Joe rubbed his eyes in frustration.  It one thing to spend such a beautiful evening in the public library, but quite another to have to do research on this ancient piece of equipment.  He'd tried to do an internet search on the death of Sara Taylor.  He'd came up nearly empty handed; finding only one small obituary from the New York Times that had been printed at the request of her parents, long-time residents of New York City. He couldn't find any articles from the Bayport area newspaper. Apparently it hadn't caught up with the twenty-first century, yet.  The local paper's website had been a joke as far as he was concerned, listing only current headlines with no archives whatsoever.   Now he found himself face to face with an ancient, crabby microfilm machine.

Spotting a promising headline, he stopped the film.  Grumbling as it stopped several frames past the article he wanted, he slowly back tracked.  Skimming the page, he felt a brief burst of excitement.  Hitting print, he leaned back in his chair.  As the copy finished printing, Joe began to read.

Memorial Service for Beloved Teacher Is Standing Room Only

Bayport High School counselors and administrators held a memorial service Saturday, May 13th in the high school auditorium for Sara Taylor.  Mrs. Taylor, who taught speech and drama at Bayport High School for the past three years, had quickly become a favorite among students.  Her sudden death last Monday came as quite a shock to both the students and staff of Bayport High.  Counselors at the high school have been on hand all week to attend to grieving students.  The memorial service held Saturday was intended to allow students and staff to share their memories of Mrs. Taylor within the setting from which they best remembered her.  After a performance by the Chamber Choir, and a few words from Dr. Allen, superintendent of schools, freshman Melissa Westbrook led the packed auditorium in a moment of silent remembrance.  The first speaker on behalf of Mrs. Taylor was her best friend and college roommate,..."

"There you are," Vanessa's voice rang out as she slipped into the chair next to Joe.  "I really didn't believe Frank when he said I'd find you here.  I mean, Joe Hardy voluntarily spending time in a library?"  Vanessa smiled sweetly at Joe as she leaned towards him to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"Hey, hon," Joe said.  "Yeah, I'm not sure how I ended up here myself.  One minute I'm telling Frank that we maybe we should dig up some background on the death of Steven Taylor's first wife.  Then wham!  Here I am, spending a perfect evening with this ancient monstrosity!"  He gestured toward the machine, grimacing.  "I swear, Van, one of these days I'm going to learn to keep my big mouth shut.  Frank would have eventually decided we needed to do some research on our own and I could have easily convinced him to do the work since it was his idea."

Vanessa laughed. "Ah, but you beat him to it, Joe.  Why shouldn't he let you do the research?"

Joe tapped his finger against his lips and pretended to look thoughtful.  "Because he's a great brother who wants to prevent me from dying of boredom in the Bayport Public Library?" he asked playfully.

Vanessa grinned.  "Not likely," she said.  "I would imagine that Frank has done so much of the research for cases up in New York that he's happy to share the load.  And you," she emphasized softly, "are such a great brother that you're willing to take those boring tasks off his hands."

A stray tendril of hair had pulled loose from Vanessa's ponytail and ambled it's way down the side of her face.  Reaching out, he fingered the loose hair, and tucked it behind her ear.  Leaning toward her, he touched his lips against hers and whispered, "Have I told you how happy it made me feel when you took me back?"

Vanessa put her arms around his neck.  "Several times," she whispered back.  Leaning in to take Joe's kiss further, she bumped foreheads with him when they were both startled by a deep voice.

"Don't let me interrupt," the librarian said.  Vanessa pulled back, blushing furiously, as Joe offered the frowning librarian a grin.  

"Sorry," Joe spoke, giving the young man glaring at them a wink.  "It's just that we haven't seen each other in a really long time."

"Yes, well," the man said, shifting the pile of books he was carrying, "it is still a public place.  Not really the best place for a welcome like that."  His eyes moved from Joe to Vanessa and he smiled.  "Of course," he amended, "I guess if she was my girlfriend, I'd want to kiss her every chance I could, also."  He winked back at Joe and headed toward the stacks with his books.  

