Hardy Boys Fan Fiction at the HDA - With or Without You

allie was seated comfortably on the couch, an afghan resting across her lap. Frank was fussing over her, making sure that she had everything she needed.

“Frank,” laughed Callie as he fluffed up the pillow behind her back. “Will you sit down!? I’m fine – the pillow is fine!”

“Frank let the poor girl rest!” scolded Aunt Gertrude, walking in carrying a tray which held a glass of milk and a slice of banana bread. She set the tray on the coffee table. “Thought you could use a little nourishment.”

“Thank you Aunt Gertrude.” Callie smiled at the older woman.

Frank, now sitting on the opposite end of the couch, looked a little contrite. “Has Joe called, Aunt Gertrude?” he asked.

“No he hasn’t and frankly I’m a little worried. He should have called by now – he told me before he left that he wouldn’t be gone too long.”

“Remember Auntie, Joe is with Vanessa and he tends to forget everyone else when he’s with her!” Frank gave his aunt a reassuring smile.

Aunt Gertrude let out a snort of disapproval but there was a teasing twinkle in her eyes.

Fenton and Laura – who had gone to the grocery store to pick up a few items for Gertrude – returned home. They had been out at the time Frank had called home.

“Hello Callie – I’m so glad that you weren’t badly hurt.” Laura walked over to give the young woman a hug while Fenton took the groceries into the kitchen.

Aunt Gertrude followed after him to make sure he had bought everything on her list, then shooed him out of the kitchen. He greeted Callie, then sat down in his recliner.

“So Callie, what exactly happened?”

Callie had to hide her smile when she saw Laura roll her eyes. Taking a sip of milk she began her tale.

*****

Andrea jumped out of her car and ran to her daughter. Falling to her knees she carefully rolled Vanessa onto her back. She let out a gasp when she saw blood on Vanessa’s forehead. Her hand shaking, Andrea placed her fingers on her daughter’s neck, and let out a sigh of relief when she felt a strong pulse. She almost cried out with joy when Vanessa groaned.

“Vanessa…baby…open your eyes, honey! Open your eyes for mommy!”

“M-Mom?” Vanessa’s eyes fluttered, then opened, staring blearily at Andrea.

“Oh baby – what happened – where’s Joe?!”

Vanessa began to breathe rapidly as she recalled the attack. “Joe…she hit…she hit him…then she…she hit me!”

‘She?’ She who? Andrea wondered. She pushed the thought away as her concern for Vanessa overwhelmed her.

“Vanessa, do you think you can get up and into the car? I’m going to take you to the hospital.”

“No, we have to call the police!” Vanessa cried as her mother helped her to her feet.

Andrea held tightly to Vanessa as she swayed slightly. The two women walked slowly over to the car – Andrea assuring Vanessa that they would call the police.

*****

Con Riley was at his desk finishing up his report on Callie’s hit and run accident when someone tapped his desk.

“Hey Riley – there’s some woman on the phone for you…an Andrea Bender.”

Andrea Bender – this wasn’t going to be good.

“Thanks, Cooper….Hello Mrs. Bender, Con Riley speaking.”

Con listened to Andrea, a growing horror coursing through him. Someone had attacked Vanessa...Joe was missing?! What was going on here?

Gertrude had just announced that dinner was ready when there was a knock on the door. The older Hardy woman let out an exasperated sigh.

“Sorry Gert!” said Fenton sheepishly, since he knew what his sister was thinking.

“It never fails, dinner is ready and someone comes knocking on the door to hire you!” Aunt Gertrude said in a huff.

Fenton opened the door, surprised to see Con Riley standing outside. He noted the man’s concerned face. “Con is something wrong? Did you find out some new information about Dr. Nicholson’s death?”

“No…but I’ve got some bad news. May I come inside? I think the rest of the family should hear this.”

Fenton moved aside to let Con in, and the two men walked into the living room where Laura, Frank, Callie and Aunt Gertrude still waited.

When Laura saw Con walk in and the sad, concerned expression on his face, her thoughts went immediately to Joe and Vanessa.

“Something’s happened to Joe and Vanessa – were they in a car accident?” Laura looked anxiously at Con.

“No…I mean…I don’t know.” Con took a deep breath. “Andrea Bender brought Vanessa to the emergency room. She found Vanessa lying on the side of the road. Vanessa had a head injury but there was no sign of the van or of Joe.”

Cries of disbelief and shock were heard from the small group. Fenton was the first to calm down. “Quiet everyone…Quiet! Let’s everyone calm down and let Con finish.”

“Did Vanessa see the culprit?” asked Frank.

“How did it happen?” Laura wanted to know.

“Apparently someone got inside the van. She and Joe didn’t realize it until they heard a woman scream and rush out from the back of the van. Joe slammed on the brakes trying to trip up the assailant but it didn’t work. Vanessa said that this woman hit Joe with a bat then attacked her…they fought for a bit until the woman pushed Vanessa’s head into the passenger window. Next thing Vanessa sees is the bat coming right at her, then coming to with her mom looking down at her.”

“Woman…what woman?! Did Vanessa give a description of her?” questioned Fenton.

“She’s giving a description to Officer Novak but Vanessa did say that she recognized the woman. Seems they met at the mall a few days ago and shared a booth at the Pizzeria.”

“Why would a stranger go after Joe and Vanessa?” wondered Aunt Gertrude.

*****

Alice opened the doctor’s bag and took out a small bottle. Smiling happily she walked downstairs to the basement and went over to the still form lying on the cot. She sat down on the footstool that she had brought down earlier and stared at the handsome face.

“It was a good thing Henry left his things here. I’m sorry I had to make you sleep but…I found something better…something that will keep you awake but still be nice to me.”

Alice brushed back Joe’s hair then gently caressed his face. And she was 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.