Chapter Three

Fenton Hardy twirled a pen between his fingers, staring at the photos in front of him. He was reclined in his chair, his feet propped up on the desk for comfort. His office door stood open, the sound of papers rustling coming from the other room indicating he wasn't alone. He sighed, trying to figure out what to think.

The case was troubling to him as it could possibly pertain to his late wife. The photos were of a car that was found in a lake the night before, the driver still sitting behind the wheel. It matched the description of the car used to hit Laura eight years before. According to police, the vehicle apparently was submerged for years though the driver didn't initially drown. When police retrieved the remains, they noticed a distinct hole in the back of the head, indicating the man was killed by a gunshot. What was strange was how the police were even able to find the vehicle in the first place. They had received an anonymous phone call earlier in the day telling them the location of the car. The real question though was who did it?

Fenton sighed, dropping his feet from the desk and rubbing his face. He was tired, having multiple cases going on at once. Luckily, he had not only Sam Radley, his longtime partner, but his son as well to help out. Well, one of his sons anyway. His thoughts turned to his older son and he wondered where he was at that moment. Mainly, if he was okay and happy.

"Dad?" Joe called from the room, interrupting Fenton's thoughts. The younger Hardy appeared at the door, his eyes gleaming excitedly. "You ready to go? Vanessa is waiting for me."

"Oh, yes, go on, go on," his father pushed. "Get out of here. I'll be fine."

Joe narrowed his eyes, watching his father closely. He saw the sad look in Fenton's eyes and entered the office. He noticed the photos on the desk and picked one up to study it. "What's this?"

"It's something Chief Collig sent over," Fenton admitted, frustrated. He rose out of his chair and walked around the desk. "I can't place it either."

"Why? What's going on?"

"Collig believes it might be the car that was used…"

"What?" Joe asked in shock, looking back down at the photo. He didn't know what the car looked like since he wasn't there, but he knew from the descriptions he heard, the rusted looking car did look similar. The only people who could really identify it would be the witnesses, including…Joe angrily shook his head at the thought. "How do they really know? It could be a random car with some poor schmuck who took a wrong turn while drunk."

"True," his father nodded, picking up another photo. It showed the remains of what looked like a man. "This is what's left of the driver. Collig said he died of a gunshot wound to the head. It makes me wonder if this guy crossed the wrong person. That doesn't exactly sound like a drunk to me."

"What does this mean then, Dad?"

"I don't know, Joe," Fenton sighed, putting away the photos. "It could mean nothing for all we know. It's strange that someone called the police about it years after it happened. I'm wondering if someone was trying to reopen the case for some reason. It's never been solved as to who was driving that car. I just want to find the bastard who did it. If it really was this guy, then I want to thank the man who shot him."

"Dad!"

"I know, I know," his father yielded. "It would just be nice to know who really killed your mother though."

"It's been eight years, Dad," Joe said sadly. "How is it that we're just now getting clues?"

Fenton was silent as he put away the file folder in a drawer and locked it. He had the same questions as Joe did. Why were they just now getting new clues on the hit and run? A good portion of the people who saw the whole thing either passed on or moved on so it would be difficult to get a clear identification on the vehicle. He just wished Frank were here to help with it. He saw the car more clearly than anyone yet he too moved on.

Closing his eyes, Fenton tried to remember his wife's voice. There were times that he could almost hear her calling out to him for dinner only to find that it was a neighbor or his sister or even a dream. Her smile was what he missed the most though. Laura had a smile that would light up a room, her personality shining brightly to all. Fenton saw a lot of her in Joe. His son had the same hair color and eyes as Laura while Frank favored him.

Frank…what was he doing? Did he miss them? Did he still hold a grudge against them? Fenton wanted nothing more than to see his oldest son again and to apologize for what happened. He regretted saying the words the moment they were uttered. All Fenton remembered was the hurt in Frank's eyes after the funeral. Joe had already been a hothead by publicly blaming his brother for their mother's death but it didn't help that Fenton agreed with it. In fact, Fenton was only trying to calm the situation down and inadvertently stuck his foot in his mouth. It was the last time he ever saw Frank.

