Hardy Boys Fan Fiction at the HDA - Brain Child

The first time he heard the cell phone ring, he ignored it. Inside Frank and Callie's house, all Joe could concentrate on was having Vanessa here, in his arms. Immensely grateful to Callie for having calmed him down, Joe just closed his eyes and held Vanessa tighter than he thought possible, gently stroking her hair and telling her that it would be okay. It enraged him, absolutely infuriated him, to feel Vanessa shaking, to hear her muffled sobs. Worse yet, he hadn't felt so helpless since… well, a long time ago.

The second time the cell phone rang, he almost picked it up. But Vanessa had looked at him, tears streaking her beautiful face, and he'd melted. Somehow, words of comfort came from his mouth, and he listened to himself speaking them, not recognizing his voice.

The third time the cell phone rang, he reached for it, but then Vanessa had started talking, sharing her fears and allowing herself to be totally vulnerable with him. He'd ignored the phone once again, seeing that speaking gave Vanessa a sense of empowerment. Through her words, Joe actually saw Vanessa's strength begin to return, and there was no way he was going to stop that.

By the fourth time the cell phone rang and he finally answered it, Joe wished he had picked it up the first time.

"What?" he barked into the phone.

"Where the HELL have you been?"

Joe sat up immediately, and Vanessa did as well, seeing the expression on his face.

"Oh… Oh, sorry dad," he apologized.

"Sorry! Joseph….oh, never mind! Where's your brother?'' Fenton sounded somewhere between terrified and furious.

"Frank?" he stammered, still trying to get his bearings.

"No, Joe—your other brother," Fenton replied sarcastically. Then, seeming to recover quickly, he carried on. "Now, Joe. Where IS he? Is he with you? Where's Callie?"

"What's wrong?" Joe asked at once, a sudden fear gripping his stomach.

"Joseph!" his father bellowed.

"Yeah. Yes. He's here. I mean, I think so. He's outside. Hold on."

He got up and sprinted to the front of the house. Everything seemed so … normal, given the circumstances. Numerous police officers were milling about. And his brother was sitting quietly on the swing on the front porch with Callie, arm around her, watching almost in shock as their new yard was being torn apart.

"Yeah, dad. He's with Callie. He's…."

"Put him on the phone—right now," his dad ordered.

Shrugging, and worried that his dad was so obviously worried about something as well, he signaled for Frank to come over and held out the phone.

Puzzled, Frank took the phone from his brother, who finished mouthing "dad" and who stood right next to him, listening in. Frank didn't even bother to "shoo" him away; he was just glad that Joe seemed almost back to normal. Besides, Frank would end up telling him about whatever their father told him anyway.

"Hel…"

"Frank!"

"Yeah, hi Dad. Are you okay?" Something in his father's voice was so forceful… frightened?… that he had Frank's instant attention.

"Am I… are YOU okay? Fenton asked. "Why didn't you pick up your phone?!"

"Uh…" he looked down at his pocket and realized that he must have left his phone in the patrol car.

"Never mind!" Fenton continued in exasperation.

Joe shot Frank a look. He knew that his dad was really bothered by something.

"Where's Callie? Where's Vanessa? Are they with you?" Fenton continued, almost pleading.

"Yeah. Dad, everyone's okay. Why?"

At that moment, sirens came screeching down the street. Frank and Joe watched as three patrol cars surrounded the car that they'd arrived in and several more officers jumped out, weapons drawn.

Tom Jacobs, apparently startled, went to reach for his weapon as well, clearly having no idea what was going on.

"Drop your weapon!" Frank and Joe recognized Collig's voice immediately and stared, open- mouthed at the scene unfolding before them.

Frank, having recovered a split second before his brother, dropped the phone and instinctively reached for Callie and shoved her behind him. Joe also moved back towards the door, stopping only long enough to retrieve the phone, somehow needing to find Vanessa at once.

"Dad!" he began, but was cut off by Fenton.

"I know what's going on, Joe. I want you and your brother to go with Ezra right now to the police station."

Joe looked around quickly. In the far distance, he saw Nancy. He saw a lot of officers, some who seemed pumped up on adrenaline, others who seemed downright confused. Still others seemed angry. He saw Officer Jacobs forcefully shoved to the ground, then hauled up almost immediately, handcuffed, and thrown in the back of another patrol car.

Everything was so confusing—only one thought was clear. "I'm not leaving Vanessa," he managed, his voice conveying the seriousness of his intentions.

