Authoress' Note: Clearly, I've never written a NDHB story before. In fact, I've never read a single book of either ND or HB. Then how am I a fan, you ask? Well, I've pretty much played every single Nancy Drew computer game (save Old Clock, which I will most likely do after I finish Castle Malloy) and became a rabid fan. So, I've read plenty of NDHB fanfiction but this is my first attempt at writing them into fiction. Bon appetit!

Lying Underwater

Prologue

"Oh Miss Wood! Are we ready to set sail?"

Miss Wood chuckled, listening to the childlike enthusiasm of her client – someone who was easily twice her age and then some. But she knew how she felt, especially with the threat of death looming over one's head. That kind of stress just makes you want something to serve as a distraction. In this case, an outing on her boat.

"Of course, just promise me one more time that you'll be careful."

The older woman shot her a kind smile. Barbara Garrison was touched by so much concern, especially in a time of need. "You checked the boat yourself, Miss Wood, you know better than anyone that I'll be safe. If I suspect any foul play I'll turn my toosh in the other direction."

The girl nodded and stepped back. She began to undo the rope holding the watercraft near the dock, watching as it floated slowly from shore. "Right, I checked. Well, bon voyage, Ms. Garrison!" She looked up only to discover an empty deck. Her stomach dropped. "Ms. Garrison?"

Barbara was no where in sight. Miss Wood calmed herself somewhat; Barbara could have just ambled into the captain's nook unable to hear her over her fumbling to prepare for voyage. From her very limited experience observing Ms. Garrison, she noticed that the woman was somewhat preoccupied at the most inopportune moments – a horrible characteristic for someone she was supposed to be saving from danger.

But Ms. Garrison was right. She had checked that boat at least four times over herself. No bombs – which was always a good sign – no tricks, no foul play from what she could see. And she had dealt with this kind of stuff for a long time. If anything suspicious was going on, she would have seen it.

Still, Ms. Garrison's unresponsiveness scared her a bit. "Ms. Garrison! Hello?" That's when she noticed something peculiar. There was no one at the wheel. No one on the deck? No one at the wheel?

Something was off – way, way off.

Just as she was about to attempt hauling the boat back by the towrope, she was sent sprawling, a scalding heat and an unknown force washing over her. She didn't have to heave herself from the deck to know that there was an explosion – an explosion that had just overtaken her client. One she had sworn she would save, even from death. But she had failed. She hadn't even gotten a lead on the investigation and now this.

As the debris cleared, she drew her hands away from behind her head. The boat was still in tact – almost. She gulped and watched as the fiery remnants sank; no sign of life, no sign of hope. That's when she felt like she might cry. Suddenly, though, she realized she already was and everyone was there to witness it. The guests and staff were gathered, all staring in awe. She was still in too much of a shock to feel anything.

But she knew one thing for sure – she had been there to prevent a murder, but now she was going to have to solve it.

If anyone could do it, she could – Nancy Drew.