A Nancy Drew Fanfic ~ Snow Mystery ~ Chapter Three

📚 NANCY DREW📓

in

🎠SNOW MYSTERY🎠

by Ann ♪

~A Nancy Drew Fanfic~

Chapter Three

   “I’m thankful you’re both alright.” Carson’s relief was seen on his face and heard in his voice. Although he really wanted to gather his daughter in his arms, in person, and assure himself she was truly unharmed by the assailant, he was thankful for video calls. At the moment he was at a law conference out of the country.

   Nancy smiled, hoping to convey to her dad that she truly was fine. “We are, Dad.” She turned her phone so that Ned could back up her assurances and her boyfriend nodded in agreement.

   “She’s jarred from the car getting hit, but she is fine. Nan did a fantastic job.” Ned grinned.

   “Ned had fun and played with his present I gave him most of the time, Dad,” Nancy teased Ned, who agreed with that.

   Carson chuckled and told them, “Hannah got worried about you, which would have been about the time all that was going on. She didn’t think she should call you earlier. Turns out she was right. Wouldn’t have been a good time to get a call. She started praying instead.”

   It wasn’t long before Hannah Gruen, the Drew’s housekeeper and loyal friend, was talking with Nancy and Ned, too. They assured her as well about their safety despite the close call.

   “I can’t help it, Nancy, I’d like a few minutes alone with that driver,” stated Hannah, emphatically.

   “Wish you were here. Maybe you could get some info out of him,” Ned told her.

   “I’d tell him what for.” Hannah’s protective nature for Nancy had been strong ever since she first came to work for the Drews years ago.

   They all talked just a little longer and after a promise of calling as soon as they reached their destination was secured, they ended the call. It was understood that a call would be expected if anything else happened before that. Carson also promised to call when he found out more details about the jerk who’d rammed them.

   Next up was calling Ned’s mom and dad. They were also both thankful and relieved Ned and Nancy were fine, as well as anxious for them to get to Hopeville very soon.

   Once they were finished at the police department, Nancy and Ned got back out on the road as soon as they could and continued on toward their destination. The pavement still didn’t have much snow on it since the snow plows had gone through and cleared the roads not too long before that.

   Ned spelled Nancy at the wheel. As they traveled down the road, they discussed the new case which had introduced itself in a very dramatic way.

   “So, this guy we’ve never seen or heard of decides to hit my car.” Nancy watched the snowflakes drift softly through the sky. She spoke out loud the questions they had. “Did he randomly choose us? Was it just because we were there? Or was it personal? Does he have something against either one of us or someone we know? Or was he hired?”

   “Deer up ahead.” Ned slowed down as he saw several of the beautiful animals a short distance in front of them crossing the road. They’d traveled through the trees and were heading for a snack. Nancy immediately started taking some pictures then video. The deer strode majestically across the lane where very few cars had been by in the past hour. The snow was thinking seriously about sticking to the surface of the road.

   Ned hadn’t forgotten what Nancy had been saying. Even as he watched the deer, he wondered, too, what the motive was. “A lot of great questions. Now we just have to find the great answers.”

   “Yep. Hopefully Dad can find some connection. It didn’t seem like the guy was going to talk. ” Nancy considered if that might give a clue. “It seems like if it were personal, he’d be saying something to indicate why he was after us. Also, being random doesn’t seem to want to fit the puzzle. He wasn’t drunk, on drugs, or belligerent.”

   “So you’re leaning toward him being hired or maybe, if it has to do with someone we know, a threat for some reason?”

   “Right. I have a feeling that he is being especially careful not to say anything. No threats. No brags. Just sullen silence.”

   Ned gave a nod. “True. I think you’re on the right track, but it could be he’s biding his time, too, if he’s some previously unknown enemy from a prior case whose criminal activities were put to a stop by you. I’m glad he’s locked up.”

   “We both are.” Nancy continued to think over all the known details and compare them with the theories she and Ned had come up with. Ned had made smart points that Nancy mentally highlighted on the notes in her head. “Hmmm, that idea sounds very plausible, also, Ned.”

