Chapter 26

Hope saw Frank's car pulled up in front of her house and quickly put on her lipstick. He had informed her at the very last minute that he would bring her back to his place for dinner. Not his apartment which she had not the chance to visit but his place, where his family stayed. The infamous Maximillian-Hardy's Manor.

She did not know what to wear, finally, she settled on a white shift dress that Frank had loved from her collection that was not bought with his money. Tying her hair up in a bun with just a few tendrils framing her perfectly oval face, she looked extremely feminine and neat. Finally, pleased with her overall outfit, she began to meticulously apply on her make-up.

And Frank's horning had made her so nervous that she applied the wrong shade of lipstick. Quickly wiping it away, she searched frantically for the right shade of natural pink. When she finally found it, Frank had decided he was not going to wait aimlessly in the car and suddenly, appeared behind her.

"Boo!"

"Arghh! You scared me!" Hope placed a hand on her chest, her nervousness making her very flustered.

"Hey, you looked gorgeous, more so than me...you'll be alright."

"I don't know your family...but I know rich people always have a funny way of looking at people." Hope started re-applying her lipstick and then, reaching out for her gloss to complete the natural, barely made-up look which kept her busy for the last hour.

Frank squeezed her shoulders. "You'll be fine...we're very humble people...maybe only my uncle Bob may look at you funny but he can't help it...he got a funny face. But he's gone overseas." Frank joked, massaging her shoulders and neck. She turned around, all made up and pretty.

"Hmm...that feels good...why don't we skip the dinner and you can carry on massaging me?"

"That's tempting but my aunt's cooking is even more so." The twinkle in his eyes was too irresistible. Hope quickly gave him a peck on his lips which became a passionate kiss. Pulling her away, Frank grinned.

"We'll have time to kiss later. Now, we go eat."

"Alright Caveman...hey...put me down!" Frank had scooped her up and carried her down the stairs into his car. Before they left, Hope managed to shout goodbye to her daughter who, seeing Frank carrying her mother, screamed at her baby-sitter to carry her too.

"I wanna be carried! Please Jeanna..carry me..."

Hope had not the chance to see how her usual baby-sitter would pamper her already spoilt daughter. Frank laid her down gently on her feet and opened the car door for her. She hated his car, calling it his obstentious display of his fabulous wealth but he loved it too much to give it up. Actually, she hated it because the car represented unbridled speed to most people and she was often displeased with the way Frank drove. But Frank, being used to be in-charge, never let her touch his car.

"You'll love my family and they'll love you. Have confidence in yourself...have confidence in my taste." Frank assured her when they were reaching. Hope had listed out all her insecurities one by one to the very amused Frank.

"I know...I have confidence in you...but...I always say the wrong thing..." Hope began when she caught Frank's initial mirth depleting. Turning to her, he smiled very gently and maybe a little sadly.

"You can say whatever you want...but don't mention him. "

Hope only knew Joe was Frank's brother and it had shocked her but he refused to go beyond the acknowledgement and each time she asked, she would be responded with silence or irrelevant remarks about the weather. It was a part of Frank that made him either very withdrawn or suddenly talkative about the most stupid things in the world and Hope hoped to break that shell of his for though he told her everything, he would not even speak of Joe's name in front of her.

"Will you tell me about you and Joe?"

Frank was contemplative. Then he rested a hand on her lap and nodded. "When I'm ready and when you are willing to."

"I'm always willing to."

"You may think so...but...you may ask me to stop at some parts."

"Frank..."

"I'll tell you...just...just not now."

They pulled up in front of the driveway which looked more like a car park. Orange lights bordered the pathways and a colored fountain decorated the front garden. Hope, in spite of herself, stared in awe of the majestic looking house as Frank parked his car closed to the entrance. "I'll show you around later. The back garden's very beautiful...and private."

She gave him a pinch and then linked her hand with his and walked very close to him. He patted her hand and led her in. The door was huge and obviously handcrafted, conveying the sense of elegance and beauty about the place. They walked in and Hope was blinded by the crystals on display on the mantel just on the wall in front of the door.

"A thief can make off with a fortune just by passing our entrance." Frank joked, trying to ease her anxiousness. She held his hand tightly when the butler, a man with a crisp British accent and a stunning crown of grey hair came and greet them. He reminded her of Alfred, from Batman.

"I'm sorry Master Frank, I was held up in the living room, serving...well...never mind her. She's a real terror...I don't know what Master Ben saw in her."

Frank chuckled. "As long as you're around me, let's dispense the Master shall we? Here, let me introduce to you my gorgeous girlfriend, Hope Hings. Hope, this is our long serving butler and my personal friend, Nigel."

"Pleased to meet you Miss Hope. You are very lovely."

"Umm..thank you...Nigel...please to meet you too...hmm...you look...neat?" Hope could have slapped herself. It was only the butler and she was lost for words.

"Don't mind her...first time here."

"And judging by the number of times you returned home since you moved, I may soon think it's your first time here too."

Frank laughed and led Hope into the living room. It was as huge and elegant as the rest of the house, with a crystal chandelier hanging over them. "Careful, the thing fell down before."

Hope stepped away from under the chandelier and could have killed Frank for his muffled giggles. "It did, I swear. I was the one who glued it back up."

"Frank!" She pinched him again, harder.

"Hey Frank!" A very sweet looking girl of about 20 rushed up to Frank and kissed his cheeks. She had soft brown hair and eyes like Frank and was very petite. Hope did a silent calculation and figured that what she was wearing, though she wore it like any normal old clothes, was worth over a thousand dollars.

"Hey Margie...I have someone to show you...this is Hope, my girl." Hope blushed when Frank called her his girl.

"Uh huh..." she eyed her suspiciously and then smiled a little, but the smile did not reflect in her eyes. "I'm Marjory, Frank's little sister. Come here Frank, I have something to show you..." She tore Frank away from Hope side, leaving Hope standing alone in the middle of the living room to fend for herself. Frank looked back and gave a slight wink, motioning with his hands that he would be back in a while as his sister led him upstairs.

"Hope! I wouldn't have guessed...or maybe...I was too blind...don't mind Marjory. She's possessive of Frank." Ben wheeled in front of Hope and cheerfully greeted her. She bent down to kiss Ben's cheeks and he gave a happy grin.

"My....thank you...it's an honor to be kissed by a beauty."

"Hey! I'm the beauty here." A loud shrill voice suddenly came from behind. A sexy, pouting girl with raven tresses walked up to Ben's side and stood next to him but giving Hope the eye that said, "Keep off my guy."

"You look really familiar..." Regina commented after checking out Hope.

"This is Regina, my girlfriend...she's a little...domineering...so please...kiss me next time when we're out of her sight." Regina slapped her boyfriend's hands and gave Hope a fake, sarcastic smile.

"Ah...so this one snared Frank away from Nancy. Well...at least you don't look like a hag or I will have suspected witchcraft."

"Now Regina...you promised..."

"I did not promise you anything. I just said I'll try to be good."

"Ok..ok.." Ben gently led her away. "Hope, why don't you sit down and make yourself comfortable while I make princess here a nice cup of sedatives?" Another slap on his hands. "Ow! That hurts."

"Don't you dare be snide with me buster."

"Alright..."

Hope realized she was in an empty room, a huge room. She sat down the posh leather sofa and clasped her fingers together, not knowing what to do. She turned to her left and noticed what she had missed earlier in her state of nervousness; a platform, hidden in darkness and on top of it, a white grand piano with gold trimmings and its legs carved to perfection. She walked over to it, suddenly reminded of Joe and the magic he had wrought with his fingers on the ivory keys. Sub-consciously, she ran a hand across the piano keyboard which was closed.

"You play it?" A very grandmotherly voice startled Hope. She turned around and saw a kind looking lady of about fifty next to her, her hands tracing the piano also. "It's been so long since this piano was pampered by loving fingers. With Laura gone...and...well...never mind. Do you play it? It would be wonderful if you could play for us."

"Um..no...sorry...I just...I just never seen a piano like that..."

