and Hardy Boys Rendezvous Presents:
hardy boys fan fiction
CONTRACT FOR A DEAD MAN
3rd Place - McFarlane Location Contest
- 2004
hardy boys nancy drew fan fiction
by
CQB
Chapter
11
hardy boys fan fiction
THE CHAPTERS
"‘Sherlock’," he said in a loud whisper, "this is ‘Wiz’. ‘Jock’ is inside. I repeat, ‘Jock’ is inside, over."
"Confirmed, ‘Wiz’," crackled a voice over the radio. "Stay put. Wait for word from ‘Pizza’, over."
Fenton Hardy rubbed a hand over his mouth. Like Joe, he had some serious doubts about their spontaneously devised plan. Unfortunately, time was not on their side and the Hardys had to work quickly. He and Joe had reluctantly recruited their friends to help, knowing that the killer would make good on his threat if the police got involved.
He was so far away from the boys now and wouldn’t be able to help them. He had to wait for Joe to lead the hit man into the trap.
He reviewed the plan as he waited. Tony Prito was watching the backside of the mill. They would know when Joe and the killer left the mill. They would also know if Frank was with them or whether the killer would leave him behind, insuring Joe’s cooperation. If Frank was not with them, Tony and Biff were to move in on the mill and search for Frank. Phil would stay outside as a guard, in the event that the killer would return to the mill.
Tony was well hidden in an oak tree behind the mill. He could clearly see the trap door Joe had told them about. He would also be able to see them if they left through the front door. Either way, they would have to come by him to reach the pit that led to the cave.
* * *
Joe’s eyes opened wide in horror as he saw Frank’s hands tied to a large beam above his head. Frank’s robe had been removed and taped across his chest was a device that Joe instantly knew was a bomb.
"I have the detonator with me," Poole said, still standing behind Joe and whispering in his ear. He was close enough to Joe to feel the younger boy trembling. From fear or from anger or both, it didn’t matter. Poole knew he had Joe Hardy’s full cooperation.
"If anything goes wrong, I’ll blow your brother into a million little pieces," Poole continued.
Joe was cold with fear. He couldn’t stop shaking as he thought about their plan. He needed to warn the guys and his dad about the bomb, but how?
Frank watched helplessly as Poole led his brother into the upstairs room at the mill. Frank knew how Joe would react. He only prayed that his brother wasn’t alone. If Joe was acting alone, they were as good as dead.
He felt a weird mixture of anger toward Poole and guilt for Joe, as he watched Joe’s horrified expression. He saw the pure pleasure in Poole’s cold eyes as the killer spoke quietly to his brother.
"Hold on Frank," Joe finally said, locking eyes with his brother. "I’ll be back." Joe and Poole left the room and Frank felt hot tears fall from his eyes. He was sure he’d never see his brother or his family again.
Joe led Poole out the trap door and toward the pit over the rise. He walked with a confidence he didn’t feel, casually glancing around for some clue as to where Tony might be hiding. He spotted a large oak and realized it offered an excellent vantage point. Taking a deep breath, Joe went into action.
"Why? Why’d you have to strap a bomb to my brother?" Joe shouted angrily, turning quickly to face Poole. Poole was momentarily stunned and stopped walking. The blond boy was shaking, tears streaming down his face.
"Shut up and keep walking," Poole said as he gathered his wits again. Joe shook his head as if resigning to fate. He turned, keeping his head downcast and resumed walking. Behind him, Poole smiled with delight. ‘I might keep this kid around awhile. Maybe torture his brother in front of him. It would be a reward after all this work.’
As Joe passed under the oak tree, a small acorn purposefully hit his shoulder. Hiding a smile, Joe kept walking, knowing that Tony Prito had gotten his message.
* * *
"Walsh!" Mr. Hardy called into the cave he’d found, exactly as Joe had directed him. "It’s okay! My name is Fenton Hardy. You met my sons, Frank and Joe. I’m here to help you!"
Mike Walsh recognized the name, but could he trust this man to be who he said he was? He grabbed a cast iron frying pan that he’d ‘borrowed’ from the mill and crept along the wall of the cave.
"Walsh, I know you’re frightened," Mr. Hardy continued to call, "but we need to work together if we’re going to help you."
Soon, Walsh saw three men come into view. The man in the center continued to call out Mike’s name. Mike smiled as he realized the man looked like the Hardy boys he’d met the day before. Keeping the pan hidden behind his back, Mike walked toward Mr. Hardy and the other two men.
"Where are your boys?" Walsh asked as he approached the men.
"Your hit man
has Frank," Fenton answered, keeping his emotions in check.
"And hopefully, Joe is leading him here right now."
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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.