Ch.1 Reunion

Nancy tucked her strawberry blonde hair behind her left ear as she glanced out across the River Thames for the millionth time that day. She could see the London Eye in the distance turning slowly, filled with bustling tourists gawking at Double-Decker buses and taking pictures with the Tower Bridge in the background. Nancy knew from reading the literature on the airplane that you could see most of Greater London from the top of the eye and had thought earlier about abandoning her post and taking a ride in hopes of spotting her clue, but one look at her instructions and a glance in her pocket book squashed that idea. She had no idea what she would be looking for, and she certainly didn't have enough pounds for more than two rides.

Nancy sighed and took a seat on her luggage, her brow knit in frustration. She had been sitting alone for the better part of three hours and had still yet to see her clue. But she was aware of many like her who had come with their luggage in tow, walked to the edge of the railing, pulled out a familiar green envelope, read over it, and looked out across the water. They had only remained for ten minutes at the most before grabbing their luggage and heading on their way. Nancy had thought about following them on more than one occasion but what if she lost them or her next destination required information given in the clue? No, cheating wouldn't work.

Nancy gave another sigh, removed the emerald envelope from her blazer pocket and extracted several pieces of folded parchment from inside it. She quickly and carefully unfolded them before flipping through the pages and pulling out clue number one.

"The Moat of Tower Hill."

Nancy had flown into the London-Gatwick airport just on the outskirts of London. She had read on the airplane that the Tower of London was located at Tower Hill and quickly asked an attendant for directions on how to get there. The attendant had told her to take a quick train ride into town and then hop on the Tube. Nancy had done just that. She had been thrilled upon looking at a map of the Tube Lines to discover that Tower Hill was a station on the Circle Line which happened to run through the train station as well. Nancy immediately bought herself a ticket and boarded. Once arriving at her destination it hadn't taken Nancy long to figure out that Tower Hill had no moat. In fact, the Tower of London, which spanned the other side of the street, didn't even have a moat. The closest water had been the River Thames so here she sat glancing at "the moat" feeling like crap.

Crap…Nancy had felt like that on more than one occasion this summer. Nancy pressed her knuckles into her head to keep the tears that sprang to her eyes from falling.

Nancy pulled her car into the University Parking Lot a smile plastered on her face. Turning off the ignition she reached across the seat and grabbed the box of chicken Hannah had prepared for her and Ned. Her ring tapped the plastic Tupperware and she smiled even wider. Ned had proposed to her graduation night and Nancy had answered, "Yes," immediately. Her father and Hannah had been thrilled but not surprised as they claimed they'd seen it coming for years. Nancy and Ned were meant for each other; they believed it and so did Nancy. They ended up having a long dinner that night full of laughter, love, and alcohol for everyone, except Nancy of course. Her father and Hannah caught a cab at midnight; they were too drunk to drive. Nancy had driven Ned back to his dorms and proceeded to stay the night.

Nancy awoke the next morning to her cell phone ringing and remembered suddenly that she had plans with Bess for the next week. They were going to L.A. for graduation, no mystery. She remembered sliding his arm off her chest as she slid out of bed. It took her a few rings to locate her phone in her pants pocket. She knew the moment Bess's frantic voice tore through the line she wasn't going to see Ned. Hanging up the phone after a lengthy discussion about Bess's missing boyfriend. Nancy glanced at Ned who was still drunkenly sprawled across the bed. Nancy left him a note explaining where she was going and with who and was out the door. Ned never awoke.

Now two week later Nancy was thrilled to finally spend time with her future husband. She had helped Hannah make chicken before getting ready to surprise Ned. Nancy could still remember the warmth of the meat through the plastic and cotton of her dress and hear the gravel crunching beneath her blue heels.

Nancy could see two people as she approached the front porch. They appeared locked in a passionate make-out session and Nancy tried to look away out of embarrassment but as she moved to turn away the two lovers pulled away from each other, panting. One glance at the man's face was all Nancy needed; with a gasp she had dropped the chicken on the ground.

Ned glanced up from his partner and met Nancy's eyes briefly before returning to his prize. Nancy felt utterly sick as she backed away towards her car never taking her eyes off Ned and the other girl. Her fiancé was cheating on her, ergo the breakup.

Nancy sighed as she glanced back across the water. "Stop thinking about that Drew," she whispered to herself.

"Nancy!" called a male voice.

"Oh god," Nancy hissed, "I am hearing him now." Nancy fingered her ring where it rested in her pocket.

"Nancy Drew!" The voice was closer now

"Hey Nancy, over here!" Another voice called, causing Nancy to turn quickly—not a smart move on her wheeled luggage. With the grace of an elephant, the wheels of her suitcase slipped from under her sending her crashing to the pavement.

"Ouch," was all Nancy could mutter as she laid on the ground, her face red with embarrassment.

"Nancy, are you ok?" a blonde- haired teenager asked as he appeared above her with his hand stretched out.

