HDA - A New Experience by Mili Chapter 13

“Fraaank! Frank…hello? Frank!” Jason stood over his big brother, slowly getting scared. There was red stuff all over the place…and his big brother wasn’t talking to him! He tried again. “Frankie…wake up, please. I want a story…and a lullaby. Are you hurt, Frank? Don’t worry…we’ll play doctor, and I’ll go and get a band-aid and put it on your boo-boo, and you’ll be all better! But, you have to wake up first! Frank?” When Frank still didn’t respond, Jason’s lower lip began to tremble. He looked at the door, but no one was there. Being young, and scared, and not knowing what else to do, he began to cry.

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Upstairs, Joe tried to fall asleep, but wasn’t doing that good a job. He kept thinking about Frank, and Jason, and the plans, and the President…so much was going on in his head. Finally, he fell into a restless sleep that came from pure exhaustion. At 6:30 the next morning, the doorbell began ringing insistently. Joe got up, and not caring what he was wearing, ran downstairs to get the door, but found his Dad and Uncle Matt already there.

“What…who is it?” he asked sleepily. Fenton checked through the peephole, and then turned back to the two with a very confused expression on his face.

“Did someone order breakfast from Shipley’s Donuts?” he asked. Matt stared at him dumbly.

“Shipley’s delivers?” he asked, feeling slightly stupid. Joe just stared at all of them, and then pushed past them to open the door. The delivery man looked at Joe for a second, and then cracked up. Joe wondered what was so funny, and looked down at himself. He realized he had fallen asleep in his boxers again! He blushed bright red, and then looked back at the delivery man. In between his laughing the man asked,

“Anyone order two dozen donuts?” Joe was about to say no, but then realization dawned on him.

“Con?” he hissed. Indeed, the delivery man standing in front of him was none other than Officer Con Riley. Riley shook his head, indicating for Joe not to say anything. Joe quickly took the boxes of donuts from his hand and, realizing that if someone was watching the house, it would look suspicious if he didn’t pay. So, he looked back at his dad. Fenton, rolling his eyes, reached into his pants pocket, which he had fallen asleep in, and pulled out a couple of dollar bills. He gave them to Con, who winked, waved goodbye, and was gone. Joe noticed him get into Ford Explorer and wondered whose car it was, knowing Con drove a flashy Toyota Celica convertible. He closed the door, and turned back to his uncle and father, giving them a weak smile.

“Hungry, anyone?” he asked. Fenton sighed, and said,

“Take the boxes into the kitchen, Joe. I’ll go wake up your mother.” He turned and walked back up the stairs. Matt followed him, mumbling something about getting Gertrude. At the top of the stairs, Fenton turned around again.

“Uh, Joe?” Joe looked up at him. “Get some shorts on!” he said, suppressing a smile. Joe sighed, set the boxes on the hall table, and walked up the stairs behind Matt to grab some shorts. He still managed to make it down before everyone else, and he took the boxes into the kitchen. Setting them down, he opened the one on top. Not only was there a dozen glazed donuts, there was a note too. He realized it was from Chief Collig.

“I knew Con wouldn’t just bring over donuts!” he thought to himself. He read the note. It said:

Joe! What happened? You didn’t come and take the plans! I wanted to know what was going on, and knowing your phone was tapped, I decided to just send Riley over, acting as a deliveryman. Email me right away with the developments. In fact, I’m going to be on MSN. Get on right away.

Chief

P.S. Enjoy the donuts!!

Joe shook his head. “Good ole’ Chief Collig...” He thought. His dad walked in right then, and saw him standing there with the paper in his hands.

“What’s that?” he asked his younger son. Wordlessly, Joe gave the paper to his dad. After reading the note, Fenton shook his head with a tiny smile.

“Well,” he said, “Go and see if the Chief is online. Don’t worry; I’ll save some donuts for you!” Joe nodded, ran upstairs and turned on the computer. Sure enough, the Chief was online. He IMed Joe right away.

“Joe Hardy! What happened?” he typed vigorously.
“Hey…sorry Chief. I was getting there, and Dad called me back. Apparently, Frank found Jason, and was about to tell Fenton where they were. But, Max came back. From what he told Dad later, he told Frank to do something, and when Frank refused, he shot a bullet at Jason, but Frank leaped in front of it,” he typed.
“What happened?” Collig asked.
“Well…Frank was shot in his stomach.” Joe’s own stomach clenched thinking about this. There was no answer from the Chief for a moment. Then he asked,
“Will Frank be okay?”
“If he doesn’t get medical help really soon, Chief, he’ll die…” Joe replied, fighting back tears as the meaning of those words finally hit him.
“Whoa…” Collig typed. “Well, Joe…what are you going to do?” he asked.
“What’s there to do?” Joe replied. “Max now has Jason and Frank. No one knows where they are. All we can do is wait, and listen to Max’s instructions.”
“Which are?” Collig asked.
“To not do anything until he calls.”
“Ohhh…has he called?” Collig asked.
“No,” Joe replied.
“Okay,” Chief Collig said. “I’m going to stay on MSN all day. As soon as you get a phone call, I want you to come back online and tell me the developments, okay?”
“All right. And thanks for the donuts, Chief! By the way, whose car was Riley driving?” Joe asked.
“Anther officer, LOL. His Celica is way too noticeable. And, you’re welcome for the donuts. Bye,” Collig said.
“Goodbye,” Joe answered.

Signing off quickly, he went back downstairs. When there, he grabbed a donut, and then looked at his Dad.

“Dad, I’m really worried about Frank. He may bleed to death, and we don’t even know when Max will let us pick him up…” Joe got tears in his eyes. “Dad, if Frank dies, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. If he dies, Dad…I die with him,” he wiped his eyes quickly. Both the ladies had tears running down their face, and Fenton had his eyes closed.

