"GHOULS NIGHT OUT"

HALLOWEEN 2007 HARDY BOYS FAN FICTION CONTEST ENTRY

THE GHOST OF VANDERBEEK MANOR

by

Author A

Chapter 1

The Chapters

INTRO

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

Vanessa was setting the table for breakfast when there was a knock on the door. Wondering who it could be she cautiously went to answer the door. Peeking out through the small window she saw a gray-haired man dressed in a business suit standing on the porch. Thinking that he seemed harmless enough but making sure the security chain was fastened, Vanessa opened the door.

“May I help you?”

“Is this the Bender residence?” asked the man in a gravelly voice.

“Ness, who is that at the door?” Andrea Bender had come down the stairs and saw her daughter speaking to someone.

“Pardon me – my name is Julius Pumpernickel, Esq. I’m searching for a Miss Vanessa Bender.”

“Mom, I swear…I haven’t done anything that would warrant a lawyer!” squeaked the young girl.

Mr. Pumpernickel chuckled softly as he tried to reassure the Benders.

“Oh, you’re not in any trouble young lady. Please may I come in? I can explain everything.”

Andrea unfastened the security chain and let the lawyer in. As mother and daughter sat together they listened in disbelief.

Leaving his card and a large envelope, Mr. Pumpernickel left the Bender home. It took several minutes for the shock to wear off – when it did Vanessa knew what she had to do.

*****

Frank and Joe were trying to decide what to do that Saturday morning. They had the house all to themselves. Their Aunt Gertrude was visiting a dude ranch with a friend. Laura Hardy had taken a very reluctant Fenton to the Bayport National Guard Armory; they were sponsoring an indoor holiday garage sale. Laura wanted to find more Halloween decorations and get an early start with her Christmas shopping.

While the brothers lounged in the living room the door bell rang. Frank looked over at his brother, one eyebrow raised.

“What – I’m supposed to answer the door?” asked Joe incredulously.

“You’re closer and higher,” replied Frank who was lying on the floor.

Joe glared at his brother: “This is payback for me getting to the couch first, isn’t it?”

Frank just smiled as the door bell rang again. Joe was about to stick his tongue out when he heard a familiar voice calling out to him. His anger disappeared as concern gripped his heart. Frank immediately got up when he heard the voice.

“Joe…Frank…please answer the door!” Vanessa cried out as she started banging on the door.

Joe almost tripped as he hurried over to let Vanessa in.

“Van, what’s wrong?!” he asked as he led her inside the house.

“You won’t believe what happened to me!” she gushed excitedly.

Now sitting on the couch with Vanessa and holding her hand, Joe looked at Frank with concern.

“Okay Vanessa – calm down and very slowly start at the beginning,” said Frank, hoping to calm her and his brother.

Vanessa took several deep breaths before she began.

“Do you remember when I volunteered at the Rosemount Senior home – and I told you I met Mrs. Vanderbeek?”

“I remember – you told me that she was at the nursing home to keep her friend company.”

“That’s right,” Vanessa nodded. “But she left the home once her friend, Mrs. Steiner passed away.”

“You visited her a few times, didn’t you?”

“Yes, after Mom and I got settled here. But then with school and you and Frank helping to clear Mom of murder…I just found out that she passed away a few weeks ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Joe as he gave Vanessa a comforting hug.

“Vanessa – did she leave you something in her will? Is that why you came over here?” asked Frank.

“Yes – sorta,” Vanessa paused for a moment. “I need your help.”

Frank and Joe were now very curious.  Frank thought it would be best if he sat down. Taking another deep breath Vanessa began to speak.

“Mrs. Vanderbeek said that I was like a granddaughter because I was so kind and thoughtful to her. I never dreamed she would put me in her will! This morning Mr. Julius Pumpernickel, Esq. showed up at the house. Apparently I’m to inherent an undisclosed amount of money but only if I spend the night at Vanderbeek Manor.”

“That sounds easy – why do you need our help?” asked Joe curiously.

“Because the house is supposed to be haunted – I looked it up on the internet. Plus there are four other people mentioned in the will. Whoever is still in the house in the morning gets their inheritance. I have to be there on October 30^th. Mom won’t be able to come with me – she’ll be out of town. Mom thought it would be a good idea if I took you guys along. Will you – will you come and spend the night at a haunted house?”