Joe and Vanessa watched the librarian disappear among the bookshelves.  Grinning at Vanessa, Joe turned around and removed the roll of film from the machine.  Tightening it carefully, he slid it into its canister.  Handing the file folder to Vanessa, he stood up.  "What do you say we drop this off with Frank, then head out to find something more interesting to do.  Like maybe getting a bite to eat and then going dancing.  I've been sitting way too much today and feel a serious need to work off some pent up energy."

"I'd love to," she said, following Joe to the front desk as he dropped off the roll of microfilm.  "But I can't.  That's why I was looking for you.  I wanted to tell you that if you needed anything, I'd be at Callie's tonight."

"Callie's?" Joe groaned.  "I was looking forward to spending time with you, Van.  Can't you give her a rain check and go out with me instead?"  He gave her his best pout, hoping to sway her decision.

She reached out and ruffled his hair. "Good try, Joe.  Can't do it though.  She invited me and Nancy over for a video fest.  Movies, popcorn, and gossip - the works!"  She laughed at the face Joe was making.  "I'm letting you know where I am so that if there's a problem, you can call me.  I know how stubborn Frank can be.  If he needs help, he's not going to call Nancy and admit it."

"Callie's gotten Nancy into her clutches already?  It's only her second day back in Bayport!  Poor Frank," Joe said, squinting as they walked through the library's double doors.  The setting sun cast a brilliant glare off the chrome and glass scattered about the parking lot, and Joe had to shade his eyes to pick out his car.  

"That wasn't very nice," Vanessa chided.  "Callie's my friend, Joe.  And if I remember correctly, she's your friend too. Maybe not your best friend, but still a friend. She's just trying to help Nancy feel at home.  To make her feel welcome."  Vanessa fished her keys out of her purse and opened the door to her car.  "Just remember, if Frank gets in over his head tonight, give me a call and I'll relay the message to Nancy.  We'll bail you out if you need us."

Joe stared at Vanessa for a moment.  "You know, Van, you lost me on that one.  What kind of trouble are you expecting Frank to get into that he'd need Nancy for.  If trouble comes looking for Frank, I can get him out of it."

"He's taking care of Laurie tonight," Vanessa said with a grin.

"Oh," Joe said.  He paused for a moment, letting what she'd said sink in.  "In that case, maybe you should take your cell phone with you; just in case I can't get through on Callie's line."

Nancy fidgeted nervously in front of the door to Frank and Joe's apartment, waiting for someone to answer the doorbell.  Vanessa watched her, amused.  

"You should see yourself," she said, grinning as Nancy looked at her, confusion written in her eyes.

"What do you mean?" Nancy asked.  

"I mean, you're just dropping your daughter off to spend a night with her dad.  It's not like you're sending her away to summer camp.  You will see her again, Nan."  Vanessa smiled.  "If I didn't know better, I'd think the two of you had never been separated."

Nancy blushed, embarrassed.  "Am I that obvious?"

"Oh yeah," Vanessa replied.

Nancy sighed.  "It's not that we've never been separated.  It's just that Frank's never spent much time alone with her, and, well, I don't know... She fumbled for words.

Vanessa put her hand on Nancy's arm.  "He'll be fine, Nancy.  You and I both know he's going to be a natural at being a father.  Laurie will teach him everything he needs to know about being a good dad; just like she's been teaching you how to be a mom."

Nancy had to smile at Vanessa's last statement.  "Good point." she replied.

       Both girls turned as the door to the apartment finally opened.  "Sorry," Frank said, standing aside to usher them in.  "I was in the bathroom."

Laurie surveyed the living room.  "Where are the toys?" she demanded.

"You brought some toys," Nancy chided her.  "Be polite, Laurie.  Say hello to your father."

Laurie held her arms out for a hug.  "Hi Daddy!"

Frank picked Laurie up and held her.  "Hi, sweetheart!" he told her.  "I'm so glad you're here!"  He looked down at the pale pink body suit and yards of netting Laurie was dressed in.  "Laurie, I have to ask you a question."

"What Daddy?"

"What exactly are you wearing?" he asked, trying to disentangle himself from the frilly netting around Laurie's waist.

"My Ballerina Barbie outfit!  Isn't it pretty?" Laurie twirled around in several circles, her eyes shining with pride.  "I dressed myself in it!  Mommy wanted me to wear a t-shirt and shorts.  This is much better!"  She twirled once more, bumped into the coffee table, and landed on her rear.  Silent for a second, she picked herself up; studied the coffee table; and began to twirl again.  Frank covered his mouth with one hand in an effort to stifle the laugh threatening to erupt.