“Oh, God…” Matt thought. Trying to think of way he could help, he did the only thing he could. He walked over to Joe, and put his arms around him, hugging him tightly. At first, Joe resisted, and then, slowly sank into his grip. He stayed there for a moment, and then pulled away, smiling at his soon-to-be Uncle.

“Okay Aunt Gertrude,” he joked around. “You can marry him! He’s a great person!” Everyone laughed a little. But, then, Matt spoke up.

“Hey, Fenton, I don’t know if Gert told you, but, I’m a doctor!” he told Fenton.

“You are?” Fenton asked, wondering where this was going

“Yeah,” Matt replied. “Maybe…well, maybe you can ask Max if he’ll take me to Frank. Then, I can at least dress his wound, and try to help him,” he suggested.

“Uh-uh, no way!” Fenton shook his head vehemently. “There is no way I’m going to let Max get another member of my family!” Matt was a little shocked, but then smiled.

“Fenton, I’m honored that you think I’m a part of your family. But, I’m not a little kid Fent! I can handle myself. I promise,” Matt said. Fenton smiled at the use of his old nickname, and decided he liked being called that, since no one else ever called himself that. But then, his smile dropped, and he shook his head again.

“No, Matt…I can’t let you this!” Matt sighed, then said,

“Fenton…think about your son! He may die, Fent…let me go,” Matt said softly. Fenton sighed, knowing Matt was right. Rubbing his hand across his face, he finally nodded.

“Okay,” he whispered. “We’ll ask Max if he’ll let you go,” All of a sudden, an idea dawned on none other than Laura.

“Fenton!” she said excitedly. “I have a great idea! Know that fake doctor’s bag you have? The one with a hidden pocket in it?” Fenton nodded slowly, wondering why Laura was asking that question. But, Gertrude got what she was saying right away. She spoke up excitedly.

“What if Matt sticks his cell phone in that pocket, and then, somehow, when he’s alone, manages to call here and tell us where he is?!” Joe’s eyes widened and he threw an arm around both his aunt and mother.

“You guys are geniuses!!” He shouted happily. “What do you think Dad?” he asked his father.

“I like it,” his father replied with a smile. “Now if Max will only call and we can ask him…” As if on cue, the phone rang. Fenton snatched it up, and said,

“Hello?”

“Hardy, pal, how ya doin’?” Max said. Fenton quickly put it on speakerphone.

“How’s Frank?” Joe asked, holding his breath.

“Still unconscious…lost a lot of blood,” Max replied.

“And Jason?” Joe asked.

“Just fine!” Max replied.

“What do you want, Max?” Fenton hissed. He was tired, and worried, and he wanted his sons back safe and sound.

“Here’s what Joey needs to do. Today, in two hours, go break in, and get the plans. I don’t care if it is daylight, the president will be here tomorrow! I need the plans tonight. Once he has the plans, he’s to go home, and wait for my call again. Understand?”

“When will we get Frank and Jason back?” Laura asked.

“After the attempt is done,” Max replied.

“Max…” Fenton hesitated, and then asked anyway. “Max, Frank’s hurt. You said so yourself. My brother in law is a doctor. Please let him see Frank to make him better. I know you won’t let Frank go, so I won’t even ask. But, let Matt come. Please?” Max didn’t reply right away. Then he spoke up.

“After you double-crossed me? Why should I?”

“Please, Max. Don’t let my son die. Please?” Max chuckled.

“No,” he said simply. Fenton was close to tears.

“Please Max, I’m begging you!” he begged, and Laura chimed in. “Please!” they said together.

“This is what I wanted,” Max laughed. “I wanted you to grovel. And now you are!” he said triumphantly. Fenton sighed, but simply asked again.

“Max, please!” Max was quiet again for a moment, then finally said,

“Fine…be happy I’m a nice guy. But, I’ll pick this guy up. And I’ll be sure to check him first!”

“Oh, thank you Max! Thanks so much!” Laura Hardy cried out.

“Tell this guy to be ready in fifteen minutes. I’ll be there. And don’t bother tailing me, or anything, because I will kill all three of them, understand. And Joe, you’d better not botch up this time! By the way, hope you enjoyed the donuts. I see Shipley’s has started to deliver now!” With that, Max hung up. Everyone in the kitchen looked at each other, and realized that there was someone watching the house. Knowing they couldn’t do anything about it, they instead rushed to get Matt ready. In this doctor’s bag, they put a lot of doctor tools, and in the secret pocket, they of course put the cell phone. True to his word, Max was there in fifteen minutes. Matt walked out, and Max quickly searched him and looked in his bag. Finding nothing, he led him into the car, and drove off. At the hideout, Matt took careful note of where they were. Then, he was led inside, to a room where Frank was. He rushed in, looked at Frank, and blanched. He looked terrible, and he still hadn’t regained consciousness. He looked around for Jason, but didn’t see him. He figured he was in another room. He quickly took out a towel, and in the towel he hid the cell. He stuck the cell up his sleeve, and then checked to see if Steve had noticed. Seeing he hadn’t, he carefully cleaned Frank up. Just then, the door opened, and Max brought Jason in. Matt jumped up, and ran to Jason. Jason didn’t know who this was, but was too surprised to do anything. Matt swung Jason around and hugged him tightly, saying,

“Oh, I’m glad you’re okay. I’m your Uncle Matt!” He shielded Jason’s tiny body with his own, and quickly and carefully slipped the cell phone into Jason’s pocket.

“Keep it there and don’t do anything until I tell you. Don’t worry, it’ll be okay,” he whispered. Jason was confused, but did what he was told. Matt pulled away, and sighed. The first part of his plan was underway!