Twenty minutes later, Nancy was waiting as the passengers entered the terminal. She easily spotted Frank and Joe.

Nancy smiled once they saw her. She gave each of them a hug when they reached her side. Frank asked when they broke apart, “How are you doing?”

“Pretty good,” Nancy lied.

“You’re looking a lot better,” Frank said, noticing her arm with the brace. “It must be nice to have the cast off.”

“It’s great. It weighed so much and it itched. I’m so glad it’s off.” She looked at both of them. “Let’s get your luggage.”

After getting the luggage, Nancy led them out to her car. As they put the bags in the trunk, Joe said, “Your car looks great. No one would believe you drove it into the river.”

“It should look that way since it is new,” Nancy said. “There was too much work involved in repairing the other one, so Dad and I went car shopping and found an exact match.” She closed the trunk lid. “Come on and get in. I’ll take you to the hotel.”

Frank and Joe got in, with Joe squeezing into the back seat and Frank sitting in the front passenger seat.

“After I talked to you last night, I got your rooms ready at the hotel.”

“That’s good,” Joe said, looking out the window. “Especially since you’re getting married in a week.”

Nancy remained quiet. She wasn’t sure there was going to be a wedding.

When they arrived at the hotel, Frank and Joe checked in. While Joe took the luggage up to their room, Frank looked at Nancy. She knew he had noticed that something wasn’t right with her. He said, “Let’s go talk.”

They went into the restaurant next to the hotel. They sat down and ordered some drinks. Once the waiter walked away, Frank suggested, “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

Nancy looked away from Frank.

“Nancy, you know you can talk to me.”

She looked at Frank. “I do have a problem.”

“With the investigation?”

“No, that’s not the problem.”

“Then what is it?”

“There may be a problem with the wedding.” Nancy looked at Frank and knew she could confide in him as to what had happened. She could feel the tears forming in her eyes.

“What’s the problem with the wedding?” Frank asked softly.

At that moment the waiter brought their drinks and set them on the table. Once the waiter left, Nancy looked at Frank. She said, “The problem is with Ned.”

Frank looked confused. “What problem could you have with Ned?”

“We had a fight. It wasn’t a little one. It was major.”

“What was the fight about?”

“The investigation. I didn’t want to take the case, but I wanted to help. I thought Ned was going to understand, but he went completely off the wall. He ordered me not to investigate.” Nancy took a breath and fingered her glass. “He tried to tell me what to do. I never saw him so overbearing before.” Her gaze focused on the table. “I know I was partially to blame for the fight. I knew I wasn’t going to do what Ned told me.”

“Have you talked to Ned since the fight?”

“No. I didn’t want to fight with him again.” Nancy looked at Frank. “I’m afraid the wedding may be cancelled.”

“You need to talk to Ned. You both need to solve this problem. I know you love Ned and he loves you.”

“I don’t know if talking will be able to fix this.”

Frank was quiet for a moment, then said, “You know, Ned may be worried.”

“But why?” Nancy asked.

“Because of what happened before the wedding in July. Ned might be worried something will happen again. Look at what he went through during the time you were missing. He had thought you had died in the accident and that was tearing him up. Maybe he’s afraid something may happen again and this time, he may not be lucky enough to get you back.

“You have a point. I didn’t see it that way.”

“You really should talk to Ned.”

Nancy knew Frank was right. She needed to talk to him. She gave him a small smile. “Thanks, Frank.”

“You’re welcome.”

Nancy decided to change the subject. “So, what’s your plan?”

“I’m not really sure,” Frank said. “We’ll probably head to the mall and check things out.”

“I hope you can help.”

“So do I.”

* * * * *

Frank and Joe headed to the mall just after noon on Sunday. They dressed in beat-up jeans and ripped shirts. They entered the mall and made their way past the stores. As they reached the other end of the mall, they spotted the group they were looking for.

Frank looked at Joe. They saw how tight the group was. They looked back at the group and tried to find the girl in the picture that Nancy had showed them the previous evening. They scanned their faces, but couldn’t come up with anything. They could see the group was going to let just anyone in.

They moved into a corner. Joe said, “I don’t think we’ll both get in.”

Frank looked at the group, then back at Joe. “You’re right. You’ll have a better chance hooking up with them than I will. See what you can come up with.”

“Got it,” Joe said. “We’ll meet up at the hotel later.”

“All right. Just be careful.”

Joe nodded and moved toward the group. Frank stood around the corner and watched as Joe approached the group. The entire group was staring at Joe.

One guy stepped in front of Joe. They guy shoved Joe, who quickly regained his balance and kept moving forward. They guy got in Joe’s face and stood nose to nose with Joe.

Frank watched Joe stand his ground. After a few moments, the other guy stepped back. Joe moved into the group.

Frank slipped out of the corner and headed away from the group. He knew Joe would let him know what he found out when he got the chance. Once outside, Frank pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket. The paper listed Ethel Martin’s address. Frank figured he’d head there and see if she could add anything to what he already knew.

* * * * *