Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Homer Chotto’s body was brought to the Sullivan Brother’s Funeral Home in Silverthorne. There would be no wake, viewings or service for the drifter. State monies would be used to bury the man in an obscure corner of the local cemetery. No headstone would mark his grave and no mourners would gather to say goodbye.

The cause of death was listed as a skull fracture. Sheriff Williams surmised that Chotto had probably hit his head on a tree or rock. He issued a statement for the Sentinel, saying the death was accidental.

Becky Watson sat in her GMC pick-up truck watching the cemetery workers bury Homer Chotto’s remains. She brushed a tear from her cheek and was about to put the truck into gear when movement on the far side of the cemetery beside a grove a trees caught her eye.

Deputy Ronnie Benson was watching the burial from the nearby trees. Benson was having a difficult time swallowing what happened to Chotto. He’d done some checking around the area where the body was found. There was no evidence that supported the sheriff’s theory that Homer’s death was accidental.

‘Maybe I’m just suspicious ‘cause Collin’s missin’,’ the young deputy pondered, ‘but I feel like somethin’s very wrong here in Silverthorne, and I aim to get to the bottom of it!’

* * *

The Hardy men had spent the previous evening talking at length with Colt Tanner and Cindy Kai. Now over a hearty breakfast, they discussed what was said.

"Tanner and his sister both agree with our theory that Collin Anderson didn’t leave town willingly," Fenton said between sips of coffee, "No one with his love for a pet would have left Lucy without providing for her care."

"Do you both have the impression that there is something special between Deputy Anderson and Miss Becky Watson?" asked Joe, looking at his father and Frank.

"I think Joe’s right on that one," Frank added. "Why would he leave town and not tell his girlfriend or his partner? Dad, what’s your gut feeling about Anderson?"

Fenton sighed, "I’m inclined to believe the man is probably dead." He paused and looked deeply into the eyes of each of his sons. "If that’s true, we are all in even greater danger than we originally thought."

"The Wagners don’t know who we are or why we’re really here," Frank responded. "But someone might question Sheriff Tanner’s sudden appearance."

"Frank, remember what I taught you boys early on when you started doing detective work," Mr. Hardy chided, "Never assume anything. We don’t know for sure that the Wagners are the guilty party here, or if they are, maybe they aren’t alone in this mess."

"You’re right Dad," Frank replied, "I was jumping to conclusions. That’s usually Joe’s department." Frank gave his brother a teasing grin, but the younger Hardy wore an uncharacteristically somber expression.

"It’s like you predicted, Dad," Joe said, "We’re stirring up a hornet’s nest, and anyone of us could get stung."

* * *

"I saw you at the cemetery, Ronnie!" Becky Watson fiercely whispered, "You know somethin’s not right! I’d bet my last dollar that Williams is smack dab in the middle of it all, too!"

"Hush now, Miss Becky," Ronnie Benson hissed back, silently agreeing with the woman, "You keep talkin’ like that and we’re both gonna end up like Chotto!"

The two friends were arguing in the kitchen of the diner. Becky had already confided in Benson concerning the conversation Homer had started when she last saw the man.

"I think that slime Downing’s involved, too," Becky added, "He had Homer shook-up for sure."

"After my shift is over today, I’ll check out the Hiller place," Ronnie promised, heading for the rear door.

"Watch your back, Miss Becky," Ronnie advised as he walked out the door, "Whoever might have killed Chotto probably knows he talked to you."

* * *

Frank and Joe ‘Fredricks’ reported to work at the Wagner Ranch early Monday morning. Lance Mc Intyre met the boys at the stable and had them each select a locker. He gave Joe a pair of thick rubber boots that could be pulled on over his shoes and a pair of heavy canvas gloves. He handed the younger Hardy a shovel and a pitchfork. Lance then showed Joe the work order and found Joe’s name on it. Joe thanked the foreman and immediately set to work in the East wing of the stable.

Mc Intyre escorted Frank to a tool shed near the rear of the stable. Inside the shed, building supplies were stacked neatly. Lance also issued Frank a pair of gloves and a carpenter’s belt.

"You should have a hat," the foreman stated, glancing outside at the morning sun, "It’ll get mighty hot when you’re up on the roof. Work down below today and start the roof work tomorrow. I’ll find you a hat by then." Like his brother, Frank got right to work, scraping old paint off of the shutters of the stable.

* * *

Things were getting out of hand. ‘You just can’t keep killin’ people right and left ‘cause they know too much!’ the man thought. He rubbed his temples and felt the beginning of a major headache coming on.

"I just don’t know if this is worth it all," the man sighed.

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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.