The older woman nodded. She must be the Aunt Gertrude that Frank had told her about. Hope introduced herself. "I'm Hope Hings...Frank's girlfriend..."

"Ah...so I guessed. I'm their aunty, you can call me Gertrude. It's been so fast...so many changes. But.." she gave Hope a look over, "Frank always has an eye for beauty that's exquisite." She smiled at Hope and looked at the piano again.

"She had it especially crafted for him...the sweet boy...her own piano's upstairs. It's very beautiful too. You like to see it? Frank had left you alone didn't he?"

Hope's heart tied up in a knot. She could guess who that sweet boy was but something stopped her from asking. She simply nodded and made a funny little sound.

Aunt Gertrude took her hand and led her down the platform. "Now, don't be nervous dear, everything's going to fine. I'll scold Frank for you later...he's always running around...never having time for anyone anymore...but the poor chap...so much he had to bear on his young shoulders. He grew up so fast. Was so close to his brother..." She sighed. "But today's a happy day; let's not talk about sad things. Why don't you tell me more about yourself?"

"See Frank! I got in...the concert! You must attend...with Nancy..." Marjory shoved a piece of paper in front of Frank who backed away a little, just to be able to read it.

"It's Hope now. Margie..."

"Why Frank? Nancy's great...she's good to everyone...she brings me out all the time."

"She still will...she's your friend...but...we can't be together anymore."

Marjory sat down on her bed next to Frank. Frank was the only one she allowed to sit on her bed or even enter her room. She had totally re-decorated her room such that nothing would remind her of the hell she had gone through. Everything used to be pink before, she was a pretty girl who loved pink but now, the colors she chose were darker and more contrasting, black against white against red against purple. Frank always felt giddy in her room and had always tried to change the decoration for her, only to have it vetoed immediately.

"Nancy's very beautiful..."

"So is Hope. Learn to love her alright? I love her." Frank put an arm around Marjory's shoulders, drawing his dear sister closer to him.

"Do you?"

"Yup."

"I'll try. Alright, bring her along...I'll ask Nancy too...but on a different day." She relented. "Nancy asked me shopping next week. Do I act like I know?"

"She'll tell you anyway. So...how's my dear sister doing?"

"Wondering if her brother remembers her." She sulked. Frank pinched her cheeks and kissed her forehead.

"I'll never ever forget you."

"You'll still spoil me even though you have a girlfriend? Even though you both get married and have kids?"

"Always...see...I bought you something." Frank reached into his pocket. Finally, he fished out little keychain with a cute flurry ball attached to it. It was blue in color.

"Huh? A keychain? You hope to make it up to me by not talking to me for a nearly a month with a keychain?" She took the keychain and lifted it up towards the light, examining it, as if searching for some diamonds embedded somewhere.

"No...it has a deeper meaning. I'm very proud of you...and very happy that...that you are going to get stronger. This keychain is a sign of independence and a token of my trust in you that you can take care of yourself."

"Haha...you just don't want to take care of me."

"Margie...don't say that. No matter what happens, I'll always support you...and I did...but...I'm just happy...you know..."

"I have nightmares sometimes and I scream...and no one understands." Marjory face went black. She threw the keychain on across the room onto her cluttered study table. "Why must you move out? It's...it's so crazy here without you around."

Frank gave Marjory a hug and kissed her hair. "I don't understand, because I haven't been through what you've been through. The same goes for everyone. But know this Marjory, there are good people around and Ben, Aunt Gertrude and Dad...they all care about you...just like me."

"No...not like you. They look at me thinking I'm some little animal that needs to be cuddled when I only need them to give me time...they look at me and I can tell what they're thinking...like...when is she going to get better? How are we going to handle her?" Marjory tears fell. "No one talks to me like how you talk to me."

"Because you don't let them."

"Because they never tried. Dad did...but he's never around. Another MIA. I need to talk about it...and only you are willing to listen...without looking at me funny. Ben would grin at me stupidly until I get so angry I throw him out of the house."

Frank laughed and hugged his sister tighter. "You know Ben."

"Yah, stuck on the little finger of Regina. She's the most rude and crude girl I've ever seen...you know what she said when she peeped into my room?"

"What?"

"That the designer had taken an acid trip. Ben shushed her but I heard her and she knew it was my room."

"You can try...warmer colors. Less clashing shades."

"I like it this way."

"So...this way it is. She's the one mad. Now Marjory, let's go down so Nigel can start dinner for us. I'm so hungry."

"You're always hungry."

"You're always hungry Joe!"

"What's wrong with wanting another burger? I'm a growing boy!"

Frank shook his head, shook away the memory. The meeting with Joe was messing up his thoughts "Yah...I'm...I'm a growing boy. Let's go!"

He pushed her out the room and looked a little sadly on the forgotten keychain. He had meant what he said but it looked like Marjory was not ready.

Neither was I. Time. She needs time.

Chapter 27

The dinner was sumptuous, Aunt Gertrude had prepared her specialty, grilled lamb chops and everyone had more than enough to fill stomach. The side dishes, prepared by the servants were also delicious and plentiful and Frank kept putting food onto Hope's plate until she had to move it when she saw him trying to pile up food for her again. He simply shrugged while the rest laughed.

"She doesn't look good fat. Women should be slim and soft." Ben chimed in.

"You irritating male chauvinist pig! It's people like you who cause sweet young things to suffer from anorexia, bulimia and all the horrible eating disorders!" Regina punched her boyfriend's arm. It was not a playful punch. "Take that for all the harm you may have already caused in your life!"

"Ow...I'm getting more bruises tonight than in my whole life."

"I agree with her Ben, though I hate her." Marjory gave Regina a sickening sweet smile.

"Well thank you. I hate you too. I'm so glad we're clear on that." Regina returned Marjory's smile with a bitchy one of her own.

"Remember...this is my turf..." Marjory silently threatened.

Regina looked up at the ceiling, pouting her lips this way and that.

"Oh...yah...I forgot...do I look like I care...your highness?"

Marjory scowled and returned to picking at her food. Aunt Gertrude was amazing amused by the exchange and laughed heartily at their insults. Strangely, Regina was genuinely nice to Aunt Gertrude who had been extremely warmth and kind to Regina, almost in a motherly way. And she had brightened up each time Regina came to visit which when she and Ben were together for the first time before, she came over very often.

Hope was uncomfortable though; she laughed a little, drank a little and ate a lot. Only with Frank's constant assurance by squeezing her lap under the table kept her composed. But it did not help when Regina kept looking at her. And she did find Regina familiar too...but where?

And that was when the hammer fell onto the floor. Regina suddenly exclaimed. "I remember now! You...you come quite often to our soup kitchen..."

Frank's eyes were frantic and Hope misjudged it as he was afraid they would know she came from a poor background.

"I...I was out of job...then...the bubble burst had been extremely bad in LittlePort..."

"Oh...and weren't you chummy with Joe? You remember? Blond? Skinny? Pretty boy?" The table froze at the mention of Joe's name. Now, Hope knew why Frank's eyes had grown extra wide. She murmured an intelligible response but Regina was relentless.

"You are his girlfriend! I see now...well...how lucky...Malcolm's always talking about how your love changed his weirdness...but I guess he's down in the dumps again huh? I can see him come crawling back..."

"Regina!" Ben eyed his girlfriend fiercely for the first time and Regina eyed him back too, with the same intensity.

"Don't Regina me!"

"Hmm...well...I'll love to know about the soup kitchen..." Aunt Gertrude began. "Don't be shy, it's alright...they're just sensitive...it's no shame dear, to use to frequent a soup kitchen...at least you are courageous enough to know you needed help."

Hope was thankful that Aunt Gertrude had tried to steer the tension in another direction. She did not know if anyone else besides Frank knew that the Joe in the soup kitchen was the Joe that hurt them so much. Casting a worried eye at Frank, she saw that he was trying to smile through all these.

"Yah, a coincidence. I met the poor chap too, talked to him a little. Said sorry for stealing Hope away. It's good, the soup kitchen, gives people down and out a chance to recover, like Regina here."

