Joe was the first to use the shower. Clean and dressed, he was tying his sneakers when Frank walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. As he got dressed the brothers discussed whether they should inform Fenton about possibly seeing Arthur Gray. They finally agreed to wait since they were not really sure they had seen the Network agent.

“Why worry Dad about something we’re not even sure about,” said Frank as he put his sneakers on.

“You’re right – it’s not often Dad gets to relax.”

There was a soft knock on their door, and Joe got off the bed to answer. He opened the door wider, admitting Vanessa and Callie. The two girls had also changed their clothes. Callie was now wearing a pastel pink shirt, khaki shorts and sandals. Vanessa had changed into a soft yellow short-sleeved pullover shirt, a knee-length blue jean skirt and low-heel sandals. She had pulled her hair into a ponytail, while Callie wore barrettes to hold her hair back.

“Don’t you look nice,” Frank told Callie giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“You don’t look so bad yourself!” Callie admired how the tan pullover shirt he wore hugged his lean physique. Frank had tucked the shirt into faded jeans.

Joe had emitted a low wolf whistle when Vanessa walked in. She gave him a little curtsy then wiggled her eyebrows at him – giving him a lecherous stare. Joe burst out laughing then pulled Vanessa into a hug and kiss.

“You look gorgeous!” Joe said with a smile.

“And you look rather handsome!” replied Vanessa. She loved when he wore the color blue – it always intensified the color of his eyes!

Making sure he had the room key safely tucked in his pocket, Frank led the others out the door. The four teens walked to Fenton and Laura’s room, and Frank knocked on the door. Mrs. Hardy answered, greeting Frank with a smile as she walked out the door followed by Mr. Hardy. The group took the elevator down to the hotel restaurant.

*****

The Gray Man admired the elegant Gunther Hotel as Linda drove up to the front. A valet opened his passenger door and then went around to the front to open the driver’s side. The hotel was only five stories tall, smaller than the other hotels in the downtown area. As he stepped into the lobby, Gray felt as he gone back in time. There was an old-time western elegance to the lobby. He walked over to the front desk and found that they were staying on the top floor and had adjoining rooms.

“I know it’s still early enough to see a few sights – but I think I’d like to just relax and stay in for the night. You don’t mind, do you?” asked Linda as they rode the elevator.

“No, not at all. I don’t know why plane rides are always exhausting. I guess it’s because we do nothing but sit for several hours.”

They reached their floor, and the bellhop followed them out. Gray took his carry-on bag from him, and handed the bellhop a generous tip. Once inside his room, he took off his tie and jacket. Slipping off his shoes, he sat down on the bed. The Gray Man sat quietly for a few moments, a slow smile crossing his face.

As soon as the Gray Man had closed his door, Linda got rid of the bellhop and took her luggage inside her room. She took out her cell phone.

“Target has arrived.”

“Good – stay with him until further notice.”

“Yes, sir.”

She ended the call and placed her phone on the nightstand. When this assignment was over she would have to disappear from the Network. She would finally be back among her peers.

*****

The next morning found Frank, Joe, Vanessa and Callie taking in the sights of downtown San Antonio. Their hotel was situated in the middle of town and they were within walking distance of the River Walk, the Alamo and the mall. If they wanted to travel a little farther, the concierge informed them, they could take the trolley bus. He gave them a schedule for the four different trolleys.

“Hey look, if we take the red trolley we can check out the Market Square!” Joe was looking at the schedule.

“And the concierge said there’s a stop just around the corner,” Vanessa added.

“Will your mom and dad be joining us?” asked Callie.

“No, Mom wanted to go see the Japanese Gardens so they’re driving out to the zoo,” answered Frank.

“Hey – there’s a Ripley’s Believe Or Not located across from the Alamo! Isn’t that just down the street?” Joe’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Maybe later, Joe – let’s take the girls to the Market Square.”

“Okay, okay!” laughed Joe. “The fare is a dollar for each of us – don’t worry babe, I got you covered!”

Joe winked at Vanessa. She playfully bumped him with her hip.

Frank shook his head as he put his arm around Callie’s shoulders.

“Let’s get out of here before they do something embarrassing!” he loudly whispered to Callie while walking her out of the lobby.

Joe and Vanessa looked at each other and then shrugged before following Frank and Callie.

The four teens were happy to see that the trolley was a small air-conditioned bus. When the bus driver found out that they were tourists, he punched several holes in their transfer tickets – informing them that they could have unlimited rides on the trolley bus for the rest of the day.

It didn’t take long to reach their destination. They crossed the street and found that the Market Square was filled with small open shops and restaurants. The first place Joe went to was a stand that sold fresh fruit drinks. They had mango, watermelon, lemon, pineapple and lime drinks. Vanessa tried the mango, Callie the lime, and Frank had the lemon. Joe finally opted for pineapple.

Holding Vanessa’s hand, Joe walked slowly, taking everything in. Frank and Callie walked behind them. They paused frequently to check out the wares from the shops they passed. Joe had stopped to look at some key rings – some in the shape of Texas or the Alamo. He was thinking of getting one for Chet but couldn’t decide which one. He turned to get Vanessa’s opinion when he bumped into someone, spilling his drink onto the person.

“I’m sorry – that was totally my fault!”

Joe was glad that he had grabbed a couple of napkins when he bought his drink. He was reaching into his pants pocket– looking up to hand the person the napkins – when he got the shock of his life! Standing before him was Arthur Gray.

“You! Then I really did see you at the airport!” Joe exclaimed in disbelief.

Joe wasn’t sure what surprised him more – finding the Gray Man standing in front of him or the fact that the Gray Man was out of his usual business suit.

“Hello, Joseph – I assume that Frank is nearby?”

Still in shock Joe could only nod his head. He mutely gave the Gray Man the napkins he was holding, then gave himself a mental shake.

“What are you doing here?” Joe stared hard at the clothes the Gray Man wore. “Are you working undercover?”

Gray smiled and then laughed – surprising Joe even more. “I’m actually on vacation,” he replied and laughed again when he saw the shocked expression on Joe’s face.

“Well…that’s nice. We’re on vacation too. Dad and Mom went to see the Japanese Gardens. Frank and Callie are around here somewhere…”

“I’m glad your father could take the time off. I guess you’re wondering if I came alone. I’m not – I’m with that...” he pointed to the pretty brunette dressed in a pink sundress. “Miss Green, a fellow agent.”

Joe recognized her as being the brunette he had seen with Gray down by the luggage carousel. He noticed Vanessa walking towards them.

“My girlfriend’s coming over…I guess I’ll leave you to your…vacation.”

“Tell Fenton and Frank hello for me.”

“I will….Sorry about spilling the drink on you.”

Joe hurried over to Vanessa, quickly glancing at Miss Green when he passed her. He couldn’t wait till he told Frank that Arthur Gray really was here – and on vacation no less!

“Who was that guy you were talking to?” asked Vanessa.

“No one special…I accidentally bumped into him and spilled my drink on him.”

“Butter fingers! Are you hungry? Frank found this great taco booth!”

“I’m starving!” Joe took Vanessa’s hand as they went to join Frank and Callie.

Linda joined Gray, who was throwing the napkins away. “Who was that young boy? He looked familiar.”

“That was Joe Hardy; you may have seen his file.”

“Hardy…Hardy…oh yes! Doesn’t he have an older brother?”

“Yes, Frank – seems the family is here for vacation also.”

“What a nice surprise to see him!”

Gray shrugged, Linda moved off to the side, seeming to look at some figurines. There was a small smile on her face. Her superior was going to be very happy.

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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.