"How did he die?"

"He died in prison about six years ago. He had liver cancer but by the time it was diagnosed there was nothing they could do."

"Thanks, Sam." He hung up.

He had been so sure he was on the right track with this. Tilghman escaped, wanted revenge on Joe and so went after Vanessa. Once they confirmed that, it would be a simple matter of getting his picture out to the public in every newspaper and on every television station across the country. He'd be caught in a matter of days - case closed. Now they were back to square one.

"Bad news?" Phil asked seeing the look on his friends face.

"Tilghman is dead. It couldn't have been him." Frank replied as he was dialing his father.

"Dad," Frank began when his father answered. "Tilghman is dead. He died in prison six years ago, from cancer."

His father sighed but said nothing.

"I was so sure this stupid card would lead us to the rapist." Frank continued, disappointed and frustrated. "I know it’s crazy but I still have a strong feeling that this card is the key to everything."

"You're starting to sound like your brother."

"Yeah, I know. But he and his gut instincts are right more times than I care to admit."

"Well, son, a lot of cases have been solved by instinct rather than fact. If you feel that strongly about it, keep working on it. Maybe Phil can give you a fresh perspective."

"Ok, Dad. Thanks. Call me later and let me know how Joe and Vanessa are doing."

"I will. Goodbye."

"Bye, Dad."

Fenton Hardy leaned back in the chair in the waiting area and rubbed his eyes. Frank's news hadn't been good but at least it was keeping him busy. Something Fenton wished he could do at the moment…keep busy. He was never very good at waiting, especially in hospitals. Laughing softly to himself, he was amazed that after all these years no one had figured out that Joe had inherited his inability to sit still for more than five minutes directly from his father. While Fenton was infinitely more patient than his youngest son, he would gladly take the "action" part of investigative work over the cerebral anyday.

More than anything he'd like to be out on the streets right now, following up on leads, however slim, to catch the man who had raped Vanessa. But at this moment his role as a father was much more important than his role as an investigator. He was confident that Frank could handle anything that came up in the investigation. That confidence in his oldest son gave him the freedom to be nothing more than a supportive father for as long as Joe needed him.

"Dad?"

Fenton's eyes snapped open at the sound of Joe's voice. Looking at his son, he was still having a hard time believing this was the same wisecracking, carefree young man who always appeared as though he had not a care in the world other than having a good time. Joe's world had been completely turned upside down and it was obvious he had no idea how to adjust and deal with it. Fenton could tell whether Vanessa was asleep or awake simply by watching Joe wander aimlessly in and out of her room. He suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Had he, Laura and Frank been so overprotective of Joe all his life that they left him completely unprepared for something like this?

He patted the chair next to him and Joe quickly took a seat. Fenton laid his arm across the back of the chair and it did not escape him that Joe immediately leaned back against his fathers arm and closed his eyes. Joe had long ago stopped asking his father for a hug when he was down. He felt he'd gotten much too old to be running to Daddy for comfort even though there were times he wanted nothing more than to be swallowed up in his father's protective embrace. Knowing instinctively, as a father would, that this was exactly what Joe wanted right now, he let his arm casually fall across Joe's shoulders and almost imperceptibly pulled his youngest son closer. Joe never opened his eyes and didn't say a word, but readjusted himself so he could easily rest his head on his father's shoulder. They sat together, quietly, for a very long time.

"Did Frank go home?" Joe finally asked.

"He went to the office." Fenton replied simply.

Joe had not yet consciously remembered anything from the time he had been abducted. If he told Joe about Frank's conversation with Phil and his discovery of the card's origin, he would have to come up with some explanation for Josh Tilghman and why they had zeroed in on him as a suspect. He was afraid any mention of Tilghman, however vague, would open up the floodgates and bring an onslaught of painful memories for Joe. In his current emotional state, Fenton was sure that would push him over the edge.

"Do you think he'd talk to me if I called him? I mean after what I said this morning?"

"I'm sure he would." Fenton said, giving Joe's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

It was painfully obvious to Fenton that Joe was lost without his older brother to turn to. He was very proud of the man Joe had become but there were still instances where he became overwhelmed at the curves life would throw at him. At those times he still depended on his big brother to pick up the pieces for him.

This, in turn, renewed his concern for Frank. Frank was always level headed and able to handle any situation with ease. Fenton had been taken aback by Frank's reaction to what had happened. He had never seen Frank quite so rattled. Frank's reaction to Vanessa being raped, relief that it had not been Callie and his increasing concern for Callie's safety were all weighing heavily on Fenton's mind.

What worried him the most however, was Frank's clear distress at watching his younger brother try and deal with the overwhelming emotional pain. They had all grown used to Joe's quick mood changes, but his behavior had become so erratic and extreme so quickly that it had left Frank wanting to run. Was he asking too much of Frank by expecting him to guide Joe through this crisis? Was seeing Joe so devastated more than Frank could handle?

Hearing light footsteps he opened his eyes and saw his wife walking towards them.

"Is he asleep?" she whispered.

