Chapter Eleven

Owen Hartley, Sr. looked at his son and cocked his head. "What's going on, Owen?" he asked. "I thought that you would have this situation handled by now."

"I did, Father," Owen snapped, his eyes focused on Frank and Nancy in front of him. "But there were a few…complications."

"I see," his father replied, glancing at the two. "It seems we're at an impasse here. There's no way to remedy it?"

"How do you know who my father is?" Frank suddenly asked, looking at the man. "He never mentioned anyone named Hartley before."

"Ah, yes, Mr. Hardy. Your father wouldn't know a Hartley at all. We met under other circumstances."

The young man stared at him, his mind reeling through everything he'd learned about the Hartleys. Then one fact came up and realization hit him. "I know you," Frank stated then shook his head. "Not you as a person. I know of you."

"Really?" Hartley smirked. "Do tell."

"Frank?" Nancy whispered worriedly. "What's going on?"

"Give me a minute, Nan," he said softly, glancing at her, "and you'll know. Trust me."

Owen laughed at the remark. "Trust you? That's a laugh."

"That's enough, Owen," his father scolded. "Let the 'investigator' state his facts."

Frank glared at him as he gathered his thoughts. Until that moment he didn't understand why he received the note or who Benjamin Worley even was. Sighing, Frank put his theory to the test. "Dad used to tell Joe and I a story about why he left the New York Police Department. During Prohibition, Dad was always busy, looking for murderers and bootleggers. He was on a task force to help stop those violating the new law. There was one bootlegger in particular he could never find though. The man wasn't a part of any crime family or business enterprise. He worked by himself, delivering booze to different customers every night but he never got caught. Worley was that careful but Dad was determined to find him.

"His business grew, drawing the attention of a prominent crime family in New York. They didn't like the fact that someone was bootlegging in their territory without permission or even giving them a commission on it," he continued, watching Hartley's reaction. The older man stood stone faced, staring right back though a small smile grew on his face. "Vincenzo Martinelli, head of the family, sent someone to warn him to stop his business before he ended up in the bay. The two that went to meet the bootlegger were found dead. It was a year before Prohibition ended. Dad encountered him a day later, pinning him in. That was all he remembered though because he was shot from behind. He almost didn't make it and when he returned to work, the bootlegger was long gone as was the person who shot him. The department wouldn't let Dad pursue any leads and soon he left the department. He wanted to dedicate his life to finding people who fell through the cracks of the law and got away with their crimes. It wasn't until now that I realized who the bootlegger was. Dad told us years ago and now, he's standing in front of me. You're Benjamin Worley."

Hartley licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He chuckled. "True. I am Benjamin Worley. I made a hefty profit during Prohibition but I wasn't the one who killed them or who shot your father. We changed our names soon after both incidents and left town to find a new life. We had the money to do it so, why not start over? And we did. It was only a coincidence that we came here. I had no idea that you had any ties to anyone here. I chose the Chicago area because I knew people in the city that would help me if I needed it but also kept secret where we were from the Martinellis. But there are things that you still don't understand. Did your father also tell you that he was on the take with the Martinellis? That's why he was able to leave so easily. You can't leave the New York Police Department unless Vincenzo has a say."

"That's not true," Frank shook his head. "Dad would never take money from the mob."

"Are you sure about that?" Hartley quirked an eyebrow. "There were lots of cops in New York who were on the take, especially during Prohibition. I had a few myself but Fenton Hardy was notoriously known for taking bribes."

"That's a lie!" he shouted, stepping forward. "He was fighting against people like you! He had more integrity than the entire police department!"

"Did he now?" the man smirked. "Sounds like you're talking about him in the past tense. Wasn't he the one who blamed you for what happened eight years ago? How do you know he didn't take a bribe? Do you really want to go back home and rescue him after hearing this? But then again, you might not have a choice. An old acquaintance of ours is looking for you. Are you going to condemn your father and brother for what you did?"

"I didn't do anything," Frank firmly stated. "As I told your crazy son, I don't know what you're talking about."

Hartley's smile broadened. "Really? Do you happen to remember buying something from a pawn shop?" He laughed when he saw the color drain from Frank's face. "Didn't know you were buying stolen jewels, did you? They were stolen by my acquaintance and were being held in that shop before you convinced the worker to let you buy them on the premise that they were fake. All they want are the jewels back. Sadly, your mother got in the way. I guess that makes you the reason why she's dead."

"You're lying," he croaked, taking a step back.

