Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys- when in Rome

Chapter 2- the letter

Frank handed the envelope to Nancy, her spindly hands inspecting it.

"guerra per soldi."

She flipped the envelope around a few times before giving the letter to Joe to read.

He knew Italian better than both of them. Nancy knew the least.

"What does this mean?" Nancy asked indicating to the black wax seal.

"guerra per soldi?" Joe asked. "It means War and money, or is it War for Money. Either way Nancy, it doesn't sound good."
The blonde brother inspected the envelope once again.
"Whoever packaged this letter really knows a scare factor. It like something a Bond villain would do. Something classic."

Nancy and Frank nodded.
Nancy took back the letter and shoved it in her bag, nothing to worry about right now, they need to leave the plane.
......
They walked up to the police station. Here they could get more information on the girl and the quicker they get this done, the quicker Nancy can read the letter.

"Detective Russo!" Frank called out, detective Russo was the man who called Carson to get the infamous Nancy Drew on the case.

"Nancy Drew! And ze Hardy Boys!" The man who they ruled out as Detective Russo cane running up to them.
He was a tall man with tan dark skin and heavily expressive eyes.

"I actually think it's the Hardy boys and Nancy Drew." Joe mumbled under his breath, cause Nancy to give him a playful glare while Frank rolled his eyes.

"Welcome to Rome, amici! Sono Detective Russo." The man smiled, shaking their hands with gusto.
All three of the teens tiredly shook his hands. The eight hour flight was getting to them, and Nancy who flew two hours to get to New York to meet the Hardy boys so they could get on another plane, was starting to feel the need for a warm bed about now.

"I'll fill you in on the details then you can go and sightsee, yes?"

The three nodded and Joe gave an audible "Yes!"
The three followed him deeper into the station.
....
Nancy yawned, throwing herself onto the plush  comforter in the hotel, followed by Joe on the opposite side.

"My feet feel like i've been walking on hot coals...All day." Joe moaned worming around to kick off his shoes.

Last to enter the  hotel room was Frank holding an abundance of tour guide maps, Glancing across them all like a crazed man.

"Okay,okay. Heres my idea. We went to the other cathedrals today. But tomorrow we start the case and investigate the big one, sound good?"

Joe groaned. "No more work. It's nap time."

"Fine Joe, You don't have to come with Nancy and I."

Joe groaned again. "Would I want to? You guys treat Rome like you treat Paris. I can see the hormones bouncing off of you. I personally don't want to be in a Frank and Nancy sandwich."

Nancy just yawned, sinking deeper into the mattress. She felt the sudden need to inspect something, but they didn't find any clues out on the streets. The only thing that had seemed strange was the time when they were working with the police. Which is what Nancy normally doesn't do. She prefers to move to the beat of her own drum. But she couldn't help but feel that exciting itching on the back of her neck whenever she knew a clue was just in their midst.

"Hey Nance, did you ever read that creepy letter?" Joe mumbled into his pillow, Muffling his words and squishing his already boyish face.

Then it hit Nancy. The Letter!

She crawled off the bed with a quick certainty. Suddenly regaining her strength.

Frank watched quietly at the excitement Nancy shone.

She ripped the letter from the old brown leather backpack she brought on every case.

"War for Money." She grazed her hand across the wax seal one more before opening it as much as she could without ripping the envelope.

The insides of the letter consisted of a letter, Typed up from what looks like an old fashion typewriter. And a small packet. White so that the contents could not be revealed without opening it.

The Letter read.

To the Infamous Nancy Drew.

Welcome to Rome. Im sure you will like your stay. I'm afraid to inform you that to others you and your Hardy Boys will not be as welcome.  Leave while you can. This will be your worst case yet. I have eyes everywhere Miss Drew. Even on your Dear Frank and the idiotic Joe. They should check their belongings for a gift. From Me to you. The package contained with the letter is your gift. Watch out Nancy. It's to die for.

I  warn you drew, this will be a case you will be begging to forget ,
signed E.

Nancy examiner the package that graced her fingers was was small, about the size of her thumb.
"Nancy, what did the letter say?" Frank interjected. Taking a quick step forward as Nancy gazed down to the small package not seeming to take her eyes off of it.

"Check your bags...."

Joe finally lifted his head off the pillow. His blue eyes now trained on Nancy.
"What?"

"Check your bags. You'll find a package like this." Nancy held it up out of her hands.

Both boys looked at her in confusion but moved to their bags.

Joe searched for a bit but sound it. It was significantly bigger than Nancy's. Slightly bigger than his hand.
"This is kind of heavy..." Joe mentioned, weighing the white package in his hands.

Frank found his a few minutes later. A small package, about the size of a Halloween candy greeted him. He flashed it quickly to Nancy and raised his eyebrows skeptically.

"What going on Nance?"

Nancy sighed moving towards the boys and huddling them up.
She read them the letter.
.....
"Okay." Frank breathed out, brushing his hands quickly against his thighs.
"Let's open our so called 'presents'."

They all prepped, holding their packages to be pulled open.

"Count of three?" Joe asked, the other two nodded.

"Ready."

"One.... two.... three..."

Hastily Nancy pulled hers open.
A little vial greeted her. A vial of a blue liquid.
Water. And a euro.

'Could this be a clue?' Nancy thought, holding the euro in her hand.

"Uhh... Nancy?"
She glanced up to the voice. Frank was holding out something. More like two things.
Two pitch black pills were stationed on his hand.
They all knew what it was immediately.
Deadly nightshade.

"Joe?"
Nancy questioned, turning her head to the blonde who now seemed very very quiet.

His face was downcast, looking into his package with fear in his eyes.

"Frank?" Joe asked in a shaky voice...
"I think I got something worse than nightshade."

His hand reached in as Nancy heard a metallic shifting sound. She couldn't quite place the loud metallic shift she heard as joe picked up the contents of the package.

"What is it?" Frank questioned. Craning his neck for a better look.

"Joe?" Nancy asked placing an arm on his shoulder but redacting it quickly when she saw what was in his hand.

Joe pulled a gun from the bag. His eyes searched around the room in terror. Grasping for what to do.

Joe opened his mouth to speak, eyes now glued to the weapon in his hands.

"What the F-"