Author's Note:
Well, I'm back. I didn't think that I would have taken this long to come back but I think I needed a little bit of time to readjust myself along with the story. I did do a slight change to the summary of the story if you didn't happen to notice. Very subtle but necessary. The route that I was originally going to take has changed and the summary wasn't showing that change. Anyway, I am sorry for being missing in action these last few months. I actually reread the entire story again to get me back into the swing of things (plus read a few other stories here and there). My brain wasn't into writing which is very odd for me plus being busy with work and family the hiatus got longer and longer. I am hoping to get this story done sooner rather than later. With the end of the school year coming, time to write will probably increase for me. I hope everyone had a blessed Easter. I know it was two weeks ago but it was the most recent holiday and a very special one at that. Thank you to everyone who has waited so patiently for me to return. A special thank you goes out to Drumboy100 and Elizabeth K. Joan for reaching out to make sure I was okay. I appreciate that. Life got in the way, I guess. So I will leave for now as this chapter is extremely long. Couldn't find the right moment to cut so it's all here. Oh, if I have a few things wrong or something doesn't sound right, please let me know! My knowledge of British politics is very little. Have a great day and God Bless!
Chapter Eight
"Are you sure that's who owns the vehicle?" Frank grumbled staring at the screen. He, Joe, and Charlie were still in the hotel suite hours after Frank had woken up from his nightmare. He wanted to leave but Charlie and Joe both agreed that they needed more information before going out into the streets of London.
Charlie sat next to him, his fingers poised over the keyboard. "I've checked it three times, Frank. This…" he paused pointing to the screen where the photo of an elderly woman was displayed, "is the owner."
"Sounds like a case of a stolen vehicle," Joe stated crunching on a peanut. "Do we have an address for the lady?"
"Yeah," the young man nodded, "and her former employers as well. Apparently she was a cleaning lady for several lords here in London."
"'Lords?'" Frank asked quizzically.
"You know," Joe shrugged. "Chivalry, knights in shining armor, damsels in distress. Pretty much everything you want to be when you rescue Nancy, Frank…just without the armor."
The older Hardy swatted at his brother with Joe ducking at the last minute with a laugh. "Smart ass," Frank mumbled before looking back at Charlie.
"Actually," Charlie smiled at the brothers, "from what I gather, lords of the modern era are more like politicians than anything. The ones this lady worked for are all in Parliament, the House of Lords to be exact. Their titles have been handed down over several generations. I highly doubt any of them would be involved in Nancy's disappearance. It wouldn't be good for their families influence or reputation."
"So, you don't think that we should pursue the route?" Joe asked quirking an eyebrow.
"I'm not saying that," the young many replied. "That's just my opinion about them. It also might be hard to get an appointment with them because their schedules might be booked for all we know."
"Is there any way to find out?" Frank asked
"Not without breaking into their personal computers," Charlie shook his head. "I don't think that would be a good idea with everything going on."
"But can you do it?"
"Yeah, but…"
"I don't think it's such a good idea, Frank," Joe replied. "Dad already told Charlie not to do that anymore unless it's necessary."
"This is necessary, Joe!" the older Hardy cried. "We're trying to find Nancy! We need to find her!"
"I know that!" he yelled.
"Then start acting like it!" Frank ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated that they couldn't get any further in finding Nancy. He looked over at his brother. "What the hell, Joe? First you hark on me about wanting to be a 'knight in shining armor' and now you're saying we're being reckless? Don't you want to find Nancy?"
"That's a dumb question, Frank. Of course I do!" Joe answered throwing his hands in the air. "And I'm not saying anything about being reckless! I just don't understand why you think it's necessary to go after a few guys who may or may not know where Nancy is! This might be a wild goose chase for all we know!"
"And we should follow any possible leads we can get, Joe!
"I really don't think you're thinking straight on this!" Joe said loudly though he tried to keep calm. He watched as Frank's face started changing color as he grew angrier.
