"You can’t be serious!" Fenton Hardy exploded, causing bystanders to glance his way. "Con, you know that’s impossible! Joe? Joe could never do that!"

 

"Look Mr. Hardy," Con stated as calmly as he could, "We’re not accusing anyone. Joe’s prints were on the weapon. Mrs. Collig said he was with the chief last night. I need to talk to him, that’s all. I’m sure there is some kind of explanation for all of this!"

 

"Joe’s prints are on the gun," Fenton ran his hand through his dark hair. "Look me in the eyes Con, and tell me Joe’s not a suspect in Collig’s murder!"

 

Con Riley sighed. He hated what he was doing to the Hardy family. ‘Frank’s in bad shape here at the hospital and now I’m implicating Joe in a murder.’

 

* * *

 

Joe Hardy left the hospital through an emergency exit door. He started toward his van in the parking lot, but stopped dead in his tracks. Several police officers were near the van, trying to pick the locks to get inside. Joe backed up, retracing his steps, then slipped around the edge of the building.

 

As he turned the corner, a strong arm wrapped around his waist and a hand covered his mouth. Joe struggled until he heard a familiar voice tell him to relax.

 

The man behind Joe released him, but gently took hold of the boy’s arm, guiding him to a gray Ford, Taurus that was parked at the curb.

A second man opened the rear door of the sedan inviting Joe to move into the vehicle. As soon as Joe was seated inside the car, the two other men took the front seats and the car moved toward the exit ramp of the hospital parking lot.

 

* * *

 

"Where are the incompetent idiots you sent for me to use? I’ve not heard from them and I just saw the boy leave the hospital," the Game Master said in an agitated voice.

 

"They were dispensable," the Director stated, "You don’t need them anymore. Call the boy. He is on the run from the police by now. Set up a meeting, then call me with the location."

 

"Very well," the Game Master agreed, "I’m sorry that the game is about to end. It’s been most enjoyable. You will have my money ready when I deliver Joe Hardy to you?"

 

"Of course," the Director replied, "Half a million dollars if he reaches me alive."

 

* * *

 

Stephen Ambrose entered Frank Hardy’s room, surprised that the boy was looking much better than the last time he had seen him.

 

"Hello Frank," the man smiled at the youth, "I just saw your brother leaving. Where was he off to in such a rush?"

 

"I-I’m not sure," Frank whispered hoarsely, "I think Joe’s in t-trouble, Mr. Ambrose."

 

"Perhaps those police officers talking with your father know what’s going on," Stephen said, rubbing the brim of the hat he was holding in his hand. "I believe I’ll go ask. I do hope you will continue to get well Frank." Stephen Ambrose left the room, but headed away from Fenton Hardy and the police, choosing the same route from the hospital that Joe had used a few minutes before.

 

* * *

 

"I would advice that you get on the floor until we reach the main road," the Gray Man stated to the 17-year-old sitting beside him in the car. "We must go by several police officers on the way out of this parking lot." Joe Hardy nodded his blond head and squeezed his 6’ frame onto the floor in the back of the Taurus.

 

"Where are we going?" Joe asked, looking up at Gray, but keeping his head below the windows. Instead of answering, Gray handed Joe a watch.

"Keep this on at all times," Gray was saying, "It contains a tracing device so that we will know your constant location."

 

"Are you going to fill me in on what your plan is or leave me in the dark like you did with Collig last night?" the boy demanded, glaring at Gray. Gray looked into Joe’s deep blue eyes.

 

"I don’t like you very much, Joseph," the Gray Man stated, "You are far too temperamental and impertinent for my taste. I’ve learned to tolerate you because of Frank and because you are both honest and trustworthy. Right now, young man, I am trying to save your butt and capture a criminal who has managed to evade us for many years."

 

"The Game Master?" Joe questioned.

 

"Of course," Gray continued, "He wants you. I believe the Assassins hired him to bring you to them. It caught us by surprise. The Game Master was supposed to have retired. He has been inactive for the past three years."

 

"He came out of retirement to come after me? Why?" Joe asked.

 

"Hopefully, you will be able to help us find the answer to that question," Gray answered. "As soon as the Game Master learns that Collig is ‘dead’, he will contact you on that little cell-phone. He will offer you the antidote for Frank and insist on helping you escape from the police."

 

"In other words," Joe responded, "I’m your decoy." Joe Hardy moved from the floor onto the seat beside the Gray Man. "By the way Gray, I don’t like you very much either."

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.