"Don't listen to him, Frank!" Carson cried. "There's no way you would've known!"

The lawyer grunted as Hartley punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. He kicked Carson, driving the air out of his lungs. Carson gasped on the ground, struggling to get up.

"Dad!" Nancy screamed, rushing to her father.

"Nancy, no!" Frank yelled at her but it was too late. Hartley grabbed her by the waist, pulling her toward him.

"That's how you do it, Owen," Hartley laughed. He cried out in pain as Nancy raked her nails across his face, leaving bloody tracks down both cheeks. Although he was in pain, Hartley kept a firm grip on her.

"What in the heck is going on here?" yelled a booming voice. Nancy stopped struggling as the whole group turned to see a man in a wrinkled suit and trench coat standing in the frame of the dining room. Hannah was behind him, her eyes wide with fear and alarm.

"Chief McGinnis!" Hartley cried in surprise. He set Nancy down though he kept his arm firmly wrapped around her waist. "What a pleasant surprise! I feel that we are in need of you right at the moment."

"Is that a fact?" McGinnis growled glancing around the room. He could feel the tension around him, taking in the fact that the older man had a gripping hold of Nancy. McGinnis looked at Frank, narrowing his eyes. Then down to Carson who was sitting on the ground, his eye puffy and swollen. The two goons at the far end of the room had moved toward Frank only to stop the moment McGinnis entered, a movement the Chief didn't miss. When his eyes stopped at Nora, he saw the tears falling down her cheeks along with the fresh bruise at her lip. Finally, the chief of police turned back to Hartley, who smugly held his head high. "What is it that you need me for?"

"To take Carson Drew into custody, for one," Hartley regally replied. "We found out earlier today that he's been embezzling from his own firm, a firm I have worked hard to repair the damage that he made years ago. Jackson Daily can vouch for all of that as he is the one who found it and informed me of it. And also, take this young man into custody. He's wanted back in New York."

"For what, exactly?"

The older man turned to Frank with a smile. "Stealing. Plus, he also brainwashed my son's fiancée to leave him!"

"He's lying!" Nancy cried. Hartley squeezed her tight, causing her to stop talking.

"Nancy's been through so much today," Owen simpered, stepping in. "She lost her job, the super in her building was found dead, I can't believe that, and, as my father said, Frank Hardy has been filling her head with lies about us. I came here to convince her to come home with me though I feel that it's too late for her. But she's distraught and I'd like to take her to the car so she can calm down. Then maybe she could talk to you."

He moved toward his father and was about to take Nancy's hand when McGinnis stopped him. The chief quickly moved, pulling her away from the Hartleys.

"No one is leaving here until I get answers," McGinnis ordered. Nancy rushed to her father's side though she kept her attention to what was going on. "Besides, how do I know you won't harm her?"

Owen shook with anger, his fists clenched at his sides. Hartley placed a hand on his son's shoulder, taking over the situation.

"Chief," Hartley stated sweetly, stepping toward the man, "might I remind you of our agreement."

"And what would that be, Mr. Hartley?"

The older man said nothing, only giving a knowing look to him. When McGinnis didn't say anything, Hartley shook his head and sighed. "I guess we will be discussing your future with the mayor tomorrow. Seems that you have forgotten your place."

"No," the Chief shook his head, nonchalantly, "I don't think I have. There seems to be something going on here and I intend to find out what that is. Whatever 'agreement' you think we had, doesn't exist."

"But, what I gave you…"

"Is still sitting in the envelope…in an evidence bag."

The color drained from Hartley's face as he realized that McGinnis had no intention of helping him. Sure enough, several officers came in through the front door and in behind Hannah.

"Carson!" cried Alan Mayfield as he rushed up behind Hannah. He knelt down next to his friend, helping him to stand. "I'm sorry we didn't get here earlier. There was a problem with the recording that needed to be fixed before the Chief could even hear it."

"Recording?" Nancy asked, looking at her father. "What recording?"

"The one that proves that Owen Hartley Sr.," Carson wheezed, "was the one embezzling the money from my firm. I didn't have solid proof so I had Alan act like he was betraying me in order to pull it all together. It was the only way to get anything on him though I was hoping that Frank found something before that. Now I know that he did."

"You tricked me!" screeched Hartley, his eyes blazing. He went to go after them but Nora pulled him back. The man whirled around, glaring at his wife. "How dare you touch me!"