"I am thinking perfectly fine, Joe," he seethed clenching his fists. "I can't stand by here and wait for nothing."
"And having Charlie illegally hack into a private server is better?"
"Did I interrupt something?" replied a voice. The three young men turned, startled to see Jenny Powell standing in the doorway, her arms laden with bags of food. "I could hear your two the moment I got off the elevator. Good thing no one else is on the floor or security would have been called. What's going on?"
"It's nothing," Frank grumbled walking away.
"It didn't sound like nothing," she said politely. Joe rushed over and grabbed the bags, his eyes taking in what she had in them. "Thank you, Joe. Can you tell me what's going on?"
"Frank wants Charlie to hack into several private servers to find information on a few lords who employed the owner of the car."
"Oh," Jenny looked concerned. "That's not a good idea, Frank."
Frank scoffed and turned away annoyed.
"Hear me out though," she continued. "There's an easier way than just hacking into the private server for a well-known person."
"Oh, and what's that?" Frank snapped.
"You could ask me," Jenny shrugged. The Hardys and Charlie looked at her curiously. "The Embassy gets information from British Intelligence all the time. However, private schedules might be a different story. These men are extremely busy and I'm sure that getting this information will be hard."
"Then why bring it up at all? We could just have Charlie hack into their servers and be out before anyone knew it."
"That's the problem, Frank," she replied concerned. "They would know that you're there the moment you get past the firewalls. I can get that information through the right channels but I would need to know the reason behind it beforehand. They won't just hand over the information. Can you tell me why you need their schedules?
"Frank believes that one of them may have something to do with Nancy," Joe blurted out. "I think it's a wild goose chase but he thinks it might be something."
"Why do you think this, Frank?"
"Because of who owns that car," Frank huffed impatiently. "Some old lady who cleaned houses of several lords in London. Maybe she knows something or it can lead to a clue of some sort, anything to find Nancy."
"I see," Jenny nodded. "I'll need the information before I make any phone calls. I would suggest that you gentlemen stay here for the time being. It's why I brought you food."
"We need to get out there though!" he cried. "I need to get out there."
"I understand that, Frank. I really do but there's no telling where these people are at the moment. I don't want any of you disappearing in this city either. It's more dangerous than you think."
"Dad told you to make us stay put, didn't he?" Joe quirked an eyebrow and folded his arms in front of him.
Jenny looked a little nervous, rubbing the back of her neck. "He may have had a hand in it. Senator Hawkley also expressed concern for your safety. It's mostly because of what happened at the airport. If it hadn't happened, then it wouldn't be an issue."
"I thought that this was going to be handled when we go out!" Frank yelled angrily. "I don't care what happens while we're out in London! If we can find information out there on where to find Nancy, then maybe it is worth the risk!"
"Frank," Joe gently put his hand on his brother's arm, "I think she's right. We need to be cautious. It won't help Nancy going out and getting hurt when we have no idea where to go from here. Everything that Charlie found out is pure speculation. You could be wrong about it and then we'd be back to square one."
"But overlooking this might prove to be wrong too, Joe!" Frank yanked his arm away angrily. His face was turning red and Joe could tell Frank was beyond frustrated. Suddenly, Frank whirled around and walked toward the door to the suite.
"Where are you going?"
"Anywhere but here!" he yelled, his loud voice echoing in the hall.
"But, Frank!" cried Jenny as she rushed toward the door.
"I'll be downstairs," Frank said through gritted teeth. "It's the only place in London that I can go where I can think!"
The elevator doors closed leaving Joe, Jenny, and Charlie looking on in bewilderment. Joe understood Frank's frustration knowing that if it were Vanessa or any other girl he really cared about, he'd be going nuts too even with sketchy information. But he also knew that if they weren't cautious, someone out there would take advantage of the situation which worried Joe. If anyone approached Frank at this moment with information on Nancy, there's no doubt in his mind that Frank would take the bait even if it meant going with the people holding on to her.
