Sorry about the delay in updating, I wasn't sure when to end this chapter, so it's a little long. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reviews on previous chapters!
Chapter 14
The deep emotion of Kailey's voice caught the attention of the Hardys.
Kailey caught the three words from the other end, "We've got her."
"What?" she exclaimed.
Her father's voiced sounded more composed as it replied. "She has been arrested."
"NO way!" Kailey replied, her response filled with absolute disbelief.
"Really. I can assure you the police have captured the correct woman. I identified her this afternoon," her father told her, desperate for her to understand.
"That's kind of crazy, you know that dad."
"Yes, but at least you are safe now. You and all your brothers don't need to worry about her anymore."
Kailey let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding. It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. There was something nagging her at the back of her mind, but she ignored it. "So now what dad?"
"Well, I'm going to send someone up there to bring you back while I take care of everything here."
"Oh," she paused, but then quickly continued as to not alarm her father, "Okay that sounds like a plan. How did the police catch her?"
"Yeah. Well, Kailey, I'll let you know more tomorrow. Right now I have to go."
"Okay dad," She sighed. He's always on the run. "Talk to you later."
"Yeah, bye honey."
"Oh, and dad," she added.
"Yes?"
"Thank you so much for calling me."
"No problem sweetheart. I love you."
"I love you too!" she responded and heard the click of the terminated call. With a big smile covering her face, she returned the phone to her sweatpants' pocket.
"What did you dad have to say?" Joe asked from the top of the stairs.
She looked up at Joe, grinning from ear to ear. "My dad says they've caught her!" Kailey exclaimed.
He ran down the stairs as Frank also closed the space between her and his family. "How?"
Her grin faltered as she responded, "Well, I'm actually not too sure." Kailey had paused to take a deep breath, finally everything was going well. Noticing the confused look on her hosts' faces she expanded on her short answer, "He's going to tell me more tomorrow because he had to go. Basically, my dad only told me the police have her locked at the precinct downtown."
"Oh," Frank said.
Mrs. Hardy pushed past her older son to embrace the young woman before her. Her demeanor had taken a complete 180 and Laura couldn't hold back her motherly emotions anymore. "That's great news, Kailey! You must be absolutely thrilled!"
Pulling out of the hug, Kailey took a glance at the seemingly Norman Rockwell family in front of her. "I am extremely relieved mostly."
"That's fantastic! Now go take a seat on the couch and I'm going to whip up a treat real quick to celebrate!" Mrs. Hardy urged, nudging the Hardy men to follow her suggestion.
Soon enough the five of them were enjoying each other's company, laughing at the sitcom, and eating ice cream. All the tension had dissipated. None of them were concerned with the outside world. They were a normal family, being corny and throwing out quirky jokes.
Those minutes flew by and after a while Mrs. Hardy brought the dishes to the kitchen. Then the boys dispersed. Left with the TV, Kailey curled up with the blanket that Joe had retrieved earlier. She was content.
….
"Shhh, don't wake her!" said a woman's voice, harshly, like it was reprimanding someone.
"Don't worry mom, I won't!" was the desperate response that sounded like it was a natural; the line had been used many times before and not in his benefit.
"Come on, we're going to be late, sleeping beauty!" piped in another man's voice.
"Okay, okay, I'm going, sheessh," said the previous man's voice. Rustling could be heard before he continued, "Bye mom, see you later!"
"Bye boys. Have a safe drive and a great day!" declared the caring woman. About a minute later after some hushed comments the front door brought in a taste of the chilly weather. It caused the girl strewn across the couch to stir and grab for more warmth. Yet, she didn't wake, but remained a little longer in the state before sleep, where she was vaguely aware of what was going on in her surroundings.
"I think we've got it!" woke the young woman who had just been disturbed by the slamming door. She groggily sat up and saw an older man quickly shedding his winter jacket and boots. Then he rushed to the kitchen.
Interested in learning what all the commotion was about, Kailey rubbed her eyes and left the comfort of the blankets. Approaching the kitchen she heard the woman from earlier, "Fenton, you must be more quiet. That young woman has been through a lot lately and needs to recharge. She can't do that with you and the boys constantly making a racket."
Kailey entered the room to see an aggravated Mrs. Hardy with her hands on her hips and glaring intently at her husband who looked embarrassed at the lecture. Fenton declared, "I'm sorry Laura. I'll think before I speak next time."