"That's enough, Benjamin!" she cried, holding her head high as he lifted his hand to smack her.

"Benjamin?" McGinnis asked confused.

"I have been by your side for years supporting you," Nora continued, ignoring the Chief's inquiries. Hartley slowly lowered his hand though his intense stare didn't falter. "All you have done is made my life miserable. You have beaten me into submission, ridiculed me, even destroyed my son but no more. You have hit me for the last time and I'm not going to let our son destroy another life like you did mine." She turned to McGinnis. "Carson Drew is a good man and didn't steal anything. That was my husband. He's been trying to get rid of Carson for months in order to get our son a higher position within the firm. Jackson Daily was in on it." She glanced at Frank. "And I was the one who sent you that note. I knew you'd figure it out once you knew who you were looking at. I didn't know who you were yesterday until I heard my husband complaining about your family. You saved my life yesterday, in more ways than one. You made me see what I needed to do. There are good people out there and you're one of them. Never let the words of my…'husband' get into your head. Your mother would be proud of you as would your father and brother. And your father never took from Vincenzo."

"He's as worthless as you are, Mother!" cried Owen. He pushed her out of the way and went after Frank. The man threw a punch though Frank easily stepped away.

Chief McGinnis was about to order an officer to go after Owen when Carson stopped him. "Just wait. Let him handle it."

Frank stepped back, keeping his eyes on Owen. "You don't want to do this, Owen," he warned as the man readied himself. "Don't be stupid."

"Oh, I think I do, Hardy," Owen sneered, advancing. "You think you can take me? Who do you think killed Martinelli's men? I was 17 at the time and was in the truck when Martinelli's men visited Father. I knew exactly who they were. They weren't there to negotiate or warn us. They were there to kill my father. Vito never saw it coming and Anthony? Well, let's just say that he tried, and failed, to come after me. I may be shorter than you but I can take you down."

"You may think you're tough, Owen," Frank huffed, dodging another punch from the man, "but you're going to jail for what you did."

"Jail?" he laughed. "Do you honestly think I'm going to jail? If Martinelli were to find out who killed his son and nephew, I'll be dead before I knew it. And If I'm going down, so are you!"

"Owen, stop this!" Nora cried.

Ignoring his mother's plea, Owen threw another punch but instead of deflecting it, Frank grabbed the man's fist in mid-air.

"How…how did you do that?" Owen asked in shock, pain registering as Frank squeezed his fist.

"I warned you, Owen," Frank replied in a calm voice. "I didn't want to do this but you gave me no choice."

Frank pushed Owen's fist into the man's face, causing him to kneel. Before Owen was able to recover, he punched him again, knocking him to the ground. Frank stood over the unconscious man, his breaths coming out hard.

The next few minutes seemed to move in slow motion for Frank. He watched as officers took a stunned looking Owen Hartley, Sr. into custody along with the two goons in the other room. Nora broke down in tears with Hannah comforting her. McGinnis barked orders that barely registered in Frank's mind. It wasn't until Nancy called his name that he came back to reality. She ran over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Thank you," she whispered in his ear.

Frank said nothing as he held her close to his body. He glanced at Carson who smiled and nodded to him. Frank closed his eyes and thought about the events leading up to that moment. What he wouldn't give to have his family there with him. Frank knew that even though the Hartleys were arrested there were still questions that needed to be answered. Life wasn't going to slow down and he knew there was something looming ahead he wouldn't be able to avoid.

Author's Note:

Well, I didn't keep my promise of getting this chapter out last week but I at least I got it in this week. I hope that everyone had a great week. I am officially done with physical therapy (yay!) and my foot surgeon told me that my ankle is healing really well. I still have some pains but they're mostly the stiff pains that you get when you haven't moved a particular limb for a while. It just needs time to heal and stretching will help it. I'm hoping that by the end of the year, I'll be back to 100%. Had a good birthday but as my dad used to say, it's only another day. But at least it comes with a cake made to look like a peanut butter cup with chocolate ganache and peanut butter filling. Yeah, that was good. Too bad there were no leftovers. If you're ever this way, make sure you check out the Pennsylvania Bakery. Best cakes you could possibly imagine! Anyway, thank you to everyone who read the previous chapter and a special thank you to those who left a review! As you can tell by the ending of the chapter, we are not done yet. Frank has to go home so there's more to come on that. It is shorter than the others but I just wanted this to happen and nothing else. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter and, if you will, please leave a review to let me know what you think! Have a great weekend and God bless!