Author's Note:

I am so glad that I was able to get this out today. I'm having surgery in a few days so I wasn't sure as to when I would be able to get another chapter out if I had waited any longer. Maybe while I'm home, I'll be able to get another chapter or two out before Thanksgiving. Anyway, thanks so much for reading the previous chapter and for the reviews! I appreciate every word that you all leave for me. This chapter should explain a little more as to how the FBI obtained a few bits of information that the Hardys and Carson need in order to find Nancy. I hope that you enjoy the enjoy the chapter and, if you will, please leave a review to let me know what you think! Have a great week and see you next time! God bless!

Chapter Four

Fenton moved quickly though he wasn't sure if he made it before the gun went off. He grabbed a hold of Carson and pulled the lawyer down to the ground while Frank, Joe, and Director Kruger ducked as well. Shouts and sounds of struggling echoed around the room before it finally went silent. Fenton poked his head up to see Bryant and another agent holding down Haynes who still struggled beneath them. The assistant director exchanged glances with him before Haynes clamped down his mouth. Fenton's eyes went wide as the man began to convulse, his body stiffening. The two agents looked in shock as they realized what happened though there was nothing more they could do but watch.

"Everyone okay?" yelled Kruger seconds later. She smoothed her suit as she rose from the ground.

"I will be when Frank gets off of me," Joe growled, squirming underneath the protective arm and body of his older brother.

"You're welcome, Joe," Frank grumbled as he shifted his weight. "Next time I won't bother to save your ass. Dad, are you and Carson okay?"

"I think so," his father answered warily. He was still staring at Haynes who was no longer moving. Shaking his head in disbelief, Fenton shifted his attention to Carson who still hadn't moved. "Carson?"

When the lawyer didn't answer, Fenton shook his friend only to get a groan out of him. Kruger noticed the situation and ordered an agent to call for help. She knelt down next to Fenton and helped him roll Carson over.

The man's eyes were closed though thankfully he was still breathing. Fenton checked his friend over for injuries and as he pulled back the lapel on Carson's blazer, a bright red spot began blossoming in the shoulder region.

"Oh, no," mumbled Kruger.

Fenton immediately went into action by ripping off his own jacket and crumpling it up before applying pressure to the wound. He said a silent prayer for Carson but at the same time, he cursed himself for not moving faster.

"Is there anything we can do, Dad?" Frank asked scrambling over to his father.

"Here," Fenton nodded towards Carson, "take over. We need some answers."

Frank proceeded to continue the pressure to Carson's wound as his father rose to face Agents Bryant and Reyes. The two were standing nearby, watching in disbelief as their former boss was being covered with a jacket.

"You said you knew Nancy was back in England," Fenton growled angrily. "How?"

"Mr. Hardy," Bryant objected, "now is not the time to be asking questions."

"Oh, I think it's the perfect time," he cried, pointing his finger at them. "My friend's life and family are at stake here. Now you tell us what you know or I'll bring down the same wrath that Carson Drew would have done to you!"

"I don't think…"

"Agent Bryant," Kruger interceded, rising from the floor, "I suggest that you follow the man's request. Haynes is no longer here to order you to stop and even if he were, he'd have no power to stop you. Now please, I'd like to hear your answer as well."

Bryant sighed and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. He looked around at everyone who stared at him then glanced again at his former boss. "We received a phone call from Interpol a few days ago," the agent finally spoke. "They had information for us about a murder committed in the French Alps. A man by the name of Francois Moliere was found dead in his villa along with his entire household. I told Director Haynes about it and he said to sit on it until we knew more."

"But what does that murder have to do with Nancy?" Frank asked rising from the floor. Joe took over taking care of Carson.

"Moliere called Interpol with information a few weeks ago," Reyes continued. "He said that Genevieve Carter arrived at his villa looking for safety after the house she was working out of was discovered by the authorities."

"Right," Joe nodded. "That was when Interpol visited us."

"You are correct, Mr. Hardy," the agent replied.

"What was Moliere's relationship with Carter?" Fenton inquired.

"More importantly," Frank piped up, "was Nancy with her at the time?"

"Moliere was an old family friend of Carter's," Bryant explained. "She grew up with him in her life even though he was wanted in several countries. It's unknown if she knew about his business practices or was oblivious. Moliere informed Interpol after she arrived…with a young woman matching the description of Ms. Drew. He did not say her name but he did say she was with Carter. Now they are not sure that the two are together."

