Plays of William Shakespeare, in all likelihood, saved Frank’s sanity that afternoon. He was forced to go to the college campus for his class; forced to sit and pay attention to the lecture; forced to think of something other than Megan Wright and the terrible scenarios provided by an overactive imagination. He concentrated fiercely on the professor’s words, took notes with careful precision, conscientiously underlined and highlighted phrases.

But when the buzzer sounded, and he recalled that he and Megan had agreed to meet for lunch following his Shakespeare class, Frank felt as if someone was twisting his stomach into knots. He walked slowly to the student center, knowing he needed something to eat – but the only thing he could manage to choke down was half a Coke. He sat alone at one of the outside tables, taking an occasional sip and watching the ebb and flow of the other students around him. Eventually he simply gave up and went home.

***

At four o’clock Tony Prito arrived at the Hardys’ home, and soon afterwards, Joe pulled into the driveway. He was talking on his cell phone as he walked into the kitchen, where Tony and Frank were sitting.

"…I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be sticking so close to him. Hasn’t the man got eyes? You’d think he’d notice you’ve been hanging around him like he’s Albert Schweitzer, or something." Joe glanced at his brother and mouthed Vanessa. Frank nodded. He had figured as much. "Okay, okay, I know…just keep me posted, all right? Stay in touch. I get antsy when I don’t hear from you….All right. Bye."

"She’s still keeping tabs on Gerald Waring, I take it?" Frank inquired.

"Yup." Joe flopped down on a chair, stretching his long legs out in front of him. "She says there’s always a chance that he’ll go see Crowley – or Megan – today."

Frank hadn’t thought of that possibility – that Waring might lead them to Megan. He suddenly didn’t feel nearly so concerned about Vanessa’s insistence on watching the doctor; she might be of vital importance.

"Let’s see just how much we can make Tony look like you." Joe was saying now. He got up and beckoned the other two boys toward the stairs. "Tony, you’re not as tall as Frank, but if we don’t stand together, it shouldn’t be too noticeable. And maybe no one knows us well enough for it to make any difference."

They decided Tony’s jeans, shirt and athletic shoes were perfectly acceptable; he and Frank were both dressed in the usual "college casual" attire. Frank provided a leather jacket that he often wore. Tony carefully combed his dark hair into a style similar to Frank’s, and the boys were amazed at how it changed his appearance.

"Still – " Joe tilted his head to one side and studied his friend carefully. "Wearing a baseball cap is probably a good idea. It’ll shield your features, in case anyone’s watching us arrive. And I’d bet quite a lot that someone will be watching."

Tony pulled the cap on, tugging the bill down over his eyes. Then he pulled Frank to stand beside him, facing the mirror over Frank’s dresser. "Well? Will I do?"

They stared at their reflections. Other than the height discrepancy, and the fact that Tony’s skin was a slightly darker shade, they looked amazingly alike. In a parking lot, at a distance – even with the bright floodlights to lift the darkness – he could easily pass as Frank.

"Good enough," Frank approved.

Tony heaved a sigh of relief and took off the jacket and cap. "Too hot, right now." he observed. "Okay, I understand I’m passing myself off as you. But where are you going to be while I’m standing out there in the parking lot, possibly letting myself get shot at or something?"

Frank smiled grimly and took something out of his pocket. "See this?" He held up a key. "Mrs. Wright gave it to me. It’s Megan’s key to the office building at Crowley Manufacturing. While you and Joe are carefully presenting yourselves and that tape to Crowley in front, I will have gone in the back entrance of the building. And I’m going to find Megan and get her out."

"But I thought the whole idea was to make an exchange?" Tony looked baffled. "You don’t think they’ll give her up, once they have the tape?"

"No, I don’t." Frank replied. "I don’t think Crowley has any intention of letting her go; she knows too much. You and Joe are the distraction I have to have, to give me time to find her."

"The computer security codes shouldn’t be in effect, since people will be in the building," Joe commented. "That’s extremely lucky. We couldn’t have managed those."

"What if she’s guarded, Frank?" Tony knew he was asking obvious questions, but he felt it served to keep Frank’s mind occupied. And who knew, it might be important.

"It’s a risk I have to take." the elder Hardy replied. "The hardest part will be finding out where she is."

A soft tap on the door announced Mrs. Hardy’s presence. "Boys, there are hamburgers on the kitchen table; no reason for you to go into this without anything to eat. Frank – " and she looked sternly at her son, " – that means I expect you to eat something too. I am going over to the Wrights’ in a few minutes. Megan’s mother and Andrea Bender and I are going to be at that parking lot tonight too."

"Mom – you?" Joe blurted. Then he turned red. "Uh – I didn’t mean – "

"Mrs. Wright has every right to be there, Joe. And she needs someone with her. Andrea and I decided we were the most logical ones. Did you have an objection to that?"

"No, Mom, no." Joe shook his head vigorously. "It’s great of you to be there for Mrs. Wright."

Laura gave him a warm smile, but all she said was "Better go eat."

The three boys went downstairs to the kitchen. Laura made sure they had everything they needed, then departed. Joe and Tony dug in to the food with ravenous appetites; Frank managed a few bites of his hamburger and a couple of French fries, and had to admit it did make him feel a little better.

Five-thirty, now, still too light outside to make any attempt at getting into the Crowley office building. Frank went back upstairs, leaving Joe and Tony engrossed in a video game, and changed into black jeans and a dark shirt, then added a dark blue denim jacket. He recalled there were trees and shrubbery behind the building; any chance of concealment would be welcome. He suddenly wished a large, noisy rainstorm would blow up – perhaps some thunder and lightning – creating lots of noise and commotion. However, a glance outside showed him that such a storm was unlikely!

Frank carefully filled his pockets with every conceivable item he could think of, that could help him in his endeavor: lock picks…tiny flashlight…his cell phone…Swiss army knife…some lengths of lightweight cord…handkerchief. Finally satisfied he was as well prepared as possible, he went back downstairs.

"I can’t wait any longer. I’m going to go over there now, and try to get in."

Joe looked up from the screen, his fingers pausing on the game controls. "Now? But it’s not even six o’clock yet!"