Officer Williams was still dubious about the Hardy brothers, plus he didn’t care for Officer Dave Paulson. The burly officer was envious of Officer Paulson who stood 6 feet tall, had dark curly hair and a muscular build and was five years younger than Officer Williams. Although Williams had been on the force longer than Paulson, the younger officer was higher in rank. Williams stared angrily as Joe and Frank got into Paulson’s police cruiser.

“Your friend doesn’t look too happy,” said Joe.

“Don’t let Wes bother you. He’s okay once you get to know him – he just thinks anyone under the age of twenty is in a gang!” Dave grinned at the Hardy brothers.

“I’m glad you arrived when you did,” said a relieved Frank. “I was afraid Joe’s temper was going to boil over!”

“Volcano Joe was about to erupt?” chuckled Dave.

Joe, who was known for his quick temper, took the teasing lightly. He gave his brother and Dave a mock glare.

“So what exactly happened back there?” asked Dave.

Frank explained about the case Fenton was on and why they had gone to the house. How he and Joe had grown concerned when Mr. Tanner didn’t answer the door…about smelling the exhaust fumes and hearing the car motor running, then breaking the door window to get inside the garage and rescuing Mr. Tanner.

“Poor guy – did he seem the type to try and commit suicide?”

“I don’t know – we didn’t really know him that well,” answered Frank.

“Well, it won’t take long to type up your statements – once you’re done I’ll drive you back to the van,” Dave promised the brothers.

It was almost ten p.m. when Frank and Joe finally arrived home. While at the police station, Frank had phoned home to let Laura know what had happened. He asked her to pass the information along when Fenton called. As they walked inside the house the brothers were greeted by an anxious and concerned mother.

“Are you sure you two are all right?” Laura asked as she gave her sons the once-over.

“Joe and I are fine, Mom!” Frank tried to reassure her.

“Yeah, Mom – we’re fine!” Joe gave Laura a hug, letting his mother hold him a little longer than usual.

“What did Dad say when you told him?” asked Frank.

“To say that he was shocked would be an understatement. I must say that I’m a bit shocked myself.” Laura led her sons into the kitchen and began to make some hot chocolate.

Frank and Joe sat down; they wanted to hear what their father had said to their mother. They also knew that Laura needed them to be there with her.

“Neither your dad nor I understand why Mr. Tanner…when he came to speak with Fenton, he just didn’t seem….Don’t get me wrong, I could tell that Mr. Tanner was sad and upset at his loss, but…”

“Not that depressed to commit suicide?” commented Frank.

“No,” sighed Laura. “But then again, he could have been hiding it very well.”

They sat quietly drinking hot chocolate – every now and then Laura would run her hand through Joe’s unruly hair, then turn towards Frank and do the same. Joe wanted to reassure his mother that he was fine but he knew it would be pointless. Instead he drank his chocolate and gave Laura a smile.

Frank also smiled a little at Laura as he thought about finding Mr. Tanner in the garage. He wondered how sad and depressed someone had to be to want to end their life. He found himself staring at Joe and felt a shiver go down his spine. Frank recalled the dark days after Iola Morton’s death – the deep depression Joe had gone through. What if…Frank tore his eyes away and stared down at his cup. He didn’t want to think about it!

“Frank, what’s wrong?” He felt Laura touch his cheek.

“Yeah Frank, you do look kind of pale.” Joe had a concerned look on his face as he remembered that Frank had gone inside the garage first and had been in there the longest.

“I’m fine, really I am. I guess I’m just tired. I think I’ll head for bed. Thanks for the hot chocolate, Mom.” Frank gave his mother a kiss on the cheek before rinsing out his cup.

Joe silently watched his brother leave – he felt there was something more but didn’t want to worry Laura. He lingered over his drink, keeping Laura company, then went upstairs to bed.

Pausing in front of his bedroom door, Joe walked to the end of the hall towards Frank’s room. He could just barely make out the sliver of light shining underneath the door. Frank was still up – so Joe lightly knocked on the door and waited.

“Come on in, Joe.”

“What are you, psychic now – how’d you know it was me?”

Joe found Frank lying on his bed staring up at the ceiling. Frank turned his head and smiled at his brother.

“It was either you or Mom….I just took a lucky guess.”

Joe pulled Frank’s computer chair close to the bed and sat down. He stared intently at his older brother for a few minutes.

“So what happened downstairs?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Frank rolled onto his side so he wouldn’t have to look at Joe.

“Frank, I’m not leaving this room until you tell me. Come on big brother…lean on me for once.”

Frank let out a huge sigh then sat up, leaning his back against the headboard.

“I was…I was thinking about Mr. Tanner and how…how sad and lonely he must have felt to want to…to want to end his life. Next thing I know…it wasn’t Mr. Tanner I saw in the car but…but you!”

Joe stared at Frank, a shocked expression on his face. How could his brother think..?

“Joe…I know what you’re thinking but…those first few days after Iola…then you fell into that depression….I was so afraid that you would…hurt yourself or worse!”

“Aww, Frank!” Joe got up from the chair and went to hug his brother. Holding tightly to each other, Joe could feel Frank trembling. Pulling away, he looked straight at Frank.

“You’re forgetting one thing, Frank. I had you, Mom, Dad and Aunt Gertrude here supporting me, not to mention all our friends. I’m not sure Mr. Tanner had anyone he could go to.”

“And I’ll always be there for you, Joe. Don’t you forget that!” Frank said, his voice filled with raw emotion.

“I’ll always be there for you too,” smiled Joe.

*****

Officer Paulson was typing up his report on the Tanner case when his phone rang.

“Bayport police, Officer Paulson speaking. Hey, Tommy, you got my lab results in?”

“Yeah, there’s something weird going on here….I tested the glass three different times and got the same results.”

“Oh – what did you find?”

“I don’t think the guy tried to commit suicide….I found Rohypnol, a very slight trace but it’s there.”

“Are you trying to tell me he was drugged?!”

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”

Officer Paulson slowly hung up the phone. Why would someone try to kill Mr. Tanner?

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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.