Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Joe was hot and sweaty and it was only 10 o’clock in the morning. He paused from his task to wipe his brow with the edge of his t-shirt. Joe suddenly sensed that he was being watched. He resumed shoveling the rancid straw out of the stall, ignoring the urge to turn and look around.

The sweet smell of cherry pipe tobacco wafted into the stall Joe was cleaning. Whoever was watching him was no longer keeping it a secret.

Joe turned and looked around the long row of stalls. Lance Mc Intyre was standing a few stalls down watching Joe carefully. Joe smiled at the man and walked closer to him.

"Did you need me for something, Mr. Mc Intyre?" Joe asked, careful to put just enough slur in his voice.

Lance peered curiously at the blond youth, "How’d you know I was in here?" he asked.

Joe touched the side of his nose and said, "I smelled your tobacco."

Lance grinned, "Yeah, shouldn’t be smokin’ ‘round all this straw. No Joe, I don’t need you for anythin’. Just checkin’ to see how you’re makin’ out. The Sampson kid’ll be here soon to help you." He clapped Joe on the back and headed out into the morning sunshine.

* * *

Frank had finished striping old paint off of the shutters and was headed back to the shed for the primer he was to paint them with. He paused at the stable door and looked for Joe. Not seeing him, he headed back to the locker room.

Inside, Frank immediately looked at the lockers and each name taped across each door. Glancing quickly at each door, Frank extracted a small lock-pick and began working on a small lock attached to one of the doors. Hearing a noise outside the stable door, he immediately tucked the pick back in his pocket. The next instant, the door swung open and a pair of questioning blue eyes gazed at the young sleuth.

Lance Mc Intyre glanced at Frank, and then at the locker the boy was in front of; the name Ryan Wagner was written on the tape across the top of the door. "Somethin’ you be needin’ Frank?" the man asked.

"No sir," Frank casually smiled, "Just finished cleaning the shutters and I was headed out to the shed for paint, but thought I’d check on Joe first."

"He’s over in the East wing," Mc Intyre replied, coming into the room.

"Oh," Frank chuckled, "I remember now. Guess I’ll head over there then, since I don’t need to check the work schedule now." Frank quickly retreated to the stable and ran toward the East wing.

* * *

After dropping off his sons at the Wagner Ranch, Fenton Hardy drove into Silverthorne. He parked in front of ‘Becky’s Diner’, hoping to catch Deputy Ronnie Benson. Fenton was in luck; as he exited his jeep, Benson strode out of the diner.

"Deputy," Mr. Hardy called out, walking up to the young officer, "I really need to talk with you."

"Mornin’ Mr. Fredricks," the deputy greeted, "I’m sorry. I’ve got to check in with the sheriff and get on my patrol."

"I understand," Fenton said with a smile, "Do you think you could come out to my place after your shift is over?"

Ronnie’s mind immediately went to the conversation he’d just had with Becky Watson and his promise to check the Hiller Ranch. He replied, "I kinda have plans for this ev’nin’, Mr. Fredricks."

Fenton moved slightly closer to the officer and lowered his voice, "Deputy, I promise that what I have to discuss with you will be well worth your canceling your previous plans."

Ronnie peered into Fenton’s deep brown eyes and thought, ‘Why do I feel like I should trust this man? There’s a feeling of familiarity about him that I can’t put my finger on.’

"Alright," Ronnie answered, "I’ll be by your place around six."

* * *

Randy Sampson had been later for work than usual because of a dentist appointment. By the time he arrived, Joe had already been cleaning the stalls in the East wing for almost 2 hours.

Randy saw Joe Fredricks working in the stalls and smiled. He remembered that Mr. Mc Intyre said Joe couldn’t hear. Randy crept up to the stall beside where Joe was working. He picked up a handful of foul smelling straw from the yet to be cleaned stall. Peeking at Joe from his hiding place, Randy suddenly jumped in front of the blond boy and threw the smelly straw at his chest.

Joe had both heard and seen what Randy was up to, but to act on that knowledge would have given away his cover. Instead, he pretended to be shocked at Randy’s playful attack. When the straw struck him, Joe stumbled backward, falling into the pile of fresh straw on the floor.

Randy howled with laughter, slapping his thigh, he said, "You’re not only deaf, you’re dumb, too!

Joe pretended to be angry, giving Randy a hard stare, "You play around if you want to, Randy," Joe stated, "But I don’t plan to get fired on my first day!" Joe brushed himself off and set right back to work.

Randy jumped in front of Joe and grabbed his arm, "Hey Joe, don’t be mad, okay?" the older stall mucker pleaded, "I’m sorry I scared you. I was just foolin’ around."

"Okay," Joe replied, giving Randy a quick grin, "Let’s just get to work and forget about it."

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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.