"Hey! I was not down and up, not like that anyway. You know...I think you may have killed him." Regina's voice dripped with sarcasm at Hope. No matter how mean she was or how rude she was, she shared one common trait among her comrades of the soup kitchen. They were fiercely protective of one another outside. When someone badmouthed one of theirs, that someone had better watch out.

Hope suddenly felt very small. She had not checked out on Joe, had not dared to. His apartment was for the past few days, without any lights and she worried now, what if she had really cause Joe to do harm to himself?

"I think you can rest your pretty head. I just met him in Barnett Bay, he got a job as...as a delivery boy and he's alive and well." Frank spoke up. He was getting extremely stressed and irritated by Regina.

Regina turned way from Frank, muttering something rude under her breathe. Frank caught it and stood up suddenly. He was angry; the whole table knew he was angry.

"Listen you little bitch! I won't have you throwing words at my girlfriend like this. It was bad enough you are insensitive towards my sister and...I let it go for Ben's sake, I thought I'll sound you out in private latter. But I want you out now...I'm sorry Ben...I want you, Regina, out of my house, out of my sight. We can do without your cruel words."

Regina stood up too and screamed into Frank's face. "Fine then! I..." She toned down a little and a realization spread across her face. "No wonder the photo looked familiar...your face was in the photo that Joe always carries around...it was small...there were lots of people in it but I think...yah...it's you. He snatched it away then when I got hold of it...but come to think of it...it is you...and he keep shouting your name when he sleeps sometimes or when he go slightly crazy and mistaken Michel for someone called Frank! And Ben! Ben saw him too...and acted weird...hey...what's the relationship here?"

"Please go now Regina." It was not a polite request. Frank's voice dripped with venom..

"Ok...I'll go. You know what Frank? Ben is with me. I'll be part of your family some day. If you have a problem with that, deal with it!"

She threw kicked her chair backwards and stormed out of the dining room into the living room. Ben wheeled after her. He paused when he passed Frank and mumbled, "I'm sorry, she's like that...I..."

Frank laid a hand on Ben's shoulder. "It's alright. I'm sorry too. But please...is she worth it?"

Ben cringed when he heard the door slammed. "You have no idea." And he wheeled himself hurriedly after her.

"Regina! Sorry...wait up..."

Frank sat down and propped his head with his hands, looking down at the table, counting the wood grains. Aunt Gertrude mouth was opened in a soft gasp and she started sobbing. Marjory eyes burned with fire and hatred so deep that it pierced right through Hope.

"Who's the Joe Regina was talking about? Is it the same Joe? Is he back? He's supposed to be out...right?"

Frank could not lie to his family. He was no longer suave or in control. He simply nodded. Marjory tears fell.

"He's back and you didn't tell me about it! You went to see him! You talk to him!"

Frank looked up. "Marjory...it's not like that...I promise you, I did not see him and I did not talk to him."

"You took his girlfriend...good for you. They're just as bad as each other!"

"No...Margie..please..."

"He hurt me! He killed mom! He made Ben so...so funny! I hate him! I hate him for making me like this and I hate you now for not telling me!" Marjory stormed upstairs and another door slammed. Hope could see Aunt Gertrude shuddered.

"Frank...I'm sorry...I did not..."Hope squeezed Frank's shoulders.

"Leave me alone Hope."

"Frank..."

"Dinner's over, now leave me alone."

Hope accompanied Aunt Gertrude for a walk in the back garden. It was Frank had mentioned, private and beautiful, with an assortment of gardens, bushes and trees. Next to it was a swimming pool bordered again with orange lights and a hint of blue tinge. She saw two separate buildings and a gazebo, wondering what the held.

Aunt Gertrude sat down by a bench and gestured for Hope to sit next to her. Hope was a little hesitant but since Frank and everyone had someone disappeared into their own worlds, Aunt Gertrude had no other companion but Hope and vice versa.

She sat down and stared at her knees. She felt extremely guilty, like she was the cause of all the problems. Then, she felt Aunt Gertrude touched her hands which were clasped on her knees. "It's alright dear, don't blame yourself, it was bound to happen, one day or another." Aunt Gertrude gave her a very kind smile and she felt comforted.

"I was just afraid of Frank's anger...he...he seemed..." Hope could not find the right words. Frank did seem angry, sad and a mixture of other negative feelings all lump onto his face.

Aunt Gertrude nodded and sigh. "It was like almost yesterday when I saw the two of them, coming back after a run, debating over who got home first...they even measured right to whose nose passed the gate first...it was hilarious, to see two brothers so close that they could not stay apart for more than a day coming close to blows over a stupid argument. But then, they would always laugh it off, no matter how bad the argument was. Always. Joe's the more forgiving, easy-going one and Frank...he doted on no one more than his little brother."

"What happened?"

Aunt Gertrude shook her head. "Joe was arrested for some things. The poor boy was so confuse when they put him on the stand, twisting his answers. Frank did not know but he suffered a couple of mental breakdown while he was being caged up before the conviction. Frank was too busy finding evidence to acquit his brother. It was getting harder everyday when evidence after evidence pile up against Joe and Joe had no defense against all that was said against him. Somehow..."

"It's a long story...everything. He was charged with murdering Laura, his mom, but he was acquitted and I would never believe it of him, addicted to heroine or not, the boy had a good heart, not like his real father. But then, he was caught trying to ram Ben down which he did and...evidence pointed to him as the rapist of Marjory. Frank gave up on Joe. It was the hardest thing he ever had to do and...I know he had his reasons. He only talked to Joe as Joe was being led to serve time...his words...so harsh...it chilled me still. He loved his little brother the most......and.......it was a terrible blow. He became an alcoholic, asking for Joe all the time and then scolding himself for asking about Joe. He kept drinking, more and more. Then Nancy came along....after Callie left Frank without a word, just a note, further aggravating his condition. And Nancy, she's angel. She stayed with him, counseled him, and took him out. Helped him stand up. But in a way, he became colder and yet, fiercely devoted to all of us. Fenton had gone all over the world on his case stints and Frank was left to look after the house. We could not function and the company was making negative profits. When Frank graduated, he quickly took over and started to make things right again. Even when he was schooling, he made arrangements for Ben and Margie's rehabilitation and recovery. He calls us every week to make sure we are fine. When he took over his grandpa's business, he proved everyone wrong by making profits the first year he's in office. Yet, he and Nancy...though they won't say, drifted apart and he never talked about Joe. He spent most of his time, when he had time, to look after Margie, in a way, he probably treat Margie like Joe. Both had the same childlike anger and innocence."

Hope understood at last why Joe was unwilling to talk about his past. If she had not known him so closely, she would be disgusted by what he had done. But because she knew him, she found it hard to believe that of him and even if it was true, it was difficult to hate him or despise him and yet, near impossible to not feel a little repulsed by his deeds..

Poor Frank, poor Joe. Why must I come in between?

"And Nancy treated Marjory nice too...that would explain why she was so rude to you, for Nancy was extremely patient to her and soon became her only female friend until recently when she got back in school." Looking at her, Aunt Gertrude changed topic. "You've seen Joe around?"

"He...he lives near me."

"Is he alright?" Aunt Gertrude's voice was full of worry and concern.

No, I'm sorry Auntie. Like his brother, I think he has a weakness of alcohol. He's acting crazy and he had lost his job. Soon, he will be broke and thrown into the streets. And guess who drove him to the deep end? Me. Me, coz I don't love him enough. Coz I fell in love with his elder brother. And he had not returned home...I don't know where he is.

"Yes...just...quiet."

"That's so unlike him! I tried visiting him in prison...a couple of years after he went in, when I thought I had healed...but he refused to see me. I tried, 3 times. And they found out...and Frank begged me not to go see him anymore because he could tell Marjory, Ben and his Dad were upset with my...betrayal."

"And so I never went again. I don't blame you for leaving Joe for Frank, you probably did not know. Joe was his mother's baby. Took after her, got her beauty and her gift for music. But...he will always hide it from his friends. No one except us and some other closer friends heard the jock played piano. You heard before?"

Hope nodded, smiling, remembering how in awe she was at his prowess, how simply unbelievable the music sounded when coaxed by him.

