Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

“I thought I knew the melody that I heard you singing, and when you smiled, it made me feel like I could sing along. But then you went and changed the words, now my heart is empty. I’m only left with ‘used to be’s’ and ‘once upon a song.’ Now I know you’re not a fairy tale, and dreams are meant for sleeping, and wishes on a star just don’t come true. Now, even I can tell that I confused my feelings with the truth, because I liked the view, when there was me and you.” –When There Was Me and You

***

“Frank? You okay?” Joe asked quietly. It was now past one in the morning, and the boys were on their way back to college campus. After seeing the photo, Frank had pocketed it, then said nothing more, even as their father hugged Joe, telling him to go to extra measures to remain safe, and told Frank how proud he was of him. Frank had merely grunted.

Now the brothers were on their way back to campus, and Frank still hadn’t said anything. Joe took his eyes off the road briefly to glance at Frank. “Frank, you can’t clam up forever,” Joe reminded him. “At least say something!”

Frank slid the incriminating picture out of his pocket and sighed deeply, scowling at the photo. “I can’t believe it,” he murmured.

“Ah, he speaks!” Joe said jokingly, but fell silent when he saw that jokes were getting him nowhere. “Look, Frank,” the blonde youth said quietly, “I’m sorry about Izzy.” Frank tensed at the sound of her name, but said nothing. “But listen, bro, you gotta get on with your life. You guys weren’t that close were you?”

“Joe, I really thought I loved her,” Frank said.

“Frank, I may not be the most down-to-earth person in the world, but even I know that that’s some pretty serious stuff you’re saying. Dude, you’ve known her for a month! Just one month.”

Frank winced. “I know. And I got in way too deep. I can’t believe I ever trusted her.”

“Frank, it’s okay. I mean, we all make mistakes, right?” He paused. “So…what’re you going to do?”

Frank sighed heavily. “What else can I do? I’ve gotta talk to her about it.”

Joe frowned. “Are you sure that’s the best idea?”

“No. But it’s the only one I’ve got. In the meantime, you’re going to stay with me every second of every day—I’m not letting you leave my sight.”

It was now Joe’s turn to wince. “Come on, Frank, that’s going over the top. I’ll be fine. I’m a big boy, I can take care of myself.”

Frank shook his head. “No way. You heard him. They’re determined to get at you. I’m not letting them take you—not even letting them get half a chance.”

Joe rolled his eyes, but didn’t say anything else. They continued the rest of the ride in silence.

***

It was nearly two thirty when the brothers arrived at their dorm. Yawning, Joe said, “Well, bro, I’m gonna hit the sack.”

“Okay,” Frank said. “I’ll be right behind you. It’s been a long day.” He studied his brother intently for a second. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Of course,” Joe answered. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, that must’ve been pretty scary, what happened tonight.”

Joe grinned. “C’mon, Frank, I knew you’d be there for me. There’s no way you would’ve let that creep take me.”

“Of course not,” Frank agreed, putting his hand on Joe’s shoulder. “Well, let’s get some sleep. I guess I’ll be talking to Izzy tomorrow.”

“Yeah, good luck with that,” Joe said. “And Frank--?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry for what happened. I really thought you two were perfect for each other.”

Frank didn’t answer. He went to unlock the door leading to their dorm, but was alarmed to find it already unlocked. “Joe, stay out here,” he ordered. Remembering Tristen’s threats about kidnapping Joe, Frank automatically assumed that someone was here to take his brother.

Joe paid no attention Frank’s order, and peeked in the dorm. Both boys stepped inside. “Hello?” Frank said quietly.

“Hey, Frank.” Frank turned and saw, with great surprise, that Isabella was standing right in front of him.

“Oh, wow,” Joe muttered. “I’d love to stay and watch the show, guys, but I think I’m going to bed—you guys could use your privacy. Night, Frank. Izzy.” And with that, the blonde teen shut himself in his room.

“What was he talking about?” Isabella asked Frank. The teen didn’t answer, but glared at his girlfriend, eyes threatening to fill with tears. “Frank?”

“You lied to me.” His words came out low and soft.

“What?”

“You heard me!” Frank said, with much more force than he had intended. “You lied to me, Izzy! I trusted you.” He took a deep breath. “I know you used to date a gangster.”

“Oh no,” the girl breathed. “Tristen got arrested, didn’t he?”

“That’s right!” Frank yelled, anger bubbling up inside him. Although he normally was patient and willing to talk things out, he was having trouble keeping his temper in check. “He got arrested—for smuggling and attempted kidnapping!”

“Kidnapping?” Isabella said. “What happened tonight?”

“Your little boyfriend held Joe at gunpoint, and almost took him away…Isabella, do you know how much that hurts? That you would keep something like that from me? I mean, for all I know, you could be part of the same gang.”

Isabella’s eyes filled with tears. “Frank, I was,” she said quietly. “Frank, you have to understand. Tristen wasn’t always like this. He got sucked into it—and brought me with him. I played along for a while, thinking it was just a harmless gang. Then I realized what all was going on, what with the smuggling, murder, kidnapping…and I told him I was through. And left…I’ve been getting threatening messages for a long time, Frank. Things saying my time is coming to an end, and if I want to live another second, I can’t tell anyone about what happens in the Red Dragon. That’s why I didn’t tell you.”

Frank was too wound up to accept her apology. “Izzy—Joe almost got taken away from me—by your ex-boyfriend! If I had known you were involved with scum like this, I never would have liked you in the first place. But the fact that you were, and you kept it from me—is so much worse. I’m sorry, Isabella. But we’re through.”

“But Frank—“

“Don’t even try to convince me otherwise!” Frank hissed. “I TRUSTED YOU! AND YOU LIED TO ME! Who knows, maybe you’re still working for the gang! Maybe you’re trying to get to Joe—maybe that’s the only reason you even pretended to like me. I just can’t believe I fell for you.”

Unshed tears shining in her eyes, Isabella spun on her heel and stalked out of the room, a heart-wrenching sob escaping her trembling lips. Frank sighed loudly and ran a hand through his thick hair, trying to decide what to do.

Before he could decide anything, a shrill shriek sounded from outside.

Joe rushed from his room, wearing the bottom half of his pajamas, and said, “What was that?”

Frank didn’t answer. He rushed out the door and gasped. Izzy was gone!

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency 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.