Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Later that same day, Fenton and Frank sat silently watching the news broadcast of the events that had taken place in Reedville. Though the sound was turned down low, they could clearly hear the shock in the voices of those interviewed.

Those who knew the Davenports couldn’t believe that Danny had committed such horrific crimes in their own community. The police confiscated the posters from Danny’s bedroom wall and were presently trying to identify those pictured.

Frank blushed as he watched Trista Kelly tell about his and Joe’s heroic efforts. She faced the camera at the end and wished them both a speedy recovery.

Frank felt his throat grow tight as Trista’s parents talked about Mary Beth Sherwood, the daughter of their closest friends and as the Murphy’s told what great people the Gales had been.

"I wish we could’a prevented their deaths."

Frank and Fenton turned in unison at the sound of Joe’s voice. Joe was watching the television, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Joe? Are you alright?" Fenton stroked his younger son’s cheek. "We’ve been worried sick about you."

"I’m okay, I think," Joe said softly. He glanced at his injured hand, "Guess I’m kinda glad things are a little fuzzy. I don’t remember much of what happened after the car crashed through the church."

Frank and Fenton gave Joe a condensed version of what had happened. Some parts came clearly to his mind while others were lost in the fog that had held him captive during much of that early morning.

They had just finished talking when a knock sounded again on the hospital door. A large bouquet of flowers filled the doorway and all three Hardys stared at the spectacle.

"Can someone help me with this?"

"Trista!" Joe and Frank called out together. Mr. Hardy immediately ran to help the petite girl. He carried the flowers into the room and set them down.

Trista Kelly stood awkwardly between the beds, a shy smile playing on her pretty lips.

"My folks brought me here," she began, glancing from brother to brother, "I just wanted…no, I needed to see you both. I needed to know you were okay and I needed to thank you for saving my life…twice."

"Twice?" Joe questioned, a puzzled look on his handsome face.

Trista giggled. "I love your expressions, Joe! Yes, twice. Of course, when you came to my house and broke in the back door, but also, as I think back on the first time we met, that…that crazy guy was there first. If you hadn’t come along, I might have ended up like…Mary Beth."

Joe shuddered inwardly, recalling the dark sedan and what might have happened if Danny had stopped to help Trista.

"Where will your family go?" Frank asked. "I know they won’t let you back in your house."

"Mom and Dad have already been looking for a place in Keen. Guess we’ll probably stay with the Sherwoods for now," Trista replied, "They can use the support now, anyway."

While the teens talked, Mr. Hardy slipped out in the hall to call his wife back home. He wanted to let her know that Joe was awake now and would be fine.

When Fenton returned to the room, Trista was gone. The boys were sitting silently, each apparently lost in his own thoughts.

"So, what are you two thinking about?" Fenton asked, sitting back down in the chair.

Frank and Joe exchanged a glance, then Frank spoke, "We can’t help but wonder about the ‘what if’s’. What if the documents had been ready and you took them with you instead of us taking them? What if we’d decided not to check out the mysterious light in the church? What if we hadn’t gone to the Gales house? What if we…"

"Stop right there," Fenton said firmly. "What happened, happened. You can’t go back and change anything. I’m proud of your actions. You both need to focus on the positive, not the ‘what if’s’."

"Guess you’re right, Dad, but…" Frank started.

"No," Fenton interrupted, "Trista, the Murphys and both of you are alive. That’s what’s important."

Joe glanced at Frank and grinned, a devilish twinkle in his sapphire eyes, "There is a way a lot of this could have been avoided, you know."

"And what might that be, young man?" Fenton asked, looking at them both and suppressing a smile.

"You could just buy Frank and me our own plane," Joe replied.

Mr. Hardy laughed, "Believe me, if I thought for one minute it would keep you two out of trouble, I’d buy one tomorrow. But knowing you guys, you’d still end up smack-dab in the middle of some mystery!"

~The End~

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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.