"Dad?"

"Huh?" Fenton looked over at Joe. The young man had grown since his high school days but Joe had weathered much over the years. What Fenton saw in his son's eyes was sadness but also, hope. Hope that maybe they could finally find peace after years of grief.

"I miss Mom," Joe finally said.

"Me too," he nodded, his voice low and tired. "And your brother. I…I regret what I said to Frank. I've regretted it since the moment I said it. I was hoping to apologize when we came home but it was too late. He was gone."

"Dad, he left us," his son growled angrily, his demeanor changing. "But I'm angrier at him for that than I am about Mom. Frank didn't want to face us so he left, like a coward would."

"Joe, don't say that. You know it's not true. We all are guilty for what happened with your mother. She wouldn't have wanted this. She would have wanted us to stay together."

"Frankly, I don't care if he comes back."

"You don't mean that, Joe," Fenton said sadly. "Frank left because of our words. What if…something happened to him and we never found out about it?"

"Dad, as far as I'm concerned, Frank can go to hell." Joe walked swiftly to the door. "I need some air and Vanessa is waiting for me. I'll see you later."

Moments later, Fenton heard the door slam shut as Joe left. The father bowed his head, saying a prayer. All he wanted was the anger of the past to be gone and his family together once more. He hoped that he could see his oldest son again and apologize for everything that was said. Fenton just didn't know what was on the horizon that would change everything.

"How are you settling in, Frank?" Hannah asked, handing him a cup of coffee. The two were in the kitchen of the Drews' house a week after Frank arrived.

"I'm good, Hannah," he replied. Frank took a sip of coffee, allowing the aroma and hot liquid to seep into his senses. "Mr. Drew didn't have to let me stay here though. I could have found a place on my own."

"He wanted to, dear," she replied with a smile. "He knew it would be hard for you to find somewhere to stay right away and he has more than enough room to accommodate you with Nancy living in the city. You can stay as long as you need to."

"Thank you, Hannah," Frank nodded. "I want to pay for my stay though. I don't like taking advantage of others."

"Oh, pish posh," the woman waved dismissively. "You're not taking advantage of anyone if we're the ones inviting you to stay. And besides, Carson wouldn't hear of you paying rent while you're here. You're practically family the amount of times you've been here in the past."

"I just feel like…"

"Well, don't," she scolded, taking a scone from the plate between them.

The two got quiet as they shared the scones. Carson was out for the day, working on a particular case that was to start on Monday. He insisted on Frank staying home as he was not a part of the team for the case.

On the first day of work, Frank was introduced to everyone at the law firm including the other candidate for the position. He was given a small desk and an area to study for the bar exam which was to take place in July. Until that time, Frank would be helping out other lawyers on their cases and being mentored by a few of the partners including Carson. As apprehensive as he was when he accepted Carson's offer, Frank grew to liking the firm and those around him, though there were a few exceptions.

The days at the office seemed to meld together and a week passed quickly. Frank didn't realize that Saturday crept up on him until the day before. What he had planned for the day was to go find a suitable apartment or room he could rent but Hannah needed some help with some house repairs that Carson had yet to get to. With much dismay, Frank agreed and by the time they were done, it was too late to go out.

The front door of the house closed loudly and a familiar female voice echoed around them. "Hannah!"

Frank's heart skipped a beat, recognizing the voice immediately. The past week, he wondered when she would show, slightly disappointed that she was no longer living at home. But now that she was finally there, Frank's nerves were going into overdrive.

"In the kitchen, Nancy!" Hannah answered. She glanced over at Frank, hiding a small smile behind her coffee cup.

"You have no idea how much Owen is driving me crazy!" Nancy continued, her voice approaching the kitchen. "Now he's telling me…Oh!" She abruptly stopped when she entered the room and saw that Hannah wasn't alone. "I'm so sorry! I…I didn't realize you weren't alone."

"It's all right, dear," the woman replied sweetly. She gestured toward Frank, whose back was to Nancy. "You remember Frank, don't you?"