"And because mother and son's bond were so close, I don't believe...I don't believe..." Aunt Gertrude's voice cracked. She stood up and patted Hope's hands. "Tell him...tell him to take care...and let the past be past. Don't let it haunt him."

Hope's eyes welled up. Such confidence, such trust. Did Joe know his aunty loved him so much?

"I wish one day, we can be finally sure that he did not do those things. I really wish..." Her voice trailed off and she walked away. Hope sensed that she did not want Hope to follow her and so Hope just watched her leave before making her way back into the house.

She was surprise to see Frank sitting on the piano seat on the platform. She had almost missed him sitting there and very gently, she sat beside him.

"How are you feeling now?" Hope asked, she did not dare to touch him yet, though he seemed very mellowed.

Frank had uncovered the piano and was running his fingers across the keys. A faint sound could be heard. "I was never as good as him. I hated playing the piano. I prefer fiddling with my computers. But he was really good. Really good."

He played a little tune, Hope could not place the tune but it sounded sweet and very simple. But while Joe had played with a passion, losing himself in the music, Frank was too in control, unable to fully let go but the technique was there. Frank had hit every note with finesse and accuracy. Hope then saw drops of tears hit the ivory keys. But Frank did not seem to notice that he himself was crying.

"It's ok, you don't have to play. You can turn to me, tell me everything."

Frank turned to her, his brown eyes shimmering, then he held her really tight and she could feel his tears wetting her shoulders.

"Hope, don't go..."

"I'm not going anywhere." She stroke his hair. He looked up, obviously thinking he had cried enough. Without looking at her, he murmured,

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to just leave you alone..." Then he smiled. "But I guess Aunt Gertrude had told you quite a lot."

"Yes. She did."

"She and Nancy, always faithfully rooting for Joe. I wish...I could be like them." Frank said then shook his head. "No...I take it back. They'll see. They'll see what I saw."

"Frank..."

"They did not see...see mom's dead body. I did. They did not talked to Marjory while she was still tormented, I did. I did tried Hope...it was getting harder and harder to prove his innocence. But when he...he...that night..." He breathed in deeply. His agony was too clear for all to see in those brown eyes that were always calm and collected.

"I wished I was blind then. Really wished."

Hope had nothing to say. Nothing she could say would take the pain away and for the first time, she saw Frank in a lot of pain, a lot of anguish at experiencing so much loss and not being able to tell anyone about it because he had to be the strong one.

"Don't drink again." That was all Hope could mustered, after she saw the glass of martini lying somewhere on top of the piano.

He smiled at her gingerly. "Last glass. It...it helps me sometimes. But I mastered it. I won't fall again."

They always say that before they fall.

He finished up his drink and slowly stood up, stretching out his hand for Hope to hold.

"Shall we go? It's been pretty eventful."

"What about your aunt and your sister?"

"Marjory's angry and no one can reach her when she's still blowing her top. Not me too. I'll call her later. She'll be fine. Aunt Gertrude will retreat into her room and remember Bayport, where I spent most of my youth and she would cry but in the morning, she would be better."

"Ok then. I'll like to go home."

Frank led her out and Nigel gave him a sympathetic look. Slapping Frank on the back, he whispered in that crisp tone of his, "Take it easy son."

"Thank you Nigel."

And they drove off into the night in silence. Frank did not feel like talking and Hope did not know what to say. But the silence was welcomed after such a chaotic night.

"Margie...it's Frank, you alright?"

Silence.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you."

"Damn right you should."

"So, you're going to be ok?"

"You gave me the keychain, remember? I'll take care of myself."

"Marge...."

"I'll be fine. I just...keep him away from me...will you?"

"I promise."

"Thanks big brother...love you. And I'm sorry too. I don't hate you."

"I know you don't kiddo. Go sleep now."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Chapter 28

Frank was getting to leave his office the next day when Ben wheeled into Frank's office. He had dark circles under his eyes but he was smiling. Frank could guess immediately, he must have made up with Regina.

"How are you?" Ben greeted Frank, before moving over to his liquor counter to pour himself a glass of red wine.

"I'm fine. Left to deal with all these alone again, now that Bob had taken a long leave all the way to his retirement." Frank motioned to the unread files on his table.

"I'm talking about last night. Regina says she's sorry. But...you know...soup kitchen rules. Support, defend and then...attack." Ben chuckled.

"It's ok...at least the cat's out of the bag." Frank spoke dully, last night had been most exhausting to him, he was only gratified that Marjory sounded alright over the phone call.

"Do we do anything about it?"

"What do you want to do?"

Ben shrugged and gulped down the wine. "I just thought, it's pretty stupid to keep hating. I should stop now."

"You mean forgive?" Frank had joined Ben at the sitting area but poured himself a glass of water instead. He had promised Hope and would try his best to keep it.

"Yah...something like that. But it doesn't mean I want to...see him or talk to him...it's too difficult."

"I understand. Why Regina?" Frank could not help asking. After last night's fiasco, he had seriously seen nothing nice in that foul-mouth girl.

Ben reached behind and massaged his own neck. "If you must know Frank, she sees and takes me for who I am."

"Is that all?"

"Is that all?" Ben stared at Frank incredulously. "Frank...that's...that's everything to me."

Frank nodded. "I'm sorry. I understand."

"That's everything to anyone also. It's...it's so difficult to find someone who truly loves you, not for who they want you to be or how they see you...but because they see the real you and can't live without you."

"I wish for that kind of love too."

Ben clapped Frank on the back. "Ah...don't be jealous of me. I'm sure Hope's a great girl."

"She is. One day, all of you will know how great she is." Frank spoke sincerely, not to Ben, but to himself. His whole heart believed in him, his whole soul longed for it.

His brother grew serious suddenly, a surprising departure from his frivolous self. "Don't stress her up Frank. We have seen how stressed Nancy can be around you."

"Yah...ok..i got to go. I'm running late. Leave some wine for me, will you?" Frank rested both hands heavily on Ben's shoulders for a while before walking out of the office.

Ben lifted his glass up behind Frank. "Last one buddy...but don't we keep saying that over and over again?"

Michel waited for Joe to finish showering before turning in. He had been assigned as Joe's keeper, kind of like a punishment for his wrong judgment call. He heard the doorbell rang and went to opened it. Outside stood Frank Hardy, always immaculately dressed. He was not in his usual suit; the weather was too hot for it. But he was in a very expensive t-shirt and well-pressed jeans.

"Is Joe in?"

"Where else can he be?" Michel answered. Frank stepped inside and eyed around.

"Where's him?"

"Showering. I hope the Network reimburse me for water bills. He takes a very long time." Michel was in a way disappointed with Joe. He had expected Joe to tell them the truth but he did not and Michel had sincerely wanted to help Joe but now he could not even face Joe without suspecting something. Yet, he promised he would be a friend but things were awkward between them now.

"Good. I have something for him to take. What does he like to drink?" Frank went to the kitchen and open up the fridge. "You got any sugary drinks? Chocolate ice cream? He used to like those."

"No...I think he likes beer more than anything now." Michel followed Frank into the kitchen. Frank raised an eyebrow at Michel and took out a can of beer.

"Got a couple of frosted mugs?"

"Yes. What do you want to do?"

"Find the truth."

Michel gave a soft laugh. "Not again, that fiasco?"

Frank opened the freezer where the frosted mugs would be. He took two out and laid them on the table. Michel simply watch him with an amusing gaze. "What?"

"You just seemed different from the morning."

"I was out of sorts then. My girlfriend got assaulted by him...what do you think?" Frank replied as he took out a vial and begin to smear the contents on the inside of one of the frosted glass. Then, he started pouring the beer in.

"Take out another can will you and help yourself?"

"I hope you're not trying to kill him."

Frank seemed to ponder for a while. "I'll decide that after I'm done with him, I'll be out in the backyard. When he conked out after drinking this mug...inform me. Don't mix up the mugs. I don't want to be asking you questions."

Michel wore a half-smile on his face. "Ah...the new prototype truth serum. Works like hypnosis. Colorless, odorless, dangerous."

