Swallowing at the sight of the 17-year-old, Fenton slowly put his hand over his mouth, his legs giving away under him. "He killed him….I couldn’t save the innocent boy…..I was too late…."

All of a sudden Antoneskou fell to his knees, staring at Fenton. Slowly he took his eyes off him and put his hand on his chest. When he looked down at it he saw his hand covering in blood.

The moment Fenton saw this the gun fell down from his weak hands and thudded against the floor. As if in a slow-motion replay he watched the man, he’d spend half of his life in search for, fall to the floor, grimacing in pain.

Through the buzz in his head he heard police officers burst into the house. Seeing the still figure at the kitchen door, they aimed their guns at him, shouting, "Freeze!" Chief Collig was the first to recognise Fenton Hardy, "Don’t shoot at him!" he instantly ordered, rushing to his friend who seemed to be absolutely dumbfounded. He stopped abruptly behind his back when he saw what was happening in the kitchen.

"Fenton, what…." he started, but Fenton all of a sudden just darted off and fell down on his knees next to the dying criminal. Grabbing him violently by the collar of the blood-stained shirt, he started to shake Antoneskou in rage and despair. "What have you done with him, bastard??!!" he shouted, unable to control his emotions. He could feel tears stung his eyes. If he didn’t get the answer, he’d lose his son forever. "Answer me!! What the hell have you done with my son??!!"

"F-Fenton…" an evil smile appeared on Antoneskou’s face. "You think…you killed me?… No… T-Tonight you…you yourself killed with me….You killed your own son….." he head lifelessly fell to his left, his eyes still opened. He was dead.

"Fenton?" Laura ran to her husband as he arrived home later. "Thank God you’re all right. What happened? Frank said…. Fenton, what?" she stopped, taken aback when instead of saying anything he just pulled her close to his chest and buried his nose in her hair. "Fenton, what is wrong?" she repeated, sensing that something very wrong had happened.

Frank came downstairs when he heard his father come back home, but stopped, watching his parents. Feeling his stomach tying itself in knots, he asked, "What happened, Dad?" he asked, afraid to hear the answer, because his father’s distraught face told everything without words. "Weren’t you on time?"

Laura let go of her husband and worriedly looked at his tired and pale face, "Fenton, tell us! What’s happened? You’re looking like you’ve just seen a ghost."

"He’s gone…." Fenton finally said in a hoarse voice, avoiding looking her in the eyes.

"Who?" Frank came closer to him, knitting his eyebrows in suspense. "Who’s gone?"

Fenton put his hands on his head, not knowing how to say it to his wife and son. The words stung in his throat, not allowing him to speak.

"Dad?" Frank worriedly looked at his father. Never has he seen him so lost and confused. "Dad, who?"

Fenton licked his lips, "Antoneskou’s….he’s dead…." he whispered.

Laura gasped, her eyes wide-open in shock, she grabbed his arm in order to remain standing "No…" she whispered, staring at her husband. "No, how can it be?"

"Please, forgive me, I had no choice," Fenton shook his head. "If I hadn’t shot he would have killed Joe. I…I just couldn’t let it happen. Please, I'm sorry…."

Laura just broke off crying into her husband’s chest. She knew what Antoneskou’s death meant – it meant that she’d never ever see her baby.

Next morning dawned sunny and warm. Frank was chewing his sandwich, his eyes were staring at one point on the kitchen table, he was sitting in complete silence and solitude, lost in his own world of thoughts about the previous evening. He barely slept at night, constantly thinking about what the future would bring. This is so unfair, neither Dad nor Mom had deserved it….. Frank heavily sighed as he shook his head. God help them, because I won’t be able help. All this story about his brother and Antoneskou came like a bolt from the blue less than 2 weeks ago, and he didn’t even have time to let it all sink in when it suddenly was over – and how!

From what he had got to know from his father late in the yesterday’s evening, Fenton Hardy was just on time to save Joe and the unconscious teen was taken to hospital where doctors stated he had a concussion, but because it was not very serious he would be discharged the following day. He had already regained consciousness in the evening, but if Frank were in his shoes, he’d rather not wake up. The Stevensons’ family lawyer and Paul’s best friend, Robert Owen, was called from New York to Bayport. It was decided that it was up to him to break the terrible news to Joe – last evening, when Paul called him, was the last time he could hear his father’s voice.

