Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

“So I guess the chief was real happy to see you guys at the cave already,” Billy Moss said with a cocky smile. He had been moved out of the intensive care unit a few days after he was poisoned by Matoka Hrappowi.

“He was so totally thrilled,” Joe quipped with a grin. He and his brother had come to visit the CS investigator at the hospital, now that he was in a regular room.

“I can’t believe this has been going on right under our noses for at least four years,” Evelyn Saunders stated, sadly shaking her head. She’d hardly left Billy’s side during his duration in the ICU, and both Frank and Joe were well aware of the special glances Billy and Evelyn were exchanging.

“Looks like it took a couple teen investigators to come and open our eyes,” Billy nodded toward the Hardy brothers.

“If Joe and Biff hadn’t come across Campton’s body at Balcony House, we’d have spent the week camping like we’d planned on doing,” Frank modestly said.

“Poor Stan,” Billy added quietly. “Looks like he was just used by Matoka and Bull, and died for it.”

“Apparently,” Frank responded. “They both knew Stan was proud of his Native American heritage. They got him to rile up the others about the work being done in the canyon and start the protesting of I-Corp, even though Bull Byron was head of it. Stan even got Dave Kelhoyouma involved enough that Dave confessed to stealing some of Chris’s equipment. That helped keep the sheriff occupied.”

“Bull bailed Stan out of jail the first time the protesters were arrested,” Joe continued the story. “That gave him and Matoka some leverage with Stan. They needed someone working in the restoration department of Mesa Verde to help them smuggle the drugs out of the park. Bull helped Stan get a part-time job there and cut him in on their smuggling operation.”

“We can only surmise that Stan went along to hurt I-Corp and make a lot of money at the same time,” Frank concluded.

“How did Mark Campton get involved?” Evelyn questioned.

“Again,” Joe began, “we have to do a lot of speculation, but from the testimonies of Matoka and Bull, Mark Campton found the cave and confronted them. They apparently bribed him into working with them.”

“Both the sheriff and Catherine are inclined to believe that Mark was going along with them to collect information,” Frank added. “Neither of them felt that Mark was the type to get involved in a smuggling operation.

“That goes along with the evidence we found at Mark’s cabin. He was keeping track of what they were doing. No smuggler keeps records of their dealings where someone could find them so easily.”

“The night he was killed, Mark must have said something to Stan about telling Catherine what was going on,” Joe interjected. “Stan panicked and killed Mark, but wrote Catherine’s nickname in the dirt to imply that either Catherine or Dave had something to do with the murder.”

“Ah,” Billy dramatically sang out, “But he didn’t remember that Mark was left handed.”

“Exactly,” Frank smiled. “Catherine knew, but in all the excitement, it never registered where the name in the dirt was located.”

“If Miss Saunders hadn’t revealed that Mark was a south-paw, Catherine might have been arrested,” Joe added, nodding toward Evelyn.

“Did Matoka follow us up to Mark’s cabin?” Billy inquired.

“Yes,” Frank answered. “But that wasn’t his original plan. He was going to destroy the cabin because he was afraid Campton might have left something incriminating there.”

“He was already on his way to the cabin when he saw us and followed us there on horseback,” Joe went on. “He heard us talking about the CD and decided to kill us as well as burn the cabin.”

“You saved my life,” Billy gave Joe a smile, “For that I thank you.”

Joe blushed and shrugged, “You’d a done the same.

“By the way, the sheriff also matched the knife planted in Dave’s kitchen to the knife tip Miss Saunders gave you. Bull said that Stan planted it, but Longtooth believes Matoka told him where to plant it.”

“That’s good. Dave won’t be considered an accessory. Is he being charged for stealing the equipment from I-Corp?” Evelyn asked.

“No,” Frank shook his head. “Dave has given it all back to Chris and agreed to work with Chris in trying to preserve the natural beauty of Mesa Verde.”

“Speaking of Chris,” Joe patted his brother on the back, “we have to pick up the nervous groom. He wants to go with us to get Mom and Dad at the airport.”

The Hardys bid the CSI and the coroner goodbye and left the hospital.

“Nice kids,” Evelyn said softly, taking Billy’s hand in her own.

“Yup,” Billy grinned, pulling her closer. “Doc Saunders, I think I need a little mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.”

“Well, Mr. Moss,” Evelyn smiled, “I’ll see what I can do about that.”

* * *

The following morning, a large group of people were gathered on the Soda Canyon Overlook.

“This is absolutely beautiful,” Laura Hardy exclaimed as she snapped several pictures with her camera. “A perfect location for Chris and Catherine’s wedding.

“She’s a lovely girl, don’t you think Darling?”

“Yes,” Fenton agreed with his wife. “I believe she and Chris will be very happy together.” Laura looked at her husband and frowned.

“You’re thinking about that smuggling ring the boys helped break up, aren’t you?”

“I can never fool you, Love,” the detective smiled. “I’m really thinking how great the boys did on this case without the aid of their old man. They’re growing up too fast; it won’t be long until we’ll be planning their weddings...”

“Alright folks,” the young minister in a tailored sports jacket called out. “If we could all take our places, we’ll get this rehearsal under way.”

Joe Hardy started to move in step with the other groomsmen when he felt a tug on his arm. He was surprised to see Sheriff Longtooth.

“Sheriff?” Joe questioned, “Did you need something? I really need to get up front.”

“Just wanted to see you for a minute, Mr. Hardy,” the sheriff gazed across the mesa for a few seconds, but then turned to face Joe again.

“I know I apologized in the canyon for underestimating you and your brother,” the lawman began, “but I wanted to add to that.”

Joe raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“I wanted you to know that I intend on talking with your father. That’s the main reason I came out here today,” Longtooth explained. “I wanted to tell him what a fine job he’s done with you boys.”

He firmly shook Joe’s hand. “Thank you for your help.”

Stunned, Joe watched the sheriff walk away. He’d gone about six feet when he stopped and faced Joe again. “Oh, by the way,” the lawman grinned and gave the boy a wink, “you don’t have to pay for that rope you stole.”

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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.