The two men hauled Joe out of the record store and dragged him over to the diner. He saw Gray walk out followed by Bruce, and there was a smile on the Gray Man’s face. Joe looked at the two men then winked at Gray. The younger Hardy had given the Assassins a good fight. He had given one a black eye; the second man had a bruised jaw. Although they had roughed Joe up, he wasn’t badly hurt, which made him wonder if they were under orders not to harm him.

“Where’s the girl?”

“You had her killed, remember!” screamed Joe as he tried to lunge at Bruce.

Noting the rage in Joe’s face, a wicked grin crossed Bruce’s face. “So I did – tie them up and throw them in the car! I want to get to the rendezvous point as soon as possible!”

As the Assassins manhandled Joe and the Gray Man into the car, Vanessa sadly watched from a distance. She was hiding behind a dumpster that was used by the diner. She wanted to get closer – hoping to hear where the Assassins were taking them. But there was no other place for her to hide. Vanessa gasped in fear when she saw the waitress come running out of the diner.

“What do you think you’re doing – where are you taking them?!”

The waitress was waving a spatula threateningly. Bruce turned around, aiming his gun at the woman. Suddenly there was a loud gunshot and the back tire exploded. The cook cocked his rifle and had his sights on Bruce.

“The sheriff will be here in a few minutes! You leave those two alone and git out of here!” The cook stepped in front of the waitress, who happened to be his wife and glared at the Assassin.

Joe used the distraction to his advantage. Their hands tied behind their backs, Gray and Joe moved back to back. The Gray Man worked on the ropes around Joe’s wrists. The blonde teen looked worriedly out the window – he knew what the Assassin was capable of. Joe didn’t want the man and woman who were trying to help him get hurt.

Bruce scowled at the man aiming the rifle at him. He began to squeeze the trigger when a whirring sound could be heard.

*****

Frank and Callie stood off to the side, watching the vendor and his customer give their statements to the police. Agent Anderson and Fenton were speaking with the Chief of Police when one of the Network agents got Anderson’s attention. Frank didn’t see the agent go up to Anderson; he had turned away. He was angry – he wanted to be out looking for his brother! Frank was about to ask Callie to cover for him so he could search for Joe when Fenton appeared.

“They’ve found them! They found Joe and Vanessa!”

“What – where – are they alive?!” asked Frank, gripping his father’s shoulders.

“Tired and hungry but they’re fine. Gray was able to put in a call to the Network. They’re in a small town just ten hours away from the city limits! Anderson is going get an army helicopter and fly us out there!”

Frank turned to Callie, a huge grin on his face. She smiled back as she hugged him.

“Go! I’ll go back to the hotel and tell your mom the good news!”

Kissing Callie soundly on the lips, Frank then ran to join Fenton and Agent Anderson. His brother was safe! A sudden fear took hold of Frank…what if the Assassins got to them first?

*****

“Do you hear that?” Joe asked the Gray Man.

Gray looked out his window but couldn’t see anything. “Can you see anything out the rear window?” he asked Joe.

“No but Buzz Cut sure does!”

Bruce whirled around, his eyes narrowed in anger when he saw the helicopter. He recognized the Army model and realized he had run out of time. Raising his gun, Bruce was about to fire when he felt the nose of a rifle against his back.

“I don’t think so!” growled the cook.

“This is the United States Army…put your guns down!”

The Gray Man had released Joe who in turn untied the Network agent. They scrambled out of the car, both looking grim as they knew what was going to happen next.

The waitress let out a shriek when Bruce fell to the ground.

“Billy Ray – you weren’t supposed to shoot him!”

“I swear never pulled the trigger, Rita!”

Vanessa ran out from behind the dumpster. “JOE!”

Turning, Joe let out a sigh of relief when he saw that Vanessa was unhurt. He moved away from the Gray Man and walked around the back of the car to meet with his girl. He was holding Vanessa in a tight hug when he thought he heard his name being called out again.

“Hey kid – what in the world is goin’ on here?!” asked a perplexed Billy Ray.

“Honey, do you know those people?” Rita pointed out a dark haired teen and an older man running their way.

“Yeah…my brother and dad!” Joe grinned happily. Taking Vanessa’s hand he ran with her to meet up with Fenton and Frank.

Frank reached Joe first, pulling the younger boy into a fierce hug. “Oh man am I so glad to see you!” he said with a quiver in his voice.

“I’m really glad to see both of you!” replied Joe when he felt Fenton’s hand on his shoulder. He pulled away from Frank so he could embrace his father.

“I’m happy to see you too, Vanessa!” Frank pulled her into a hug.

“Good, for a minute there I thought you forgot about me!” she giggled.

Agent Anderson hated to interrupt the family reunion, so he waited a few more minutes before making his presence known.

“Ahem – I’m sorry to intrude, Fenton but the helicopter is waiting. I’ve made arrangements for your son and the young girl to see doctor.”

“I don’t want to go to the hospital, Dad!” whined Joe.

“Don’t worry, no hospital. You’ll be checked over at the hotel by one of our doctors,” Anderson replied with a smile.

“What about the Gray Man?” asked Vanessa with concern.

“He’ll be taken care of,” was all Anderson said before he turned and walked away.

“Come on, let’s go. I’m sure your mother is anxious to see you.” Fenton led his sons and Vanessa towards the helicopter.

With his arm around Vanessa’s shoulders, Joe turned his head for one last look at the Gray Man. He wondered if he would ever see the man again. He was curious as who the ‘loved one’ was that Gray had lost.

*****

Laura had showered Joe with hugs and kisses when he arrived back at the hotel. It took Fenton several minutes to get Laura to let her baby go and take a shower. Vanessa also had a happy reunion with Mrs. Hardy and Callie.

True to his word, the Network doctor came to examine Joe and Vanessa an hour after they arrived.

“They’re a little dehydrated, otherwise they are fine. Give them plenty of fluids and make sure they get a good meal.” The doctor winked at Joe – the blonde Hardy’s stomach had rumbled several times during the examination.

“Are you up for going out for some Mexican food?” asked Fenton when the doctor left.

“Mexican – Chinese – Italian – you name it!” exclaimed Joe.

“The bottomless pit is back!” laughed Frank as he grabbed his younger brother and tousled his hair.

Callie and Vanessa laughed along with Fenton and Laura as they watched the brothers playfully box each other. They were still shoving each other when they stepped off the elevator. It wasn’t until Joe almost bumped into an elderly couple that they stopped. When they walked outside of the hotel they found an unusual sight…the Gray Man with a smile on his face.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing that again,” chuckled Gray.

Frank and Joe blushed in embarrassment, knowing they had been acting childishly.

“I wanted to warn you – Miss Green is still at large. We don’t believe she is still here but be on your guard.”

“Fenton you don’t think…?” Laura gazed anxiously at her husband.

“What do you think Gray? Would Miss Green or another Assassin come after you and Joe again so soon after this botched attempt?” Fenton stared hard at the Network agent.

A sharp glint made Frank squint; he glanced up with an annoyed expression on his face. Another flash caught his eye – and what he saw caused his heart to race in fear.

Let the author know what you think of this story

Home Library Authors Rogue's Gallery Vehicles Chums Message Board Rap Sheet Links Contact

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.