"Why do the Network seemed to know everything that goes on in my company? It's stated we supply mostly to the army, navy, air force, FBI and CIA." Frank cocked his head to a side, his eyes narrowed.

"Well...some of the supplies to those places were too much. We take quite a lot from there. Your dad will know."

"Yah...secret agency. Won't have your records in my accounts."

They both heard the bathroom door in Michel's room opened. Very quickly and quietly, Frank slipped out of the backdoor to wait. Michel had heard stories about the Hardy brothers. He felt it was this night he had seen the real Frank Hardy in action, not the angry one he had encountered earlier.

Joe came into the kitchen; he always did, after a long shower. Michel would find the bathroom foggy with steam after Joe used it. Joe was going to pour himself a glass of cold water when he saw the beer on the table.

"Two mugs? One for me?" The blue eyes flashed hopefully.

"Yah...tell you what...why don't you take this one? I'll pour myself another..."

Joe had picked up the mug and hurriedly down the contents, as if he was afraid Michel would take back his offer. Awkward as they had become, Michel still saw to it that Joe could not slip back into his alcoholic days of the soup kitchen.

"Good stuff. I love Heineken..."

"I prefer Carlsburg."

"Whatever...hey...the floor is spinning..." Joe had clutched onto the edge of the table for that much needed support. He was swaying and his lids suddenly became very droopy.

"Take it easy...here..."

"It's..." Joe collapsed on the floor. Michel was impressed with the serum and its effectiveness. Looked like Network would have to make a new order soon.

Frank had heard the thud himself and entered the kitchen to find Joe already on the floor. He looked at the watch and counted to twenty before shaking Joe's still form.

"Wake up...hey..." His voice was gentle, so was his rousing.

Joe's eyes flicked opened. It was glazed over. He saw Frank and gave a goofy smile. "Time for school?"

Frank's face fell a little but he regained his composure soon. "Yes. But you'll have to take a quiz first."

"Ok..."

"Sit up on the chair."

And Joe obediently stood up and proceeded to take a chair and sat down. Frank sat opposite him. Michel stood at the entrance of the kitchen, watching them.

"What's your full name?" Frank begin to ask some questions, just to test Joe.

"Joseph Elijah Hardy." He still had a very goofy smile on his face.

"Good boy." Frank ruffled Joe's hair and then immediately pulled it back and clenched his hand into a fist.

"What's your brother's full name?"

"Franklin Janus Hardy and Benjamin Amos Hardy! I've got two brothers."

Frank could not help himself. Joe looked so endearing with that goofy smile; he looked like how he would whenever Frank would catch him misbehaving in the past. Whatever bitterness, anguish and most heart wrenching disappointment he had harbored towards Joe seemed all but forgotten. Joe had, in that magical second, transported him back to their teens in Bayport. Back to the days of innocence.

"And which one do you love most?"

"Frank of course...yup...nicest brother in the whole world." Joe nodded his head which was now swaying from side to side.

"Just got to stroke your own ego, don't you?" Michel commented with a smile. Frank looked up; he had forgotten Michel was there.

"I lost some self-control, that's all."

Turning back to Joe and in a harder tone, he started his questions proper.

"Who made you steal the virus Joe?"

Joe's face turned pale. It seemed whoever that person was, he or she had a hold on a Joe that even while drugged, fear could still creep in.

"Him! Big Ugly Man! Yuck!"

"His name?"

"Kleptous...he is Alexander Kleptous."

Both Frank and Michel exchange glances. Joe was not lying after all, either that or the Assassins somehow had found a way round the truth serum which was not possible. And Frank was very sure that the truth serum worked.

"What did he promise you for the job?"

"Not to hurt Hope or Caramel...not to touch me anymore...cannot let him touch me...he bad! Bad Ugly Smelly Man."

Frank was hoping Joe would be candid but not that candid. He could guess what torment Joe would have suffered under Kleptous hands. From the looks of it, Michel seemed to guess also, his brown eyes narrowed in concern. His own breathing became a little ragged but he caught himself. It was expected. Joe went to jail for rape.

No, don't show sympathy. He deserved it. After all, it's over. Kleptous will be caught and he would be alright.

"So Hope and Caramel are in danger?"

"Took the virus...don't know if he will come back for them."

"They are safe. I'll keep them safe. You know who's the one who helped you in? The one who shut down the cameras and everything?"

Joe shook his head once and smiled again. "Nope! No idea. Hungry."

In spite of himself, Frank chuckled. "I think I'm finished...wait..." He looked up at Michel and raised an eyebrow, silently conveying that he wanted Michel gone for a while but Michel motioned that he was going to stay put, he did not fully trust Frank yet.

Frank scowled but returned his attention to Joe. "Did you kill mom?"

"You're not going to get a straight answer from him." Michel intervened.

"If it's a memory lapse, this can help." Frank heart beat faster though his voice was one of calm. He had that little hope in him, that little hope that somehow was always upsetting to him for some reasons that his mind and spirit hid from him.

"Not always." Michel shook his head; disapproval clearly marked the two words.

"I think I did...I feel like I did." Joe mumbled, quieting the argument between Frank and Michel. The silence that followed was long, tedious. The silence that followed was too loud. Frank and Michel stayed in their positions; stayed too still in their positions.

After an eternity had passed, Frank stood up. His face darkened. There was the little hope, a wild lost hope but Joe's answer destroyed everything. Yet, Frank felt strangely numbed to it. He should be angrier, or maybe, he was far too angry for far too long such that the intensity that he should feel was nothing more than the old bitterness, the old heaviness that had already taken away too much of his soul.

"Sleep now." He commanded Joe gruffly which Joe immediately complied. Frank then pushed Michel away from the kitchen archway and made his own way out.

"It does not have to mean anything Frank."

"Yah...whatever." The front door slammed shut. Frank flung opened his car door and drove off into the unsympathetic night.

Michel looked at Joe's sleeping form. "At least now we know you have been more or less telling us the truth." He ruffled Joe's hair the same way Frank did and locked both the back and front door. Keeping the keys in his pocket, he went into the hall to retire for the night. There was much to discuss with Grey Man tomorrow, there was no doubt Frank was thinking of the same thing.

"But I hope your last answer was really a lie."

"It's Frank." The first thing Frank did after getting into his car was call Grey Man from his mobile. He had his ear piece on because Hope had nagged at him, telling how dangerous it was to drive and use the mobile phone at the same time. To humor her and aware that what she was saying was real, he bought himself a ear piece with the speaker attached to it for his mobile. And ever since he used the ear piece, he was hooked on it, enjoying the freedom it left his hands with until Hope told him a piece of bad news, that the ear piece probably would transmit more radiation into his brains. They then compromised. Earpiece in the car and normal mobile out of it.

"Joe did not seem to be lying."

"Ah..."

"I used the truth serum on him."

"Then we have a problem. How do we find a dead guy?"

"We will. For Hope's sake, I must."

Frank drove into a small lane in a less wealthy suburban section of Barnett Bay. Driving up to a small little house, he stepped out and rang the doorbell. It was not that late, only 10:30p.m. A plain but sweet looking woman of about 30 years old greeted them.

"You are?"

"I'm Frank Hardy. I'm looking for Mike, I believe he works for me."

The woman let out a soft gasp and then she ushered them in. "Of course Mr Hardy...please...follow me...my husband and I are so sorry about the break in...really...he's worried sick about it..."

Frank waved her on. "Please go get him. I'm running out of time."

She nodded and ran into one of the room shouting. "Mikey...someone's here to see you!"

A short man with thick glasses and a mop of ash blond hair timidly approached where Frank was sitting. "I...I am so honored...Mr Hardy..."

"I was just trying my luck. I thought you left for a long vacation." Frank kept his voice still and calm. The lack of any reproach or anger in his tone made Mike all the more nervous.

"I...I was supposed too...but...but my wife here says...maybe...it's not...not that serious..." He looked pleadingly at his wife who had brought them cups of tea and some biscuit. Frank smiled at her and she smiled back. Then she sat down beside her husband.

