After a day of sightseeing, Gray and Linda went back to their hotel rooms late that afternoon. She was to meet him in a few hours for dinner which gave her plenty of time to send in her report. She waited a few minutes until it was the correct time to call. It was time…she dialed a number.

“You are to take him to a restaurant called ‘The Magic Time Machine’. Reservations have already been made…you will be seated towards the back. The waiter is one of our agents. Once we have Gray you will be generously rewarded.”

“Thank you….I have important news. I think you will be very pleased.”

“Do tell, Agent Green.”

“Frank and Joe Hardy are here. The Hardy family is on vacation.”

There was a long silence, Linda waited anxiously for a response.

“That does please me…very much! Stick with the plan for Gray…we’ll deal with the Hardys once Gray is captured.”

“Yes, sir.”

Two hours later the Gray Man knocked on Linda’s door. He was surprised when he saw her dressed in a form-fitting black dress, the hem of which fell two inches above her knees. She wore her hair in a French twist. He had seen pretty women before – had even ‘dated’ a few while he was undercover – but somehow seeing a colleague seductively dressed disarmed him.

“I feel a little underdressed.”

“Oh no, that suit is perfect!” Linda smiled at Gray as she closed the door.

“How do you know about this restaurant we’re going to?” asked Gray.

“I told you I’ve been here before, Arthur!”

“Hmm, yes.” The Gray Man walked next to Linda, but she sensed that she had made him uncomfortable. She may have made a mistake putting on this dress, she thought. They stepped into the elevator, and Linda glanced over at Arthur.

She took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds, causing her face to turn pink. She then let out an embarrassed laugh.

“I don’t know why I wore this! I found it on sale and I started to fantasize about…never mind, it was silly.”

“You do look…nice. I guess I feel flattered that you chose to wear it tonight.”

“Thank you – I hope you like the restaurant.”

“From what you told me about it, it sounds amusing.”

The Gray Man and Linda were now standing outside the hotel waiting for the valet to bring the car. When she saw the valet, Linda tried not to give anything away, but she recognized him. She calmly got into the car, barely giving the valet a glance.

They arrived at the restaurant five minutes later. The hostess led them to their table, and Linda made sure that Gray sat closer to the wall. The hostess left the table; a second later a waiter came and placed two glasses of water on the table. He handed Linda a menu, and as he turned to give the Gray Man his, the waiter seemed to trip.

Arthur Gray let out a gasp when he felt a sharp prick; he clasped a hand on his neck. He stared at Linda, an expression of surprise on his face.

Then his world became black.

*****

Joe didn’t get a chance to talk to Frank until they returned from dinner. He hadn’t wanted to say anything in front of Vanessa and Callie – although Vanessa had mentioned his accident with the male tourist. When they had returned to the hotel earlier, Fenton and Laura headed out to walk along the River Walk. The four teens joined them and they found a restaurant where they had dinner. It was late evening when the group returned to the hotel.

“Frank, before Van and Callie come by I need to tell you something.”

“Joe, we’re not watching Saws II, we’ve already voted on it!”

“I know and that’s not what I was going to say! Frank…the Gray Man is here!” exclaimed Joe in an agitated voice.

“Gray, here – are you sure?!”

“He’s the tourist I spilled my drink on! I’m positive! And get this…he’s on vacation!!!”

Frank stared at Joe who was grinning madly at him. He wondered if his little brother had too much sun. “He actually told you he was on vacation?” asked Frank, a bewildered expression on his face.

“Yeah, and you should have seen him! He was actually wearing a cowboy shirt, jeans and boots! Cowboy boots, Frank!” Joe paused for a few moments. “And get this…he came with a fellow agent – a female agent!! You remember that brunette we saw? That was her!”

Frank slowly sank down onto the bed. This was a little too much information for him to comprehend.

“Wow – who would have thought it! Like Aunt Gertrude always says…wonders never cease!” Frank smiled at his brother.

“Think we should tell Dad?” asked Joe, a frown creasing his forehead.

Frank didn’t answer right away, and he was still thinking about Joe’s question when there was a soft knock on the door. He knew it would be the girls.

“Not yet…let’s wait and see if he really is on vacation. For now…let’s enjoy our time off!” Frank opened the door to let Callie and Vanessa in.

“Ready to see The Pursuit of Happyness?” asked Callie as she and Vanessa walked in.

“Man…a chick flick!” sighed Joe as he fell back on the bed.

*****

The woman dabbed at her eyes with some tissue; her companion gently patted her shoulder. He glanced over at the other gentleman sitting behind the desk.

“My sister is taking our uncle’s illness very badly, Dr. Clayborne.”

“I understand, Mr. Buchannan. How long has he been suffering from dissociated disorder? You say he was seeing a psychiatrist?” Dr. Clayborne scribbled on a notepad.

“Yes, a Dr. Noah Blake – I wrote down his number on the admittance.” Mr. Buchannan smiled.

“Don’t worry; your uncle will be well taken care of here.”

Mr. Buchannan helped his sister up and then shook the doctor’s hand. They left the doctor’s office, sad expressions on their faces – and it wasn’t until they left the hospital building that they smiled at each other. Getting into the car they drove out of the parking lot, showing the guard their visitor pass. As the car turned the corner they passed a large sign: Riverview Hospital for the Mentally Insane.

*****

Fenton had bought the tickets to enter the Folklife Festival. He passed them out to Frank, Joe, Vanessa and Callie. He had pre-bought food tickets at the hotel.

“If you run out…you’ll have to buy your own!” Fenton chuckled softly when Joe let out a groan.

At first the group walked together but soon separated due to the large crowd. Joe kept a tight hold of Vanessa’s hand as they made their way through the crowd. They stopped to watch a Native American dance being performed. Joe put his arm around Vanessa’s shoulders to keep her close.

Callie was also holding tightly to Frank’s hand as they explored the different booths. The festival was being held at the Hemisphere Plaza, and Frank was trying to get over to the Texas Institute of Texan Culture. He finally made it to the entrance and led Callie inside. They breathed a sigh of relief when they felt the cool air. A small tour was starting and the two teens joined it.

Ten minutes after Callie and Frank had gone inside the building, Joe and Vanessa were about to go in when the younger Hardy saw someone he recognized.

“There’s someone I want to say hello to!” he told Vanessa.

Linda Green knew the Hardys were going to the festival, but she didn’t know what day. She knew that they could capture the brothers at the hotel but she wanted to observe them first. She had been searching for them and decided to get out of the heat for a few minutes when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

“Hi!” Joe gave her a friendly smile. “I was hoping to say ‘hello’ to Mr. Gray.”

Linda stared at him for a minute, then she gave him a puzzled look. “I’m sorry, you must have mistaken me for someone else.”

She turned to leave but Joe stopped her. “I saw you the other day – yesterday at the Market Square. You were with Mr. Gray – he said you and he were on vacation.”

“Look, I don’t know who this ‘Mr. Gray’ is…and I’m here with my husband. David – David darling, would you please come over here!”

A tall muscular man walked over. He stood four inches taller than Joe’s six foot height, and he glowered down at the younger Hardy brother.

“You bothering my wife, boy?”

“No…at least I don’t mean to. I was just asking Miss Green where my friend was,” Joe said, starting to get angry.

“My name isn’t Green…it’s Buchannan…Mrs. Buchannan.”

“Come on, Joe – let’s go.” Vanessa tugged on his arm.

Joe let himself be pulled away but he kept his eye on Miss Green/Buchannan. She was lying…he just knew it…but why?

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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.