"Then how do you know Nancy's in England?" he asked angrily. Fenton noticed his son getting agitated and placed a gentle hand on Frank's arm. Frank exchanged looks with his father then nodded. "I'm sorry. I just want to find her."

"I understand that, Mr. Hardy," the agent smiled. "The only reason why we know that she's in England is because we received word that the same man who was at Moliere's villa returned to England a week ago. At least, that is the rumor."

"What are you talking about?" Fenton looked confused.

"Moliere gave Interpol a huge bit of information," Reyes replied. "A man arrived not long before Carter. He's the one everyone has been looking for including Kate Drew and, at the time, Marcus Haynes."

"Kate told me years ago about the person she was investigating," he said, the memories flowing back to him. "She said he was a person of interest though they had no idea who he really was. Is this the guy? Is he the one who supposedly killed Kate?"

"Moliere was going to tell Interpol something about Kate Drew as well," Reyes piped in. "But he was silenced before he could say anything. His death was a warning to all who defied this man. Moliere's tongue was cut out."

"So, is Kate alive?"

"Yes," Bryant nodded.

"And how do you know that?"

The agent bowed his head. "There was a file on Haynes' desk that was about Kate Drew. It was still an open case though I had never seen it before. There was a post-it note inside stating that she had called him 10 years ago. He knew all this time that she was alive."

"Then why didn't you say something?" Kruger asked angrily.

"He caught me looking at it and ordered me not to saying anything." Bryant shook his head. "I…I should have done something the moment I saw it. We knew months ago that the abduction had something to do with Kate Drew but neither Reyes nor myself knew that there was a possibility Kate Drew was alive until a few weeks ago. We were just told to keep the information about her from anyone until we had concrete proof."

"You could have come to me," the director stated. "We could have caught Haynes long before this and get more information on the abduction!" She turned to watch Carson being taken care of by paramedics then to Fenton. "I am truly sorry for this. For all of this. This is not how we operate. I will make sure that everything Haynes knew and has done will be made public and given to you."

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to Director Kruger," Fenton said as politely as he could. He looked down at his friend whose eyes were fluttering.

"I know," Kruger nodded. "I'm apologizing to you all for how you've been treated."She turned back to Bryant and Reyes. "You two, in my office. Now." The pair nodded then quickly left the room. Kruger glanced at the other agents in the room. "You know the drill. Confidentiality is a must here. I want Barton and Nikola to stay behind while the rest of you return to your stations."

As one, the group of agents surrounding them slowly made their way towards the doors while two agents stayed behind. The paramedics were getting ready to leave with Carson though Fenton stopped them before they moved. Carson's eyes were slightly open, a deep blue hue staring up at him tiredly. Frank and Joe gathered behind their father.

"Promise…me," the lawyer said softly, the words coming out slow.

"We will," Frank stated. Fenton and Joe both nodded. They all watched as the paramedics pushed the stretcher out of the room, the agents parting in order to make a way for them. Only Haynes' body remained along with the coroner.

"I'm sending my boys to England," Fenton announced. "They'll be able to find Nancy and Kate."

"I cannot condone that course of action, Mr. Hardy," Kruger shook her head. "I can have my agents work with Interpol on this. There's no need to send anyone."

"They're going," he growled. "Don't tell me that I shouldn't either. Nancy is a part of our family. Frank and Joe are the best possible scenario to get her back safely. They know how to take care of themselves and I trust them more than I trust someone I just met, meaning you. And Kate was a close friend of my wife. The moment Laura finds out that she is possibly alive, I might not be able to stop her from coming in here and causing even more embarrassment for you and the FBI. Trust me, you don't want that."

The director sighed and shook her head in defeat. "Fine but your boys have no idea who they're dealing with. This man has been elusive for years. No one, and I mean no one, knows who he really is. He changes his name, just as Davenport did but this one is different. He has killed, maimed, and destroyed people's lives in order to keep his identity secret. British Intelligence and Interpol have both stated they believe that he's the one who has your friend now. Carter is still in the picture though we don't know at what capacity."

"Do we have name for him?"

"Yes. Donatelli."

Fwap!

"Sit up!" demanded the woman after she whacked her stick across Nancy's thigh. "You Americans and your terrible posture! I will never understand how you have survived without good posture!"