Nancy rolled her eyes and grabbed his offered hand. "That is a stupid question and you know it Joe Hardy. Of course not, I just fell flat on my ass."

"Arse, Nan, you are in Britain," he replied with an easy smile as he pulled her up.

"Thank you for so aptly pointing that out, Hardy." Nancy smiled. "So where's Frank?"

"Right here. Quite a fall you had, Nancy." Nancy turned around to see the handsomely dark haired, eighteen year old Frank Hardy standing before her with her now upright luggage beside him.

Nancy's grin widened as she threw her arms around her friend. "Frank, I'm so glad to see you guys!"

"I'm glad to see you too, Nan." He returned her embrace before stepping back to take in the girl before him.

"Wow, Nancy, you look awesome."

"Not so bad yourself, Hardy," Nancy replied taking in his toned muscles and precious grin. Frank's eyes lit up at this statement. He was the only man who could give her butterflies.

Nancy now took her own step backwards so she could face both Frank and Joe. The three of them had worked on several cases in the past and she had no doubt why they were in London. "So you guys have been invited to this Sleuthing contest I suppose." She held up her green envelope.

"Why, yes we have but, it seems Miss Drew, that you've lost your touch," Joe stated bluntly.

Nancy narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms across her chest. "What do you mean, Joe Hardy?"

"He means you've been sitting here for ages pulling out that envelope and we assumed that had you seen the clue you would've already been long gone. It was right in front of you."

Nancy raised an eyebrow. "Stalking me, eh? Watching me as I sit? Most people would find that unbelievably creepy or rather romantic."

Frank blushed. "Well…"

Nancy stepped forward placing a finger against his lips to quiet him. "I jest Frank, I jest." She grinned feeling Frank squirm at her touch before facing Joe who was trying hard to contain his laughter. "So, oh brilliant Joe Hardy, do show me this oh-so-elusive clue."

"Oh, right out there, the boat in the river—read the side."

Nancy stepped up to the rail allowing the wind to whip at her hair and glanced out at the boat. For the first time that day she noticed the red words painted on the side of the boat:

"Stage one done but the mystery's just begun. Now move down town to the Pub Ole Crown. Observation has been tested for you and thus you shall move through."

Nancy buried her head in her hands. "How did I miss that? I've been staring at it all day and oh, I feel so dumb."

"Well you'd have to be dumb or blind not to see that," Joe stated bluntly.

Nancy whipped around gaping briefly before giving Joe a playful shove.

"Whoa, there. No violence. I just saved you from sitting here all day."

Nancy placed a finger on her chin. "I suppose you did. So what are we waiting for? Let's get to that pub. We don't want to get cut in the first round." Nancy pushed herself off the railing with her heel and brushed by Frank and Joe grabbing her bag as she went.

HHHHHH

Frank Hardy set three mugs of soda down on the back table of the pub. There were several oak tables with five chairs at each in the room. Most were full but a few still had empty seats. Must be first come gets to go to the mansion, Frank surmised. It hadn't taken the trio long to find the location as they had asked a street vendor who was more than glad to give them directions.

Frank took a sip from his mug and glanced over at Nancy who was sitting deep in thought across from him. As if sensing his gaze Nancy glanced up, her blue eyes startled as they met his watching ones. She smiled before glancing back down at the table. Frank felt the heat rise in his cheeks and took another swig of his soda. Yes, he and Nancy had always had feelings for each other and that was no secret to anyone with half a brain but they had never acted on them. She had Ned and he had Callie waiting for him back in Bayport.

Joe broke Frank's musings with a nudge. "Hey, Frank, only two seats left. Wonder who gets them."

"Me, too. We look to be the youngest here," he replied noting the tables of adults and seniors. They seemed to be the only teens. Frank turned around in his chair as the door to the room slammed open and two breathless blondes walked in red in the face. One, he noted, had a bright pink cast on her right arm.

Joe moaned, "Man, they're teens too. Two twin teens, that is." He rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing correctly and grinned. "One for each arm."

Frank rolled his eyes at his brother's antics. "Don't forget about Vanessa, brother."

Joe glared and then looked at his cup guiltily. "Oh well, one can dream, can't they? Besides Vanessa can't honestly expect me not to be friendly." He glanced back up just in time to see the twins weave their way through the crowd and plop down in the two chairs left at their table.

Nancy, Frank, and Joe looked at each other skeptically as they took in their table mates.

"Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!" a singsong voice broke through the room. All heads immediately turned to face a long table at the head of the room that a plump man was currently standing on. "I see our final two sleuths have finally arrived. Better late then never I always say. I'm dreadfully sorry to inform you all that the other invitees have been disqualified so if you were hoping to see a friend here and they aren't well, here, then you won't be seeing them for a while. However, on a lighter note, you fifty are the crème of the crop, the most observant and will thus continue in your endeavors to solve my case." The pudgy man clapped his hands enthusiastically. "As I am sure many of you have by now figured out, I am Charles Gramgee, owner of this pub and your most humble host. But enough about me, I would like to get to know each of you so could you all please stand when I call your name and give a brief description of yourself and your abilities?"

