“Oh, man,” Ned said looking down at Frank.

Callie moved to Frank and crouched down. “Frank’s out cold.”

“I’m sorry,” Ned said. “I never meant to hit him. He just got me so angry.”

“It’s all right,” Joe said looking at Frank. His brother’s jaw was turning red already. “This is actually good. It’ll be a lot easier to get him back to the hotel.”

“Let me help you,” Ned said moving up to Frank. Together, Ned helped Joe pick Frank up and they made their way back to the van. They put Frank in back and headed for the hotel.

* * * * *

When they reached the hotel, Joe and Ned carried Frank up to the room. Vanessa led them while Callie went to get some ice. Vanessa opened the door to the room so Joe and Ned could carry Frank into the room.

Ned and Joe placed Frank on the bed. They moved away from the bed as Callie entered the room with the ice.

Joe leaned against the dresser and watched as Callie placed the ice gently against his jaw.

Ned said, “I’m really sorry I hit him.”

Joe kept his gaze on Frank. “It’s not your fault, Ned. Frank was egging you on.” He let out a sigh. “I wish I knew what he was thinking. He has a theory, but where is the proof that she could have survived.”

“Maybe he’s going on gut instinct, like you usually do,” Vanessa said.

At that moment, there was a soft knock on the door. Vanessa went to the door and opened it. She ushered in Bess and George. Joe noticed both their faces were pale and their eyes were puffy, as if they had been crying for a while. He could see they were having a hard time with the situation.

“How are you two doing?” Ned asked as they moved further into the room.

Bess and George each gave Ned a hug. Bess said, “We’re hanging in there. Your dad said you were with the Hardy’s so we thought we’d check here.”

They nodded their greetings to the others.

Ned tried to smile as George asked, “How are you holding up?”

“As well as can be expected,” Ned said.

Bess was looking at Frank. “What happened to Frank?”

“I punched him,” Ned admitted.

At that instant, Frank groaned. They all focused on him as he slowly moved his head. A moment later, he opened his eyes and touched his jaw with his right hand. He moved his jaw slowly. He asked, “What hit me?”

No one answered. He pulled himself to a sitting position. He looked at everyone. “What’s everyone doing here?”

“We came to see how you were doing,” Bess said.

Frank looked around the room. “How did I get back here?”

“We brought you back,” Callie said handing Frank the ice.

Frank glanced back at Joe. He couldn’t believe his brother brought him back to the hotel when he was trying to find Nancy. Frank struggled to his feet. “I’m leaving.”

“No, you’re not,” Joe said.

“I’m going to find Nancy.”

“What are you talking about?” Bess asked looking at Frank, then Joe, and then back to Frank.

“Frank thinks Nancy is alive,” Joe said keeping an eye on his brother.

Bess and George both looked at Frank. Bess asked, “Frank, are you kidding?”

“Nancy is alive.”

“Where is she?” Bess asked quickly.

“I’m not sure.”

“Why do you think Nancy is alive?” George asked quickly. “Where’s the proof?”

Frank got to his feet. “There’s no way Nancy died.” Joe groaned but Frank continued on. He told them about his theory of how Nancy survived the crash.

When he finished, George asked, “How come Nancy wasn’t spotted?”

“I don’t know.” Frank glared at Joe. “I was searching, but I got interrupted.”

“Did you find anything?” George asked.

“No,” Frank said. “But I plan on going out again.”

At that moment the phone rang. Frank grabbed the phone.

“Hello?”

“I’d like to speak with Frank Hardy. This is Detective Allen.”

“This is Frank.”

“I’m glad you are there. We found the driver of the car.”

“I’m on my way.” Frank put the phone down. He started for the door.

“Where are you going?” Joe asked making Frank stop.

Frank looked at Joe for a moment, before he turned back around and left the room. Frank knew the driver would be the key. He made his way quickly to the police station.

When he arrived, Detective Allen was waiting for him. He said, “Officers found the car. There as paint on his car matching Nancy’s.”

“I want to see the driver.”

The detective looked at Frank, who knew it was possible he wouldn’t be allowed to see him. The detective finally said, “Follow me.”

Frank followed the detective down the hall. They stopped at a door. The detective opened the door and Frank stepped into the room.

The driver was a boy around his age. He was sitting at the table. He was tapping his fingers nervously on the table.

Frank slowly approached the table as the boy looked up. He could see the fear in the boy’s eyes. His hair was blond and cut short. He was wearing a white T-shirt and a pair of jean shorts.

The boy asked, “Who are you?”

“I’m Frank Hardy. What’s your name?”

“Toby Williams.” He looked closely at Frank. “Why are you here?”

“I want to ask you a question,” Frank said.

“What?” Toby asked.

Frank sat down at the table across from him. “What do you remember about Thursday night?”

Toby looked at the table.

“Toby, I need to know. You might be the only one who can help me.”

Toby finally looked at Frank. “I was running late. I wanted to get to work before my boss got angry. I was speeding. I knew I shouldn’t, but I needed my job to pay for my car. That road isn’t the place to speed.” Toby took a breath. “I passed a car on a turn. It was a blue car. I noticed another car approaching from the opposite direction. I pulled back into the lane and felt a bump. I saw the car go through the guardrail. I kept going. I was afraid I would get into trouble.”

He looked at Frank with pleading eyes. “Is...is the driver all right? No one will tell me anything.”

“The driver is missing,” Frank stated.

“Oh no,” Toby groaned, his face getting paler. “Is the driver dead?”

“We don’t know yet,” Frank admitted.

“Oh man. It was so stupid. I should have never been speeding.”

Frank was quiet for a moment. “Thanks for talking with me.”

Frank left the room and saw Detective Allen was waiting. Frank looked at him. “I’m heading back to the woods.”

“Frank, I really think you should stop,” Detective Allen said. “This could only hurt more people.”

“I can’t give up on her. Nancy means a lot to me. I know she wouldn’t give up on me. I can’t give up on her.” He looked at the detective. “Thanks for the call.”

Frank turned and left the police station. As he walked outside, he saw the sun was setting. He made his way through the town to the park. He sat down on a bench.