this is the part when I throw myself at your feet and beg for forgiveness. I am a terrible, mean author, and I apologize wholeheartedly for the lack of updates. Please forgive me.


Thanks to all Reviewers!!!

Dedication: To my wonderful reviewers: Carolyn, LizMary96, Rose123, MidstRide, MissMe113, Miss Fenway, Mouse95, whitetigers, kungfukitty2006, and Cherylann Rivers.

Disclaimer: In the six or so months since I last updated I have not acquired the Hardy Boys.

Phil watched Marion's face anxiously expecting to see anger instead Marion looked mildly amused. Phil chewed on his lower lip as he anxiously awaited Marion's reply hoping that Vanessa's gamble wasn't about to get them both killed.

"Oh?" Marion asked his town deceptively calm. "I'm afraid I don't quite know what you're talking about Miss Bender, would you care to elaborate? In other words, what is you think I do exactly?"

Vanessa paused carefully considering how to proceed at this point, a single misstep could not only result in her own death, but the death of her friends, and possibly something a whole lot worse like the destruction of New York. "Well, honestly, I think you're, how should I phrase this, involved in some, uh, extralegal activities?"

Marion actually laughed at this. "Since we're being honest, what's say I be frank with you, Miss Bender?" He didn't wait for a response. "Let's say, hypothetically, I was to be involved in some questionable investments, how would you feel about that?"

"Well, it wouldn't really be any of my business, would it?" Vanessa answered carefully.

"That, my dear, would depend on whether you're willing to accept my offer."

"What exactly is your offer?" Vanessa replied.

"How opposed are you to extralegal activities, as you so charmingly put it?" Marion asked idly.

Phil and Vanessa exchanged a nervous glance. "Um, that depends on what kind of extralegal activities we're discussing, I'm pretty opposed to murder…but if we're discussing skimming a tad off the top of some financial records or something, well who hasn't done that, every now and then?" Vanessa said forcing a choked laugh out which came out sounding more like a croak but Marion didn't seem to notice or if he did he declined to comment.

"Of course, I would never dream of killing anyone…" Marion said his tone carefully innocent. "In fact, I would call what I want you two to help me with more questionable then necessarily…illegal."

"Oh?" Phil asked raising an eyebrow. Somehow, he really wasn't all that reassured by Marion's response.

"Indeed." The man replied. "The thing is, I have a few vacancies on my technical crew, and I need some replacements…"

"If you don't mind my asking, what happened to your old employees?" Phil asked, something about Marion's tone freaked him out.

"Oh…yes, of course, they simply weren't suited for the job, if you know what I mean." He paused again. "So, I would like to offer you both jobs working on my technical crew, the most questionable activity you would be involved in would be some moderate hacking, and I'll double the paycheck you're currently receiving."

"It's a tempting offer, Mr. Marion, really it is…" Vanessa was cut off by the businessman.

"I'm sensing a but, Miss Bender, I'm sure I needn't tell you this, but I really, really, dislike being said no to." His eyes flashed dangerously. Vanessa and Phil shared an anxiety filled look before Vanessa answered.

"Well…I guess we could take the jobs, I mean, I wouldn't want to disappoint you after you were so, uh, hospitable toward us." Vanessa responded carefully.

"Excellent, now that we have that settled, I'll have Todd escort you to your rooms." Marion picked up the phone at his desk and pressed a single button and talked quietly into the receiver for a few moments before hanging up. "He'll be here in a few moments."

"I'm sure I must have misheard, you Mr. Marion, I thought you said Todd would be escorting us to our rooms…"

"Nope, you heard correctly, Miss Bender," Marion replied. "My entire technical crew lives here, they do very important work for me, and I wouldn't want to risk one of my competitors snatching them up."

They probably all live here because he kidnapped them all. Vanessa couldn't help but think.

"Vanessa and I cannot simply drop everything, we need to inform our current boss of our resignation and pick up our clothes and everything…"

"Don't worry about it, I will inform your boss of everything, and Todd or Jim will go pick up your clothes from your apartments," Marion replied smoothly. "Now that we have that settled, you'll be meeting your co-workers tomorrow morning, have a wonderful evening." Just as Marion finished speaking a knock sounded at the door. "Enter."

"You called for me?" Todd asked.

"Ah, yes, of course," Marion replied. "Miss Bender and Mister Cohen have kindly accepted my offer to work on my technical crew, please escort them to their rooms in the East corridor."

"Of course, boss." Todd replied before beckoning for Vanessa and Phil to follow him from the room.

Marion waited until several minutes before picking up the phone once more and requesting that Frank be brought to his office.

A/N: Well, that concludes this chapter, please review, I will for real try to update soon, I probably won't get a chance until next weekend though. But, I am really excited for my plans with this story…which should probably bring up red flags in your minds, you may have realized that there has been up until this point, a disturbing lack of Frank!whumping. And, those of you who have read my other stories know that the chances of Frank escaping anything unscathed are well, pretty close to zero. Haha. Review!