Take A Chance On Me

Chapter 10

George finally opened the door. 'Nancy?' She asked as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. 'Do you know what time it is?'

'Sorry about the late night George but we have something serious to discuss.' Nancy looked George in the eye. She nodded and let her best friend in. The seriousness in Nancy's eyes showed George that this was something big. Nancy led George to her couch, propping her legs underneath her.

'This has to be big for you to come here in the middle of the night. If it wasn't serious you would've waited until the morning,' George started. 'It's about Joe isn't it? I know you're working the case; is he ok? How's the little gremlin?' George asks trying to lighten the mood.

'Joe is fine. He's in recovery as we speak,' George sighed with relief. She loved the Hardy's almost as much as Nancy. 'Do you have your laptop around George? Fenton was shot tonight while we were having dinner and the boutique store across the street has security footage facing the restaurant and I'm hoping that we have even a glimpse of the man. I have a hunch whoever shot Fenton also shot Joe and is slowly taking out the Hardy's one by one to get to Frank. He is the only one that hasn't been targeted whilst he is has been the easiest person to get to.' Nancy was bouncing ideas off herself now.

At this point, George had already gone to her bedroom, waking up her husband, got him to fall asleep again and come out to the living room again. Nancy still thinking aloud about the offender went into the kitchen to grab a couple of mugs of hot cocoa.

'Nancy, do you think he's targeting you as well? I mean, anyone who knows you would know that you are very, very close to the Hardy's. Yes they could've come after me or Bess or either of our husbands or children but you have made a point to keep us out of the press or any incident reports for this exact reason but you, Frank and Joe have mentioned each other in each other's cases, involved each other. None of you three have hidden your relationship at all, it's out in the public so this person could also be targeting you not just Frank. We know it's not Joe otherwise he wouldn't have gone after Fenton.' Nancy contemplated what George was saying.

'Well, that could be anyone' Nancy complained throwing her head in her hands in frustration.

'We can narrow it down a little once we watch this video. So we know he's male, quite tall. What did Joe have to say about the assailant?' George proceeded to download the remaining files to her computer as Nancy sipped her hot cocoa.

'He recognised his voice. It's sounds familiar but he can't figure out where he's heard his voice. It doesn't bring any happy vibes.' George sits in wonder as the video uploads.

'It feels weird not doing this with Bess but she needs her beauty sleep more than we do and at this point in time we don't need her complaining. I'll call her in the morning and fill her in on what's happened.' George puts the video in full screen and sighs. 

The pair watched the security footage in normal speed and in full length. Zooming in and slowing down the video, George and Nancy leaned in. At the moment the assailant turned around George pauses the video. A slither of light shone his very familiar face. Shining his familiar brown eyes and fair skin. His hoody obscuring half his face, nonetheless Nancy could still recognise his face. The face she kissed, the last face she saw when leaving for work and the first face she saw when she came home. The face she felt comfort in for 7 years. That same face brings her regret, disappointment but mostly anger.

Nancy stands up, takes the two empty mugs and walks into the kitchen. George could hear the water running and angry grunts coming from one of the closest friends. In all honestly, she understood why the red-head was so angry. Ned was the one that cheated on her and got mad at Nancy for finding out his mistake and got even angrier that the first person she went to was the only person in the world he hated. 

There was a light rasp at the door. 'Who else could this be at this time of the night?' George thought. Looking through the peep hole, George saw a familiar face behind the door and opened it immediately.

'Frank, she's in the kitchen.' He mouthed thank you, kissed her cheek and walked past her to see his girlfriend. George slowly followed him into the kitchen and watched the couple hug.

Frank wrapped his arms around girlfriend as they looked out of the kitchen window. Nancy turned around his arms, Frank dropped a light peck on her forehead. She slowly exhales and wrapped arms even more tightly around Frank's muscular chest. He wrapped one arm around her back and his other arm around her shoulders with his arm stroking the back of Nancy's neck.

'It's Ned, the person who's shot Fenton was Ned. I have a feeling he shot Joe as well. The only problem we are facing is trying to get enough evidence to prosecute.' Nancy starts tracing his muscles throughout his shirt. 'How's Fenton?'

'Not in good shape. He won't have quite as quick recovery like Joe. He was still in surgery when I left but I knew you would've come here to get a fresh pair of eyes and I assumed either you or George came to the same conclusion that Joe and I did that George and Bess have absolutely no connection,'

'To either of us,' both Frank and Nancy finished at the same time. They both giggled and looked at each other. 'I guess we better head home and let George get some rest. Good thing you didn't wake up Bess, that woman needs her beauty sleep. Say goodbye to George and we'll head home.'

The lovebirds lazily walk back into Nancy's apartment, lazily walking into her bedroom tripping over clothes and shoes strewn about. Both of them laying in each other's arms not really able to fall asleep.