Paul Stevenson had been killed before Joe reached home last night, and Frank could only imagine what Joe would have to go through. If he had lost his father like that – I'd rather die as well… He thought his life had become troubled the day he’d found out he had had a brother, but now he felt so silly as he thought of that — his problems were incomparable with those Joe would have to face. Alone. Having not got to know Joe too well, Frank couldn’t help but feel sincerely sorry for him. Now he could only hope that everything would be alright someday.

His thoughts were interrupted when Fenton appeared in the entrance. The expression on his face and his rather unsteady steps showed how morally and physically tired he was, but the worst thing were his eyes – eyes that showed no emotions, eyes full of pain and sadness. No wonder – to see the matter of your life, the man whom you needed alive so much, shot by you and die right in front of your eyes would make a lot of people lose heart and Frank was afraid that his father would give up, after 17 years of search, despite of his promise to find his son no matter what.

Now, Frank, it’s up to you too keep him sane and going. "Hi, Dad," Frank started, forcing a smile and trying to sound more or less cheerful.

Fenton only nodded in reply, he took a cup from the cupboard into his hand, but next moment it fell down to the sink, hopefully not shattering. Fenton, as if not noticing it, picked it up and went to the coffee-maker.

"How do you do?" Frank tried again.

"I've been better."

"How’s Mom doing?"

"Not too well either," Fenton confessed, sitting down opposite his son with the cup of steaming coffee in his hands. "She would wake up every half an hour tonight. She can’t accept it that her hope she had all these years is gone."

"She’ll get through it, she’s strong."

"Probably," Fenton shrugged his shoulders. "But in any case, I want her to visit Dr. Miller today," he said, referring to the family’s psychologist. "Maybe, he’ll prescribe her some medicine to help her calm down."

"And what about you?"

"And what about me?" Fenton crossed his arms against his chest, staring numbly out of the window.

"What are you going to do?"

Fenton tiredly rubbed his eyes, "I don’t know, Frank. With Antoneskou dead, I don’t know how this all is going to end. Probably, this case has reached a deadlock, but…." he was silent for some moment, lost in his thoughts. "At the present moment everything is very vague. I want to talk to Collig later today and what to do after that – only God knows."

"I see," Frank nodded his understanding, biting his lower lip. "When are you taking Mom to Dr. Miller?"

"Well, at first she’ll wake up, then I’ll have to talk her into it, so it sure will take time. Do me a favour?"

"Of course," Frank agreed straight away.

"When it’s time to take her back home I’ll probably be busy with Collig. Take her home for me?"

"No probs."

After Frank had left to school, Fenton contacted Chief Collig who told him that Joe had regained consciousness at night and already knew about his father’s death. The man who was the one to tell him about it, Robert Owen, by Paul’s will, would become Joe’s adoptive father now until Joe was 18. Collig had already been to the hospital, but Joe was in no state to talk to anyone. In the end Robert insisted on giving him more time to calm down. Meanwhile, police officers searched the crime scene and found a bug in a vase of flowers which was in the living room.

"We suspect," Collig went on, "that Antoneskou had heard something that was of great importance to him and decided to act before it was too late."

"For example?" Fenton asked.

"No clue. Since Joe’s not talking, our suspicions will remain only suspicions until he tells us what he and Paul could have talked about that would provoke Antoneskou. I plan to pay a visit to him some time later, because then it’ll be difficult to contact him soon. Robert takes him away from Bayport to New York."

"What will happen with him now?"

"Owen will look after him, so he should be fine in the course of time. He’s very devastated at the moment, but I think he’ll get through this…. Want to come with me to talk to him?"

"I don’t know, I do want to hear everything by the word of mouth, but at the same time…. Do you think it’s a good idea?"

"Could be, you’re his saviour after all, though I'm not sure he appreciates it very much right now. So it’s up to you to decide. No pressure."

"Ok, I'll come," Fenton agreed after several moments of silence.

"I’ll be there at about 2 p.m., so I'll meet you there."

It took Fenton a lot of time to talk Laura into going to Dr. Miller. She denied the need to go see a psychologist, promising to calm down within a couple of days without any medical help, but from the look in her eyes Fenton could tell she’d go mad within those two days if not helped by a professional. Hopefully soon she gave in and some time later they were on their way to Bayport Hospital where Dr. Miller worked.