Frank and Joe weren’t sure if Vanessa was teasing them. To Frank it sounded like the synopsis to a Saturday morning cartoon that Joe use to watch! 

“Well, I’m willing to go but…” Joe paused for a second. “If I see a Great Dane by the name of Scooby – I’m outta there!”

Vanessa grabbed a sofa cushion and hit Joe, Frank joined in by getting another cushion. Joe laughed under the assault as he tried to defend himself.

Assured that Joe and Frank would be with her at Vanderbeek Manor, Vanessa went home. It was past one o’clock when Laura and Fenton arrived home.  Joe took the two bags that Fenton was carrying in while Frank took the bag that Laura had.

Fenton plopped down on his recliner and let out a sigh as he propped up the foot rest. Joe and Frank smiled at each other as they set the bags on top of the large dining table.

“Joe and I made some tuna salad sandwiches – we left some for you and Mom if you’re hungry.”

“You made tuna salad?” asked a surprised Laura.

“Well, we might have had some help from Vanessa!” Joe said with a smile.

When Laura laughed it caused all three Hardy men to smile. “How is Vanessa?”

“You won’t believe what happened to her!” Joe said his eyes twinkling with merriment.

“You don’t actually believe the house is haunted?” asked Fenton as he wiped away some bread crumbs.

“Of course not, Dad!” laughed Joe.

“You’ve always told us there’s no such thing as haunted houses or ghosts!” Frank added.

“We’re just going to support Vanessa.” Joe took a soda out of the fridge.

“I wonder why Mrs. Vanderbeek wanted her heirs to spend the night at the Manor?” wondered Laura.

“From what Vanessa had told us, Mrs. Vanderbeek’s family wasn’t very…close. She thinks that this is Mrs. Vanderbeek’s way to see who truly cared for her.” Joe took a long drink after his explanation.

*****

All too soon the day had arrived. Callie was now joining Vanessa and the Hardy brothers. When she learned of Vanessa’s good fortune she begged her friend to let her come with them. Knowing how Callie loved all things paranormal, Vanessa agreed.

As Joe maneuvered the van up the steep driveway, Vanessa and Callie moved forward to get a better look at the house. Vanderbeek Manor was a two-story, six bedrooms, six baths home. – the dining room could seat twenty people  – there was a library – a den – a living room and a small ballroom. The Manor sat on two acres of manicured land with a tennis court and pool.

“I forgot how huge this place was!” Vanessa said with awe as she got out of the van.

Joe carried her overnight bag along with his duffle bag. Frank helped Callie with hers and took her hand as they walked to the front door. There was no doorbell but a gargoyle shaped knocker.

“Muahahaha!” Joe cackled evilly when he saw the door knocker.

Frank turned to give Joe a stern glare before knocking on the door. Vanessa giggled at her boyfriend’s antics while Callie rolled her eyes. They waited for a few minutes.  Frank was about to knock again when they heard footsteps. The door slowly opened to reveal Mr. Pumpernickel.

“Oh good – everyone else is here. We were waiting for you in the library. Just leave your things by the stairs – after the introductions and the reading of the will you may go to your rooms.”

Entering the library, Frank noticed a young man standing by a world globe which he seemed to be studying. The man had sandy brown hair and appeared to be a few years older than he was. He was tall and thin, and wore a black suit which only made him appear thinner.

In another corner of the room was another man but he was much older. Joe thought that he could be around his Aunt Gertrude’s age. The man was short and stout with salt and pepper hair; his goatee was grayer than the hair on his head.

Sitting on what Frank would find out to be a Louis VII chair, was a woman with platinum blonde hair that had been teased into a high bouffant. She wore a red dress that seemed to be molded to her body, and a bright orange Pomeranian sat on her lap. The dog growled at them and began to bark. “Shush!” said the platinum blonde.

“Is this who we were waiting on?” asked a haughty looking man. He brushed back his black hair and then ran a finger across his thin mustache.

Joe eyed the dog dubiously. He leaned close to Frank and whispered: “If that dog’s name is ‘Shaggy’ or ‘Scooby’….”

“I know, I know…you’re outta here,” finished Frank.

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