Billy was supervising his gardener weeding the borders when Brendan and Phil pulled up in the Jag. Turning to the greensman, he ordered him to ‘sling ‘is ‘ook’ and watched as he gather up his tools and walk a good distance out of earshot before turning to his attention back to his hired muscle men who were making their way across the grass.

Phil, always the spokesman of the two, looked both ways before addressing his employer. "Mike heeded the warning, Boss. The goods are in the car and he volunteered this by way of compensation for the damages," he handed Billy a very large bill roll. "We still got a problem though."

"What sort of a problem?" asked Billy under his breath.

"The ring ain’t there - Mike misplaced it."

"He misplaced it?" repeated Billy.

"Yeah, but he promised to get it back...quite a few times actually!" he said, rubbing his skinned knuckles and smirking.

"Yeah, he was adamant he would be able to get it back," scoffed Brendan.

***

Helen opened her bedroom door to find Mark loitering outside. "What on earth are you doing?" she yelp, her voice shrill as she almost colliding straight into him.

Looking foolishly down at his feet, Mark said, "just keeping my eye on you."

"Why didn’t you knock on the door?"

"Felt a bit awkward actually," he replied, kicking the carpet with his toe.

"You should have just come in, I don’t bite you know!" She felt disappointed that he hadn’t felt comfortable enough to just approach her as normal and stalked off down the stairs in disgust.

Mark trailed miserably behind, viewing the back of her head while trying desperately to think of something worthy to say that would break up the tension.

Rob and Kiwi had stayed the night, so she wasn’t surprised when she entered the kitchen to find them with Frank and Joe discussing the day’s plan of action. Kiwi was toasting bread and scrambling eggs.

"Hi," said Joe looking up. He started blinking rapidly, stunned by Helen’s appearance. She didn’t look like she’d slept all night and had black rims around her eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked concerned. Mark appeared behind her and Joe caught his eye momentarily.

"Yes, just a little tired," she answered, smiling wanly, "and no make-up," she added, crossing her eyes.

"How about some scrambled eggs on toast?" offered Kiwi, "it’ll make you feel better."

"No thanks, I’ll grab something later," she opened the back door and disappeared out into the garden.

Frank shook his head at her departing back, "we’d better keep our eye on her," he whispered, raising an eyebrow for emphasis.

Mark hovered in the doorway for a few more seconds, indecision playing on his face. He never did enter the kitchen - opting to enter the lounge instead. Joe was left with the distinct impression that all was not brilliant in the Mark and Helen camp that morning.

A little while later when Joe was helping Kiwi wash up, he looked out of the window to see Mark and Helen talking earnestly together, standing over by the pond. The younger Randall brother had obviously nipped out into the back garden through the lounge’s patio doors, as he didn’t come past them. He watched as Mark became more and more animated, his face twisted. Helen suddenly stepped forward and hugged her friend fiercely, leaving Joe with a feeling of embarrassment at watching an obviously private moment. Kiwi had evidently been watching too, because he suddenly turned his back to the scene. Joe decided to play dumb and not say anything to the New Zealander, but they did glance uncomfortably at one another. When Mark re-entered the kitchen later, he was looking happier.

Later on that same morning, the Hardys received a phone call from Kyle, confirming his decision to allow them to act undercover. The Hardy boys immediately began putting their plan into action and Frank dictated a long prepared list of equipment they would require, including a car to replace the BMW. The Inspector promised to deliver them the next morning.

"We we’re scheduled to attend a show at Kenilworth Castle day after tomorrow," Rob had informed them.

"Then we’ll attend as planned - it’s as good a place as any to start investigating," said Frank. "But first, I’ve some preparations to make."

With Helen’s help, an appointment was scheduled for him at the same hairdresser Alex had regularly frequented, and they headed out together with Rob in his battered Ford.

Half an hour later they were standing in the doorway of ‘Reflections’ in the Birmingham City Center. Helen introduced Frank to Philip, the stylist, as Alex’s cousin, visiting from the states. Frank explained that he liked Alex’s haircut so much he wanted the same. Philip was extremely flattered and set to work.

A hair wash; a few snips of the scissors; a quick blow dry and the deed was done. Frank felt he looked even more like his dead friend than was comfortable - Philip thought it amusing.

When the older Hardy brother stood and turned away from the mirror he saw Helen’s eyes mist over and she rushed from the salon with Rob in hot pursuit. He caught up with her just outside the door and Frank watched as Rob drew her into conversation, his hand resting on her shoulder. He was shaking his head and she was vehemently nodding.

