I can’t ask Vanessa to stand by while I deal with this, he thought. We both need to be free. It was the only solution. My future is uncertain and I need to learn how to live without my hearing. I’ll also have to level with Frank that I won’t be doing detective work anymore. There’s no way I could be a detective. I better take care of this now. There’s no reason to put it off.

Joe got to his feet and made his way inside. He went into the living room. As he was about to say something, he stopped quickly when he saw Frank asleep in the chair with several papers on his lap.

He’s exhausted, Joe thought. He’s been through a lot today.

Joe moved over to Frank and took the papers off his lap without waking him. He noticed the papers were notes on the case. After setting the papers on the table, he grabbed a blanket and covered Frank with it. He grabbed the papers, turned the light off and left the living room. He went up to his room and sat down on his bed.

Looking at the papers, he realized it was mostly a list of questions and that Frank was trying to figure out who was involved. Joe noticed Rachel’s name with a question mark beside it. He stared at the list and thought back to earlier in the day when they had been speaking with Coach Williams. He had looked at the van and realized someone was nearby.

That had to be when the van was tampered with, he thought. The person who was there had to be responsible. I wish I had gotten a better look at the person or at least have gone over there. But even though I didn’t, I have a feeling I know who the person is. It could have been Rachel.

Joe shook his head. He had a hard time believing Rachel would mess with their van. It’s not possible, he thought. Rachel wouldn’t do that to us. She’s unable to. It’s not like her. Someone else is responsible. It has to be.

Joe let out a breath. I’ll have to talk to Frank in the morning. We need to solve this. Something needs to be done.