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

–PAST...
Laura Hardy froze. She looked apprehensively at Adam Whiteside, who was still holding her 4-year-old son. How would he react to hearing Fenton’s voice?

"Well," Adam smiled at Laura, "Seems Fenton finally has arrived! Some detective he turned out to be!"

Laura sighed inwardly and followed Adam to the cave entrance. Laura only hoped that Fenton knew what he was doing. ‘Maybe he’s already figured out Adam’s involvement in Joey’s abduction,’ Laura thought.

"Hardy!" Adam called out, exiting the cave. He spotted Fenton along the rocks, about 30 feet away. Adam was surprised that Fenton had brought the police.

Laura Hardy gave her husband a concerned look, but Fenton gave her a barely perceivable nod, a signal that she should trust him, no matter what happened. Adam began walking toward Fenton with the child still in his arms, and Laura following.

When he was about 10 feet away from Mr. Hardy, Sam Radley and the police, Adam came to a stop. He glared at Fenton. "Hardy," he said accusingly, "You failed your family. You let your son be kidnapped right under your nose, then you couldn’t even find him!"

Officers Collig and Riley had made their way to the other side of the cave entrance and were now behind Whiteside and Mrs. Hardy.

"Laura deserves better than you," Whiteside continued, "She was mine before and you stole her away. I never should have left. I should have stayed and married her myself." Laura stared at Adam in complete shock. Though they had known each other in college, Laura had never dated Adam or felt anything for him other than a casual friendship.

"I’m sure she now sees you for the weak, pathetic excuse of a husband you really are," Adam ranted. "She doesn’t want you anymore Fenton! I’m her hero now. I saved her baby!"

Collig and Riley crept up behind Laura Hardy. She glanced at them and her eyes grew wide. Collig signaled for her to remain quiet and not give away their position.

Fenton Hardy saw the police behind Laura. He needed to get Joey out of Whiteside’s arms. He decided to play into the man’s delusions.

"You’re right, Adam," Fenton said, "I’m a failure. I’m sure Laura would rather be with you now. I’ll not stand in the way, but I have one request."

"Go on," Adam urged.

"Please let me hold Joey one last time," Fenton asked in his most sincere, pleading voice.

~ ~ ~ PRESENT...

"Look at these Dad!" Frank Hardy called out excitedly, placing three sheets of paper on the kitchen table. Fenton and Laura Hardy, Sam and Ethel Radley and Gertrude Hardy all came in and peered at the pictures Frank had set out.

Frank explained each picture, and how Chief Collig had made the connection between Adam Whiteside and ‘Red Reed’. "I can get on my computer and try to track down relatives of Whiteside." Frank stated.

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" Mr. Hardy cried out, banging his fist against his own forehead, "I’ve been totally blind! I missed it!"

The others stared helplessly at the distraught man. "What’s wrong Dad?" Frank asked, "I thought this was a great clue!"

"His brother!" Fenton continued, "Laura, remember? Adam had an older brother. He visited the campus once, just before I transferred to the Police Academy."

"Andy," Laura said softly, shocked by the realization that they had both forgotten about Adam’s brother. "His brother, Andy."

"So let’s stop dwelling on what can’t be changed," came the reasonable voice of Gertrude Hardy, "Now we just have to concentrate on where this beastly man has taken our Joe!"

Fenton smiled at his sister. "You are so right, Gert. Obviously, Andrew Whiteside made himself into this Reed fellow to get close to us. He chose to zero in on Joe because of Adam’s tie to Joe 13 years ago."

"But," questioned Sam, "why the focus on Laura?"

"Adam was in love with Laura. I suppose Andy may even blame Laura for Adam’s death. Now he wants her to suffer just like he did." Fenton replied, "Also, look at what he’s doing to Joe. By physically and mentally torturing Joe, he’s hurting Laura. Making her ‘pay’ for hurting his brother."

"But Dad," Frank suddenly was very afraid for his brother, "Adam died. That was the ultimate pain. If he decides to make mom feel all the pain, then he plans to kill Joe."

* * *

"Well kid," Andrew Whiteside smiled as he looked down on Joe, "I was really surprised that those spiders shook you up so bad." Whiteside chuckled and reached to wipe a stray tear that had escaped from Joe’s eye.

Joe tried to pull his head away from Andrew’s touch. The man chuckled, and then pulled the tape off of Joe’s mouth.

"Why don’t you just kill me and get this over with?" Joe asked angrily.

"Soon, Joe," Whiteside grinned wickedly, "very soon."

Let the author know what you think of this story

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 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.