Nancy closed her eyes, the sting from the switch still burning. She knew she was going to have a bruise but also that more would come later if the woman kept hitting her. Opening her eyes, Nancy glared up at the woman standing above her.

Madam Bündchen was a tall woman with pitch-black hair that was pulled back into a tight bun. She was stern-looking with dark eyes the stared down at Nancy like a hawk to its prey. The knee-length dress she wore had no pattern and a high collar to the point of choking. Nancy just hoped she wouldn't have to wear such severe clothing.

Their session began an hour after Nancy woke up that morning and was still going on into the afternoon. She was surprised to find herself in bed instead of strapped to the chair she was in the night before. Her body felt clean and her clothes were changed, which scared her just a bit as to who did it.

At breakfast, Nancy entered the dining room to see Donatelli sitting at the table waiting for her. A woman stood just behind him. He smiled as she stiffly walked toward him.

"Did you have a good night, darling?" he asked.

"Don't call me that," she snarled, gingerly lowering herself into the chair. Nancy immediately slouched to make herself more comfortable. That was when the woman behind Donatelli lashed out and hit her across the back of the hand with a switch. Nancy cried out in pain, grabbing her hand.

"Nancy," Donatelli smoothly replied, his attention moving to the food on his plate, "meet Madam Bündchen. She will be your etiquette tutor for the next few days. I would suggest that you sit up properly while she's here though. She really doesn't like bad posture." He looked up at the woman who sneered. "Madam Bündchen, so good of you to come on such short notice. Do you think you can have her ready by this weekend?"

Bündchen stared down at Nancy, her eyes cold as ice. "Stand up!" she ordered, her Slavic accent thick.

Nancy obeyed and slowly rose, still rubbing the welt that was beginning to form on her hand. Her legs were still a little wobbly but she held her head high in defiance. Bündchen walked around her, scanning over her body as she went. When the woman was done appraising Nancy, she locked eyes with Donatelli and sighed deeply.

"I think it can be done," she nodded, "but her posture will be the hardest to change. American postures are horrible and this one is no different."

"Anything else?" he inquired, quirking an eyebrow.

"She has good bones," Bündchen stated. The woman touched Nancy's hair slightly, pulling it away from her neck. She cupped her chin and moved it to see Nancy's face better, examining every inch. "Good face, hair, complexion. I don't see any other issues at the moment. Is her attitude in check?"

"Hardly," Donatelli laughed. "She was punished yesterday but I think we've learned our lesson. Haven't we, Nancy?"

The young woman stared back at him, her blue eyes burning with hatred. Madam Bündchen smacked her again with the switch, this time on her leg. Nancy cried out in pain again, leaning over to rub the pain away. Bündchen poised her arm to strike again.

"Answer him!"

"Y...yes!" Nancy cried, her eyes watering. She stood up quickly, her lip trembling.

"Good," Donatelli smirked, amused by Bündchen's tactics. "Now, as you can see, Nancy, Madam Bündchen has my permission to hurt you in order for you to comply. Do you understand?" Nancy quickly nodded, not wanting to be hit again. "Wonderful. However, I must ask her not to hit you in places where people would be able to see the bruises. The lower back or upper thighs perhaps."

"As you wish, my Lord," Bündchen nodded curtly. "I do request that you refrain from tying her to a chair in the future. She needs to be alert for me and her body limber. I will keep the training today to a minimum but tomorrow she will be on her feet. If you want me to teach her how to be a lady, she needs mobility.

"We have an agreement then," he smiled. Donatelli rose from his chair and walked over to Nancy. "I have to leave and will be gone for the next few days. I expect you to follow Madam Bündchen's orders without a fuss. And when I return, I trust that you will be the lady I know you can be."

"I hate you," Nancy whispered, glaring at him.

He leaned forward, his face inches from her own. "I know and it will help you in the long run. Use that hatred to propel you to greatness, Nancy." Donatelli took a step back and studied her once again. "I'm hosting a dinner party this weekend and I expect you to behave. Madam Bündchen will help you with that. She will be your guide that night though she will stand away from you. Anything you say will be heard so no alerting anyone as to who you really are. I also have a stylist coming later this week. He'll make you look like a princess and no one will know the real you. Until I return, Madam Bündchen is in charge as well as Austin once he returns. You follow orders and you will be rewarded." He looked back at Bündchen. "You have five days until I return. When I do, I expect results."

"And you shall have them," she nodded.

