"What were you doing running around that hacienda in the condition you were in?" Fairchild asked Elayne as she lay in a hospital bed. The room was empty excepting for Elayne and her father. Fairchild was sitting in a chair next to the hospital bed.

"You heard the doctor Dad, it was only five broken ribs." Elayne said as she rolled her eyes.

"Five! How did you know it was five while you were at the hacienda? You had no way of knowing." Fairchild replied trying to keep calm.

"It didn’t matter how many at the time. I figured that if I could walk and stand up I was in well enough condition." Elayne replied.

"Then what are you doing in the hospital now?"

"Because the local doctors want to do all sort of checkups on me. They don’t seem to understand that I’m perfectly fine." Elayne replied in an annoyed voice.

Fairchild sighed. "I give up!"

Elayne smiled broadly. "It’s about time!"

"While we’re at this I might as well tell you the news. As soon as you get well and we go back to the U.S. you’re going to get a step-mother." Fairchild said.

"Really!" Elayne replied in a excited voice. "Is it Amanda? Can we go now?"

"How did you know?" Fairchild demanded.

"I’ve known for ages Dad! She really loves you."

"So she told me the other day," Fairchild replied dryly.

"Can I help plan the wedding?"

"You’ll have to ask Amanda about that." Fairchild said, smiling.

Elayne was now beaming, all injuries forgotten. "Be sure to thank Joe, Nancy, and Frank for me. Especially Joe."

Fairchild nodded as he stood up. "I will, especially Joe." He snickered as he left the room. Elayne had a crush. . . .

*********

Frank, Nancy, and Joe sat eating breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Mr. Fairchild arrived and sat down at their table.

"I’m sorry that I haven’t had enough time to talk to you yet," he said. "I’ve been worried about Elayne. She seems fine, and acts fine but she could be acting for all I know."

"That’s okay," Nancy said graciously as she buttered a roll.

"She also wants me to thank you all, especially Joe." Fairchild winked at Joe who blushed.

"Tell us about that guy you shot outside Santiago’s hacienda," Joe prompted.

Mr. Fairchild sighed. "He was my twin brother. He fits into the ‘evil twin’ cliche rather well."

"So he was behind Elayne’s kidnapping? Why?" Frank asked.

"Elayne’s kidnapping was meant to be a distraction." Fairchild explained. "Phillip was planning to overthrow the government while I was off chasing Elayne and her kidnappers. However, thanks to you the attempt was stopped, the weapons were destroyed and Elayne is safe. Speaking of which, I owe you your reward money." He pulled out his checkbook.

"You don’t need to do that!" Nancy protested.

"Why not?" Fairchild asked.

"We just like to solve cases," Frank explained, "we never take the rewards for doing it."

Fairchild smiled and put his checkbook away. "It’s contrary to my nature to let you go away unrewarded. You like to solve cases and mysteries, then perhaps I can use my resources to help you. Remember those expense account credit cards I gave you? Use those on whatever case you’re working on. Or use them to buy equipment to help you."

"Thank you Mr. Fairchild," Joe said.

"No problem." Fairchild replied.

"When do we begin training for the Network?" Nancy asked eagerly.

"After you get back. I’ll contact you about it. You’ll get some more cool equipment, and all the training and info you could possibly want." Fairchild said.

"Sounds good to me!" Frank said.

"Will you put us on a new case soon?" Nancy asked.

"When one comes up that I need you on," Fairchild answered as he stood up, "chances are, it’ll bump into you first though."

"See you soon," all three said as he prepared to leave.

"Until then," Fairchild said as he waved goodbye.

They watched the head of the United States Central Network walk away. "I hope it’s soon," Frank said.

"Me too," Nancy agreed.

"Me three!" Joe said.