"I just want to know what happened that night and why you don't come forward with information rather than taking a long leave."

"Mr Hardy...you knew..."

"Nope...I don't."

"But...but...you...you sent me an email...you said I was to take a long leave until I'm called back or...or I'll be fired..." Mike was obviously confused. His wife nodded earnestly.

"The email told my husband not to ask you anymore question for just to tell Clark that he's going away for a long time. Clark agreed. Mr Hardy, my husband is a very honest man, he will not lie..."

Frank was taken aback. "I told you to go on a vacation?"

"Yes...the farther the better you said...the longer too...until you're not angry anymore. You even gave me two tickets to Mauritius...single trip."

"I did? I was so generous?" Frank's voice was full of sarcasm at himself.

"Yes...but my wife got sick...and she read the papers and said stocks were up so I hid at home. But I don't dare to pick up any phone calls...just checking my email everyday to see if you sent me anything."

"Clark approved?" Frank was getting more and more suspicious at the head of security. But to pinpoint him as the traitor would feel wrong, somehow.

Maybe there's more than one Assassin.

And suddenly, he began to have a splitting headache. Rubbing his temples with one hand, he picked up the cup of tea with the other. Stress was getting to him again.

"I need to see the email I sent to you. You have it in your system?"

"No...you told me to trash it immediately."

"Well...thank you for being so obedient." Frank almost snarled. His insult was lost on Mike who managed to smile a little.

"So...can I come back to work?"

"Nope...and guess what?" Frank stood up, getting ready to leave. "I think you better go on the trip. For your own safety and come back to me when you're rested. Understand?"

Mike looked confused again. "I don't understand..."

"Just...just do what I said. Get out of here tomorrow." Frank's tone was final. Mike did not argue, he simply nodded.

Frank left his employee house without much information only that his head of security was all the more pinpoint as the insider. Something nagged at him and he missed having someone to talk to about the case. It used to be that he could thrash out all his doubts with Joe who would be right beside him. But now, that scenario was impossible.

Definitely not after what he had confessed to me. I think so...what kind of answer is that? He did not even seemed to care!

He drove to his company, unable to call it a day. There was much work to be done and he was running out of time. The sooner they find the Kleptous, the safer Hope would be. He stepped into his office after making his way in the dark and switched on his computer. Going into his office network system, he checked to see if what Mike had said was true.

Going a through the emailing records of all the office employers of up to two days after the burglary, Frank checked for his own account log-in. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary and he had a tough time scanning, knowing that he sent quite a lot of e-mails a day. And then he saw an entry that did not seemed to fit. He was not in the office after work the day after the break-in but it stated that he had sent an email out. Too bad the system was not expansive enough to actually keep records of employees email for more than a couple of days. It would take up too much space. Building from a hunch, Frank then scanned through the time entered and time exit of Clark Kensington only to find nothing out of the ordinary. Then he exited from the system and went into one that he had built for himself before. Always paranoid about security, Frank had actually devised a system that could monitor the time entered and time exit of each individual. The difference was that while the previous one known to all high ranking ones could be altered pretty easily, just in case there was a mistake with the keying in of personal codes sometimes, his could not as no one but him knew about it. Besides time entrance and time exit, his own system also contained a lot of personal comments he wrote about his core employees, who he identified as someone who could help drive the company in future and all sorts of that kind of information. His system also contained sensitive information like medical records, family backgrounds and history of the employees that he had marked. It was a very sneaky move but Frank had just entered the company then and was worried about all the highly secretive governmental research that was going on and he had been bothered by past cases of mild embezzlement and some petty thefts.

Checking for Clark Kensington again, Frank snapped his fingers in victory. Clark had amended his own record and he could do it without much hassle as he was head of the security department. But Frank had caught his footsteps and he was very sure that he got at least one of the insiders.

Frank returned back to his apartment. He stepped into Hope's room and gently gave her a kiss, awaking her. Caramel, who was sleeping next to her mother was snoring lightly.

After Joe's interrogation that morning, Frank had feared for Hope's safety more than he let on. Right after work, he sent her back only to help her pack up. If Joe could enter Hope's house dressed as a pizza delivery boy with all the Network agents crawling about, Frank was not taking any chances. Pleading with Hope to move in with him citing distance as a major hindrance to their relationship as he would get to see her as often as he would and that he feared Joe would come and bother her again, she agreed, though still reluctantly.

He had told Grey Man of Hope's change of location and no one else. An agent continued to pretend to guard the old place. Grey Man sent two more to look after Hope and Caramel in their new place, disguised as Frank's neighbors. Frank also arranged for a stay in tutor to give Caramel lessons so he would not have to worry about the little girl then which he would if she was in nursery school.

"Why are you so late?" Hope mumbled, her green eyes were sleepy. Frank wanted to grab her then. He had a minor discovery and was still a little high from it.

"Office matters. You go back to sleep."

Hope smiled and nodded. Frank watched her fall into slumber again before retreating into his room. He had a restful night then, thinking that it would be the last night for Clark Kensington in freedom.

Chapter 30

Joe woke up feeling extremely groggy. He thought he had cotton wool in his throat and tried to swallow hard. The beer he had consumed left a stale taste in his mouth and thus he slowly got up, not without some effort, and staggered to the kitchen sink.

Weird, only one mug and I'm out. Or maybe I had more...but...

He rinsed his mouth with the mouthwash that Michel always kept just next to the kitchen sink. Then he opened the fridge door and counted the cans of beer inside. If his calculations were correct, which it had to be since though he was poor in Mathematics in school, he could still subtract and add as well as the best of them, then he did only took one can. That left him only possible explanation.

I think Michel drugged me. Why will he do that?

So you will be dead asleep and he will not have to worry about you taking off?

Joe pouted, as he always would when he was deep in thoughts. The voice inside was right. After staying put for two whole days in this tiny little place, Joe was feeling extremely claustrophobic. Besides, his constant worry for Hope and Caramel, despite that they had already broken up, cause him to just want to run and tag them all the time to make sure that every moment, every second, they were safe or he could never rest.

So what should I do now? Stay here? The Network don't even have a concrete plan yet as to how they are going to find the Assassins.

Not to mention they totally don't believe you right?

Stop it with your snides. I told them the truth, I owe them nothing. I should do something on my own...maybe check up Hope...and from there, decide what's my next course of action.

Spoken like a man who actually thinks! Joe, there's hope for you yet.

Thank you. Now, get lost.

Just remember the last time you decided to check up on Hope, I hope you did not hurt her.

Joe eyes went downcast. He was too ashamed to look at himself in the reflection on the shinning surface of the fridge door. Yes, he had hit her, pushed her and yes, she should hate him. But he could not control himself, he was just so devastated, so angry at himself, not at her. He could never be angry at her. And he guessed he had always had the inclination towards some aggression when he was angry. In better times, he had a punching bag. Sometimes, when he was really mad at something, he would pick a fight with Frank who would pummel him in the end with his martial arts expertise and Joe would feel better having let out all the negative energy. Now, there was no one to even pillow fight with him.

Must control my emotions. Must seek new outlet. Damn Michel for not letting me drink. Anyway, he's asleep...so...what the heck!

You drank too when you when to see her, a whole bottle of whiskey.

It was a small one.

It's the alcoholic contents that counts.

Arghh...why can't you just leave me alone.

Can you leave yourself alone?

Joe mumbled some swear words at the voice inside of him. Recently, it was coming back more and more forcefully and he wondered if he was already on the way to crazyland. Reaching into the fridge again for a can of beer, he spotted movement from the corner of his eye and hurriedly put the beer back. Michel was stirring from his sleep and Joe, not wanting to hear Michel nag or scold him, cursed himself for being too slow to decide to break the rule.

"Hey..."

"Hey..." Michel greeted him back. "Fishing around for ice water or beer?"

"Both, depending on if I'm fast enough...guess I'm too slow." Joe answered with a slight disappointment. "I know you don't trust me anymore, but you don't have to drug me."

Michel looked guiltily at Joe and shuffled his legs a little. "I trust you now, let's say...we trust you a little more now."

Joe was baffled and he pursed his lips together, setting his face into a frown. "Why?"