He glanced at Nancy.  Nancy merely shrugged and said.  "Remember, she's a four year old."

Laurie stopped twirling.  "I am not.  I'm almost 5!"

"Not for a couple of months," Nancy said, grinning.  "Until then, you're still four."  Shaking her head, she looked at Frank.  He was watching Laurie's every move intently.

"Are you sure you're going to be able to handle this?" Nancy asked him.

"Oh, yeah, we'll be fine," Frank told her.  "I've got to get my feet wet sometime, right?"  Nancy eyed him skeptically.  "Right?"

"Yeah," she said slowly, looking around the apartment.  "It's just that...well, somehow I thought Joe would be here, too.  I didn't realize that you'd be on your own."

"Joe's out helping Dad with something." Frank said.  He frowned as he realized the implication of Nancy's statement.  "Wait a minute.  Are you saying that I need to Joe to help me take care of my own daughter?  Man, I'm feeling the trust in this room."

Nancy's eyes widened in horror.  "No, no," she stammered.  "I just thought that if Joe was here, it would be easier for you.  I mean, he's spent more time with her out in California.  He knows how energetic she is.  How much stuff she can get into.  The things she likes to do..."  she turned to look at Vanessa.  "I'm digging myself into a hole here, aren't I?"

"I'd say so," Vanessa said, grinning.

Frank smiled.  "Relax, Nan.  Believe it or not, I get what you're saying.  Joe knows all those things about Laurie because he has been around her more.  But those are things that I want to learn about.  And the best way for me to do that is to spend some time alone with her.  Now go on," he said, waving his hand at her.  "Shoo.  I've got this covered.  You two take off and have fun.  Tell Callie I said hello."

"If you're sure.." Nancy began.  Vanessa grabbed her arm.  "He's sure," she stated firmly.   "Let's go before he changes his mind.  Callie and Maggie are probably waiting for us by now."  

"Who's Maggie?" Frank asked.

"Callie's friend."  Nancy said.  "Remember, I told you about her today.  She was with Callie at the grocery store.

Frank shook his head.  "Yeah, you mentioned her.  But her name doesn't ring a bell.  I know most of Callie's friends, but I don't remember a Maggie."

"I've met her." Vanessa offered.  "She seems real nice.  Her name's Maggie Westbrook.  I think they met at college."

"Oh," Frank said.  "Well, that would explain why I've never met her.  We didn't share a whole lot during college."  He stared at Nancy and Vanessa.   "You know, now that I think of it, that name does sound familiar.  Westbrook."  He frowned, trying to place it.

Vanessa and Nancy exchanged a look.  Glancing at her watch, Vanessa nodded her head toward the door.

"Um, Frank?" Nancy prodded.  "If there's nothing else you needed, we should get going now.  And, um, by the way,  Laurie seems to be knee deep in your CD collection."

Frank turned and groaned at the sight of his small daughter standing amid a pile of formerly shelved and alphabetized CD's.  "Oh, Laurie," he sighed.

She looked up at Frank.  "Daddy, do you have the Disney princess' CD?  I want to play that one but Mommy hid mine 'cause I listen to it too much."

Vanessa laughed and once again steered Nancy toward the door.  "Have fun, Frank!  And, good luck!"

Frank sighed again and started over toward his daughter.  As he heard the door open, he turned back and called out, "Nancy!"

She turned, "Yeah?"

"Do me a favor, will you?  I know I've seen that name, Westbrook, somewhere recently.  I just can't place it right now.  Keep your ears open for anything unusual, ok?"

Nancy leaned against the door.  "Does this have to do with the case you were telling us about?"

He shook his head.  "I don't know.  It might.  It would help if I could place the name."

She smiled.  "Ok, I'll keep my ears open for anything interesting."  She turned to follow Vanessa down the hall.  As she left, she could hear Frank attempting to cajole Laurie away from his CD collection by bribing her with ice cream.  Looking at Vanessa, she winked.  "You know, Van, I think this will be a night Frank will never forget."