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

Joe Hardy stopped their black van on the airport tarmac where Jack Wayne was waiting with Fenton Hardy’s small, blue and white twin-engine plane. Fenton and Frank jumped out as Joe pulled the van along the fence at the edge of a parking lot. Joe secured the van, then jogged across the lot, pulling on his blue letterman coat as he headed toward the plane.

A smile spread across his handsome face as Joe neared the plane. His father and brother were doubled over with laughter as their friend Jack finished the story he was telling them.

"Must have been a good one," the youngest Hardy said, reaching to shake Jack’s hand, "Sorry I missed it."

"Hey, little Joe!" Jack’s tan face wore a bright smile as he ignored Joe’s extended hand and grabbed the boy in a bear hug. Jack’s long, black hair was braided in a single tail down his back. His 6’ 3" frame was topped with a straw cowboy hat, trimmed with brown and white feathers. He released Joe with a deep chuckle and walked around the plane, finishing his take-off checklist. The heels of his worn out cowboy boots clicked loudly on the asphalt tarmac.

"A-okay!" Jack called out a few minutes later, appearing from the underside of the left wing. He then pulled the door down, revealing a set of stairs. "Ready when you are, Mr. H. See you two Buckaroos on the round trip!" Jack gave Frank and Joe a salute before climbing into the aircraft.

Frank and Joe carried their father’s luggage and brief case to the foot of the stairs.

"Just stay close to the house around 5 p.m." Mr. Hardy said, looking at both his sons. An overwhelming sense of pride filled Fenton as he gazed at the handsome, young men that stood before him. Frank at 18 was ever reliable, predictable, mature and stable. Joe, seventeen, was enthusiastic, ever willing to help and recently, showing obvious signs that he too, was growing up. Fenton became slightly troubled as he looked into Joe’s usually smiling face.

"Joe, I can read you like a book," Fenton stated, frowning, "What’s bothering you?" Joe tried to smile.

"Nothing, Dad," Joe replied. "I’m fine."

"Joseph," Fenton said, putting his arms around Joe’s tense shoulders, "Why do I not believe that?" Joe shifted uncomfortably and stared at his shoes.

"It’s...just a feeling..." Joe’s voice trailed off, but then he quickly added, "Dad, just be extra careful, please!"

"I’m always careful," Fenton reassured his younger child. He embraced the boy, noting that Joe was still very tense. "Joe, I’ll be fine." Mr. Hardy then walked over to Frank. He gave his first-born a warm hug and whispered in his ear, "Watch out for your brother. Find out what’s bothering him." Frank assured his father that he would do his best.

"Love you, Dad," the brothers called out in unison as their father disappeared inside the plane.

* * *

"All right, Brat," began Frank as soon as he had pulled the van out of the airport parking lot, "What’s going on with you?" Frank glanced quickly at his blond-haired, younger brother, riding in the front passenger seat. Joe’s face was creased with a deep frown and his dark, blue eyes had a distant, far-away look.

"Something is going to go wrong," Joe said, barely whispering, "I can’t explain it, Frank. It’s just a really strong feeling." The statement was very characteristic of the younger Hardy. Of the two boys, Joe was more emotional, impulsive and relied heavily on instinct and intuition. Frank was far more analytical. He was more prone to weigh physical evidence, gather facts and logically analyze the situation. It was these very differences that made the Hardy brothers an unstoppable team.

Deep down, Frank Hardy trusted Joe’s "gut feelings" more often than he would openly admit. Looking at Joe again, Frank wanted to say something positive and encouraging to him, but his own stomach suddenly felt tight with worry. ‘Maybe Joe’s intuition is rubbing off on me,’ Frank thought, ‘I’ve suddenly got a bad feeling about Dad’s trip, too.’ The Hardys rode the rest of the drive home in silence.

* * *

Laura Hardy had her shoulder length blond hair pulled back softly with a tortoise shell barrette, and a bright yellow apron covered the front of her calf-length denim dress. She had the table set for lunch, anticipating the boy’s arrival home. She had just set the platter of cold cuts on the table when the front door opened.

"Hello boys!" Mrs. Hardy called cheerily from the kitchen. Frank and Joe returned her greeting, but then stopped in the hall to hang up their coats. Frank pulled Joe close and whispered in his brother’s ear.

"We can’t worry Mom," Frank said, "Just paste on a fake smile." Frank stepped back and looked into Joe’s eyes. They were brimming with tears.

"I don’t know if I can do this, Frank," Joe said, his voice unsteady. "Stall Mom ‘til I can pull myself together." Joe dashed up the front steps, two at a time.

"Hi, Mom!" Frank said, striding into the kitchen with a cheerfulness he didn’t feel. "Looks good! I’m starved!"

"You saw your father off alright?" she asked.

"Yes, Ma’am," Frank replied, picking up the glasses she had set on the counter top.

"Where is your brother?" Mrs. Hardy asked, realizing that Joe wasn’t in the room with them.

"He ran upstairs for a minute," Frank casually replied, setting the glasses on the table, "I’m sure he’ll be down in a sec." Just then, Joe’s thunderous footsteps sounded on the back stairs. Laura Hardy watched her youngest son walk into the kitchen. His face was bright with a warm smile as he kissed her on the cheek before taking a seat at the table across from Frank.

Frank was amazed at the transformation in Joe. He smiled at his brother with renewed respect. Joe looked so naturally happy that it was hard to believe he had been so upset just minutes before. Joe glanced at Frank, meeting his warm, brown eyes and Frank gave his brother an approving wink.

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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.