Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Frank Hardy was glad the ground was soft as he pushed the mooring stake into the earth. He quickly tied the tether rope to the planted stake then looked up to see a man walking toward him across the field from the nearby woods.

Behind him, Frank could hear Artie Fisher and Bert Gilbert anchoring their own balloon to the ground. Joe was on the other side of the Mc Intyre gondola, planting another stake for mooring.

Frank stayed in the shadow of the balloon as he watched the man approach. He recognized Ryan Wagner and called out to Joe in a hushed whisper. "Joe! Go around the other side of the basket," Frank ordered with a nod in Wagner’s direction. Joe caught on immediately and nodded to Frank, then crept around the far side of the basket.

Fisher and Gilbert noticed what was going on and hid behind their own basket. They knew that Frank and Joe would go after Ryan Wagner, so Artie and Bert would take care of both balloons.

Frank waited until Ryan was about 10 feet from the balloon before standing to his full 6’1" height. Ryan took one look at Frank ‘Fredricks’ and turned running back towards the woods. Frank and Joe both took off after Ryan, following the man into the woods that lined the open field.

* * *

Ronnie Benson and Agent Jackson pulled into the gravel driveway of the Hiller Ranch. Ronnie felt his stomach lurch as he glanced at the machine barn. He pushed all thoughts of Collin Anderson aside as he headed down a dirt trail that led to the back acre of the ranch, with Fenton Hardy right behind him.

* * *

Sheriff Colt Tanner crawled painfully out of the taxicab that was idling in front of Collin Anderson’s house. He paid the cabbie and pulled his crutches out of the back seat. Colt hobbled down the drive way and onto the back porch of the house.

"Colt Tanner! You are insane!" cried Becky Watson with a grin, "I know your doctor didn’t discharge you. You look awful!"

"Thanks, Becky," Colt said with a grimace, "All I was doing in that hospital was layin’ around. Figured I could do that just as well with my nieces."

"Uncle Colt!" cried three voices in perfect unison as the Kai girls ran into the kitchen to greet Tanner. "We are so glad to see you!" Sarah said, tears brimming her dark eyes, "How is your foot?"

Colt explained that his foot was all stitched up and would be good as new in a few weeks. There had been no permanent damage to the nerves or tendons in the ankle.

He looked at Becky. "I’m terribly sorry about Collin. He sounded like someone I would have liked very much."

"Thanks," Becky replied softly, "If the Hardys can clean up all this mess in Silverthorne, then Collin’s death won’t be in vain."

"Any word from them or Ronnie?" Colt asked.

"Ronnie called," Becky answered, putting a cup of fresh coffee in front of Tanner, "There was a big bust at the Wagner Ranch. Ronnie called in the FBI and they arrested the sheriff, Deputy Downing, Travis Wagner and Lance Mc Intyre. Unfortunately, Cindy’s still missing and Frank and Joe are stuck on a run-away hot air balloon."

Colt’s ruggedly handsome face took on a perplexed expression, "How are they getting those kids down from that balloon?"

"Don’t know," Becky replied, "’Spose Ronnie will call again when he can."

"Ryan Wagner’s not been caught yet?" Colt asked, then sipped the black coffee in his cup.

"No," Becky said, shaking her head, "Do you think he might have Cindy somewhere?"

"Possibly,"Colt said softly, but then he banged his fist on the table, "I feel so stinkin’ helpless!" Becky came behind the man and put a friendly hand on his shoulder.

"Colt," she answered quietly, "You found Collin."

* * *

Joe Hardy, having not fully recovered from his earlier ordeal, fell in behind Frank as they pursued Ryan Wagner. Frank had his eyes locked onto the back of Ryan’s red, plaid shirt. He pumped his legs hard, determined to catch up with the murderer.

Ryan didn’t know what the ‘Fredricks’ boys were doing in Mc Intyre’s balloon, but he knew it couldn’t be good. ‘More loose ends,’ the man grumbled to himself. He reached inside the front waistband of his jeans and pulled out his small .32 pistol.

Frank heard Ryan’s gunfire and felt the first bullet whiz past his left ear. Two more shots rang out as Frank slowed down and moved into a crouch, still following the rancher.

"Joe!" Frank called out, "Ryan’s got a gun!"

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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.