Frank Hardy and Kendall Preston took a cab to the private airstrip just on the outskirts of Bayport, where the Hardy’s friend, Jack Wayne had chartered a plane. Frank stepped out of the cab after paying the driver. He put on his dark sunglasses and turned down the collar of his black windbreaker. "There’s Jack," he said, pointing toward a man coming from a hanger a few yards away.

A tall, thin man in his mid-twenties walked toward the boys. A big grin spread across his tan face. His hair was jet black under a big, straw cowboy hat, trimmed with feathers.

"Say hey, Paleface!" Jack Wayne shouted, waving at Frank and Kendall. Frank introduced Kendall to Jack and the three climbed aboard the twin engine, six-passenger charter plane.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, Lindsey Preston climbed into the front passenger seat of the Hardy boys’ black van. Joe climbed into the driver’s seat, locked his seat belt and put on a pair of dark, aviator sunglasses. Now that Joe and Lindsey realized that they were possibly related to each other, they were comfortable traveling together.

It would be a five-hour drive as they headed to Alcott, New York. They planned to visit Lindsey’s grandparents first, then, check hospital records.

The two teenagers talked about school, music, friends and their parents.

"If we’re related," Joe said with a grin, "will we get into all your concerts for free?"

"You bet!" Lindsey answered with a laugh.

About halfway to Alcott, Joe pulled into a rest stop area to get gas. While he filled the gas tank, Lindsey went into the store. She ordered three sandwiches, a couple colas and a bag of Doritos.

"Looks good," Joe said as he looked over Lindsey’s selections, "I’m starving!" He pulled out his wallet and paid for the food and the gas. Soon they were back on the road again.

It didn’t take long for the aroma of hot ham and cheese sandwiches and the spicy chips to fill the whole van. Unknown to the teens, a third person in the van was hiding, but the smell of food was making it impossible to stay hidden any longer.

Joe Hardy’s well-trained senses quickly detected the sound of movement in the back of the van. He motioned for Lindsey to remain calm and stay quiet. He slowly pulled to the side of the road coming to a gradual stop. In one swift motion, Joe threw the van into ‘park’, jumped from his seat and moved into a defensive position toward the rear of the van.

The trespasser froze in fear as he watched Joe turn around toward him. Lindsey had closed her eyes in fear, waiting to hear Joe attack who or whatever was in the back of the van.

Joe, who had slipped his seat belt off while he was pulling off the road, now stood in attack-ready mode. He had no idea what had caused the noise, but was prepared to deal with whatever he was about to face. Or so he thought.

"What in the world are you doing in my van!?" Joe exploded as he came face-to-face with 11-year-old Davy Preston.

"I – I ...ummm...." Davy stammered in fear. Recognizing his voice, Lindsey turned around in her seat.

"David Lee Preston! You – you, stowaway!" Lindsey shouted, "How could you do this to Mom? She is probably worried sick!"

Joe shook his head and sank to the floor of the van. "Kid," Joe said, "I was prepared to kill you just now." Joe took a few deep breaths to try and calm his galloping heart.

"I – I’m sorry, Joe," Davy said, barely audible. "I just wanted to help."

Joe crawled back into the driver’s seat. He pulled his cell phone from the pocket of his denim jacket. He handed it to Lindsey.

"You’d better call your mom," Joe said, "We’re too far to turn back. Davy will have to come with us."

Lindsey placed the call and Catherine Preston sighed with relief. She then asked to speak to Davy. Joe started the van and pulled back on to the road. He smiled as he listened to Davy’s end of the conversation with his mother. It sounded like the very same conversation he had with his mother all too often. Joe couldn’t help but like Davy. He was a lot like him.

Davy handed Joe his phone and slumped back in the rear seat of the van. Joe put the phone back in his jacket. Lindsey sat mumbling about Davy being a stupid, irresponsible jerk. Joe glanced at Davy’s dismal face and smiled.

"Hey Davy," Joe said, "It’s not that bad. You get to go with us and, I’ve still got a ham and cheese sandwich left over." He tossed the sandwich to Davy who smiled back gratefully before beginning to devour the sandwich. He decided he liked Joe Hardy a whole lot!

* * *

Catherine Preston sighed with relief again. Davy was all right. He was with Joe and Lindsey. At first, she hadn’t been worried. Davy’s twin brother Denny had told her that Davy was going to try and sneak into Joe’s van. She had started to worry when they never called to say he was with them. She had berated herself for having not written down Joe’s cell phone number before the kids left that morning.

"Well," she said out loud, "I guess I’ll call my parents now and let them know the children are coming. That way, they will be prepared for anything Joe may ask them."

* * *

Jack Wayne daftly landed his small plane at the airport, about 30 minutes from downtown Boston. His two young passengers climbed out of their seats and headed for the exit door. Once on the ground, Frank stretched his 6’ 1" frame, trying to get the kinks out of his legs and back. Likewise, Kendall Preston raised his arms above his 5’ 10" height, trying to get the cramps out of his back and neck.

"Come on Dudes!" Jack laughed, watching the youths, "We gotta lasso us a pony!"

"A pony?" Kendall asked, looking at Frank.

Frank chuckled, "Jack has a lingo all his own. To translate, he said we need to rent a car."

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.