Lydia wasn’t too worried when Frank didn’t show up at school. She figured that he had stayed home due to his burned hand. Joe however was cause for worry. Then Vanessa mentioned that Joe wasn’t looking forward to a dentist appointment and thought that was where he was. At least that is what Lydia kept telling herself. She was surprised when Frank and Joe walked into the cafeteria for lunch break.

Frank put his hand on Joe’s arm, holding his brother back before they entered the cafeteria.

“Hold on a second. Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Yeah, I do,” answered Joe. “We’re not going to tell them everything – just enough to get a reaction out of Lydia!”

“I’m just afraid that Phil is going to catch on to what we’re doing!”

“Me too but that’s a chance we have to take,” Joe said with a slight frown.

“Okay, but we have to act normal, which means…”

“Getting some food! I’m with you, I’m starved!”

Frank and Joe got in line hoping that today wasn’t tuna casserole surprise!

“Hey, fancy meeting you here!” said Vanessa as she leaned to give Joe a kiss on the cheek.

“Where were you two this morning?” asked Callie.

“Vanessa thought you were at the dentist’s.” Chet said before biting into his burger.

“Oh man…don’t remind me!” shuddered Joe.

“So why did you two miss your morning classes?” asked Biff.

Frank and Joe glanced at each other then they leaned forward.

“You can’t tell anyone what we’re about to tell you,” whispered Frank.

“Does this have anything to do with your case?” Tony asked in a low voice.

“We’re not sure. You remember when we took Dad to the airport?” Frank looked expectantly at his friends, who all agreed they did.

“He was going to find a former student of Mrs. Tanner – he tried getting hold of Mr. Tanner but…”

“Frank and I found him in his garage – he tried to commit suicide.”

“Or so it seemed!” Frank said mysteriously.

While Frank told his friends what the police found, Joe appeared to be staring at his hands but he was really watching Lydia’s reaction to the news.

“Does this mean that…that Mrs. Tanner’s death wasn’t an accident?!” gasped Callie.

Lydia moved closer to Phil, who put his arm around her shoulders. He felt her tremble and gave her a one-handed hug. He turned his attention to the Hardys. Phil had noticed Joe’s sidelong glances at Lydia, and he had a feeling that the brothers were trying to get a reaction from her. Phil knew how the brothers worked and didn’t like what he was seeing.

“Joe and I aren’t one hundred percent sure but it does appear that way. Lydia, are you sure you didn’t see anyone that day?” asked Frank as he turned his attention to her.

“I’m really sorry, Frank – the only person I saw was the janitor. I didn’t know anything happened until I heard the sirens.” Lydia leaned closer to Phil.

“That’s too bad,” sighed Frank.

“We should be going, bro! We need to get the assignments we missed in our first two classes.” Joe tapped Frank on the shoulder.

“I’ll be right back!” Phil told Lydia as he ran after Frank and Joe.

“Hey guys, wait up!” Catching up to the brothers, Phil walked out with them. He waited till they walked a few paces before stopping Frank and Joe.

“Okay, I want to know what that was about!”

Frank and Joe had never seen Phil so angry. Not wanting his brother’s friendship with Phil to suffer, Joe spoke up before Frank did.

“It was my plan, Phil – I made Frank go along with it. What we told you about Mr. Tanner is true.”

“But you also think that Lydia had something to do with Mrs. Tanner’s death!” growled Phil.

“No, we don’t! We just think that she knows more than she’s telling us!” said Frank.

Phil shook his head. “Why would she do that?”

“Who knows? Maybe she’s scared or maybe she did see something or someone but doesn’t realize it!”

Phil knew that Frank was right. He had noticed that Lydia had been acting strangely.

“I suppose you’re right. I’ll tell you what – let me talk to her. She might feel comfortable telling me.”

“That’s a good idea. Phil – I’m sorry we had to…”

“I understand, Frank. See you later in Calculus.”

Phil went back to the cafeteria. Frank and Joe continued to discuss the case before they had went in different directions – they really were going to pick up their missed assignments.

It took every ounce of will power for Lydia not to go after Phil. She was afraid of what the Hardys would tell him. She kept glancing at the door, her heart pounding with fear. When Phil finally walked back in, Lydia held her breath – and then he smiled at her. She smiled back; something told her that Frank and Joe hadn’t said anything to him. She might not have to leave after all.

*****

The rest of the school day went by without any incident. Because Fenton had dropped Frank and Joe at school, they got a ride home with Chet. Once home, Joe headed for the kitchen in search of a snack.

“Joseph Hardy don’t you dare touch those brownies! If you want a snack have an apple! Or some carrot sticks!” scolded Aunt Gertrude.

“But auntie – sugar is much better for studying!” Joe gave his aunt his best pout.

“Don’t give me those puppy-dog eyes! They don’t work on me! If it’s sugar you want…here, have an apple!”

Joe walked out of the kitchen with two apples in his hand. Frank was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs with a huge grin on his face. It wasn’t often that his younger brother didn’t get his way.

“Oh hush up!” growled Joe.

“I didn’t say anything!” laughed Frank.

“You were going to!”

Frank just laughed then tousled Joe’s hair before running to his room.

It was just past six o’clock and Joe was finished with his homework. He went downstairs to watch the sports news. Frank was already in the living room sitting on the couch. Joe plopped down next to him when Laura called out.

“Frank would you let your father know that dinner is ready?”

“Sure thing, Mom.”

Frank knocked on the study door before opening it.

“Dad, dinner is ready. You still searching for Clair Miller?”

“Afraid so – so far I’m coming up with zilch.”

Fenton rubbed his tired eyes then turned off his computer. He walked out with Frank, forgetting about the picture Mrs. Smithson had emailed him.

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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.