Austin took her hand and glided across the floor with her. Nancy's eyes were downcast, still wet from the tears that she had already shed. The music they danced to was a waltz from a composer he'd never heard of, the music melodious and gentle. He wanted to make sure Nancy felt at ease with him even though Madames Bündchen and Hilde stood nearby watching.
He nervously looked over at the two women who were talking to each other, their attention no longer on them. Austin took advantage and looked down at Nancy who was staring at something over his shoulder.
"What's on your mind?" he said softly. He twirled her around as he waited for her answer.
Nancy scoffed. "What do you care? I can't think of anything else than to get away from you."
"That hurts, Nancy," Austin said politely. "I was just trying to break the awkward silence that's between us. I'd like to get to know you if I can."
"Why? So I'll fall hard for you and pray that you'll dash me away from this misery? I'll pass."
He stopped, his face growing dark. "Listen here, little lady," Austin replied, his southern drawl prominent. "I don't want to be here any more than you do but I ain't going to let a good time go to waste."
"You may be having a good time, Austin, but I sure as hell am not." Nancy folded her arms in front of her and looked away.
"Well, what do you know? You do have a little bit of spunk left." Austin studied her for a few seconds. "Hmm…"
"What?" she rolled her eyes.
"I don't know," he shrugged. "I'm not sure if I like this look on you. The flashing eyes, flushed cheeks, trembling lips? Damn, you may be a beautiful woman but you sure are ugly when you're angry."
Nancy's mouth dropped open and she punched him in the face before storming away. The altercation drew the attention of Madam Bündchen and her colleague though neither one of them said anything as Nancy approached them.
"Are we done here?"
The young woman had her hands on her hips, a look of defiance on her face. Madame Hilde had no idea how to react but Bündchen's eyes narrowed as she stared at Nancy. Thinking the worst was going to happen, Nancy took a step back, wondering if she had overstepped her authority. What surprised her was what came out of Bündchen's mouth when she finally spoke.
"Why, yes, we're done," she simpered. "Would you…like a break? I trust that that's what you're implying. I mean I could wreak havoc on you by pressing a button but I won't. You're obviously tired and ready for a break. That is what you want right? You're dead on your feet but you obviously have some sort of energy if you were able to punch Mr. Austin here, who so graciously offered to be your dance partner. I don't think it was very nice though in how you treated him."
"What kind of game are you playing at?" Nancy asked, her chin trembling. She felt like she was on the verge of breaking down, something she didn't want to do even though she had come close to it already.
She waited for the pain to begin from the choker or the corset but it neither came. Nancy wanted nothing more than something to rid of her existence in that moment. Life had little meaning to her anymore. It was almost as if she were finally giving up after keeping the hope in her that someone would could rescue her. He wasn't coming and she knew it. The thoughts she had just days before were soon becoming mere empty hopes. Frank was dead and there was no one she could turn to other than two horrible women and a man she loathed.
Bündchen only smiled at her, staring her down as if waiting for her to react. Nancy bowed her head but instead of leaving the room, she turned back toward Austin then curtsied. The man didn't know what to do as he rubbed his face but when the music started back up again, he took her hand and the couple began to glide across the floor once more.
As she watched the two waltz, Bündchen smirked triumphantly, knowing she had beaten her pupil with kindness instead of punishment.
"You see, Hilde," she replied leaning toward her friend, "all it took was the introduction of kindness to catch her off-guard. She now believes that if she defies us in any way, she could be punished. And when we don't punish her, she'll think she has no choice but to continue. This is what I wanted and he will be most pleased."
"You might want to watch it though, Lisle," Hilde said in a low tone. "That girl is a powder keg waiting to go off. You push her too far and she'll kill you."
"I highly doubt that, Hilde," Bündchen stated snidely. "She knows not to lay a hand on me as long as I have that remote."
"And if she does?"
"Well, I'll compensate Mr. Donatelli for his loss."