"Nothing...you'll know sooner or later and later is better. I'm going to freshen up. Do you think you can make some tea or coffee?"

"Yah..."

"And put in less sugar!" Michel shouted as an afterthought, after he went inside his bedroom.

Less sugar...for you...more...for me. Sugar Rush!

Joe set the two cups on the table and drank his own sugared water with some tea leaves. Michel came out of his bathroom soon all tidied up, dressed for work. He grabbed the coffee Joe made for him and was about to go when Joe stood up abruptly. "Hey! You're going to leave me here alone? Again?"

Michel thought for a while. "I think so...I'm going places you can't be."

"I'm above 21, I can go anywhere...please...let me get out of here?"

Michel put his coffee down on the side table in the living room. "It's for your protection. When the whole thing blows over..."

"I'm going to jail. This will help me get re-acquainted." Joe answered back miserably. He knew that Frank would not let him off for theft. Whether under threat or not, they would not have to take his word for it anyway. And so he would go to jail and say hi to old friends.

I can't go back there. Don't they understand? It's a horrible place...they never seen it before...why am I always in such tangled webs?

Because you're an idiot?

Precisely. Thanks again for setting me straight.

You're welcome.

Show some sympathy can you?

You seem to be handling it well. No one will know, looking at you that...

Joe with great willpower switched his mind off and trotted heavily back to the kitchen. He did not want to think about his experiences or anything at all for that matter. What would come would come and he would accept his blame and take it like a man. He did not need protection, but he did want some assurance.

"I'm going now Joe...please...understand that it's for your own good."

"Yah...I know. Bye."

Michel gaze lingered on him for a moment, a little unsure of what to say. Joe could tell the difficulties that Michel was going through, playing the roles of Joe's friend, protector and now, minder. It was hard to mind someone who keep going through emotional mood swings.

It's getting very difficult for me to be me also too Mic. I'm sorry to put you through this. You can't end it soon...but I will. Somehow.

He heard Michel walk away and the familiar sound of the door being latched. Joe had argued that the house could catch fire and he could never get out because he did not have the key. Michel had thought carefully and decided that the odds of the house catching fire were much lower than Joe running away. In any case, he had bought a fire extinguisher for Joe just in case.

Which means I'm still trap in the house. And today is a very special day.

It's a safe place Joe.

One thing I've learned is no place is safe. No one is safe and no one can keep you safe.

Ah...so we are growing up finally.

Yes. I am.

Joe searched through the whole kitchen, thinking that every house would have a toolkit and in that toolkit, he would find what he needed. And he spotted the date on the calendar Michel left in the kitchen and that made escaping even more important. Michel had put on combination locks on his gate and door and if there was one thing that could make Joe nauseated just by looking at it was combination locks of any kind. He found what he needed next to the tool kit actually. Setting to work, he hoped that no one would pass by Mic's house at that hour.

It was harrowing and everything that Joe did make him break out in cold sweat. Breaking the door was not easy but he thanked God that Michel lived in a quiet neighborhood. When he had done what he wanted, he ran towards the gate in freedom only to find the top barbed. Running back into the house, he took out the thickest jacket that Michel had and threw it over the top to protect him from being pierced badly. When he was over on the other side of the gate, he took a deep breath. Freedom. Michel would be hollered at, screamed at but Joe would return by to say sorry. He could not keep the nagging feeling that something would happen to Hope and he always trusted his gut feelings and he had something important to do as well.

He walked past some shops and remembered the little pawn shop which he visited to pawn his favorite watch just to buy Frank a birthday present. He never got to buy the present to Frank nor get the money from the watch. It was a Rolex Oyster Perpetual "Submarine" that he had wanted to pawn, but he gave it up intending to buy Frank the antique watch he had seen before and wanted. It was Frank's 19th birthday and Joe just wanted to give Frank something to keep while he was in college.

He had walked right up to the pawnshop where he was spotted by the Network agents about five years ago to complete the deal, praying against all hope that somehow, the shopkeeper was honest and would remembered him. The shop was still there but the owner was a different person. Joe doubted he would find his old watch still there.

But I can steal it. I'm now an expert at stealing things, breaking out of houses...anything...

"Hello! What can I do for you?"

Joe glanced at the display case; there were rings, bracelets, necklaces, watches, all belonging to people down on their luck. He had nothing to pawn, just a thin gold chain he had took from his house 5 years ago belonging to his mother with a locket with her photo in it. He had not look at it or open up the locket for a very long time. But it was his most treasured possession and he kept it with him all the time.

I can pawn it...maybe get something for Frank...It will be nice if someone remembers his birthday. He's always complaining before that no one cares about his birthday, I always have to be the one to buy the cake, arrange the party...

But now that he's so rich, plenty of people will buy him presents better than what I can afford.

"I was just wondering if you happen to have with you a Rolex Oyster Submarine...I...never mind." Joe muttered and started to leave.

"I do...it's been here for quite a long time...it's a pretty thing...you want to see it?" The shopkeeper bent down, opened a cupboard and took out a box. Joe recognized the box immediately and his heart jumped when he saw his beloved watch.

"Mom! It's too much...but...oh my goodness..."

"Now you can go diving with it and not ruin your watches."

"Not fair mumsy...how come I don't get a watch like this?" Frank peered down at the beautiful watch with a deep blue face and framed in 18k gold. He had received his own rolex on his 18th birthday but it was of a different make and design, it was a outrageously expensive antique one.

From the corner of his eyes, Joe saw his father giving a disapproving look at his wife.

"It's not his birthday, Christmas or anything...why buy a kid such an expensive watch?"

"You bought Frank one...and Ben...I thought it should be fair that Joe gets one too...sooner or later, what's the difference?"

Joe ignored his parent's argument and excitedly held the watch in his hands, sharing his joy with his brother. Frank took the watch and saw an inscription behind, "My Son."

"Hey, just like mine!"

"We use the same inscription for everyone...but I wonder what will we do with Marjory's? Her name's too long and 'daughter' is even longer still." Laura frowned, obviously trying now to think of ways to fit an inscription for Marjory.

"I think mine's nicer than yours big brother...see...the blue...my favorite color."

"Ah...but your's too flashy...I don't like watches that are too flashy...I like those that look antique...you know my taste..."

"Yah...but this one's cool in my books! It's blue!"

"Yes...you repeated it many times. But yah..it's nice. Something you'll like."

"Make sure you don't get any scratches on it, being as clumsy as you are." Fenton Hardy spoke in a gruff tone. Joe face fell a little and very carefully, he put the watch back into the box.

"Don't ruin his fun now..."

"Laura! You're spoiling the kid!"

"I know what I am doing..."

As his parents argued with each other, Joe felt very guilty. He knew that Fenton was only nominally affectionate towards him but he was never as close to him as he was to Frank and Ben. He had long accepted it and consoled himself because he knew he was mom's favorite though it was their little secret.

Not to mention he had a brother who simply doted on him.

"Hey kiddo...c'mon, let's go grab a burger or something..."

"I don't know Frank...is it my fault again? Maybe...mom bought it because I saw it while shopping with her and I guessed she saw how much I wanted it."

"Then it's settled, it's yours, it's meant to be yours. They want to pick a fight with each other...not your fault. Who knows this may add sparks in their relationship."

"Yah...right..."

"Let's go...keep your watch first though, we'll get the gang over later to take a look at it."

"We never sold it, my father saw the poor kid running away in a hurry, never got the money so it was never ours."

Joe stroked the watch lovingly, he had often wondered why he gave it up, it was either the watch or the locket, his two most valuable possessions. He probably saved the locket because he wanted to always remember how his mom looked like.

A photo will do right?

You seen how much in a hurry I was...I guess...Nevermind.

Thinking about that day brought back his headaches. He remembered running away from home, remembered Marjory screaming. It was only in the trials that he realized that she was raped and he was main suspect. As time went by, he believed he was the real culprit and the conviction that he was guilty never went away.

"My Son..." Joe muttered before turning the watch over. And true enough, the inscription behind confirmed that the watch was his. The shopkeeper peered down at the watch and broke into a smile.

