“One moment,” the desk sergeant said and picked up the phone. A moment later as she put the phone down, she said, “Officer Stamwell will be with you in a moment. Please have a seat.”

The three of them sat down on the bench across from the front desk and waited. As they sat there, Nancy wondered if confronting Victoria was a good idea. She wouldn’t have any idea where their parents were. They weren’t even sure Victoria was in custody. She wouldn’t be able to tell them anything.

“Hi, there,” Officer Stamwell said coming down the stairs when he saw them. “You wanted to see me?”

“Have you found Victoria Armans yet?” Joe asked getting to his feet. He knew Frank would have beat around the bush, but he had to have answers, and fast.

Officer Stamwell looked at each of them in turn. He finally said, “Come with me.”

The three of them followed Officer Stamwell down the hall after Nancy and Ned got to their feet. They came to a closed door. Officer Stamwell opened it and ushered them inside. Once the door was closed, they sat down at the table.

Officer Stamwell began. “Why do you want to know about Victoria Armans?”

“She was involved with the events on board and needs to pay for what she did,” Joe said.

“I don’t understand,” the officer said.

“Excuse him,” Ned said. “He’s frustrated.”

“We haven’t been able to locate our parents,” Nancy added. “We’re both worried.”

“For your information, and even though I may lose my badge, I will tell you this. We do have Victoria Armans in for questioning. If there is enough evidence, she will be charged.

“Has she said anything?” Joe asked.

“No,” Officer Stamwell said. “She asked for a lawyer. We’re waiting for him to arrive.”

“Great,” Joe said angrily getting to his feet. “She can’t be allowed to get away with what she’s done.”

“There is nothing I can do since she asked for a lawyer.” Officer Stamwell got to his feet. “You should all go back to your hotel rooms and get some rest. There’s nothing you can do here.”

“I want to see her,” Joe said facing the officer.

“That’s not possible.”

“Look, she’s the one who put my brother in a coma! Everything that happened on the cruise is because of her.”

“I wish there was more I could do,” Officer Stamwell said. “I really do.”

“Thanks for speaking with us,” Nancy said getting to her feet beside Ned.

“If you need anything, please give me a call.”

“We will, Officer,” Ned said.

The three of them left Officer Stamwell standing in the room. They walked out of the police station in silence.

As Ned put his arm around Nancy’s shoulder, Joe said, “We’ll go back out tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?” Nancy asked.

“We have to keep looking,” Joe said. “There’s still a possibility they are alive. We need to keep searching no matter what.”

“Absolutely,” Ned said.

“Let’s go see Frank,” Nancy suggested. “Maybe talking to him will wake him up.”

“Good idea.” Joe looked at his watch. “Visiting hours just ended. We’ll go see him before we join the search tomorrow.”

“Let’s go get some sleep,” Ned said. “It’s been a long day and tomorrow will be just as long.”

* * * * *

The next morning, the three of them were up early. Nancy left a note telling Callie where they were headed since she was asleep when they returned the night before. After a quick breakfast, they headed to the hospital. Once inside, Joe led Nancy and Ned up to the fifth floor where Frank was under close observation.

Joe led them to a room and went inside. Joe stopped short making Nancy and Ned bump into him. Nancy asked, “What is it?”

“Frank’s gone,” Joe said. “He was in this room. Now he’s gone.”