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

"This place makes me shutter," Sam commented as he made his way, carefully watching his footing. "I thought Joe would die that day we were all out here 13 years ago."

"I know what you mean," Officer Riley agreed, "Thank God I was able to grab Joe. Don’t think I could pull that stunt nowadays."

"You know, Con," Sam said, becoming thoughtful, "I’m beginning to think that lunacy runs in the Whiteside family. Joe may be in more danger this time than he was 13 years ago." Con nodded in agreement and followed Sam to the cave.

* * *

Fenton Hardy turned off the ignition and stepped out of his car. He immediately started heading for the office of the ‘Evergreen Motor lodge’.

Frank Hardy exited the passenger side of the car and stopped. He knew his brother was here. There was no way he could ever explain that he felt Joe’s presence so strongly, it almost overpowered him. So intense was the unbreakable bond between the two brothers, it was almost supernatural. Though they couldn’t explain it, nor did they understand it, the boys could often communicate with each other without words. They simply sensed what the other was thinking. Frank sensed Joe’s presence and immediately looked for signs of his brother.

Frank looked closely at the row of run-down motel doors along the plain, brick building. His eyes locked on a door that bore the number 12. The door stood slightly open, yet there were no cars in the lot and no signs of any patrons.

"Dad!" Frank cried out, moving quickly along the building toward the open door. Fenton turned abruptly at the sound of Frank’s voice. He quickly retraced his steps and ran to catch up with his son.

Frank reached the door first and stood staring at a jar that sat right outside. His heart was hammering in his chest as he watched the spiders wriggling in the glass prison. Anger rose in Frank as he remembered his brother’s panicked cries and frightened whimpers over the phone line.

Mr. Hardy caught Frank’s gaze and he felt a soft cry escape his own lips. He could only imagine what Whiteside did with those spiders that had terrified Joe so much; reducing his robust, brave son to a whimpering child.

Knowing Whiteside might be in the room, Fenton drew his .32 from his ankle holster. "Frank," he whispered, "Move clear ‘til I check this out and make sure it’s clear." Frank reluctantly nodded and backed into the parking lot.

Fenton Hardy took a deep breath, gripping the gun with both hands. He pressed his back against the door jam and listened for any sounds in the room. Hearing nothing, he sprang into action.

With the swiftness and agility of a man half his age, Fenton turned, kicked the door open and stood ready to fire. His emotions were mixed as he gazed at the empty room. He quickly checked the bathroom and closet before calling the ‘all clear’ to Frank.

"Joe was here," Frank said quietly, staring at the blood stained bed and the remnants of duct tape on the bedposts. "I knew." Frank said, just barely above a whisper.

"Frank," Fenton put his hands on his son’s shoulders, "Joe’s alive and we will find him. If Whiteside had killed him, he’d have left the body."

"You’re right, Dad," Frank gave his father a weak smile, "Thanks."

"I’ll use my cell to call Collig," Mr. Hardy stated, "Grab a couple pair of latex gloves from the trunk of my car. We’ll need them."

* * *

Andrew Whiteside frowned as he stared at the car that was parked on the shoulder of the road above the cave. He pulled his Lumina close behind the other car and got out, staying out of sight from anyone moving on the slope below.

He peered cautiously over the guardrail and saw two men making their way along the rocky path that led to the cave. Andrew recognized the tall, muscular blond as Hardy’s sometimes-partner, Sam Radley. The other man wore the uniform of the local police.

Whiteside was bothered by their presence. ‘This is where Joe must die,’ he thought. He had planned to stash Joe in the cave, just as his brother had done, and lure Laura Hardy there to watch her son die.

He climbed back into his car, listening for any sound in the trunk. Hearing none, Andrew pondered his next move. He smiled to himself as a plan began to form in his twisted mind.

He climbed back out of his car and knelt beside the other vehicle. ‘This will buy me just enough time,’ he grinned as he removed the cap off of the tire valve, listening to the hiss of air that was now escaping from the tire. He returned to his car and headed back to Bayport.

* * *

"Hello?" Ethel Radley said, answering the kitchen phone of the Hardy home. She had been watching the news on television with Gertrude Hardy and the female officer Chief Collig had issued to stay with the women. (Callie Shaw had left for home an hour ago and Laura Hardy was resting on the living room sofa.) Officer Dinah La Goode poked her head in from the family room and watched Ethel carefully.

"It’s Sam," Ethel mouthed silently to the policewoman, who then returned to the family room with Gertrude Hardy.

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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.