“Well, I’m 99.9% sure that I can. I’ve seen this model on the internet. It’s just a matter of pulling out the right colored wire,” Frank explained in a calm voice.

“And you know which one to pull out, right?”

“I’m pretty sure…” Frank smiled encouragingly at Joe who rolled his eyes heavenward.

“Oh good, you haven’t left yet,” said Laura as she approached the car.

Frank and Joe stared at each other in fright – Frank opened his mouth to warn his mother away but it was too late.

“Is there something wrong with your father’s car?” Laura’s eyes grew wide with fright when she saw the bomb. “I…guess there is.”

“Mom, go inside and let Dad know, then call Chief Collig and tell him to send the bomb squad.” Frank spoke in a calm voice.

“Frank…Joe…” Laura didn’t want to leave as she stared intently at her sons.

“We’ll be okay, Mom.” Joe gave her a little smile.

With great reluctance, Laura ran inside the house to get her husband.

Now that his mother knew about the bomb, Frank was reluctant to try and disarm it. He helped Joe lower the hood back down, then they both walked a safe distance away.

“You know – I was pretty mad at you for forgetting to get a new tire but now…I’m glad you didn’t!” Frank looked over at Joe, a mixture of relief and anger flitting across his face.

“It could have been Dad in that car…or Mom!!” In his mind’s eye, Joe could see another explosion, and he shut his eyes tight, trying to get the image out of his mind.

Frank heard a sharp intake of breath and turned to look at Joe. He saw the pained expression on his brother’s face and knew….Joe still saw the fiery explosion when he slept. Frank grabbed hold of Joe and pulled him into a tight hug – he could feel Joe trembling.

“It’s okay, Joe – I’m here…I’m here.”

“Frank…Joe.” Fenton called out.

When he heard his father’s voice Joe took several deep breaths and pulled away from Frank. He quickly wiped his eyes before giving his older brother a small smile. “Thanks,” he whispered softly.

“I’ve already spoken to Ezra and the bomb squad is on the way. I told your mother and aunt to stay inside. Exactly how did you find it?”

“I noticed that the hood wasn’t closed properly,” began Joe. “I walked over and intended to close it but…I don’t know. I got this funny feeling and had to look. That’s when I saw the wires and called out to Frank.”

“I’m glad you did!” Fenton said with relief. He then scrutinized his younger son’s face. “How are you doing, son?”

Joe wanted to respond with a flippant remark – to crack some kind of joke and pretend that he was fine – but he couldn’t. “I’ve been better but…I’ll be okay, I’ve got my family behind me.”

*****

Alice woke up early, a smile on her face. She had seen them last night and they had been in her dreams. She had been happy to see that the car was gone, which meant that Henry was not at home. That was good; now Alice didn’t have to sneak out of the house. She let out a happy sigh then threw the blankets off as she jumped out of bed. Taking a quick shower, she got dressed in a hurry. Not bothering with breakfast, Alice left the house. She had to see them again!

Not bothering to leave a note for Henry, Alice walked out the door. She walked over to a hedge, hidden inside of which was a ten-speed bike. She laughed happily. Henry didn’t know about the bike; she hadn’t told him about it.

She easily pedaled the bike the long distance to the Hardy home. The Southport Women’s Prison had a state-of-the-art gym and Alice had taken advantage of its use. As she neared the Hardy home she slowed down. Her heart began to pound with fear when she saw the police barricades set up a block away from the house. Several curious onlookers stood behind the barricades, Alice got off her bike and walked over.

“What happened?” she asked a young man.

“Can you believe it? Someone planted a bomb in my neighbor’s car!” The young man looked at Alice with an excited expression.

“Oh my, how awful! Who are your neighbors?”

“Fenton Hardy, he’s a famous detective. I live across the street from him. Actually it’s my parents’ home; they’re on vacation and I’m watching the house. Man, wait ‘til they hear about this!”

Thanking the young man for the information, Alice moved away. Henry had come home very late last night. She knew that he had wanted to get revenge on someone but he never said who that was. Could it have been Mr. Hardy? Or….A burning rage coursed through Alice.

Lies!

He had told her nothing but lies! Alice seethed with anger. Had he followed her? Was that why he helped her escape from jail? He had used her – used her to get back at her beloved! She had to find a way to see Frank and Joe. She needed to see that they were okay…still alive!

Getting back on her bike she turned down Summit and rode past a few houses. She stopped in front of one where it appeared no one was home. Walking alongside the house toward the backyard, she saw the adjoining backyard of the house she knew was on High Street. Figuring that house had been evacuated, Alice jumped the fence to get into the backyard. She made her way to the gate; there was a tall tree near it. Making sure no one was looking Alice climbed up the tree. She smiled, noticing that she could see the Hardy home. She needed to get closer – but how?

Alice’s heart began to beat faster when she saw them! They were walking towards her! It was as if they knew she was there and they wanted to reassure her that they were okay. Fenton and Laura walked behind them. The family stopped and turned to look at their home.

“I just can’t get over it! You could have been in that car – it was bad enough that Frank and Joe were almost in your place!” Laura said, her voice cracking in fear.

“Thank goodness for Joe’s gut feelings!” commented Frank. “Otherwise it would have been a disaster!”

“I want to know who is responsible!” growled Joe. “First someone tries to run down Vanessa and now someone plants a bomb in Dad’s car! I’m telling you…somehow these are connected!”

“I don’t see how,” said Fenton. “From what you told me, the driver had plenty of time to turn around and try again. But he...or she...didn’t.”

“Which means it was just some jerk like I keep telling you!” Frank gave Joe’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Suddenly they heard a commotion, and Fenton saw Collig signaling him over. “Looks like they disarmed the bomb. Stay here for now, though.”

Fenton smiled at his wife before running over to join Chief Collig.

Alice stayed hidden in the tree gazing fondly at the two men below. A few minutes later they walked away, back toward their home. She waited a minute before climbing down and heading back to her bike. As she rode back home one thought kept pounding in her head.

Henry had to be punished.

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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.