Leaving his wife with the doctor, Fenton made his way to the waiting room where Chief Collig was awaiting him, pacing the room back and forth. "Finally!" he exclaimed. "Let’s go, we’ve no much time."

"Sorry it took me so long," Fenton apologised, following the Chief to the elevators. "How’s Joe?"

"Not too well," Collig admitted, pressing the button numbered 8, "doctors managed to calm him down by medicine, but he’s eager to get away from here as soon as possible, so we should hurry. Robert is with him all the time and his wife is awaiting them, they’re leaving for New York when Joe’s discharged."

"Are you sure he wants me to be there?" Fenton still had doubts about his decision to come.

"I am sure he doesn’t want anybody there, so your presence won’t affect the matter," the doors of the elevator opened and they walked out, heading down the corridor leading to Joe’s room. Once at the door, Collig looked at the ceiling, "Let it be easy," he prayed and opened the door, "Hello, may we come in?"

"Yes, please," came the reply.

The room the two found themselves in was usual for most hospitals: 4 snow-white walls, a window out of which the blue sky could be seen, several strange looking machines and bottles with medicine, a couple of chairs and a hospital bed on which 2 men were sitting. One of them was a handsome man of about 40 years old who held an arm around the other person’s shoulders, quietly telling him something.

The man arose from the bed and shook hands with the visitors, introducing himself as Robert Owen. So that’s who Joe’ll be living with, Fenton looked at the man from head to toe. His demeanours were of a typical lawyer – he was calm, restrained and composed, though his face told another story, it was set in sadness and some kind of concern. No wonder, not only has he lost his friend, but has to try to replace Joe’s father. Just as he thought of Joe, his eyes looked at the bed where the 17-year-old sat quietly and his heart sank.

Joe looked like a little child, hurt by big people, he was hugging his knees, which were pulled up against his chest, and his head was resting upon them. He was looking at the sheet of the bed most of the time, rubbing his puffy eyes every once in awhile, his cheeks and eyes were red whereas the rest of his face was as white as a sheet. Hearing the visitors, he raised his red eyes to look at them. He never greeted them, just watched them say ‘hello’ to him and shake hands with Robert.

"Hello, Joe," Collig tried to start the conversation and smiled wanly. "How do you do?"

Joe only shrugged his shoulders in reply, the last thing he needed was to have a friendly talk about his ruined life with unknown people.

Robert put his hand over his, "Are you sure you want to do it now?" he softly asked Joe for the millionth time this day. "You have every right to testify when you feel like doing it, not now."

Joe shook his head, "No, I'd rather do it now," he said in a quiet quivering voice, shifting on his bed trying to obtain the most comfortable pose.

"Okay, Joe," the Chief nodded, sitting down on a chair next to Joe’s bed and taking out a notepad and a pen. "My name is Ezra Collig, I'm the Chief…."

"I know who you are," Joe interrupted him, rubbing the plaster on his sore forehead. "Just ask your questions, please."

"Ok," Collig felt uneasy, but he knew Joe didn’t mean anything bad. "So, could you please start by telling me what you remember about yesterday?"

Joe swallowed, trying to swallow his tears which he instantly felt in his throat at the memories of the previous day, "I don’t remember much," he answered, rubbing his fingers, "I was in the library when Dad.. when he called and…well, he shouted not to come back home…he said something about ant, but I didn’t know what it meant until Frank, Frank Hardy," he glanced at Fenton, who stood still at the windowpane, watching him, sympathy in his sad eyes, "well, he guessed that Dad just hadn’t had enough time to finish the sentence and that ant must have meant Antoneskou…." Joe stopped to take a few deep breathes in. After licking his parched lips, he went on, his voice becoming quieter and quieter, "I went to check, I knew I shouldn’t come in, but….I don’t know why, but I went there and…and there was that man and he…" the lump in his throat was becoming bigger and bigger and it was literally smothering him. "I tried to get away, but then I….I hit my head and everything…I dunno, just stopped… I fell and," he closed his eyes not to let his tears roll down his cheeks. Sniffing his nose, he whispered, "And then he shot. That’s it."