Frank stared at the drink in front of him. For weeks, he had been wallowing away his woes with a bottle but in that moment he felt as if it would do nothing but hurt him in the long run. He thought about Nancy. There was something wrong. He could feel it. They were running out of time before she would be completely lost to them. That was not an option for him though. He wanted to find her more than anything and he was willing to do anything to do so.
Finally taking a swig of the drink, Frank let the cool alcohol run down his throat. He closed his eyes allowing his thoughts to run free. There had to be a way to find Nancy and he believed that it started with the men Charlie had mentioned. One of them had to know where Nancy was. From the description of Donatelli, it sounded as if the guy had connections which would be easy to think as to how the man remained elusive after so long.
"Hello," said a sensual voice next to him catching him off guard. He looked up to see a stunning woman standing next to him. "Is this seat taken?"
"No," he nodded then rose from his seat and grabbed his drink. "I was just leaving anyway."
"Man, that's harsh," the woman sniffed plopping down on the stool. "Too bad, too. I was hoping for a conversation, especially one that would benefit you more than me."
Frank crinkled his forehead and turned toward the woman. She looked familiar though he couldn't quite place her, especially her accent. He didn't know any British ladies besides Fiona Fox and this woman was definitely not the seductive cat burglar. Then realization popped into his head as a smile crept across the woman's face.
"Gidget."
"I'm sorry," Nancy whispered, her head turned away from Austin. "I shouldn't have behaved like that. I...I don't know what's come over me."
"I don't mind," Austin stated as he dipped her. "I see what's going on here but you shouldn't let that Butt-chin lady get the better of you, Nancy,"
She came back up with a slight smile on her face. "Did you just call her 'Butt-chin?'"
"Did I?" the man frowned. "I'm just trying to say her name and that's how I hear it."
"Well, it's not her name."
"But I made you laugh."
"You did. Thanks."
"Anytime, little lady," Austin smiled as he guided her away from where Bündchen and Hilde were.
"Why do you call me that anyway?" Nancy asked staring at him.
"I don't know," he shrugged nonchalantly. "I think it's just a way of being polite, that's all. Do you want me to call you something else? 'Princess,' perhaps?"
Nancy shivered. "I don't think so. I'm no princess."
"You act like it sometimes."
She stopped, pursing her lips. "You're a jerk," she stated. "You've proven that already."
"Well, you've shown how much you act like a princess. Just now."
"This conversation's over." Nancy took a step away only to stop, grabbing at her throat. She knelt down trying to take a deep breath as Austin held her to him.
"I gave you a reprieve the last time, Nancy," Bündchen boomed strolling up to the two. Nancy tried to gasp though nothing came out, her face turning blue. Bündchen leaned over, staring at Nancy's face. "This time I won't. I have taught you as much as I can and I believe that it's sinking in finally but I didn't give you permission to stop."
"Let up, Butt-chin!" Austin yelled grabbing the woman's wrist holding onto the remote. "You're going to kill her!"
"Unhand me, you miserable excuse for a man!" Bündchen screamed trying to shrug him off. "She is my pupil and I have the authority here!"
"Lady, I ain't gonna tell you again," he warned. Austin finally took hold of the remote and threw it across the room where it skidded under a table.
The pressure around her neck suddenly stopped and Nancy gasped for air. She heard Austin yelling as she rolled onto her side. Seconds later, strong hands helped her to her feet and guided her out of the room.
"You come back here!" Bündchen ordered. "We are not done yet!"
Austin stopped and turned to face her. Nancy held on to him though she didn't say anything. "We are done here," he replied firmly. "I'm taking Ms. Nancy to her room and then I'll be back to deal with you, Butt-chin." He looked toward two men standing guard at the door. "Make sure these two don't leave until I get back."
The men nodded and glared at Bündchen whose face was red with anger. Hilde looked terrified, her eyes wide as she watched Austin and Nancy leave.
"I'm not letting that woman do anything like that to you again ," Austin whispered as he escorted her out of the room. "She won't know what hit her when I'm done with her."
