Joe was the wrong person to go undercover, Frank thought. Joe’s temper is so short that he probably got himself into some kind of trouble. That temper of his causes more problems than the things we deal with.

Frank got to his feet and started to pace. He hated waiting for Joe. He had no idea if Joe was going to call or get in touch with him some other way. He started for the door.

At that moment, the telephone rang. He quickly grabbed the phone. He put the phone to his ear. “Hello?”

“Hey, Frank. It’s Nancy.”

“What’s up?”

“I’m in the hotel lobby. Hurry down here. I’ve got a lead.”

“I’m on my way.” Frank put the phone down.

He grabbed his jacket and left the room. He walked into the lobby and saw Nancy waiting. He saw she was looking at her left hand. He knew she was thinking about Ned. He knew he needed to help her with Ned once they solved the case.

As he reached Nancy, she looked up at him. She said, “Come on.”

They got into Nancy’s car. Once they were moving, Frank asked, “Where are we going?”

“To the mall. Joe called and told me that’s where they were headed.”

“I’m glad he called you. I was worried since there wasn’t a word from him.”

“Joe is fine. He can take care of himself.” Nancy glanced at Frank. “Joe said he had some news.”

“I hope it’s good.”

“So do I.”

* * * * *

When Nancy and Frank arrived at he mall, they wandered around searching for Joe. They walked around for an hour and finally spotted the group. The group had just entered the mall. Frank and Nancy saw Joe at the front of the group. He had his arm around Vicki.

Frank said, “I think Joe has made progress.”

“I think you’re right. I wonder what he found out.”

Frank and Nancy moved toward a store window. They took their time making their way toward the group. They watched the group in the window. Their reflections were easy to follow.

They were looking through the window when they were bumped from behind. They stumbled a little, but were able to regain their balance. They turned around and faced the group. Joe was standing right in front of Nancy.

A muscular guy was standing in front of Frank. They guy was about six-and-a-half feet tall. The guy was bald and had a black mustache. He was wearing a black leather jacket. The big guy said, “Watch where you’re going.”

“You’re the one who bumped into me.”

“No, I didn’t,” the big guy said. “This is our mall. We call the shots.”

“The mall is for everyone,” Frank said. “Not just you.”

“It is our mall. We can tell whoever we want what to do. And we want you to leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Frank stated.

“You heard him tell you to get out of here,” Joe said. “That would be a wise idea. It would be a shame to hurt you again.”

The big guy grabbed Frank by the collar before he could say anything and pulled him close so they were nose-to-nose. “I’m going to teach you a lesson you won’t forget.”