   “I’ll tell you something else, too.” Ned gave a glance up to the thick cloud cover that promised more snow. “I’m also glad we’re almost there. Rather not be on the roads if it really decides to cut loose.”

   “Does look like it wants to any second.” Nancy gazed upward then back at the road. “We’re only about five miles away now, right?”

   “Yep. Getting close. When we were first planning on coming, Mom was saying she really hoped it would snow once we were there.”

   “It’s going to be beautiful.” Nancy felt a thrill of excitement. Partly from the anticipation of visiting the cool town. Perhaps the part of the excitement that was from the mystery to solve was even more so.

************

   The main road leading into the town of Hopeville crested at a hill that allowed a visual sweep of the area. Visibility was limited due to the snow, but it had stayed clear enough to see a good sized portion of it.

   “Oh, Ned, it really is gorgeous.” Nancy’s delight in what she saw came through clearly in her tone. “Look at the closer houses and then the shops. Picture perfect like the whole place just time traveled right from 1930 or before that.”

   Ned agreed as he also looked at what they could see. The visible picturesque vista made quite an impression – a good one – on visitors. Ned’s parents had mentioned, too, that the people of the town, of various ethnicities enjoying the American dream, were aware of how great it was to live there.

   “No wonder people love coming here.” Ned started driving again once Nancy was ready.

   “I want to stay here and look more, but I’m also looking forward to seeing the town closer up.”

   The excitement in Nancy’s voice made Ned smile as he expertly maneuvered the slippery, curving roads.

   A short time later they reached the tastefully elegant hotel where the Nickersons had rented a suite. Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson, finding out they’d arrived, met them in the lobby, which had a unique combo feel of comfortable and luxurious. Hugs were exchanged as the happy reunion took place. Ned’s parents had already been concerned with the winter weather and the unexpected attack on the road gave even more reason to be anxious.

   Nancy and Ned checked in, welcomed warmly by the desk clerk, who couldn’t help but notice the happy group greet one another a few minutes ago. Once in the suite, Nancy and Ned looked at the impressive main area. There were two couches that looked just right to drop down on and relax. Curtains decorated in a pleasant design covered the sliding glass door that led onto a balcony. Comfortable lighting from lamps gave the large room a cozy glow, as the snow continued outside. The suite had full amenities with a kitchenette and dining table.

   Ned’s mom showed them the bedrooms situated off of the main area. Each with several pieces of beautifully crafted furnishings made by talented people of Hopeville. That included an armoire, small couch, table, bed, and nightstand. The rooms had a shelf of books as well as outlets to charge phones and devices.

   “What a beautiful room!” exclaimed Nancy. The color schemes and styles in the entire suite were well done.

   “I knew you’d like it.” Ned’s mom said. She smiled. “Glad I was right.” She and Nancy had been friends since they’d first met.

   “Of course! You have great taste.” Nancy gave her a hug and gestured toward Ned’s dad. “Proof is right there.”

   Mr. Nickerson grinned. “Thanks, Nancy. I tell her that all the time. Hopefully she’ll believe me now with that backup you just gave.”

   They joked around and caught up as they finished the tour of the suite.

************

   “I love this,” stated Nancy later as she and Ned strolled along, looking at the various shops and restaurants. They had eaten dinner with his parents at the restaurant in the hotel. Nancy and Ned decided to do some quick sightseeing before it got colder as the evening continued on.

   Boyfriend and girlfriend held hands as the snowflakes danced around them. Lights from the businesses they went by and those ahead of them glowed with a cozy feel. Music and good smells drifted out from an eatery they neared.

   “If we hadn’t just eaten a full meal, I’d be tempted to stop in there,” stated Ned, giving the restaurant a perusal as they walked by.

   “Agreed.” Nancy snuggled against Ned. “And we should definitely check it out while we’re here.”

   “Sounds good.”

   They planned just to go a short distance from the hotel and circle back on the other side of the sidewalk. As they were returning, noting the different shops with what they had to offer, a crashing noise came from the direction they were heading. Then an alarm sounded.

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