"Good," Mrs. Hardy said smiling. "Oh Kailey, how are you doing?" she asked noticing her standing awkwardly in the doorway half asleep.
"I'm pretty well. Thanks Mrs. H," She turned to the man that was getting comfortable at the table. "What did you find?"
He smiled. Just like his boys, directly to the point. "It's actually not that much. A few more people came out to testify against those men we had arrested. They had identified them at the station earlier," seeing Kailey's surprised face, he elaborated. "We tracked down others that had the same ransom cases."
"Wow, that's fast," she said, thanking Mrs. Hardy for the cup of jo put in front of her and Fenton.
"Yeah, well with the double kidnapping, arrest and explosion, the police are deciding to make this a bit of a priority. They realized that these perps need to be tracked down now before we lose their trail completely."
"At least they've finally got some sense knocked into them. Did you ever figure out if there was a traitor in the midst?" Kailey asked, eager to know more, not too concerned with her growling stomach.
Mrs. Hardy interrupted, "Her sweetie, take some food. I believe your stomach is trying to tell you something."
This got a good laugh from the two at the table. Before resuming their conversation, each took a few minutes to drink and eat in peace.
"So what else happened?" Kailey inquired of the seasoned detective.
"Well," he began, glancing at his wife, "You remember that agitated cop that was questioning you earlier?"
"Yeah."
"Well, kind of forgetting about him since he hasn't showed up to work, we checked his background and there were a few discrepancies, but we're trying to get into contact with him now. If the mole isn't him, the police chief is running through of all the officers on the force and hoping to figure it out by today."
"That's good!"
"Yes," Fenton smiled. Kailey could tell there was something else, but didn't want to push him and have him go into a defensive mode, especially with Mrs. Hardy hovering.
"Why don't you get yourself cleaned up? And we can begin the day!" Mrs. Hardy suggested hearing the dry slurping of the hot beverage. Understanding that remaining there was mute; Kailey agreed and left them in the kitchen.
Perched on the stairs, she could hear Mrs. Hardy ask pointedly at her beloved, "Fenton, why are fueling her investigative sense, it's almost as bad as the boys. I don't really want to answer to her father if anything else happens. I don't remember that man being small or remaining completely calm when his children were involved in something."
"Yes, I know, but I don't want to shut her out. She seems like she needs someone to confide in and I believe our family can be there for her."
"Okay. I agree with you there, but still be careful with the information you divulge. You are the detective. Those kids are just teens and have other things, like school to worry about."
"Honey, don't worry. I will be careful," Mr. Hardy replied and gave his wife a "trust me" deep kiss. This is when Kailey chose to do as she had been asked. Overhearing conversations wasn't part of it, so she slowly retreated upstairs.
There wasn't that much of an exciting day to begin in the Hardy household. Mr. Hardy was gone when Kailey came downstairs. Mrs. Hardy was on the phone. She lugged her backpack to the table and spread out her books. Complete immersed in her studies, Kailey jolted up when there was a tap on her shoulder.
Pulling the earplugs out, she said, "Sorry Mrs. Hardy! I didn't hear you!"
"It's okay honey. Would you like something to drink?"
"Yes please!"
"Okay I'll be right back. Hot chocolate sound good?"
"It sounds perfect!" Kailey responded. Mrs. Hardy scooted off to the kitchen in Mother Hen mode. Trying not to get too engrossed in her studies, Kailey flipped through notecards. Surely, less than ten minutes passed before Laura returned with two steaming cups. The young girl thanked her host as she sat opposite.
After a quick sip, Kailey looked at the older woman across from her who was grinning. Laura asked, "Do you like it?"
"This is phenomenal! What else is in it?" Kailey exclaimed. Excited to drink the warm and soothing liquid down her throat as soon as possible, she sputtered and coughed at the taste of another potent ingredient.
"Just some pumpkin spice," Mrs. Hardy said watching the young woman go for another sip at a slower pace.
"That really makes this drink even more fantastic!"
"Thank you honey. Just drink it slowly before you burn your mouth or spill it all over your books."
"Okay," Kailey replied drawing out the word. "Where's Mr. H?"
"Oh, he just stopped by to pick up lunch and some other snacks because he didn't think he'd be leaving the station for the remainder of the day and won't have time to go and get food."
"Oh. The boys at school?"
"Yep."
"Well, since I'll be going back to school next week because they've captured that woman, I need to keep up with my work. Surprisingly I haven't accomplished too much this week."
