Joe, and Edith are eating dinner in a restaurant, downtown Bayport.  When all of a sudden you hear an explosion outside.  Someone runs into the restaurant, and yells.

lady:	Someone's car just blew.
Joe:	(Getting up from his seat, ran out to see his car on fire, and Edith was right behind him.  When thoughts of Iola's death came flooding to his mind.)
Edith:	(Waving her hand up and down across his face.)  Joe, snap out of it.  Are you alright?
Joe:	(Snapping out of it, and looking at Edith.)  I will be fine.  Anyone called 911?  (In the background you hear sirens.)  I Guess that answers my question.
Edith:	(Putting her hand on his shoulder, asks.)  Are you alright, sweetheart?
Joe:	(Shaking his head, and whispering.)  Fine, I will be fine.  Let's call Frank, to come pick us up.
Edith:	(Looking around.)  I don't think that will be possible for a little while.  The police will want a statement, especially since that was your car.
Joe:	(Looks down to the ground.)  Your right, but we can still have Frank meet us  here.  (Looking at what is left of the car.)  We sure aren't going back the way we came.
Chief Collig:	(Walking up to the couple.)  Joe, Edith, hi.  That is your car, right, Joe?
Joe:	(Looks up at The Chief.)  Yes, it is.  Was anyone hurt?
Chief Collig:	No thank God.  But we need to know what happened.  Are you working on any cases at the moment?
Joe:	No, not for a while.  We were on a date, and then this happened.
Chief Collig:	So you didn't see anything?
Joe:	(Shaking his head.)
Chief Collig:	(Looks at Edith.)  Did you see anything?
Edith:	We were sitting down to eat, and all of a sudden the explosion happened.  We didn't see anything.
Chief Collig:	Well, it looks like someone is after you once again.
Edith:	(Looking confused.)  This happened before?
Chief Collig:	Joe doesn't like to talk about it.  May we talk over there, please.
Edith:	(Concern on her face.)  Of course.  (They walk over to a police car.)  What is wrong with Joe?
Chief Collig:	I guess Joe never told you.  It's hard for him, I know.  But his last girlfriend got killed in a car bomb about 2 years ago.  I will suspect that he will be protective of you, if not already.
Edith:	(Looks at the car, then back at the Chief.)  No wonder he is in a daze at the moment.  That has to be horrible.
Chief Collig:	He didn't date again till he met you.  I'm glad you came into his life.  He wasn't the same since the accident.
Edith:	Well, he is a wonderful man.  I'm proud to have him.  (Looking at Joe, still bewildered, then back at the Chief.)  Are we done, can we go home now?  I really don't think he needs to be here any longer than possible.
Chief Collig:	Yes, we are done, here.  If I have any more questions, I have both your numbers.
Edith:	Thank you, Chief.  If I know Joe, and Frank, they will be working on this case, and I will be helping him.
Chief Collig:	Good luck.  I really expect him to be protective of you, after what happened with Iola.
Edith:	Thank you, I will keep that in mind.  I need to get back to Joe.
Chief Collig:	I understand.  Take him home, as soon as you can, he needs to rest.
Edith:	Thank you, I will.  (She goes over to Joe, and puts her arm around him.)  Sweetheart, we need to get you home.  Come on, we can use my cell phone to call Frank to get us.
Joe:	(Looks up at Edith.)  I am going to find out who did this, if it's the last thing I do, I will find out.  (He walks off, and Edith is right behind him, calling Frank.)

Later at the Hardy Home. Frank and Edith is in the living room, talking.

Frank:	So you didn't see who did this?
Edith:	No, it just happened, so fast.  We were at our table, eating and next thing we know there is someone yelling out that someone's car blew up, and when we went out there, we found it was Joe's car.  I don't know who it was.  The police took it to the impound yard to investigate.
Joe:	(Coming into the living room.)  Yeah, and I am going to find out who did this, too.
Edith:	(Getting up, Joe sits on the couch, and Edith sits down next to him, leaning on him, and Joe puts his arm around her.)  Edith I really don't want you involved.  This is too dangerous.
Edith:	(Looks around to him.)  Not anymore than some of the cases I have been helping you with. I want to help with this one.  Chief Collig told me what happened with Iola.  I'll be careful.  (Joe starts to say something, and Edith puts her finger to his lips.)  I want to help.  I know the risk.  I know the risk, every-time I work on a case with you.....
Joe:	(Interrupting.)  Edith this is different.
Edith:	What cause your last girlfriend died in a similar accident.  Well that's not happening with me.
Joe:	(Gets up.)  You damn straight the same isn't happening with you.  I'll make sure of that.  (He looks at Frank.)  Will you take Edith home, please.
Frank:	(Getting up.)  Of course.
Edith:	(Gets up.) I will help with this one....
Joe:	Edith, do us both a favor and stay out of this one.

