"You can’t possibly be serious, Joe," Frank Hardy stated, staring at his younger brother, "Do you really think you can just walk onto the Wagner Ranch and ask for a job? Why would they hire you? You have no ranch experience at all."

 

"Frank, I don’t think Joe was quite finished yet," Fenton interjected, glancing first at Frank, then to Joe, "Go on, Joe."

 

Frank frowned as he watched Joe give their dad a quick smile. He was well aware of the fact that his father and brother had been through a frighteningly unique experience together, just over a month ago. He was certainly happy that his dad and Joe had grown closer because of it, but Frank couldn’t help but feel a bit left out. Was he jealous? ‘No!’ Frank thought, ‘I love both of them too much to let jealousy even try to threaten our relationships!’

 

"I did some research about Wagner’s ranch," Joe said, causing his father’s eyebrows to raise and Frank’s mouth to drop open. Joe smiled at the response, "Yes, I do know how to use the computer, I just don’t like doing it!" Both Frank and Fenton had to laugh as Joe continued.

 

"Anyway," Joe went on, "seems the Wagners are ‘good Samaritans’ of sorts. They are known throughout the community for hiring disabled and mentally challenged people to work in their stables." Fenton smiled again, impressed with Joe using the ‘politically correct’ terminology. "That’s how both Jimmy Mc Curdy and Carl Whitefeather got jobs there," Joe concluded.

 

"Okay. Maybe I jumped on you too soon. You obviously did some homework," Frank apologized, "But it still won’t work. You’re not perfect, Joe, but I don’t think you could fool someone into thinking you’re mentally challenged!"

 

"Thank you Frank," Joe said with a grin, "I’m so glad you think people couldn’t mistake me for someone who is mentally challenged!"

 

Frank couldn’t help but laugh. As untrue as it was, people often thought of Frank as the ‘smart’ brother, classifying Joe as something less. Though it was true that Frank was a straight "A" Honor student in high school, Joe kept a solid "B" average and was certainly smart in his own right.

 

"I don’t think I could fake that area, either," Joe continued, "but a physical disability could be much easier. Especially one I’m already familiar with."

 

"Joe, you are a great guy. You’re athletic and good looking and have a warm, friendly personality," Frank said, shaking his head, "but you are not an actor."

 

"I’m not so sure that’s true, Frank," Fenton said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "How often do you and Joe have to ‘become’ someone else on undercover assignments?"

 

"That’s different," Frank started to say, but quickly realized his father was right. "Okay, you got me there. What kind of disability are you thinking about?"

 

"I’ve already talked to my friend, Evan Meyer," Joe said, "I was at camp with him and his brother Eric. Eric and some of the other campers were deaf. To help us counselors communicate with the kids, Evan gave us lessons in sign language. Since I already know some sign, I figure Evan can teach me more. The rest I can fake."

 

Fenton had listened silently to Joe’s proposed plan. It had definite possibilities. If Joe were pretending to be deaf, people would feel free to speak around him. However, going with Joe’s plan would mean relying on Joe’s being "inside" the enemy’s camp without back up. The only way Fenton could allow this plan to be put into action would be to find a way for Frank to be near Joe.

 

Fenton took a deep breath. "Joe, contact Evan and see if he’s willing to work with you," Mr. Hardy stated, gaining a shocked glare from Frank and a smile from Joe, "Before you protest Frank, I think Joe’s idea is a good starting point. I’ll need to rethink some of it, but we’re going to build from Joe’s plan."

 

"He can’t go in alone!" Frank stated stubbornly. Fenton chuckled. It was usually Joe’s job to argue with him.

 

"You’re right," Fenton agreed, and put a hand up to silence Joe who was ready to jump on Frank’s comment, "I’ve got a lot to do to make the whole plan workable. If you gentlemen will excuse me now, I’ll get busy doing just that."

 

Frank and Joe exchanged grins. "Guess we’ve been dismissed, Brain!" Joe quipped.

 

"Looks that way, Brat!" Frank added with a short laugh as the boys left their father’s office together.

 

* * *

 

Travis Wagner walked out toward the horse stables, clucking his tongue in disgust. The wooden building was in need of repair. The paint was peeling, shutters were missing and shingles needed replaced. He needed a maintenance man to get the repairs done.

 

The stench of the horses greeted his nostrils as soon as he entered the stable. He walked through the large structure looking for his stall muckers.

 

Randy Sampson was 22 years old and had Down’s Syndrome. He was 5’ 10" and very strong. It was his third summer working for the Wagners. Ben Green was 20 and working for the first time at Wagner’s ranch. He also had Down’s Syndrome.

 

The boys had stepped outside for a break when they heard Mr. Wagner calling them. They both ran back inside to face their employer.

 

The boys came to an abrupt stop as they saw Mr. Wagner’s angry face glaring at them. "This place is a mess! What do I pay you for? You’re lazy and good for nothing bums! Get your gear and get out of here, you’re fired!"

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.