There was an audible pause on the other end of the line. Finally, Fenton spoke, all anger dissipated, only a grudging acceptance and understanding in his voice. "Okay, son," he said. "Bring her. And I suppose Frank will want to bring Callie as well. Fine. Just—keep them away from Jacobs, and do NOT let them leave the sight of any of the other officers once you arrive. Okay?"

"Okay," Joe replied, resigned. "Dad? What's going on?" He stood straight up now and watched the conclusion to the scene unfold, watched as Collig signaled for him to come over. He held up a hand to him in acknowledgement and tapped Frank on the shoulder as he listened to his dad.

"Just come, Joe," the voice said. "Get going. Put the phone on speaker when I talk to you. I'll explain everything that I know along the way. Call me back in five minutes. And Joe?"

"Yeah, dad?"

"Be safe—all of you." He hung up the phone.

As Frank turned to him, he relayed the information to him. Seeing Vanessa at the door, he reached for her hand, and Frank did the same with Callie. Slowly, shakily, all four made their way to Chief Collig and the awaiting police cruisers, not yet knowing all there still was to come.

*****

Arriving at the station and preparing to walk into the building, Joe shook his head in amazement. JACOBS was involved in this? How? More importantly, why hadn't he seen it?

He took a moment quickly to survey the scene. Already, media outlets had caught wind of some of the story and were beginning to descend upon the station. Wryly, he couldn't help but to think that Frank and Callie wouldn't be expecting any welcoming packages from their new neighbors anytime soon. Suddenly, the smile fell from his face. It wasn't funny.

This was supposed to be a time of happiness and a time of celebration for everyone, particularly his brother and Callie. They'd been together forever and, despite Frank's recent mistake, were the most rock solid couple he knew. Looking ahead, he saw Callie and Vanessa being escorted into the building. Callie was holding onto Vanessa's arm in a gesture of support, and it seemed to be working. Between his talk with Vanessa and Callie's quiet strength, Van seemed to be back on stable ground. He was determined to keep her there, and focused his energy on helping her, rather than killing Jacobs—and whoever else was involved in this mess. There would be plenty of time for that later.

He was concentrating so hard he almost didn't feel the gentle squeeze on his arm. He turned to the right, hesitant to pull his eyes away from Vanessa for even an instant, and noticed it was Frank, again looking out for him.

"You okay?" Frank asked as they walked towards the station.

Joe managed a small smile. "Yeah. I can't believe what Dad told us, though."

Frank stopped him and said seriously, "I know—and we'll find out in a few minutes more of what happened. But I meant, you know, from before—if you're okay." He finished awkwardly, but had managed to make his point.

Immensely grateful for having a big brother who always had his back, Joe managed a small laugh. "I'll be fine, Frank. I'm not losing it." Then he went on, more seriously, looking ahead at the girls, "I won't let anything happen to Van."

"I know you won't," Frank responded.

That was exactly what Joe needed to hear. He'd needed to know that someone still believed in him and his abilities to take care of others. As usual, Frank hadn't let him down. Instinctively, he reached over and patted Frank on the back.

Raising his eyebrows, Frank questioned him. "What was that for?"

"You're okay, Frank, you know that?" Joe responded. Then, not wanting to lose focus on the task at hand, he paused only a moment before adding, "And so is Callie. She's…" His voice faltered for a moment, thinking of all she had done for him.

"Amazing," Frank finished. "I'm a lucky guy."

Looking at his brother, Joe realized that Frank didn't even realize how true his words were. He didn't even think Frank had had the time to process that it was CALLIE who had saved Vanessa's life, held a ticking time bomb in her hands… that she had been seconds away from dying. Again, the great hand of Fate waved gently over his brother, and for that, Joe was immensely grateful.

"You sure are," Joe finally answered, and, with that, they headed silently into the station.

*****

The interrogation room at the station was buzzing with excitement. It seemed like everyone wanted to get in, to find out exactly what was happening. In the end, though, the only people who did make it into the room were Fenton, Collig, Joe, Frank, Nancy, and three other officers, all of whom seemed conflicted to have arrested their colleague.

They waited for Jacobs to enter, knowing that he was now being held in a different room, meeting with his lawyer and a union representative.

There was an uncomfortable stillness in the air… a calm before the storm, Fenton couldn’t help but to think. Speaking of which…

Leaning over, he motioned for Joe to come closer.

"Joe," he whispered, "Are you okay to be here? Really? I have no problem filling you in on what happened. I understand if you want to be with Vanessa."

Joe sighed. He'd been asked a lot today if he was okay, and it reminded him that he had to try and control his emotions a little better. He didn't need his dad to lose faith in him—just because he had a fierce protective streak borne from a tragedy long ago that would forever alter his life.