"Thank you," Nancy said softly. She leaned into him as they slowly ascended the staircase.
When they approached the door to her room, he stopped and looked down at her.. Austin could see a bruise growing in the area around Nancy's neck and he slowly raised his hand to touch her. Nancy shied away not sure what the man had planned but wondered when he gave her a sad smile. Without saying anything, Austin reached around her neck and tried to take the choker off. He soon realized that it was a mechanical clasp that held it on, one that could only be taken off with the remote.
"I already tried," she whispered bowing her head.
"I'm going to get that thing off you, Nancy," Austin stated. "Even if I have to kill that woman to do it."
He reached up and cupped her cheek in his hand. Nancy leaned in and closed her eyes. Her heart pounded at the thought of the man being so close to her. Austin had been so kind to her since he returned to the house but yet she treated him so poorly. Nancy looked up at him taking in his features as if for the first time. He was handsome and rugged, not much different from Frank. Even Austin's cologne that penetrated her senses, reminded her of the man who really held her heart. A tear escaped down her cheek as she remembered him. He was gone and she knew it but she wasn't ready to move on just yet.
As Austin leaned in to kiss her, Nancy moved at the last minute startling him. She opened the door to her room and closed it without looking at him. The moment Nancy was alone, the tears flowed down her cheeks. She ran to the bed and flopped face first into the comforter. She screamed louder than she had ever screamed, the soft bed muffling the sound.
It wasn't long before she stopped, turning her head towards the window. The sun peaked in as if trying to give her hope but she couldn't accept it.
"I love you, Frank," she whispered as she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Frank lifted his hand then realized he was holding a glass and quickly put it down. "You have no idea how hard it is for me not to go after you right now."
"Oh, I'm sure you'd love to, Frank," Gidget smiled. She motioned for the bartender and gave him her order before turning back to Frank. "I'm just here for some help."
"And why would I help you?"
"I didn't say from you but Nancy's life is at stake so I'll take what I can get."
"Since when do you care about her life?" Frank growled, glaring at her. "You were the one who kidnapped her! You should be in jail!"
"Then you wouldn't know where to look for her," Gidget stated. "If I get caught, my mouth goes closed and no one will get anything from me."
He slammed his drink down on the counter and grabbed her arm. "I'll drag it out of you if I have to."
"Hey," nodded the bartender. "I think you need to let the lady go."
Frank let go of Gidget, his hands high as he took a step back. Although he had no intention of touching Gidget again, the man remained close, watching the two of them.
"How did you even know we were here?" Frank hissed.
"It didn't take much to figure it out, Frank," she simpered swirling the mini-straw in her cosmopolitan. "The American Embassy is directly across the street and this is one of the only hotels nearby. Good thing your shadows don't have the brains to figure it out."
"You…you were the one who called Jenny."
"Yes, I was," Gidget nodded.
"Then how did you know that I'd come down here?"
"Educated guess," she smiled. "I knew you'd be itching to leave but couldn't because someone would probably want you to remain safe until you had concrete evidence." Gidget stopped when he didn't move toward her. "Please, sit down, Frank. I'm not going to bite and I know that you're not going to do anything with my friend here."
Frank looked over at the bartender wondering what he had to do with Gidget. He then looked around the bar and realized they were the only ones in the room.
"What's going on here?" Frank asked taking a step back, his internal alarms going off.
"I told you, Frank," Gidget smiled, "I need help."
"Huh? I…I don't get it. Why would you need my help?"
"I thought you said he was the smart one," the bartender replied walking around the bar. The man was American of Hispanic descent. It soon dawned on Frank as to who he was. The photos of the man had been ingrained in Frank's mind for months as the FBI and Interpol were both looking for him: former Agent Carlos Mendoza.
"Don't worry, Carlos," Gidget simpered rising from her stool. "He'll get it soon enough."
"Wait a minute, hold on," Frank ordered. "You're working together? How…how is it that you haven't been caught?"
