Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

"Here you are, sir," said Officer Thompson, handing Chief Collig two sets of prints. "The blood on the t-shirt was Joe Hardy's," he added before returning downstairs.

Chief Collig looked at the photos, wincing every now and then. He looked at Frank, who was standing by his desk anxiously awaiting his set. "It might be better if you don't see these," he told Frank softly.

Frank shot him a look and held out his hand. Chief Collig thought about arguing, but seeing the determination in Frank's eyes, he decided against it and handed Frank the duplicates. "He's still alive," the chief told him. "You need to remember that."

"Maybe it would be better if he weren't," Frank said softly, tears streaming down his cheeks again as he saw how weak and ill his brother was. He paused at the last picture of Joe tied up without a gag. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he felt there was something about this one which was very important.

"Sir, you have a call from Oxford PD on line three," a voice came in on the intercom.

Chief Collig picked up the phone. "Collig here," he barked, then listened. When he hung up, he looked at Frank who was still staring at the same picture. Tony had looked at the other photos and put them back on the desk, his face a pale green.

"That was Officer Craig," the chief said. Frank looked up expectantly. "A fifteen year old saw a man drop the wallet at the Speedmart yesterday. He and his friend decided to keep the wallet and spend the money. The kid tried to use the credit card to buy some CDs. The Oxford PD has Joe's ID and everything else except the cash which the boys had already spent."

"If he saw him drop the wallet, then he saw the van," Frank deduced. "Did he say which way the van went?" Frank asked, thinking about the odometer.

"Towards Oxford," the chief replied. "They are already on the look out for Joe, Lewis, and Applegate's car," he added.

"Thanks," Frank said. "Call me if you get anything?"

"I will," he promised and watched as Tony picked up the photographs and followed Frank from the office. .

Joe heaved a great sigh of relief as his left wrist finally slipped out of the tape. He reached across and began to remove the tape binding his right wrist to the pin changer. After both his wrists were free, he slowly sat up and reached down to free his ankles. A wave of dizziness and nausea swept over him, but he managed to overcome it. Finally he was free.

It had taken him hours to get loose and he had no idea when Lewis would be back, or even if he were there already and this was just another game to him. Perhaps he had wanted Joe to struggle to free himself just so he could recapture him. He slowly got to his feet. He wanted to run out of the alley, but he didn't have the energy.

He made his way to the door and peeped outside. Lewis was no where to be found. Joe left the alley and started off down the road in search of a phone, a house, or someone who could help him.

He hadn't gone far when a car coming from the other direction sped up and aimed straight at him. Joe jumped out of the way, falling into the ditch. The car came to a sudden stop and Lewis jumped out of the car. Joe tried to get to his feet and run, but his knees gave out and he crumpled. Lewis came and stood over him, staring down with a maniacal expression.

"I've been too easy on you, boy? Is that it?" he snarled. "Well then, we'll just step up the pace a little, shall we?" he asked, grabbing Joe's arm and hauling him to his feet. Dragging him to the car, he shoved Joe into the passenger side of the front seat. "I don't care if you die sooner," he added, punching Joe in the face. Joe slumped down, unconscious.

Frank and Tony arrived back at the Hardy house to find Biff waiting there with Chet and Phil. "Feeling better?" Tony asked him.

"I will be when we find Joe," Biff said. "Did the police find out anything?" Phil and Chet had brought Tony up to date on the latest events.

"Just that the van was headed toward Oxford," Tony told him as Frank went upstairs.

"Frank?" Phil asked, looking at his friend questioningly.

"Hmm?" Frank asked, not having been paying attention. He still had the photograph of Joe tied up in his hands. "Oh, stay there. I'll be right back," he promised.

While Frank went upstairs, Tony showed the other photographs to the guys. It was a solemn group that waited for Frank when he came back downstairs. Frank went into the living room and took a seat beside the coffee table. There he put the other photo down and held up the maginfying glass he had gone upstairs for. He looked the picture over with the glass then his gaze came to rest on the thing Joe's hands were tied to.

"A pin changer?" he asked, mystified.

"What?" Phil inquired.

"Joe's tied to a bowling pin changer," Frank said. "And it has to be in Oxford," he added.

"Oxford Lanes!" Biff said, snapping his fingers. "They shut down the place just a couple of months ago."

"That's where he's holding Joe!" Frank shouted and took off at a run for the door. The other boys followed, all too excited about knowing where to find Joe to remember to call the police.

"They aren't there," Fenton told Laura, coming back to the car and getting behind the wheel. He had just tried to call and let Frank and his friends know the car had been repaired and they were once again on their way home.

"Maybe they found Joe," Laura said hopefully as Fenton started the car and headed home.

"Wake up, Sweetheart," Lewis whispered into Joe's ear right after throwing a cup of water in Joe's face. "It's time for the fun to begin."

Joe opened his eyes and glared at Lewis. He tried to move, but his wrists and ankles had been taped together again and he had been retied to the chair in which he had spent most of yesterday. "I took the opportunity to take off your shoes and socks," Lewis told him, opening a bag of sugar. "Do you like sweet stuff?" he asked, pouring the bag on top of Joe's head. Joe felt the grains roll down his head and back and even between his toes.

"What did you do that for?" he demanded hoarsely.

"I have some friends I want you to meet," Lewis told him with a hoot of laughter. "And I promise to take lots and lots of pictures so your dear brother won't miss the fun." He set the now empty bag of sugar on the floor and walked behind Joe to pick up something. "Don't worry, I'll let you have another conversation with your brother while you become acquainted with your new friends."

Frank and the guys arrived at the bowling alley in record time. Frank had run every yellow light and even one red one to get there. They saw a blue Mercury parked near the side of the building and climbed out of the van. "Keep quiet," Frank ordered everyone as they made their way toward the building.

They got inside in time to hear Lewis taunting Joe about talking with Frank. Frank motioned for them to go closer.

"Joe, meet your new friends," Lewis said, standing in front of Joe.

"Nooo," Joe pleaded. "Oh, no," he begged, tears streaming down his face as he saw the tank filled with roaches.

As Lewis lifted the tank, Frank, Chet, Tony, Phil, and Biff moved in. But they were too late to stop the roaches from swarming all over Joe as Lewis turned the tank upside down over Joe's head and shook them out.