"Yes. I'm FINE."

Fenton nodded and looked around the room before returning his eyes to Joe.

"How's Vanessa?" he queried.

Joe smiled. Even with what was about to go down, the unbelievable tension in the room and the fact that his dad had to be at the top of his game, he still took the time to ask about Vanessa.

"She's good. She will be, Dad. Thanks," he replied.

"Mmmm," Fenton answered, still trying to be quiet.

"Sorry I yelled at you before on the phone," he continued. "You and your brother drive me crazy by not picking up your cells at times. You're good most of the time, but when I can't get in touch with you—I worry. " He paused before a slight smirk came to his face. "If you were younger, I’d ground you," he whispered.

Joe snorted out loud. He felt the color come to his face as his brother and Collig looked in his direction, and then looked away, shaking their heads.

Putting on a serious face, Fenton stated firmly, "Behave yourself" loud enough for others to hear.

Holding back a snicker, Joe whispered, "Same goes for you."

Despite himself, Fenton smiled and looked around the room

Frank was sorting through files and Nancy was reviewing notes, looking troubled. Collig was tapping his fingers nervously on the table, seemingly in disbelief that one of his own officers could somehow be involved in a crime of this magnitude; in any crime, in fact. He'd always taken great pride in nurturing his force; these kids were like his family, and, though Jacobs was new to the force, Collig had always liked him. He therefore felt the blow personally and was on the fence as to whether or not to want to protect his kid—or to ostracize him forever.

Jacobs entered the room, his lawyer beside him and his union representative next to him. You didn't need to be a genius to see that he was scared.

Fenton leaned in, watching him. WHY was he scared-- Was he innocent or was he guilty? As lead interrogator on the case, he thought of how to begin as the lawyer went on a seemingly endless oratory about how Jacobs did not need to answer any questions, what the list of potential charges were, that Jacobs was a "person of interest" rather than a suspect, that the evidence to any crime was circumstantial at best, etc. Fenton could recite it; he'd heard these same lines used so many times before.

Finally, a very nervous Tom Jacobs interrupted his lawyer and looked directly at Fenton.

"Sir, I don't know what this is about but I'll answer your questions," he stated, plainly.

Fenton saw that this officer was young-- a kid, really, not much older than Frank or Joe. And he WAS nervous.

Fenton crossed his arms. He was direct. Everyone was on edge.

"What do you mean that you don't know what this is about?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.

"You don't have to ans..." the lawyer began, but Jacobs said, "Stop! I didn't do anything! I'll answer whatever they want. I just—I just want this to be over." He was curling and uncurling his fists, but Fenton saw it was not in anger; it was in fear.

"How do you know Jimmy Dee?" Fenton asked.

Jacobs blushed. "I don't know much about him, sir."

"Ah, but you do," Fenton cut in.

Joe stared. His dad's ability to cut through crap was astounding. He'd found that out too many times as a teenager, himself. Even Frank studied his dad's technique. If nothing else, his dad commanded a room; his presence could not be ignored.

"You said you don't know MUCH about him. What do you know?" Fenton persisted.

"I know why he's here," Jacobs answered. "I know who he is."

"And?" Fenton cut in.

"What do you want me to say?" Jacobs threw his hands in the air in a frustrated gesture.

"I don't WANT you to say anything. I do want you to tell me the truth."

Frank looked at Jacobs. He looked totally confused.

Fenton sighed and decided to get to the point. "You had access to Dee in the jail. You were with Callie Shaw and Vanessa Bender at various periods."

"So?" he asked. "I don't understand. That's my JOB. I was ASSIGNED to it."

"Actually, you volunteered," Fenton responded coolly. "I checked the records."

Flushing, and seeing he'd been caught in a lie, Jacobs began to sweat. "Uh…"

"Right- that's not an answer," Fenton replied. Something was bothering him, though. This kid really looked scared. Deciding how much he could push, Fenton opted to let him have it and watch how Jacobs reacted.

"Explain that," he said, raising his voice a little, quickening the pace of his words.

"You're right," Jacobs said. "I… I knew the job would give me overtime, and I just wanted to make a little extra money because I found out my wife is pregnant," he tried to explain.

"You're not married," Fenton pointed out, grateful he'd done his homework.

"I... I KNOW…. But she's my fiancée, and you know…" his voice faltered.

"I do NOT know. Explain it," Fenton added quickly.

"It's just that we were going to ... get married… before the baby came, and it’s just easier to say we're married now..." He flushed deeply.

"Anyway," Fenton said, "You know Dee. We have evidence that he called you on your cell phone several times, one night before each attack."

