He wasn’t sure about anything. He would accept the fact his name was Frank and his parents and brother were on the cruise. Everything else was just too confusing. He couldn’t remember anything about his life. He wished he could remember his friends, but there was nothing but a blank space.

He turned and looked along the deck. He saw the blond hair guy, Joe, who was his brother, coming toward him.

“Hey, Frank,” Joe said sitting down beside him.

“Hi,” Frank said.

“How are you feeling?”

“Why does everyone keep asking me that?” Frank asked angrily. “Don’t I look all right? It’s just my brain on the blink and who knows if I’ll ever get my memory back.”

“Don’t talk like that,” Joe said. “It’s only been a few hours since you lost your memory, give it time.”

“It’s so frustrating not knowing who I am, or the things I’ve done in the past to be who I am today.”

“Everything will come back,” Joe said looking at the deck. “I’m glad we’re along right now since there’s something I need to tell you.”

“I’m listening.”

“I know you can’t remember this, but last night at dinner we had an argument.”

“About what?”

“A girl.” Joe looked at Frank. “I know it doesn’t mean much right now, but I was in the wrong and I’m sorry.”

At that moment, Nancy, Ned and Callie came toward them. When they were close enough, Nancy said, “Your parents told us you were released.”

“I needed some time to think.”

“Have you remembered anything yet?” Callie asked hopefully.

“No.” Frank shook his head. “Maybe if you all tell me some things about my past, it might job my memory.”

“It’s worth a try,” Nancy said with a smile.

Joe began by telling Frank about growing up in Bayport, their hometown. He also told Frank their father was a well-known private investigator and how they sometimes helped out on his cases.

Callie told Frank about their school friends back home and tried to see if any of their hangouts rang a bell.

Frank looked at Nancy when Callie finished and asked, “Do you live in Bayport also?”

“No,” Nancy said. “We met on a case.”

“What?” Frank asked. “That sounds like you’re a detective, but you’re too young to do something like that.”

“Fran, you should know that you and I are also detectives,” Joe said.

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No,” Nancy said. “We’ve worked together many times. Your father taught you everything you know.”

“I don’t believe it,” Frank said. “It seems too farfetched to be true.”

“But it is,” Joe said.

“I wish I had my memory back. This is so confusing,” Frank said.

“Hey, Joe,” a voice called from behind him.

They turned and saw Victoria coming toward them. She didn’t look like someone who was scared for her life. She had dressed in a flowered sundress with this spaghetti straps and white flats. As he got closer, Frank got to his feet and said, “Hi, there. I’m Frank.”

“I’m Victoria,” she said giving Joe a questioning look.

“I was wondering if a beautiful thing like you had any dinner plans for this evening?” Frank asked.

“Frank!” Callie and Joe exclaimed simultaneously.

Nancy was so shocked her mouth hung open in disbelief. She could never picture Frank hitting on another girl, even if he lost his marbles.

“Unfortunately, I have other plans for this evening. Maybe we could have dinner another night.”

“All right, Victoria,” Frank said. “But I will hold you to that.”

“Fine,” Victoria said.

“Frank, your parents want us to join them for dinner,” Callie said. “We should head to the dining room.”

“Let’s go,” Frank said casting another look at Victoria.

“I’ll catch up,” Joe said and they left Joe standing with Victoria. When they were alone, Joe apologized. “I’m sorry about that. He’s not himself. He’s trying hard to remember his past, but his mind is as blank as a piece of paper.”

“I understand,” Victoria said.

“Would you like to join us for dinner?”

“No, thank you, Joe. I’m going to head to my room and get some rest. I’m tired.” She tried to stifle a yawn. “The doctor gave me something to help me sleep.”

“You seem a little overdressed to be seeing the doctor,” Joe said.

Victoria said quickly, “I just slipped something on. I was so distracted with everything that’s gone on that I didn’t realize what I was putting on.”

“All right,” Joe said not wanting to sound disbelieving. He didn’t think she was distracted when she got dressed. He decided to change the subject. “Why don’t we meet for breakfast then?”

“Sounds good.”

“Make sure you lock yourself in,” Joe said giving Victoria a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Night, Joe.”

“Night,” Joe said and watched her walk along the deck. When she was out of sight, Joe wondered if Victoria was putting on an act for him or just being sympathetic. He knew he had to come up with an answer soon. He went inside and headed for the dining room.

* * * * *

When Joe walked into the dining room, he saw the water was already at the table taking orders. He quickly slid into his seat and glanced at the menu. He gave his order to the waiter. The waiter collected the menus and walked away.

Once they were alone, Laura said. “Frank, your father and I have been talking. We think it might be wise to take you to a specialist if your memory doesn’t return by the end of the cruise.”

“Wait a second,” Frank said. “I’ve been told about what I used to do and I don’t think I want to be that person anymore. Maybe it’s better that I don’t remember the past.”

“But, Frank, you need to get your memory back,” Callie said.

“It’s better that I don’t,” Frank said. “Every time I try to think of the past, I get this feeling of terror.”

“Then don’t try to remember,” Joe said, realizing they couldn’t make Frank feel his opinions didn’t matter. “We’ll help you learn all the important stuff all over again.”

After dinner, Fenton and Laura excused themselves from the table and left the kids alone. When they were alone, Nancy looked at Joe and said, “Tell me about Victoria.”

“Like what?”

“Personal stuff.”

“Well,” Joe began. “She’s 18 and grew up outside London and she’s lived just outside of Buffalo for three years. She’s an only child.”

“What about her parents?” Ned asked.

“She hasn’t talked about them.”

“Have you asked?” Nancy questioned.

“A couple times,” Joe said. “But when I bring it up, she changes the subject.”

“Can you access the laptop and try to see if anything can be found?” Nancy asked.

“Most of the files were deleted, but I know the password and can give it a try.”

“All right,” Nancy said.

Frank pushed back his chair and got to his feet. He said, “You guys are really boring. I’m going to find some fun on this ship.”

Frank headed for the door and Callie said, “I’ll go with him. He shouldn’t be alone.”

“All right,” Joe said and watched as Callie hurried after Frank.

Nancy said, “There has to be something else going on besides the threatening notes Victoria says she’s been receiving. It doesn’t add up.”

“Especially since we haven’t seen the notes,” Ned said.

“Threatening notes is one thing, but I was the one who stumbled on the body.”

“And Frank was the one who was hit on the head and ended up in the pool,” Nancy added.

“It was also our room that was ransacked,” Joe said.

“If Victoria is the one in danger, then why are things happening to the Hardy’s?” Ned asked.

“Maybe there is something on the computer,” Joe said putting his napkin on the table. “Why don’t we meet for breakfast? We can go over whatever I find then.”

“All right,” Nancy said. “We’ll see you in the morning.”

“Night,” Joe said.

Nancy and Ned watched as Joe left the dining room. Ned reached for Nancy’s hand and gave it a squeeze. Nancy looked around the dining room without taking in her surroundings. She thought back to what Frank had said about remembering the past. She couldn’t picture Frank doing anything but detective work.

“Nancy,” Ned said breaking into her thoughts.

“What?” Nancy asked quickly looking at Ned.

“Are you all right? You seemed miles away.”

“I was thinking.”

“About Frank?”

“Yeah.” Nancy leaned her elbows on the table. “I wonder if Frank will ever get his memory back. I can’t see him doing anything but detective work.”

“His memory may still come back and he may be a detective. We can’t jump to conclusions.”

“You’re right,” Nancy said. She leaned over and gave Ned a kiss.

“Come on,” Ned said. “Let’s get out of here.”