About three names were called before Nancy's, all of them older. "Nancy Drew."

Nancy stood up. "Hello, I'm Nancy Drew and I've done a lot of sleuthing all over the world. My father is a lawyer and I'm from River Heights." She sat down quickly and whispered to Frank, "I hate public speeches."

The elder hardy smiled broadly. "I could tell."

"Frank Hardy."

Frank stood. "Hello, I'm Frank and this is my brother Joe. We are from Bayport and have done several cases and even solved some with our friend Nancy. I'm really good with computers." He returned to his seat.

"Joe Hardy."

Joe stood up as he fixed his hair with his hand. "That would be me. Frank forgot to mention that I am the brains of the family, the looks of the family, and the charm of the family. That is about all." Joe gave an award-winning smile as Nancy, Frank and the other two girls stifled laughs.

"As if," one mumbled. The other elbowed her in reply but smiled all the same.

Okay now I'm really curious who they are. Joe leaned back in his chair and waited until they got to the K's.

"Claire King."

"Hey!" one of the twins said standing up. "Sorry we were so late but our bags got caught in customs and we had to wait for hours. We are sixteen. My sister and I have done a few cases. I would tell you about them but if I did I'd have to kill you," she gave a short laugh that echoed in the silent room. "Umm... anyways. I was just kidding. Only a few of our cases were like that. The last one though was the one that gave me a stupid cast. It all started…"

"It isn't important," the other girl cut in sharply. "I'm Alexis but you can call me Lexi, her twin and we are from Charleston and we are sitting down now." Claire looked a little disappointed but sat down.

"Why didn't you let me tell them about my awesome logic?" Claire pouted.

"Your awesome logic will take hours, sis." It was Joe's turn to laugh.

Claire cocked an annoyed brow at him. "Don't laugh. How many cases have you been shot on?" Joe stopped chuckling.

"Shot?" Nancy asked joining the conversation.

Claire turned to Nancy with a smile. "Long story but I think we ought to be quiet. It sounds as if our billionaire is through with roll call." Claire turned around to gaze up at the balding man.

"Well, now that we know who is here I would like you to look at the other people sitting at your table. Get to know and like them, they will be your team members. Each team of five will compete to solve the case and will share a room in my large French Mansion."

"Five in a room?" asked a wiry man from another table. "How are we supposed to fit five people in a room?"

Charles chuckled, "My dear Mr. Pentsworth. I am now a billionaire. My rooms are quite large so there is no need to worry about space, but I'm afraid to tell you that once you enter my house you will not be allowed to leave until the case is solved." The room broke out in angry and confused whispers.

"Why is that?" Frank spoke up.

"Publicity my boy! Publicity! You will have no contact with the outside world. As far as your families know you are mere statues. No writing, no phone, no nothing!" Then he added as an afterthought, "Unless of course you find a way out that my security guards have yet to find. Now file into the limos. I have one for each group. The details of the case will be given to you there."

There was a rush of seats being pushed back as people got up and headed for the door. "So Nancy Drew, you're on our team. We've read lots about you. You're in our papers all the time. You seem to get around, much more so than us, at least," one of the twins said shaking her hand. "Since we are in a group I might as well tell you how to tell us apart. I'm Lexi and to make it easy my hair is always in a ponytail. Claire on the other hand has about a million styles. You could say her second passion is fashion."

Nancy chuckled. "Sounds like my friend Bess. She loves boys and fashion." She extended her hand, "Pleased to meet you Lexi, and if I'm not mistaken Joe is pretty pleased to meet Claire."

Lexi hung her thumbs out of the back pockets of her low rise pants as she rolled her eyes. "My sister is such a flirt. You can't keep control of her." Her face suddenly fell, "Of course you've got to feel bad for her. She is pretty, as well as smart, and getting shot in the right arm has made school really difficult. She can hardly write. And her boyfriend dumped her. He didn't want a crippled girlfriend."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. That is a horrible reason to break up with something. My fiancé dumped me two weeks ago. He apparently wanted someone who was around more often. He replaced me with a college cheerleader, captain to be exact."

"Ned dumped you and more importantly you guys were engaged? When did this happen? Is this why you were so preoccupied? Are you ok?" Frank asked walking up behind Nancy his face a mixture of concern and anger.

Nancy felt her face grow dark. "Frank, can we please not talk about this now. I'm really trying to move past it." She then smiled. "To the limo, I guess." She brushed past the two sleuths following Joe and Claire out the door. Frank stared after her glumly.

"Hey, don't look so down. She'll talk to you when she's ready. She just needs some time."

Frank glanced down at Lexi who still stood beside him. "How do you know that?"

Lexi shrugged. "I'm a detective; it's my job to know things."