"I know how to blend in, Hardy," Carlos sneered. He turned back to Gidget. "I don't think he's going to help us, Gigi."
"Oh, he's already helping, Carlos," Gidget smirked. "He just doesn't know it yet."
"Where's Nancy?" the young man demanded, ignoring their conversation about him. "Is she still alive?"
"Wow," she laughed. "It took you this long to ask about her. And here I thought you loved her."
"I do love her," Frank admitted stepping toward her, clenching his fists as he advanced. "Now tell me where she is!"
"Well, as of four days ago, yes, she's alive. That was the last time I saw her."
"What are you saying? You mean, you don't know?"
"I know only a few things," Gidget answered. "I have an insider sending me information about what's going on and believe me, you don't want to know."
"I swear to you if she's…"
"Oh, please," she scoffed. "Donatelli's not going to hurt her. At least, not yet. He has some plan for her to take over his business enterprises so he can concentrate on whatever he's doing here."
"Nancy won't go for it," Frank shook his head. "She's not like that."
"And you know her well enough that she won't? Donatelli can be very persuasive especially if he has the right people to manipulate others. Last I heard, Nancy was getting really cozy with one of Donatelli's best hitmen."
"She wouldn't."
"That's what I heard, Frank," Gidget sighed. "Or I could be lying to get a rise out of you too. I will tell you that when I escaped, he wanted me dead because of what I knew. I tried to get Nancy to go with but she didn't want to trust me."
"And why would she?" Frank laughed. "You're the reason why she's there!"
"And I regret the decision of taking her every single time I think about it!" she cried back. Gidget took a breather before continuing. "I left when Donatelli tried to kill me."
"Too bad he didn't."
"I wouldn't say that, Frank," she shook her head. "I did everything I could to get her away from him. I want to put him away not help him! I wouldn't be able to give you any information if I was dead, now would I?"
"What information? All you've given me is a headache."
"Oh, I didn't give you that, Frank."
"What?"
"That's just a little concoction Carlos put in your drink," Gidget shrugged. "You just didn't drink much of it so it's taking longer to work. It's not going to knock you out. Just give you a massive headache for a day or two until my plan is fulfilled."
Frank still looked confused though he could feel the effects of whatever Carlos gave him. He looked over at the former agent who was directly beside him as if waiting. Carlos grabbed a hold of his bicep and guided him toward the kitchen. Gidget continued along the way.
"I could let you stay here and work that headache through," she explained, "but it wouldn't do me any good if you recover fast so we'd like for you to join us for now. No harm will come to you as long as you're with us. I promise you that. And when it's all over, you'll have your lady back as if nothing happened."
"What?" Frank said stumbling through the empty kitchen. "I don't get it. You said you needed help. I can't help you if..."
"Correct, Frank," Gidget smiled. She stopped outside a black sedan parked in the alley. "But it's not you I need help from. You would only get in the way. I know that the moment you see Nancy, you'll be trying to do what you normally do and that is rescue the damsel in distress. I can't have that. I need to be able to get in without anyone knowing I'm there and you have a friend who could help in that fashion. You are just in my way. Now, get in the car and we'll chat some more before I call your brother."
Frank looked back up the side of the hotel wishing someone would see them but from the look of it, the windows were all tightly closed. Joe was right. He shouldn't have gone downstairs alone. The only thing is, where were the agents who were supposedly following their every move?
"Frank?"
He turned back toward Gidget who was gesturing toward the open car door. Frank knew he had no choice. He needed to know where Nancy was and if this is what he had to do, then so be it. Nodding, he climbed into the back seat of the sedan and waited as Gidget got in next to him. Carlos got in the front passenger seat and the driver soon pulled away.
Closing his eyes, Frank felt his headache grow worse as they moved further away from the safety of the hotel. He heard Gidget trying to talk to him but it sounded like jumbled jargon. Even though he couldn't move or talk, Frank's thoughts were on Nancy and he was that much closer to finding her.