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

PAST...
"Adam Whiteside?" Gertrude Hardy asked, staring at the man, "I don’t believe Laura ever mentioned you."

"Gert? Is there someone at the..." Fenton Hardy began, walking down the front hall towards the door, "Adam Whiteside?"

"Hello, Fenton," Adam smiled, "It’s been a long time." The two men shook hands.

"I’ll go check on Laura and Frank," Gertrude offered, leaving the two men alone.

"Is something wrong? Is Laura sick?" Adam asked, his voice laced with concern.

"I’m afraid you’ve come at a bad time Adam," Fenton stated, leading the man to a seat in the living room. "You see, our son..." Fenton Hardy found himself suddenly overcome with emotion. "Our baby is...missing."

"Missing? I just saw your kids at the park with Laura!" Adam said, "How can one of them be missing?"

"We believe that Joey was...kidnapped." Fenton replied.

"Oh no," Adam cried, "This is terrible. He’s so little! Why would anyone want to hurt a small kid?"

"I’ve made a lot of enemies because of my job, Adam," Fenton answered, "I’m afraid one of them may have taken Joey."

"Look," Adam said, putting a comforting hand on Fenton’s shoulder, "I’m not a detective like you, but I am an investigative reporter for the LA Times. I’m calling in a leave of absence and I’ll stay here and do whatever I can to help find your son."

"I can’t ask you to do that..." Fenton began.

"You didn’t," Adam smiled, "I volunteered."

* * *

In the bowels of a cave along Barmet Bay, 4-year-old Joey Hardy was stirring. His small body ached from lying on the cold ground. He was covered with dirt and bruises from thrashing around on the floor. His wrists and ankles were raw from the bindings that held him tight.

Joey slowly opened his deep blue eyes. A small amount of filtered light shown in on Joey from the hole above him. It lit only a small area around him. Beyond the pale, lighted area was utter darkness.

The child began to shake uncontrollably, tears streaming from his eyes. The movement brought to life the small creatures who had found hiding places in the sleeping child’s pajamas. The spiders were irritated by the disturbance. Joey Hardy screamed through the tape that covered his mouth, as the spiders began moving, many biting the child’s tender skin.

~ ~ ~ PRESENT...

Joe Hardy couldn’t believe he was finally in Red’s basement, using all of the man’s equipment. Joe had hardly known where to start, but finally decided to use the ‘Bow Flex’ first, then progress to the other machines.

Joe was amazed that Red kept pace with him so well. He knew his dad was in great physical shape, but wasn’t sure even his dad could keep up with the workout he was doing today.

After a while, Red brought Joe a Gatorade to drink, "Here you go Sport," Red smiled, "Cool down a bit." Red clicked on ESPN while they sipped their drinks.

Joe smiled. ‘What a great workout!’ he thought, sipping the refreshingly cold drink, ‘I could really get used to this!’ He was surprised at how tired he felt. Usually, he felt energized after a good workout.

"Wow," Joe said; he’d finished his drink and was trying to stand up, feeling a bit dizzy, "I must have over done it. I feel totally wiped out." Red peered at the boy from his seat on the corner chair. He set his drink down and started to rise from the chair.

Joe took a staggering step, grabbing the rail of the treadmill. ‘No,’ Joe’s mind screamed as realization came, ‘Red wouldn’t hurt me. This can’t be happening!’

Joe slid to the floor, fighting to stay awake. Red moved over to Joe and knelt beside him. He frowned as he gazed into Joe’s deep, blue eyes.

"I’m really sorry, Joe," Red stated sadly, "You’re a nice kid. But she has to pay, and you, my friend, are the payment."

* * *

"Frank," Laura Hardy called up the stairs, "Could you run next door and get Joe? Dinner is almost ready."

Frank Hardy ran down the steps. He’d gotten home from his date with Callie around 4 o’clock and had been pleased to learn that Joe was next door, working out with Red.

"If I can pull my baby brother away from Red’s basement," Frank commented, walking out the door, "Be right back!"

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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.