Take A Chance On Me

Chapter 6

"So this is where the great Nancy Drew comes to solve all of cases in Chicago." Frank stated aloud. Reminiscing the cases they had worked together in the Windy City. "It's exactly how I remember," Nancy sat on the boulder, patting the spot next to her and opening up her laptop. Frank sat down as she opened up all the information she had found yesterday. There were pages upon pages of evidence.

"So I've already gone through all of Joe's case files and some of the ones that had overlapped with you but nothing seems to really scream at me. A couple of big drug arrests, a couple of misdemeanours and a few things here and there." Nancy flipped through the pages not seeing anything.

"No I didn't think you would. We get a lot of death threats but nothing serious. This is frustrating. Who would want to kill him?" Frank groaned in frustration. Nancy leaned into him for comfort. She felt horrible about what happened. What if it actually was her fault? Nancy knew she shouldn't blame herself but it's the only thing that was going through her head.

Frank could see the crinkle of frustration on his girlfriends forehead. He kissed her head whispering 'it's all going to be fine', comforting her but also himself. After they had gone through every possible piece of evidence (which took almost an hour) they finally thought it was time to see Joe. With clear heads and knowing they are doing everything they could, they silently drove back to the hospital.

Entering the hospital, they instantly spotted Laura and Fenton sitting together in the waiting room. Holding hands, Nancy and Frank both slowly walk over to his parents. 

"Is Joe ok? Can we go and see him?" Frank asks as Laura and Fenton hug the couple.

"Yeah we just needed a break. Did you need coffee? Go see Joe and we'll bring it in," Nancy could see the tears in Laura's eyes. She could see how desperate Frank was to his his only brother by the way he was dragging her to Joe's room. If she wasn't there, Nancy knew he would be running.

Joe's blonde hair lay across his still face. His arms lay softly next to his lean body. His chest raised up and down softly, with a machine next to him beeping in time. Frank walked up to Joe, and held one of his hands and kissed it slightly. A slow tear rolled down his eye. Nancy held Joe's other hand and kissed it with tears streaming down her face. A doctor walked into the hospital room.

"I'm sorry, are you relatives to Joseph?" Nancy squinted and saw Dr. Reid written on his badge.

"Yes, I'm his brother and this is my wife." Nancy and Frank both quickly took out their rings on their necklace.

"Well Joseph will be fine. He should be waking up any moment. His surgery went well and the bullet missed all of his vital organs by millimetres. Do you have any questions?" Dr Reid hugged his clipboard of notes to his chest. The couple shook their heads and hugged each other at the great news. Laura and Fenton both walked into the room as Dr. Reid was leaving, holding multiple cups of coffee with takeaway bags.

"Is everything ok? Is my baby ok?" Laura asked the pair, handing over the coffee and two takeaway bag.

"He's going to be fine Mum, he should be waking up anytime soon. It missed all of his vital organs." Frank opened up one brown bag and noted that they had bought them muffins, croissants and a small fruit salad. "Thank you Mum," Frank licked his lips.

"Yes thank you so much Mrs Hardy," Nancy smiled as she sipped her large coffee.

"Please Nance, call me Laura. You're like family to us, we all love you. Speaking of family, your Aunt Gertrude said congratulations for finally becoming a couple and she hopes both of you and Joe well." The couple looked each other and smiled.

Laura, Fenton, Nancy and Frank all sat in silence, eating and drinking while waiting for Joe to open his blue eyes. Frank and Nancy had briefly gone over what they had gathered and took in any ideas from either Hardy parent. Forty-five minutes of deliberating Fenton noticed the slight movement of Joe and quickly walked over to his son. Excitement filled the room as Joe woke up.

Chatter and laughter filled the hospital room air. Smiles and relief filled everyone's face but one question burned in their minds.

'Who shot Joe?'