Hardy Boys Fan Fiction at the Hardy Detective Agency - Presenting "South American Search & Rescue" by CQB

Laura Hardy looked into Callie Shaw’s brown eyes and Vanessa Bender’s blue-gray eyes. She saw both love and concern. Mrs. Hardy decided that her sons’ two girlfriends deserved to know the truth. She smiled at the young women, and then looked at her sister-in-law.

"Gert," Laura said, "I think this calls for some fresh coffee."

"I agree," the older woman stated, heading for the kitchen as Laura led the girls into the living room.

* * *

Conner Bailey pulled the pick-up into the jungle, hiding it from view. They had visual contact with the militia compound Joe Hardy had entered just a few minutes before. Frank Hardy, Sam Radley and Conner left the truck and crept up closer to the compound, staying in the cover of the jungle foliage.

"There’s an abandoned village just on the other side of the compound." Conner informed the other two men, "As soon as it’s dark, we’ll head there for the night."

"But we’ve got to stay near the entrance!" Frank insisted, "Joe won’t know where to find us!" Sam moved to kneel beside Frank.

"Joe won’t come out tonight. It’s too soon," Sam assured the teenager, "We’ll move back out here, early in the morning." He gave Frank’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

* * *

Joe Hardy broke into a cold sweat as he gripped the M-16, pointing it toward Jake Cotter. Joe knew he couldn’t kill Cotter, but refusing would probably mean certain death for both of them. Joe swallowed and slightly lifted the weapon toward Cotter’s chest. ‘Think, Hardy! Think!’ Joe admonished himself, trying to come up with a solution to this no-win situation.

Jake Cotter had come to Bolivia with his father on a business trip from New Zealand. Somehow, they had gotten separated from each other in the market place in Di Heer. Never did the 18-year-old expect to be kidnapped by a radical militia group! Now he was face-to-face with death. It was more than the New Zealander could grasp. He panicked, looking from Santiago, to Joe Hardy, to the M-16. Not considering the consequences, Jake abruptly turned and made a mad dash for the rear door.

Joe was unprepared for the sudden move by Cotter. ‘NO!’ his mind screamed as he watched the boy run. By the time Joe turned his body in the same direction, pretending to aim toward the fleeing boy, machine gun fire was already cutting through the air. Joe watched helplessly as Jake Cotter’s body slumped in a crumbled, bloody heap on the tile floor.

As Jake’s blood ran along the grout, Joe felt his stomach churn. Bile began to rise in his throat and his legs were threatening to collapse beneath him. Joe fought for control, swallowing hard and mentally coaching himself, ‘Keep it together or you’ll be next.’

* * *

Frank Hardy’s heart stopped beating as he listened to the rapid sound of machine gun fire inside the militia compound.

"Joe!" he whispered, and began moving toward the wall of the enclosure. He felt strong arms wrap around his waist and pull him to a halt. Frank fought the grip and felt a hand cover his mouth to prevent him from yelling.

"Frank! Stop!" Sam hissed softly in the youth’s ear. "Calm down now!" Frank stopped fighting, but began shaking uncontrollably.

"I’ve killed my brother!" the dark-haired boy sobbed into Sam’s shoulder. "I sent Joe to his death!"

"Frank," Conner interjected, moving in beside Sam and Frank, "we don’t know what happened in there. Joe is probably fine."

Frank looked up at Conner, pain filling the boy’s deep brown eyes, "I saw it, Conner. I watched Joe die."

Conner looked at Sam for an explanation, but noted that the man had turned ghostly pale at Frank’s words.

"Are you sure, Frank?" Sam asked, his voice shaky, "Are you sure you saw Joe?"

"I saw a blond guy running, then falling in a bloody heap," Frank sobbed. Sam Radley closed his eyes. ‘Maybe Conner was right. If Joe is dead, I’ll never be able to face Fenton and Laura.’

* * *

"It seems you are a bit gun-shy, Mr. Daniels," Santiago said with a smile, drawing Joe’s attention away from the lifeless form of Jake Cotter. "That is a minor problem, but it robbed you of killing that infidel." Santiago continued. "I will have my best men teach you to use the weapon. You will have many opportunities to prove your loyalty, my friend. In fact, we will be having an execution soon. We will begin your training in the morning so you can be a part of the firing squad." Joe stood in shocked silence as Mafesto Santiago left the room.

Jason Hladley took his weapon from Joe’s hands and motioned for Joe to move forward. Jason moved in close to Joe and whispered, "I will see that you are bunked with me. Your father is here and is well. He is hopefully planning an escape."

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Disclaimer

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.