Frank slowly rose from his chair and turned around to face Nancy. Shock registered on her face when she realized who he was. He gave her a sheepish smile and a small wave though he said nothing as he took her in. She was everything Frank remembered her to be, only slightly older. Her reddish-blonde hair was styled in a shoulder-length pageboy, curled under in perfection. A beige tilt hat adorned her head that matched the color of the pencil skirt and jacket she wore. Light makeup gave her face a cheery feel though her expression would suggest otherwise.

"Frank?" Nancy finally uttered, breathlessly. "What…where…what is going on here? What is he doing here, Hannah?"

"Your father hired him, Nancy," Hannah answered politely. "Frank is staying with us until he finds a place to live."

"Why? Dad knows how I…"

"That is your father's business," she said firmly.

Frank stood awkwardly, listening to the women talk. He had a feeling that Nancy wasn't happy to see him which didn't surprise him. He didn't say good bye to her either when he left eight years before.

"This is not happening," Nancy grumbled walking away. "I don't need this right now with what I'm dealing with."

"Where are you going?" Hannah asked.

"To talk to Dad."

"Nancy, wait," Frank said, taking her hand to stop her. She pulled her hand away and glared at him. "Look, I'm sorry for what happened. I…I…"

He stopped when Nancy suddenly slapped him across the face, the smack echoing in the room. Hannah cried out in shock, watching as Nancy's face turned red. Frank rubbed his burning cheek, waiting for the onslaught to continue.

"How could you?" Nancy seethed. "Do you have any idea what you've put your family through by leaving? And you could have at least said something to me! Anything! But no! You leave without even a note!"

"Nancy, I…"

"Save it, Frank," she spat. He was afraid she would slap him again but Nancy didn't move. She just stared at him, her blue eyes watering. "Where were you when your family needed you the most?"

"Nancy, that's enough!"

"You know what? She's right. I am done because you're not worth it."

Nancy turned and stormed out of the room. Seconds later, the front door slammed announcing her exit. Frank shook his head, looking at the ground. It was not what he expected but he definitely felt he deserved it.

"I am so sorry, Frank," Hannah said glumly. "I didn't think Nancy would take it so hard. I know she's been mad at you but I didn't think she would slap you."

"It's okay, Hannah," he mumbled. "I deserved it."

Frank sighed. He wanted to talk to Nancy, to explain why he did what he did but he wasn't sure if she would listen. Frank wondered if he went back to Bayport, his father and brother would have the same reaction.

"Frank?"

"Hmm?" He looked at her.

"Give her some time," Hannah smiled. "She has a lot on her mind right now and a lot going on." The woman bit her lip, looking nervously towards the front of the house as if contemplating what to say. "Did you meet Owen Hartley from the firm?"

"Yes," Frank answered, surprised at the change of subject. "He seemed a little arrogant but somewhat nice. Why?"

"I'm glad you saw the same thing I saw in him," Hannah replied. "He is arrogant but charming at the same time. That's who Nancy is talking about." She paused, shaking her head and composing herself. "I shouldn't be saying this. It's not my place."

"What is it?"

"Nancy has been dating Owen for over two years now and they're getting married next month."

Author's Note:

Thank you to everyone who continues to read the story and a special thanks to those who left reviews! I'm so glad that you are enjoying this!. It's definitely not the type of story that I've written before. To MargaretA66, you kind of figured out the reason why I chose this time frame. NO INTERNET or computers for Fenton to easily find Frank. There you have it. The real reason why I chose the 50s. To candylou, we will have to wait and see what Frank does. To Savvy, I'm so glad you like it! To ErinJordan, hope you enjoyed the new chapter. To Drumboy, yeah, eight years alone can do a lot to people. Carson's wisdom will go a long way for Frank as will Hannah's. To Elizabeth K. Joan, we will find out about Callie later. Expect a new chapter sometime next week! Well, I hope that you enjoyed this one and if you will, please leave a review to let me know what you think! Have a great weekend and God bless!