"Alright then, I will let you work. In a little bit I'll warm up some soup for lunch. You were outside quite a bit the other night, so I don't need you getting sick on my watch. So, any sniffle or tickle in your throat just let me know," Mrs. Hardy told her as she got up to leave.
"I will! Thank you again."
"No problem sweetheart," Mrs. Hardy said as she kept herself busy, reading magazines and clearing the kitchen counter for lunch. The day easily passed for the women who remained at home. Silence took over the house and was not disturbed until later that afternoon.
"Ma—oom, we're home!" belted a voice that could only be the one and only Joseph Hardy followed by a slammed door.
"Joseph Hardy keep your voice down!" yelled an annoyed Laura Hardy. Her youngest had yet to master subtlety, especially at home. It seemed as he had forgotten about their guest, but that's understandable because they've been rather occupied the last few days.
"Sorry mom!" he whispers back loudly, while Frank laughed. The boys quickly shed their winter attire by the front door and entered the kitchen.
Mrs. Hardy just shakes her head while looking up from her cooking magazine.
Kailey chimed in, "Well, Joe you sure know how to make an entrance!" This comment filled the room with laughter. The boys just continued to scrounge the cupboard and the fridge for some snacks.
Frank turned to his mother, "Oh mom, by the way Callie is coming over in a little bit to work with me."
"Okay, well, just let me know if she's staying for dinner."
"Will do," Frank managed to get out with his mouthful of cookie.
"Don't talk with your mouthful," Mrs. Hardy told her son.
"Yeah Frank, where are your manners?" Joe mocked.
"Har, har, har," Frank replied and smacked his brother over the head.
"Hey!" Joe yelped in defense.
"Hay is for horses," Frank responded, taking a seat next to his mother.
Joe just rolled his eyes and poured a drink for himself, while Kailey giggled. Mrs. Hardy just rolled her eyes at her sons' antics.
Eventually each teen began to focus on their studies until the doorbell rang. Joe chose that moment to try and beat Frank to the door. Kailey just watched the brothers mess around with each other right in the living room.
Kailey ripped her headphones out and headed for the door. The poor girl was probably freezing outside and the boys were completely oblivious. Shortly she opened the door. "Hey Callie!"
"Oh hey Kailey! How are you?" Callie inquired as she entered the house and started to shake off her coat.
"I'm good. You?"
"I little chilly actually." Callie then proceeded to ask, after taking off her shoes, "Where's Frank?"
"Callie?" A muffled voice wondered from the front room. Then there was a scuffle and a "Joe!" Finally Frank Hardy straightened himself out and approached his guests.
"Hi Callie, sorry about that," Frank began and looked back at the living room where Joe was beginning to emerged with an aggravated face. "Ready?"
"Yeah!" she replied.
"Okay, follow me," he said heading towards the kitchen. Then Frank turned to Kailey, "Thanks."
"No problem. Go have fun!" she said giving them her best smirk.
The two passed into the kitchen, then Kailey felt an hand clamp on her shoulder. She looked up.
Joe was standing there grinning, "Nice one."
"Thanks, 'twas nothing."
Joe rolled his eyes. "Do you do anything besides being smart?"
"I like sports."
"Really, like what?"
"Soccer. I'm also part of the high school cheer squad," Kailey paused, seeing his disbelief clear across his face. "Don't even get me started how I got suckered into that one."
"Okay, I won't. But still, YOU. Cheerleading? I'd never thought you'd put those two words in a sentence together unless there was a 'never have I ever' in between them."
"OH, hardy, har, har, you're so hilarious Joe."
"Thanks, I know. It's about time someone else realized it."
Kailey slugged his shoulder and resumed her reading/ focused position at the table. Joe slowly retreated back to his room.
Minutes later, Frank and Callie emerged from the kitchen with steaming cups of hot chocolate. The couple stopped only when Callie grabbed her bag and Frank held the cups. Before going upstairs the two youngsters stopped.
"Kailey, are you still up to going shopping Saturday?" Callie asked, turning around. You could tell she had been increasingly curious about the answer.
"Yes. I definitely am. I need a break from the testosterone."
Callie laughed, "Okay, good. I'll let Lauren know and we'll talk about it more tomorrow."
"Sounds good!" Kailey responded and returned to her book as Frank and Callie ascended the stairs.
A/N: please Review:)