"No, I'm awake." Joe replied, opening his eyes and sitting up.

"Good. I thought you might want to take your Mom to the cafeteria for dinner." She smiled.

"I'm not really hungry, Mom. And I don't want to leave Vanessa. Why don't you and Dad go."

Sitting next to Joe, Laura took his hand in hers. "You didn't have any breakfast and barely touched the sandwich I brought you for lunch." She gently took his chin in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "I know how upset you are, sweetie, but you have to eat. Vanessa is going to be depending on you. You're going to have to be strong for her and you can't do that if you are sick or exhausted. I just left her and Andrea. She's still sleeping and probably will be for a while. I told Andrea I'd bring her something to eat so I have to go to the cafeteria anyway. Please come with me, honey."

"Go down and get something to eat with your mother, Joe. If Vanessa wakes up I'll come right down and get you, ok?" Fenton urged him.

"Ok." He agreed standing up. "But promise me, Dad, you'll come get me the second she wakes up."

"I promise. Now go."

Shortly after Joe and Laura left, Ezra Collig and Con Riley came walking in. Fenton stood up to greet them, tired of sitting for so long.

"Anything new?" he asked hopefully.

"No." Con answered then looked to Chief Collig.

"Fenton," Ezra began, appearing slightly uncomfortable. "I think it would be best if Joe were taken off this case. It's become much too personal for him. At the best of times it doesn't take much to set him off. It's not fair to ask him to try and remain professional while searching for the man who raped his fiancée."

"Ezra, I agree with you one hundred percent. Believe me I would like nothing better than to get him off this case immediately. But what do you think he's going to do if I tell him he's been removed from the investigation?"

"I know he won't be happy about it. I thought if you and Frank explained it to him he might understand." Seeing how distressed his friend was Collig offered himself up as the ‘bad guy’. "If worse comes to worst I can order him off the investigation. Vanessa was raped here in Bayport. That's under my jurisdiction and we did not ask for outside help."

"You'd have to order Frank and I off the case, too." Fenton reminded him. Sitting down again he shook his head. "Do you remember Josh Tilghman?" he asked suddenly.

Ezra Collig felt his stomach tighten. He remembered Josh Tilghman very well; in fact he would never forget the man. He had only known the Hardy's a few years when Joe had been taken by Tilghman's organization. He had worked side by side with Fenton and Sam until Joe had been found.

"How could I forget." Collig replied simply. He shook his head slightly at Con who understood the message that everything would be explained to him later.

"Frank found out that the card Joe found at the train station was a membership card for Mensa. I asked him to have Sam check on Tilghman. He died in prison six years ago. When Frank first called to tell me about the card I got my hopes up. Everything fit; it made perfect sense. I still can't believe Tilghman was so adamant about getting revenge on Joe." He sighed and looked up at the two men. "But it was a dead end."

"You know, if I remember correctly, Tilghman had a son. About Frank's age I think. It might be worth checking on him. A long shot, but you never know. He may have decided to pick up his fathers grudge against Joe after he died."

Fenton perked up considerably at the prospect of a new lead. But first he had to settle the matter of Joe continuing to assist in the investigation.

"Ezra, I understand completely why you think Joe should be taken off the case. But even if we are successful in doing that what do you think he'll do?"

"Track down the S.O.B. himself." Con replied first. "And God help that man if Joe gets to him before anyone else does."

"Exactly." Fenton replied looking Collig in the eye. "It will be better if he stays on the case. At least that way we'll know what he's doing and we can keep an eye on him."

"Ok." Collig agreed reluctantly. "But make sure either you or Frank knows where he is and what he's doing at all times."

Fenton nodded. "I'll call Frank and have him start checking on Tilghman's son."

"Give Joe and Vanessa our best." Con said over his shoulder as he and Chief Collig left the waiting area.

It was less than a minute before Fenton was talking to Frank.

"Tilghman had at least one child. A son about your age. It's a real long shot but get together with Sam and see what you can find out about him and if he had any other kids. It wouldn't be the first time a child tried to get revenge in the name of a parent."

Excited once again at having something to follow up on, Frank was soon speaking with Sam about getting the information they needed. As he was finishing up his conversation he noticed Phil shifting excitedly from one foot to the other.

"What?" he smiled hanging up the phone.

"I was thinking while you and Sam are working on that, maybe I can do some research and see if the "Clay" on the back of that card means anything." Afraid Frank was going to tell him it wouldn't be necessary, he did his best imitation of Joe's infamous puppy dog look. "Please Frank. I really want to help you catch this guy. Let me do it - for Joe."

Frank laughed out loud at his friend. "Phil, you really need to work on that look…Joe does it much better than you! Seriously, though, I'll take all the help I can get. And I know Joe will really appreciate it. I have to go see Sam. I'll check in with you tomorrow and see what you've got."

Saying goodbye to Phil, he walked out to his car and headed for Sam's house.

'Don't worry, little brother.' He thought. 'We'll get the guy who did this to Vanessa. I promise.'