Robert put his arm around Joe’s shoulders and gave them a comforting squeeze, a heartening smile on his face. He could only imagine what Joe had to go through when testifying straight after losing his father like that and almost being killed himself.

"Did he tell you why he…um.." Collig searched for the right word not to hurt Joe, "you know."

Joe shook his head in reply, staring down at the sheet of the bed, "No he didn’t," he closed his eyes. He didn’t want to let them see he was lying. He knew that Antoneskou did that because Paul had told Joe about not being his father.

"Are you sure?" the Chief coaxed.

Never, they must never know about that, Dad wouldn’t want them to know, it’s only between the two of us! I won’t betray you, Dad…Never…. Unable of holding back his tears, Joe wiped them away with a sleeve of his shirt and nodded his head, avoiding eyes contact.

"Mr. Hardy, who had come before us, told me that he had heard him talk to you," Collig said. "What was he telling you?"

Joe shot a glance towards the man at the windowpane, feeling his heart beating faster and faster. If Fenton Hardy had heard everything Collig wouldn’t have asked him this question. Or was he just checking him? They can’t make me!! "As I said before I tried to get away from him," Joe responded, his ears burning as they always did when he was lying. "He…he was j-just angry."

Collig nodded his understanding, taking notes. "Were there any more threats, after those two that were sent to you about 2 weeks ago, that the police doesn’t know of?"

"No, there were not."

"Did he try to get in touch with you?"

Joe shook his head, God, when will this end?

This is going to be a dead-end, rushed through Collig’s mind as he asked the next question, "Angelica Cadwell, does this name say anything to you?" Receiving a negative reply, he sighed. There was only one more thing. He narrowed his eyes, studying Joe’s face. "Joe, remember one of the threats in which he promised to reveal some kind of a secret if you didn’t leave Bayport? I know it’s a private question, but what secret was he talking about? Do you have any clues?"

"I don’t," Joe whispered, wishing for the two men to leave him alone. "I don’t know anything!!"

"Ok, if you don’t want to tell me, fine," Collig digressed. The last thing he wanted was to bring Joe to tears which he was already close to. "In the living room, in a vase of flowers, our officers found a bug. Could Antoneskou hear about that secret you and your Dad might have talked about?"

No doubt that swine could! Still, Joe shrugged his shoulders, "We talked about many things."

"Joe, please, if you know anything," Collig almost begged. He’s worked in police for too long not to see when someone wasn’t telling him everything. "This is needed for you. I just want to find out what the motive was."

"Some people….they need no motive, they just come and…." Joe stopped abruptly, sharply taking a breath in when he almost burst into tears. Robert instantly poured a glass of water and handed it to him.

Fenton Hardy watched Joe with a sinking feeling in his heart. That’s exactly what he was thinking straight after his son’s disappearance – some people come and destroy everything. The events of the previous evening and his emotions were taking the best of him. Seeing Joe like that, he couldn’t help but think about his own child. What if he feels just as bad now and I'm not there to help him? What if our paths will never ever cross?…How will I know now? He threw his head back to stop the tears from filling his eyes and took several deep breaths in, but just then he caught the Chief’s worried look and, wiping away his tears with his palm, shook his head as if saying he was ok.

Downing the water with one big gulp, Joe whispered, barely able to compose himself any longer, "I don’t know why he did that…. If I knew…." he put his face into his hands, losing it again. "Please, just leave me al-alone…."

Collig looked helplessly at Fenton, "Do you have any questions to Joe?"

Fenton shook his head, lowering his head, "No."

"Fine then. But please, Joe, if you remember something else, maybe just a detail, please, contact me," Collig asked, giving him a card with his phone number. "A lot of people are involved in this case and every detail may be extremely important…."

Joe scarcely nodded in reply, feeling a bit better that it was finished. A bit.

"Well, that is it then," the Chief stood up from his chair. "Goodbye, Joe… I hope everything will be alright for you….Good luck," he shook his hands with both Robert and Joe and turned to leave.

"Thank you for agreeing to testify," Fenton Hardy said before going away. He too shook his hands with both Joe and Robert. "Everything’s gonna be alright, Joe, you’ll get through this, just believe you will," he told the teen who obviously didn’t believe him. "Have a good life. Goodbye," he forced a weak smile.

"Goodbye, Mr. Hardy," Joe replied in a quiet voice and watched both men walk out of his life.