Philip was taken aback, "I’ve cut many heads in my time, but that’s the first time my haircuts had that effect on someone! It must look really awful!" Frank laughed hollowly and assured him it was a great cut. He quickly settled the bill and followed after his friends. By the time he’d joined them, Helen was in control of her emotions again.

"I shouldn’t have let you come," he told her. "I didn’t think it would upset you so much."

"It’s not your fault, it was just a shock, that’s all, and besides, I had to square things with Philip remember."

***

Pulling the car into the driveway, Frank, Helen and Rob were surprised to see the other three waiting anxiously on the doorstep.

Frank realized something was amiss, simply by Joe’s expression. "What up? What’s happened?" he asked instantly, rolling down the window.

"We had a phone call from our friends," said Joe, jumping down the steps and advancing on the car.

"What did they say?" asked Helen her curiosity peaked.

"They gave us instructions on where to leave the ring. They warned that if we didn’t do it, they would come after us again."

"When and where?" asked Frank.

"Tomorrow at 9.00 a.m., at…erm…" he turned to Mark and Kiwi for help, his face a mask of confusion.

"…Sarehole Mill Park," finished Mark for him, "Underneath the huge oak tree, near the front entrance."

"Where exactly is that?" asked Frank.

"About a ten minute drive away," answered Rob.

The older Hardy brother exited the car, allowing the other three a full view of him with his new ‘Alex’ look. Mark and Kiwi stared intently at him, astonishment resulting in complete silence.

Mark finally nodded his head and said, "yes, you’d fool me if I didn’t know better…HECK, what am I talking about? You did fool me in the garden that first day! The only difference is the eye color now - it’s a bit freaky, actually."

They entered the house and sat in the lounge.

"What are we going to do about this warning?" asked Helen, pulling peoples attentions back from Frank to the phone call.

Joe smiled and tipped a thumb in Frank’s direction, "from the look on my brother’s face, I’d say there’s one of his famous plans formulating in his head," he said. "Come on, spill the beans Bro," he demanded, jabbing him with his elbow.

Frank carried on considering for a little while before answering. "So, they desperately want the ring back do they…or else? Well, who are we to hold back…Let’s give ‘em what they want!"

"Give them what they want?" repeated Kiwi in a slightly surprised note, "are you serious?"

"Yeah, but only if we appear to leave the ring, but then actually don’t."

"You even have me confused now," said Joe, laughing softly.

Frank scanned their faces, enjoying their bafflement. "Sorry guys. What I suggest is that we have a reproduction of the ring made and hand that over instead. It probably wouldn’t fool them for long, but it might buy us valuable time - and if we box clever, it may also give us the opportunity to uncover a few leads."

There was a short silence while everyone grinned and nodded at one another.

"I’d never have thought of that!" exclaimed Mark.

Helen clapped her hands together loudly, "I know just the person to do the job!" She explained, "Alex had a mock 19th century pendant made for me by a man called Tim who has a workshop in the Jewelry Quarter. Alex and him have become friendly over the years, and he’s done quite a few bits and bobs for us since - I bet he’d do us a rush job."

For the second time that day, Rob, Frank and Helen rose from their seats and tramped out the door. This time Joe Hardy accompanied them.

***

"What is this place?" asked Joe, as they walked down the long street. As far as the eye could reach, the road was lined with jewelry shops and workshops. Even the side streets had shops stocking the same types of products and jewelry related goods.

"Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of the Jewelry Quarter?" asked Rob surprised. "This place is world famous! It’s a whole street of jewelry related shops - hence the name. It was founded in the 18th century and at one time they used to make swords and guns too. Apparently, you can buy, or have made, anything you want, to any design, at little more than cost price." Frank and Joe’s continued to stare blankly back at him. "Oh well, maybe it’s not so famous after all," he muttered.

Helen stopped outside a small workshop and entered with the others towing on behind. The bell rang over the door, alerting Tim to his customers. He came through from the back room and grinned a wide welcome at Frank. "Hi Alex," he said in a loud booming voice and elevated a hand high in greeting, however, as the older Hardy brother drew nearer, his beaming grin faded slightly. He lifted his glasses and took a closer look at him before dropping them back onto the bridge of his nose. "You’re not Alex are you?" he deduced, rubbing his prematurely graying hair vigorously, which had already been shooting out in all directions.

"No, he isn’t," answered Helen on Frank’s behalf.

He studied her up and down for a few seconds before his expression turned serious. "You’re looking frail Helen, what’s happened to Alex?" he asked bluntly.

Considering her response, Helen decided that lying wasn’t an option. The jeweler was one of the most astute people she knew – he wouldn’t be fooled like Philip the Hairdresser so easily was.