With that Donatelli gave Nancy one last look before walking out of the room. Once they were alone, Bündchen hit Nancy on the lower back.

"Sit!" the woman bellowed as if she were speaking to a dog. Nancy complied though reluctantly. She sat up as best she could though another hard hit came. "Do not slouch! You are a lady and lady's never slouch! Now, our first lesson: eating."

That was hours ago and Nancy was exhausted. Her head was constantly drooping and Bündchen retaliated each time with another hit. Nancy could feel her back and legs swelling from the hits but there was nothing she could do. At least she wasn't bleeding but it was only a matter of time before that happened.

"Pay attention!" screech Bündchen.

Nancy followed orders though her mind was not focused on what was going on around her. She thought about the deep brown eyes and caring smile. If only she could be wrapped in his arms at that moment…

"Are you ready, Joe?" Frank asked, lugging his duffel bag over his shoulder. He juggled his phone while grabbing his car keys in order to walk out the door.

"Yeah," his brother's voice came through the phone. "I'm as ready as I can be. Are you bringing a gun?"

"I don't think we can but I hid mine deep within my duffel bag," he stated. "Customs might check but Dad said that Carson pulled a few strings for us that might get us through customs a little easier. It's too bad we couldn't leave yesterday."

"Hey, just think if we did, we wouldn't have been able to bring the guns with us," Joe pointed out. "Think about that."

"I know and it's a good thing that Carson got out of surgery okay and was able to help out."

"Much more than the FBI was able to do," he cracked. "I'm sure that Kruger would blow a gasket if she found out we had them with us."

"Well, let's make sure no one knows besides the people who should know," Frank replied. "I'll be over at the house in five minutes. Be ready to go by then."

"Will do."

Twenty minutes later, Frank was pulling into his parents' driveway and rolled his eyes when he saw Joe standing outside waiting. The younger Hardy tapped his watch and held it to his ear jokingly as Frank stepped out of the SUV.

"You said 'five minutes,'" Joe scoffed. "Did you forget that we have a plane to catch?"

"No," his brother shook his head. "It never ceases to amaze me that whenever I'm in a hurry, I get caught by every slowpoke and red light in existence. Are you ready?"

"Sort of," he said cautiously. "We had an unexpected change in plan." Joe turned around just as Charlie came out of the house. "He's insisting on going with us."

"Charlie?" Frank said confused. "Why would you want to come with us?"

"He says he can help out with anything technical that we come across," Joe shrugged.

"I can help in other ways too," Charlie replied hopefully. "Please let me go. I…I want to help. Nancy was always nice to me and…and I want to see the world."

"Charlie, are you sure about this?" the older Hardy asked. "This isn't some field trip or a learning experience. You could get seriously hurt."

"I know that," he answered. "I just can't sit back and watch you guys go out there while I'm stuck analyzing videos and computer printouts here. You can use me however you want. I wouldn't even care if I am the go-fer for you. Please."

Frank and Joe exchanged glances before either of them said anything. Charlie was a good asset though he was inexperienced in the field. They weren't sure if the kid would be able to handle himself if danger arose.

"Is Dad aware that you want to come with us?" Joe inquired.

"I…I…he said it was fine," Charlie stammered. Frank gave him a skeptical look. "Seriously, he's fine with it. Besides, I am an adult and can make my own decisions. I have my laptop with me and loads of electronic goodies for you to use. I'll come in handy. You know it."

Frank rubbed the bridge of his nose, unsure of what to do. Their dad was at the hospital with Carson so it was unlikely that Fenton would be able to answer the phone if he called him. He knew Charlie was good with technology and there was always the possibility that they might need him but the danger was always there.

"Frank?" Joe asked looking at him. "We need to go."

"I know." Frank sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Fine, as long as it's okay with Dad and you have your passport and ticket, you can come."

"Oh, thank you, Frank!" Charlie said excitedly, practically bouncing. "You won't regret it."

"Let's hope not," he muttered as he followed Charlie and Joe to the car.

Four hours later, the plane took off and Frank settled into his seat for the ride. Joe and Charlie were talking animatedly beside him as he pulled on his ear buds to listen to music. All Frank cared about though was getting to England and finding Nancy. She was all that mattered to him.

As he drifted into sleep, his thoughts continued on her. Frank focused on her blue eyes, deep as an ocean. Hold on, Nancy. We're coming.