On the way home, Edith is talking to Frank. 

Edith:	I don't know what to do. I want to help like I have been with the other cases, but I know Joe is against it.
Frank:	I know.  It's hard.  He has fallen in love with you, like he did with Iola.  He doesn't want to see you get hurt, or worse killed.
Edith:	I feel the same for him.  I love him, and it's hard to see him like this.  I will do what I can, to stay away, but that's easier said than done, when it comes to someone I love in danger.  (Edith looks out the window.)
Frank:	(Glances over at her, and puts his hand on hers, to assure him.)  I know it's hard.  Joe will be fine. I  will make sure of that one.
Edith:	(Looks back at Frank.)  I know.  I know how it feels to lose a loved one, to murder.  I just lost my nephew a couple of years ago, and it's hard.  He was murdered.  Now I am dating someone that's in a dangerous occupation, and it's hard.  I don't want to lose him, either.
Frank:	I know, Edith.  I know.

(They get to her building, and Edith gets out.)

Edith:	(Looks back in the window, and say's.)  I will be careful.  You watch after Joe, and you be careful too.  That guy that set the bomb meant business.  I don't like that.
Frank:	We will be careful.

(Edith goes into her building, and Frank drives off.  When she gets up to her apartment, and gets inside, next thing she knows someone knocks her on the head, and she is out.)

(Scene:	It is the next morning, and you see Joe on the phone, as Frank comes in.  He hangs up.)
Joe:	Did Edith say anything about working today?
Frank:	No, not that I know of, why?
Joe:	I just tried her apartment, and no answer.
Frank:	Well, she was a bit upset with you, over the argument last night.
Joe:	(Sitting at the table, getting  a bowl of cereal.)  I know.  It's hard, to think that, that....Iola was killed in a car bomb, and I don't want it to happen to her either.
Frank:	Edith said she had lost her nephew to murder too, and it's hard to see you going on a case, without her.  You guy's can talk this out, later.  We need to figure out who set the bomb in your car.  I know it can't be the one that killed Iola.  He was captured.  I think I will give Mr. Gray a call this morning, to find out if he knows anything.
Fenton:	(Walking in with the newspaper, and a note.  He gives it to Joe.)  Joe, this was on the door step when I went to get the paper.  It's for you.
Joe:	(Taking the letter, he reads it.  His face turns pale.)
Frank:	(Knowing that look.)  Joe, what is it?
Joe:	(Just hands him the letter.)
Frank:	(Takes it, and reads it.)  Dad, whoever set the bomb last night, has Edith.
Fenton:	Oh, my.  Okay we have to get to the bottom of this....
Joe:	(Hastily gets up.)  No, I have to get to the bottom of this.  I am not losing another girlfriend.  (Joe leaves the room, in a huff.)
Fenton:	(Looks over at Frank.)  Maybe you ought to follow him.  No telling what he will do.
Frank:	(Getting up.)  Already thought of that.  (He followed Joe, out.)  Joe, wait up.
Joe:	(Not stopping.)  Frank, don't try to stop me, I got Edith into this, and I am getting her out of this.
Frank:	(Catching up to him, and grabbing his arm, spinning Joe around.)  Joe, I know what you are thinking, and you are in no shape mentally to work on this alone.  I know you love Edith, and if it was Callie I would do the same.  But you need me to help you with this.  Just like you don't want to lose Edith, I don't want to lose you.
Joe:	(Giving in.)  Okay.  We need to find out who sent this. The letter said he wants to meet in the park, at noon tomorrow, but I can't wait that long.  I need to find her today.
Frank:	I know.  Let's see what we can find.  You aren't thinking straight though.  We can see if we can lift finger prints off of this letter, with our finger printing kit.
Joe:	Yeah, that's in my room.  I also have a program on my computer that will tell us who this is.  Or at least if he has been arrested.  I can check the police records, to see who it is.
Frank:	Now, that's the Joe I know.  Let's get started on this.

TO BE CONTINUED

Will Frank, and Joe find out who has Edith, or will it be too late to get her.

Find out in the next chapter of Car Bomb again?