Joe couldn’t believe he’d let Vanessa talk him into getting up so early! If that wasn’t bad enough, they were awake for an early run around the park! He glanced over to watch Vanessa stretch before the run. Seeing her dressed in running shorts and a tank top was worth it, though!

Vanessa was doing some leg stretches when she caught Joe staring at her. She stopped to give him a stern glare. “Joe stop staring at me and get serious!”

“Oh, I am serious!” leered Joe.

The corners of Vanessa’s mouth twitched as she tried not to laugh. She shook her head then finished with her leg stretching. Vanessa shook her head and started to walk, Joe followed after her – after a ten minute walk, they started their run.

*****

Frank couldn’t stop chuckling to himself – he couldn’t believe that his younger brother would get up so early in the morning. How Vanessa convinced Joe to go running...Frank laughed softly.

“What’s so funny?” asked Aunt Gertrude as she handed Frank a plate piled high with scrambled eggs and bacon.

“I can’t believe that Vanessa talked Joe into getting up so early, much less jogging!” Frank replied as he finished buttering his toast and then thanked his aunt.

“Love will do strange things to people,” chuckled Aunt Gertrude, joining Frank at the kitchen table.

“Good morning Frank…Gertrude – I’m sorry Gertrude, I hadn’t meant to sleep this late!” said Laura when she walked into the kitchen.

Aunt Gertrude let out a snort: “I’d be sleeping in late too if my husband of twenty-seven years came home after a month-long absence! You and Fenton had some cuddling time to make up!”

Frank sputtered and choked on his coffee; he started to cough as he tried to catch his breath. “Aunt Gertrude that is not a visual I wanted this early in the morning!” he gasped.

“Really, Frank – how do you think you and Joe came into this world?!” Aunt Gertrude gave out another snort.

“Is Joe still upstairs sleeping?” Laura thought it best to change the subject.

“No, he actually got up before I did!” grinned Frank. “He went out jogging with Vanessa.”

A smile crossed Laura’s face while she silently poured herself some coffee.

“What time did Dad come in? It must have been pretty late, considering I didn’t get to bed until after eleven.”

“A little after midnight I think. I’m just glad that case is done.”

Before Frank could ask another question, he was interrupted by the ringing of the phone. He held his hand up, indicating that he would answer it. “Hello, Hardy residence.”

“Hey, Frank! I just got through helping my dad with some chores…do you and Joe want to head out to the beach?”

“That depends on Joe and if he and Vanessa made other plans, Chet,” chuckled Frank. “Vanessa got him up early to go jogging.”

“Joe…blond, blue eyes, loves to sleep in late, Joe?”

“The one and the same!” Frank was trying not to laugh.

“Wow…miracles can happen!”

“Why don’t I give you a call later and let you know when he gets back?”

“Okay, that sounds good. I’ll call and see if the rest of the gang can come.”

“Is Biff back home? I know Phil isn’t, he won’t be back until next week.”

“Biff came in last night. We were talking until almost midnight, which is why he didn’t call you or Joe.”

“I’m glad he’s back – it’ll be good to see him again.”

“Call me when Joe gets back, bye!”

“Bye, Chet.” Frank hung up the phone then returned to his breakfast.

Joe arrived ten minutes later, heading straight upstairs to take a shower. He came back down freshly clean and dressed in a T-shirt and jeans.

“How was the run?” asked Fenton who had gotten up while Joe was in the shower.

“I don’t know…I’ll let you know when I’m fully awake.”

Joe sighed as he lowered himself onto the sofa. He scrunched down and lay with his head back against the soft cushion. Suddenly his eyes opened wide: “Dad…when did you get back?!”

Fenton burst out laughing.

“He can’t help it, Dad – Joe didn’t get his usual fourteen hours of beauty sleep,” chuckled Frank, walking into the living room.

“Vanessa and I are heading out to the beach later – you and Callie want to come?” Joe chose to ignore Frank’s comment.

“Funny you should mention that. Chet called while you were out and he suggested the same thing. By the way, Biff is back home.”

“Cool – did you talk to him?”

“No but Chet did. They talked pretty late – are you up to going to the beach?”

“Of course – gotta work on my tan! Looking this good takes work!” Joe grinned.

Frank rolled his eyes while Fenton snorted with laughter. “I guess this means we’re going to the beach?”

“Just let me find my swim trunks and I’m good to go!” Joe jumped off the sofa and ran upstairs.

*****

The inmate was led down to the infirmary, a guard on each side, her hands and legs cuffed, causing her to shuffle down the hallway. She was quiet and listless – which caused her guards to be cautious.

They arrived at the infirmary, passed a few empty beds, and walked towards a closed door.

“Doctor Samuels, we’ve brought your patient. Be careful – she’s been awfully quiet.”

“Thank you, Ms. Daniels – I think we can dispense with those chains.”

The two guards glanced at each other. Ms. Daniels was about to protest.

“It’s all right, ladies…I know what I’m doing. She won’t hurt me.”

Ms. Daniels shrugged – if he wanted to live dangerously who was she to stop him? Taking out her keys she unlocked the leg chains, then the cuffs.

“Close the door on your way out.”

Following the doctor’s orders, the guards left the office, closing the door behind them.

“Why don’t you take a coffee break,” said Ms. Daniels to her partner.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, go on…what could happen?”

“Okay, thanks – I could really go for a smoke!”

Ms. Daniels walked over to the infirmary nurse, thinking that since she was still near the doctor’s door, she was close enough if any problems came up.

Dr. Daniels stared at the young woman sitting on the chair. Her once lustrous brown hair hung limply. He walked over to her and squatted down. “You need to stop these tantrums. I can’t help you if they have to keep you sedated. Soon, my pet…soon you’ll be free.”

“And you’ll take me to them – just like you promised?” whispered the young woman.

“Just like I promised.”

A slow smile appeared on the woman’s face.

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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.