Hardy Boys Fan Fiction at the Hardy Detective Agency

Joe Hardy decided to meet the Gray Man by himself. He didn’t want the Network to know that Phil Cohen and Vanessa Bender were helping him. Joe dropped Phil and Vanessa off at the Bender’s house, where Phil picked up his own car and headed for home. The trio made plans to meet at Joe’s house the next day.

Joe got to the park entrance at ten minutes until eight. Since Gray hadn’t specified a particular location within the park, Joe parked the van near the entrance. He picked up a backpack from the floor of the van and went over to sit on a bench. The plastic bag with the juice samples, the letters and cell phone from the ‘Game Master’ and the package that was delivered in the van that afternoon were tucked securely in the backpack that remained slung over Joe’s shoulder.

At precisely eight o’clock, a non-descript man in a gray suit sat down beside Joe on the bench. The park looked deserted except for the two of them.

"Tell me what’s going on," Joe demanded of the small man. The Gray Man, a top operative of the secretive, highly classified anti-terrorist organization called the Network, looked intently at the blond youth beside him. Having worked on occasion with the Hardy brothers in the past, he knew Joe Hardy’s temperament. Joe was an impulsive, stubborn, hot-tempered young man, but under that tough guy exterior, was a sensitive, emotional boy who loved his brother more than his own life.

"Right to the point as usual," Gray stated. "Our operatives have intercepted several correspondences between known associates of the Assassins. These have all indicated that you and Frank have been targeted for elimination. They plan to kill Frank using some kind of poison. Somehow, you are to end up in prison or, be given the option of joining them." Joe stared at the man.

"When were you planning to let Frank and me know that our lives were in danger?" Joe asked, giving the man a hard, steely glare.

"I’ve told you all that I’m at liberty to say," the Gray Man replied. "Tell me what you know." Joe shook his head in disbelief. If he didn’t need Gray to help with finding an antidote for the poison, he would have walked away right then.

Joe told Gray about Frank’s current condition, showing him the letters and cell phone. He gave Gray the juice samples and then pulled out the envelope that was found in the van that very day.

"I’ve been afraid to open it. I think they want me to kill someone." Joe said, holding the envelope as if it was contaminated.

"Open it now," Gray said. Joe carefully opened the padded envelope. He paused for a minute before working up the nerve to peer inside.

"Oh no," the boy said, his face draining of color. The Gray Man took the package from Joe’s hand and looked inside.

A forty-five-caliber snub-nose Taurus pistol and a full clip of shells caught his attention, at first. But, the 8"x10" photo of Bayport Police Chief Ezra Collig is what held Gray’s attention for several minutes.

* * *

He didn’t like making changes. Now the game would have to end prematurely. The boy had been a lot smarter than the Assassins had given him credit for. ‘Because of their stupidity, I underestimated the boy,’ the Game Master sighed. It had been fun playing with Joseph Hardy, but now the Assassins wanted the boy. ‘Perhaps we can play one more round before the Assassins take him from me,’ the man pondered. ‘Yes. One more play of the game.’

* * *

The Gray Man had taken the juice samples but gave everything else back to Joe, telling him to hide them securely. Gray then told Joe to go about his normal routine until he contacted him about the poison. Joe had almost laughed when Gray said ‘normal routine’. Nothing about Joe’s life was normal at the moment. Joe drove to the hospital.

When Joe Hardy stood at the door of his brother’s hospital room, he never expected to see Chief of Police Ezra Collig standing next to the bed. Joe froze when he saw the police officer talking with his dad. It took Joe a minute to realize that neither his dad nor Collig had any knowledge of the gun, picture and instructions for the murder of the chief that were safely hidden in a secret compartment in the van.

Joe took a deep breath and entered the room. Mr. Hardy saw Joe enter and went to his son’s side. Joe couldn’t believe that the person on the bed was his brother. Frank’s skin was as white as the sheet he lay on, his lips tinged blue and his eyes closed. Frank Hardy looked dead. Only the hiss of the respirator and the steady beeping of the heart monitor assured Joe that his brother was still alive.

Joe felt his father’s arm around him and he began to tremble. ‘This isn’t happening! Frank can’t die! I’ve played the game by their rules! Frank can’t die!’ Joe’s mind screamed. A deep sob escaped from Joe’s lips, followed by another. Soon the sobbing was coming so hard that he couldn’t breathe.

Fenton Hardy pulled Joe into a chair, and then cupped his hands over his son’s nose and mouth to keep Joe from hyperventilating. "Easy Joe; Just breathe," Mr. Hardy said soothingly. Joe closed his eyes and the tears came. Fenton embraced his younger son, knowing that as Frank lay dying, part of Joe was dying with him. Joe clung to his father, seeking both strength and comfort.

Ezra Collig watched Fenton and Joe, feeling like a peeping tom to this private moment. He wanted to talk to them, but it could wait until a more suitable time. Collig slipped silently from the room.

Let the author know what you think of this story

Started: June 4, 2003

Home Library Authors Rogue's Gallery Vehicles Chums Message Board Rap Sheet Links Contact

Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors 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.