Hardy Boys Fan Fiction at the Hardy Detective Agency Presents "In the Name of Love" by CQB

~~~PAST...
"Laura! Laura Daniels!" came a voice from nearby. Mrs. Laura Hardy turned and saw a man waving at her from across the manicured lawn of the city park. She was busy tying 5-year-old Frank’s shoes into double-knots so the pre-schooler could keep up with his ever-moving baby brother. Frank’s brother, 4-year-old Joe was a few feet away climbing on the monkey bars of the jungle gym.

"Go, Frank. Keep an eye on Joey!" Laura called, watching Frank race toward his brother. She knew Frank would watch after Joe; he took his role as the ‘big brother’ very seriously.

She glanced once again at her boys before turning toward the man that had called across the way a few moments before. She squinted as he came closer, trying to see his face clearly in the afternoon sun.

"I don’t believe it!" she cried, recognizing the young man, "Adam Whiteside! I haven’t seen you since you transferred from New York State to UCLA!"

"Laura," Adam smiled, giving the petite, blond woman a brief hug. "How have you been?"

"I’m doing well. But it’s not Laura Daniels anymore," Mrs. Hardy said, "I’m married."

"Who’s the lucky guy?" Adam asked, gazing intently into Laura’s blue eyes.

"Fenton Hardy. Do you remember him?" Laura asked, "We started dating right before you left for the West coast. He started at the Police Academy soon after that."

"Yes. It doesn’t surprise me that you ended up with one of the most popular guys around," said the auburn-haired man.

"Was that little boy yours?" he asked, glancing to where Frank was following his brother up the steps of the sliding board.

"Yes," Laura smiled at her two boys, "He’s my oldest, Frank. The curly-haired blond that’s going down the slide is my baby, Joey."

"Cute kids," commented Adam.

"I’m afraid I have to go, Adam," Laura smiled at the man, "Fenton will be home soon and I’ve got to get Joey down for a nap before dinner. It was wonderful seeing you again."

"I understand and it was good to see you, too." Adam smiled as he watched Laura round up her two boys. She scooped the small blond boy into her arms and firmly gripped the hand of the dark-haired boy. She turned and gave Adam a brief smile as they walked out of the park.

Joey Hardy was tired and it felt good to cuddle against his Mommy’s neck. He looked over her shoulder at the playground, wishing he could play there with Frank all day. Joey saw the man who had been talking to his mommy, standing on the sidewalk. The man looked right into Joey’s dark blue eyes. The child involuntarily shuttered. The man scared him. Joey closed his eyes and nuzzled closer against the safety of his mother’s neck.

~~~PRESENT...

"Hey, Frank! Take a look," exclaimed seventeen-year-old Joe Hardy, his dark blue eyes twinkling as he gazed out the front window of their century old house, "the new neighbors are moving in today!"

Frank Hardy, a year older than his brother, followed Joe’s lead and glanced toward the front yard of the house next door that had been empty for the past year.

"Maybe we should go say hello?" suggested Frank casually running his fingers through his thick, brown hair.

"Maybe you should go offer to help carry furniture or boxes for them?" came a voice from the living room doorway. Both boys turned to see their petite, blond mother standing there, with hands firmly planted on her narrow hips.

"Great idea!" agreed Joe with a grin, "We can check them out a lot closer!" Laura Hardy shook her head and smiled as her two sons dashed out the front door.

"Hello there, boys," greeted a cheery voice as the Hardys crossed the lawn, "I’m Walter Reed, but my friends call me ‘Red’. I used to have the hair that earned that nickname," the man chuckled, pointing to the short, cropped white hair that topped his 6’ 4" frame.

Frank noted that the man’s white hair made him appear to be older, but his muscular physic suggested a man not much older than their father, world famous detective Fenton Hardy.

"Hello Mr. Reed," Frank greeted, extending his hand to the man, "I’m Frank Hardy and this is my brother Joe." Mr. Reed shook hands with both the boys, warmly.

"We’re here to help you move in, Mr. Reed," Joe offered; he already liked Mr. Reed’s outgoing, friendliness.

"Wonderful!" the man exclaimed, clasping his hands together, "But only on two conditions can I allow you to help." His smiling face took on a grave seriousness. "First, you must call me ‘Red’. I won’t have any of this ‘Mr. Reed’ formalness, and secondly, I must be allowed to repay you for your efforts by having you over for dinner in the near future."

Frank and Joe exchanged a brief smile and agreed to Red’s terms. They spent the rest of the afternoon helping their new friend move his belongings into the house.

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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.