Fenton knew that his family would be wondering what was taking him so long. He took out his cell phone and called home so no one would worry about him. Laura answered the phone and he quickly explained his delay.

“I’ll send one of the boys to the store,” Laura told him.

Fenton turned his attention back to Sam. “How did you find out about this?”

“The Southport PD wanted to question this Dr. Samuels – they wanted some information about the riot. One of the guards remembered him fleeing the building with the nurse. No one has seen either of them since.”

“So the good doctor is having an affair with his nurse – that’s nothing new!”

“It is when Dr. Samuels doesn’t exist,” Sam said ominously.

“You’ve got my attention, continue please.”

“When the police couldn’t find Dr. Samuels they decided to check into his credentials…”

“Hold it…one question – how did you find this out?”

“Oh...” Sam smiled at his friend. “Well, when I heard about Alice’s death I wanted to…well, make sure that she really was gone. I mean she did escape from that mental hospital! Anyway, one of the guards at the prison…her brother and I were best friends. She gave me a call as soon as she found out about the good doctor.”

“I’m glad she called you – tell me more.”

“Okay, so when they looked into Dr. Samuels they found out that he never attended Harvard University or did an internship at Beth Israel Hospital much less lived in Boston, Massachusetts! However…a Henry Samuel Nicholson did! Does that name ring a bell?”

Fenton was stunned – it had been several years since he had heard that name. Dr. Henry Samuel Nicholson was working at Bayport General Hospital. Dr. Bates, the Hardys family doctor and a fixture at Bayport General, had contacted Fenton when he noticed several addictive narcotics missing.

When Fenton investigated he found that the security was almost non-existent. There was a security guard but he was a 60-year-old retiree who volunteered his services – he also took a lot of breaks and left early when his feet would start to hurt. The head pharmacist had a key as did several of the doctors. Fenton set up a security camera that was hidden in a vent which was across from the medicine cabinet that held the lethal drugs. It didn’t take long for Mr. Hardy to find out that a new resident was stealing the drugs. It was later found that Henry Samuel Nicholson was addicted to barbiturates. The young doctor lost his job and almost lost his license – and due to his known addiction no hospital would hire him.

“You know for someone with that kind of habit, I’m surprised his license wasn’t revoked!” said Sam in a disgusted tone.

“Nicholson has Dr. Bates to thank for that. Nicholson really was a good doctor – he was the only one who could get Joe to stay still long enough for a shot or have an IV put in. And he was smart enough not to get high while on the job! His reputation was ruined though.”

“So I gather if he had to change his name, looks like being a doctor at the women’s prison was the best he could do,” Sam commented.

“I guess you’re telling me about this because you think he might seek revenge?” Fenton looked questioningly at his friend.

“If he hasn’t done anything while he’s been working in Southport…I don’t think he will now. I just thought I’d give you a heads up.”

“Thanks,” smiled Fenton.

*****

Vanessa couldn’t believe how crowded the mall was today. ‘You would think they would want to be outside soaking up the sun!’ she thought, then smiled because she was indoors doing some shopping! Vanessa had come back to buy a cute sundress she had seen the last time she was at the mall. She wanted it for her date with Joe; this coming Saturday they were going to spend half the day at the beach, then have dinner on the wharf.

With her purchase in hand, Vanessa made her way to the food court and headed for The Pizzeria. It was one of the few enclosed restaurants on the food court. As soon as she walked in, Vanessa could see that it was packed. She was contemplating getting something to go when she heard a voice.

“If you want a place to sit down, I don’t mind sharing my booth with you.”

Vanessa turned to see a pretty young woman with light brown hair who had a friendly smile on her face.

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all, it seems my date stood me up and I’d like the company.” The woman smiled at her.

“Thank you,” Vanessa smiled back as she slid into the booth. “That’s terrible that your date stood you up!”

“It’s not the first time he’s done this. I’m Allie, by the way!” she held out her hand.

Vanessa shook her hand. “Hi, I’m Vanessa.”

Ordering a drink when the waitress came, Vanessa had a pleasant conversation with Allie. She found herself talking about Joe to the young woman.

“As much as I hate to end this fun time,” said Allie as she glanced at her watch. “I still have errands to do.”

“Oh my, I hadn’t realized it was so late!” exclaimed Vanessa when she noted the time.

“It was nice meeting with you, Vanessa. Hopefully we’ll meet again!” Allie waved as she went to pay for her drink.

Vanessa didn’t get a chance to reply, for Allie left quickly. Vanessa left a tip then went to pay for her drink. She really liked Allie and hoped that they would meet up again.

She left the mall, walking to her car. She was glad that she had memorized which section she had parked in as she walked down the parking lot. A family of four passed by Vanessa, and she waved at the little girl.

Vanessa reached inside her small tote bag, searching for her keys, when she heard the sound of screeching tires. She looked up to see a dark colored car speeding towards her. As she watched the front end coming closer, Vanessa found that she couldn’t move. “Watch out!” someone shouted; that broke Vanessa’s trance. She leapt on top of the parked car next to her just before the dark car sped past, its body scraping against the fender of the parked car.

“Are you okay?” A young man looked anxiously at Vanessa.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“What an idiot! I can’t believe some people! Are you sure you’re okay?” He helped Vanessa off the car.

“Yeah, a little shaken up but fine.” She gave him a smile then walked to her car.

*****

“Are you sure you weren’t hurt?!” asked Joe later that evening.

“I’m positive! I was a little shaken but that’s it,” Vanessa reassured him.

“Did you get the license plate number, the make of the car – did you see the driver?”

“No, no and no! It happened so fast that I didn’t even think about that stuff. Besides, it was just some jerk who doesn’t know how to drive.”

Joe was still frowning; Vanessa let out a sigh, then smiled as she took his hand. She cupped his face, staring intently, before she leaned close and softly kissed him.

“I’m fine,” she whispered.

“Well, I’m not…can you do that again?” A wicked grin slowly crossed his face.

Vanessa laughed before complying.

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.