"What?!" Jacobs cried.

"It's true," Collig said neutrally. Fenton noticed at once that Jacobs couldn't meet his superior's eyes.

"What are you talking about?" he went on.

This guy is either a really good actor or he's telling the truth. Fenton just wasn't sure which one...

"Is your phone number 555-6754?" Fenton pressed.

Jacobs paused seeming to think. "Yes. Well, it WAS. I haven't used that number in months."

"Really?" Fenton continued. "And why is that?"

"Because I lost it." He looked down, knowing how false his story sounded.

"That's convenient," Fenton replied sarcastically. "And why didn't you report it? You ARE a police officer, after all."

"Because I figured nothing would get done. We see these cases every day, and barely any phones are ever recovered."

Well, THAT's true, Fenton concurred. A thought hit him, and he couldn't explain where it came from. "WHEN did you lose it?"

"Two months ago. I just got a new one."

"You were OFF the day of all of the attacks, EXCEPT for today's attack—and you were THERE- at the scene! Furthermore, the two packages that were sent to Ms. Bender and Ms. Schwartz were charged to your credit card. Explain that.

Shocked, he whispered, "I can't."

Jacobs looked up, and Fenton was shocked to see tears in his eyes.

"Sir," he said, voice trembling, "I know I sound ridiculous, but I swear with every fiber of my being that it is TRUE. I DID lose my phone—any one of the guys here could tell you that. I have NO IDEA what you’re talking about. I did my duty to protect the people I was supposed to, and I am an honorable person."

"But…" Nancy was about to cut in, but Fenton held up a hand to silence her. He wanted to see what this guy had to say.

Surprisingly, Jacobs now looked at Collig, not Fenton. "Chief," he went on, quietly. "I don't know what this is about. All I know is that I have been humiliated and embarrassed in front of my peers. I have been accused of – what? Receiving phone calls?—and I have done nothing wrong. This—it isn't right."

Conflicted, Collig paused. All eyes were glued to him. Finally, he spoke. "You're right. We have nothing more than circumstantial evidence here. You're free to go."

"What?!" Joe cried. This couldn't be happening. Fenton grabbed his arm and held him back.

Jacobs stood up, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Thank you," he said softly.

Collig interrupted him. "But I'm sorry, Tom. You're on suspension right now. Don't leave the state, or the city."

"He knows the rules," Jacobs' lawyer cut in. "He's a cop." With that, the three men left the room.

"Dad! Come ON! That story's ridiculous!" Joe went on. Thoughts of Vanessa ran rampant through his mind.

Fenton motioned for the remaining officers to leave. Left alone with Joe, Frank, Nancy and Ezra, Fenton listed to his son, but then sighed, deeply.

"I'm sorry, Fenton. We had nothing," Collig finally spoke. "But we'll keep an eye on him- promise."

"Thank you, Ezra," Fenton replied, shaking his hand. "I know this was hard for you."

With a small nod of acknowledgement, Collig left the room.

"Dad!" Joe cut in again, on edge.

"Stop," Fenton sighed.

"That story is crazy, and you know it!" he added, getting angry.

"It is, Joseph. It's a crazy story. And you know what else?" he added.

"What?" Joe answered, trying to control himself.

"It's true."

"How can you be…" Joe began, but Fenton cut him off.

"Come on, Joe! THINK. Better yet, don't think. Instinctively, do you think this guy is involved?" he asked.

"Yes!" Joe answered firmly.

"Come on, Joe- no you don't. You can read people--probably better than anyone I know. Don't sacrifice an innocent man. If you do that, you let the guilty one get away."

His dad was right. Joe felt himself come down from his adrenaline high, frustration taking its place.

"Now if you were to think, what do we know?" He looked up.

Frank, who had been methodically going through the interrogation, answered his dad. "We know that his fellow officers could probably corroborate the lost phone story. We know that he'd be pretty stupid to charge a package containing a BOMB to his credit card. We also know that we have to verify the phone records to see the duration of the calls, and to see how Dee could contact the number, if not Jacobs personally. Also, we know that, if he was telling the truth, he lost his phone right before the attacks began. And..." Frank pointed out, "He DOES know Dee- somehow. I don't think he's being totally honest."

"Very good," Fenton nodded.

"And we also know one thing then," he added definitively.

"Yes- that he's been set up," said Nancy. "But how? And by whom?"

Shaking his head in frustration, but determined to solve this case somehow, Fenton turned to her and said, "THAT, my dear, is exactly what we're going to find out.”

They all slowly got up, more bound than ever to return to their original research and end the madness. Fired up, they did not know that the worst was yet to come.

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.