"Is it yours?"

"I..."

"My dad told me it was a blond kid with startling blue eyes. You look like his description."

"It's my watch. How much was he going to offer me?"

"I don't want it...you can take it back." He smiled. "We don't take things that do not belong to us."

"But...you will have paid for it if you let me pawn it."

"It's inscribed. It's yours. Please...besides...I cannot afford it now. My shop's a small shop and business bad...your watch require a few thousands that I don't have now."

Joe took back his watch after the shopkeeper kept insisting that he take it. If Joe would to prod deeper, he would come to learn that the shop had been going through bad luck ever since Joe had simply dumped the watch there and ran off. His dad had warned his son to return the watch to the rightful owner and gave him a good description of Joe. The family was a superstitious one but Joe would not know that. He just could not believe his luck that he got his watch back.

He knew he had time to shop around before rushing back to Hope's house to check that she had return home safely after work. He went in and out of many watch shops but was unable to find the watch that he knew Frank wanted in the past, a very simple classic design. And his search was hampered by the fact that he knew neither the make nor the model of the watch, just a memory of how it looked like.

After exhausting the downtown area of both Barnett Bay and Little Port, Joe decided to try the last antique watch shop he knew of. The owner of that shop was a collector and did not sell away his watches easily. Joe was prepared to beg if he found what he was looking for.

He took the shuttle bus down to Carmelia Street of Little Port. It was a small and dark street but that was here the shop would be found. Joe had chanced upon it by accident by he was still in the delivery job but had never stepped in though he had seen angry customers out of shop, failing to purchase what they wanted.

The wind chimes on the door tinkled when Joe pushed it open. It was a neat shop, with glass displays proudly presenting their inhabitants. Joe scanned through the glass displays but among the many antique watches, he could not find the one that he knew Frank had eyed before.

Maybe he had already bought one for himself.

"Hey, if you're not genuinely interested in my watches you can get the hell out of here." A bespectacled woman of about 35 greeted Joe rudely, but Joe was not daunted, he had seen much worse bullies than her.

"I'm just looking for a watch, thank you."

"And what model? What brand?"

"I don't know."

"Then I can't help you. You are definitely not a genuine watch collector...please show yourself out."

"Wait!" Joe rushed to stop her before she stepped into the back again. "It's a present for one of the most important person in my life...you got to help me. My brother loves antique watches...please help me...I think the brand was some Philip or something..."

"Patek Philippe?" Her eyes narrowed, giving Joe a second chance.

"Yes! At least I think it is...sounds right..."

She relented, seeing Joe's pleading eyes. "Wait here...I keep those in the back."

She came back with a nondescript black box. Opening it up, there were a few watches, no doubt very old but in very good condition. Glancing up into Joe's face which was set in a frown, she ventured a guess.

"It's not here?"

"No...I think this is the one..." He pointed to a wrist watch, set in 18k gold with a very classic, gentlemanly design. "It's not rare right?"

"It is...I'm a watch collector...don't insult me! I don't sell these watches but I'm helping you out...so better watch what you say Mister."

Then she picked up the watch that Joe had pointed out. "I can give you this beauty for $5500. It's circulated in 1940s...going for close to $6000 on the market but I'm giving it to you for $500 less. You should thank me."

"I have this nice Rolex Oyster Submarine...its worth quite a bit. Can we do an exchange?" Joe asked hopefully. His gaze fixed sincerely on the Patek Philippe. Frank would be thrilled by it. Of course, Frank did not have to know who the sender of the present was. Joe was then, devising in his mind, ways of passing it to Frank without Frank knowing that it was from him.

"It's not enough. Not old enough for me." She was about to close the box when Joe grabbed her hands.

"This is important...I need the watch. I..." He thought furiously. He had the locket...it was a pretty locket...but he was not sure if it was antique...

"I'll throw this in as well."

Break from the past. Why are you doing so much just to get him a damn present?

Because I want to.

He took out the gold locket and put it on the table. "It's not worth much in value...but...it's worth a lot to me. I'll give it to you as collateral. I'll come back with the balance one day..."

She took the locket and inspected it. Opening it up, she saw Laura's picture. "Who's that?"

"My mom."

She took out the picture and passed it to him. Taking out the wrist watch, she cleaned it with a cloth and smiled at Joe. "Deal. Come back with the balance in a month's or the locket's mine. It's a very pretty thing also."

"Could you inscribe the watch for me?"

"No problem. What do you want to put down?"

Joe thought for a while and smiled. "Bro"

"Huh?"

"Yah...you heard me...Bro. B-R-O"

"Ok...you don't have much of an imagination, do you?"

He stood silently in the shop, waiting for her to finish and out of curiosity, he asked, "I have seen you chase away people before, why do you want to sell to me?"

She smiled at him with a glint in her eyes. "Because...you don't flash your money around. Because you don't flash your knowledge around. And because...you are sincere. You seemed to have exchange with me everything you owned for a birthday present."

"You can see all that?"

"Yayaya...here's your watch and thanks for the money...off with you! I need to take a nap. It must be your lucky day I'm in a good mood and have the watch you want. These things...not very easy to find."

Joe left the shop and the owner locked the door behind her. He thought he was weird, but she was even more mad than him. But it did not matter to him much, he got a nice present for Frank, it cost him but he could always earn back the money.

You're so funny...exchanging one watch for another.

It's ok...Frank wanted it when we were still teenagers...I remember....

He may not even want to accept it.

I have to try...right?

He then kept the watch safely in his pocket and walked down two streets to his where Hope, where he had lived for a while. He ducked behind a tree, trying to see if there were any more Network agents around when he smelled chloroform and a voice that he thought he would never hear again.

"Trying to trick me sweetie? Not so easy..."

Joe struggled but Kleptous had him in a stranglehold. It was no fight at all as Kleptous finally pressed the chloroformed cloth over Joe's nose and he did not wait long before Joe blacked out and collapsed into his arms.

"Is this Mr Angelos?"

"Yes..."

"Your neighbor called the police after noticing that your house seemed to be broken in."

"What?"

"The front door was all hacked down...I think you may have to come back and take a look."

Michel knew he should never have left that crazy boy alone. Cursing Joe again, he sped off home from his supposed office. There were two policemen waiting for him and his neighbor, kind old Mrs Jones immediately went over to him and patted his hand reassuringly.

"I noticed it very early...But I'm afraid that there's no one inside already."

Michel saw his old jacket hanging on the barbed wire on top of the gate. So Joe had managed to ruin something besides his wrecked door and his trust.

Why Joe? Why can't you just stay still...we're all trying to help out...you may not have to go to jail.

I trust you buddy...surely you must know that I have a job to do?

"You recognize the jacket sir?" An officer asked him, a pen and pad in his hands, ready to take down statements.

"It's mine."

"Oh...funny...we thought it was the robber's..."

Under the police instructions, he went into his house to take a look. Nothing was stolen; it was a quiet neighborhood after all. Michel then told the police he did not wish to pursue the matter.

"I'm afraid we can't do that sir."

"Nothing's gone...besides...it can be done."

"Sir...we have a job...if there's a robber in the neighborhood, we can't have him preying on others..."

Michel waved the officer off. "I know who the person was. He was not trying to get in, he was trying to get out. My little brother, probably off to create some havoc after losing his keys."

The officer eyed Michel suspiciously. "If that's what you want sir, we cannot force you...but we do hope you let us do the investigations..."

"Not necessary."

It had taken a bit more verbal sparring before the two officers left. Michel looked at his door then dialed for Grey on his mobile. He was going to get a screaming again but he had no other alternative. It seemed like Joe was really intent on escaping.

You just lost your ticket to freedom Joey, why are you so stupid?

But Michel knew somehow it had been his fault too. He had not trusted Joe when Grey Man seemed to have called his bluff. When the trust was regained after Frank did that stunt with the truth serum, it was probably too late. Joe must have felt trapped and alone and thus, he felt he needed to break free.

Break free he did...I wonder if Ernie fix doors immediately?

"It's me. Bad news. The kid ran off. Again."