Tim boldly took Joe by the shoulders and moved him over to one side and strolled to the door. Switching the cardboard ‘open’ sign to ‘closed’, he locked the door and turned back to them, crossed his arms and waited in silence for Helen to start. She took a deep breath and told him the whole sorry tale.

He listened to what she had to say, nodding occasionally but never interrupting. By the end, his jaw was set in a firm, grim line, and his eyebrows were furrowed together angrily. Someone tried the door handle behind him and knocked on the glass. "GO AWAY - WE’RE SHUT," he bellowed, without turning round. "I’ve got urgent work to do," he announced more quietly and held out his hand for the ring.

They watched with fascination as Tim worked quickly to produce the copy. With skilled hands he set the Garnets into the correct claw fitting and went at the ring with a small chisel and file to give it an aged look. Two hours later Helen was slipping it onto her finger. They gathered round and inspected the two rings together.

"Good enough?" asked Tim.

"Plenty good enough," Frank agreed.

Helen turned to Rob. "Give me your pendant," she instructed.

He lifted the leather thong, which he used as a necklace over his head. Upon it was hanging a large, bronze cross. She took it from him, picked the knot open and slid the original ring through until it chinked against the crucifix. Re-knotting the thong, she hooked it back around his neck. "You look after it, no one’s going to take it from you – unless they’re very stupid," she said.

"Or very big," agreed Joe, chuckling.

Rob nodded and tucked the ring out of site beneath his shirt.

They thanked Tim for his valuable help, promising to keep him updated on the case and headed homewards.

Frank spent the majority of the rest of the day studying home videos of different battles the group had partaken in and also practiced Alex’s voice. Helen made herself scarce, not wishing to watch the tapes.

The Hardys came to the conclusion that it was impossible to master the accent in the time available and it was therefore decided that he would speak as little as possible around other people and allow Helen to do most of the talking for the couple.

***

"I think I hear Kyle coming," announced Mark loudly from the hallway later that evening. Opening the front door, he saw the inspector drawing up outside the house in a tow truck. He was wearing workman’s overalls, a cap and glasses by way of a disguise and was carrying a clipboard.

"Evening, Sir," he called cheerfully, walking up the front steps. He winked at Mark, who heeded the hint and let him enter without showing a sign of recognition. As he stepped inside, the Hardy’s met him in the hallway.

"You’re early," remarked Frank, surprised.

"I got the stuff together quicker than I was expecting," explained the Inspector. "Okay, I’ve got the box of equipment you asked for in the truck and a little present is being towed on the back for Mrs Morris."

They looked out of the window and recognized Alex and Helen’s BMW in the fading light. The dents where now non-existent - in fact, it looked as good as new. Both brothers and Mark turned and looked at Kyle in astonishment. "Come and help me unload," he said gruffly, ignoring their expressions.

"So, he does have a heart," side whispered Mark as they followed him outside.

"Who does?" asked Kiwi, joining them with Rob, "Oh, I see," he said, spotting the car.

The vehicle was lowered and unhooked and Frank signed the bogus clipboard before carrying the cardboard box filled with the mysterious equipment the Hardys had requested. The others unloaded the re-enactment kit from the boot, which had been left from two nights previously and trudged into the house with it.

Helen came out into the hall to see what all the noise was about and wandered outside to lend a hand. Her mouth dropped open upon seeing the car and she ran across. Allowing her hands to wander over the front, she looked for any signs of the recent collision. Finding none, she stepped back and smiled broadly down at the bonnet. "Welcome home Barney," she said quietly, patting the hood affectionately.

***

Mike Gregg had to dial the number twice before his trembling fingers obeyed his commands. He listened with mounting dread to the ringing tone, a harsh voice coming on the line after a few rings.

"What?" the voice barked.

"This is Mike Gregg," he replied tentatively, recognizing Phil’s voice.

"Yeah…" he outlined the scheme he had come up with for retrieving the ring from Helen and ‘Alex’.

"It’ll work, these people are scared silly, you should have heard them over the phone!"

The line went dead and Mike breathed a sign of relief, glad that the conversation was over and done with.

Flicking his mobile’s receiver shut, Phil slipped the phone back in his jacket pocket and addressed Billy. "Mike is picking the ring up tomorrow at Sarehole Mill Park. The people who are looking after it are leaving it there."

"Hmm…" said Billy, folding his arms thoughtfully. "Let me ask you this, Phil - can we trust Mike to deliver?"

"I think he’s too petrified to double cross us, Boss!"

"Nevertheless, I think it would be best if you and Brendan were at the drop-off point tomorrow to take the ring straight from him - we don’t want him to be tempted to do something stupid do we?"