Frank watched Joe and his mother ride out of sight in a dark blue Subaru Justy driven by Sam Radley, an associate and close friend of the Hardys, with trepidation. “They will be all right, won’t they?” he asked, turning to look at is father.

“They’ll be fine,” replied Fenton. “And no one will be able to get near your mother with Joe around,” he added with a smile. “I do believe he inherited his protective streak from Laura.”

“Yeah,” agreed Frank as he followed his father inside the house. “Mom turns into a real bear if someone bothers any of us in front of her.”

“Ready to get started?” asked Fenton, turning serious.

“The sooner the better,” agreed Frank enthusiastically.

“Run down to the florist and find out what you can about the sender,” instructed Fenton. “I’m going to run a check and see if any old enemies have been released recently.”

Frank arrived at Bertha’s Sunshine Shop a little after two that afternoon. He opened the door to the sound of chimes and entered the quaint shop.

“Hey!” shouted Biff Hooper, an athletic blond who was Joe’s best friend. “What are you doing here?” he asked Frank. “Where’s Joe?” he added, knowing the two generally hung out together.

Frank smiled at Biff. “What am I doing here? What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Mom and dad are picking out some flowers for my Aunt Ella and then we’re off to the hospital to visit her,” Biff explained.

“What’s wrong with her?” asked Frank in polite concern.

“She had her gall bladder removed,” Biff answered. “Now, why are you here?”

Frank told Biff about the flowers his mom had received and about sending her and Joe into protective custody. “I bet Joe hated that,” Biff remarked after letting out a low whistle.

“He wasn’t too thrilled until dad explained he had only agreed with mom because he wanted her protected,” Frank said.

Biff quirked an eyebrow. “For real?” he demanded.

Frank nodded. “Ever since Joe got kidnapped by Hercule on his way to the safe house last Christmas, dad hasn’t had much faith in security. Even when it’s Sam in charge.”

“Understandable,” acknowledged Biff, nodding. “That lunatic almost got Joe out of the country.”

Frank shuddered. “Don’t remind me,” he begged.

Biff looked at the counter where his dad was paying for his purchase. “Looks like we’re just about ready to leave,” he said. “Good luck. And remember, if you need any help, just give me a call.”

“I will,” promised Frank. After Biff and his parents had left, Frank went to the counter.

“May I help you?” asked the middle-aged woman behind the counter.

“Yes,” Frank said giving the woman a charming smile. “My mother received a bouquet of exotic flowers from your store this morning. The card didn’t have a name on it,” he continued. “So she asked me to come and see if you could remember who picked out the bouquet.”

“What was the address?” she asked, turning to her computer.

“417 Elm Street,” Frank answered.

The woman typed in the address. “I’m afraid the bouquet was ordered online,” she said looking back at Frank.

“What about the bill?” asked Frank. “Do you have an address?”

“It was paid for via an online account,” she answered. “But the sender did sign up for a frequent buyer account,” she added. “There’s no name, but we do have a mailing address.”

“What is it?” asked Frank, his brown eyes barely containing his excitement.

“3281 Solidad Drive in Edgewood,” was the answer.

“Thank you,” Frank said with a smile. He hurried out of the store and back to the van. Getting in, he removed his cell phone and called home.

“The flowers were bought online so I couldn’t get a description but I do have an address,” Frank informed his father when he answered. “It’s in Edgewood.”

“He used a credit card?” Fenton inquired. “I can trace the number.”

“It was purchased via an online payment service,” Frank said. “Phil can trace it in case the address is a trap.”

“You think it might be one?” Fenton asked. Frank explained how the clerk had the address. “You’re right,” Fenton sighed. “It does sound suspicious. Come on home,” he continued. “I’ll have the Edgewood police check it out.”

“Have you come up with anything?” asked Frank.

“Not yet,” Fenton answered. “But I’m still looking.”

***

“Here we are,” said Sam Radley as he pulled the station wagon into the driveway of a modest two story-house.

“Home sweet home,” Joe said a bit sarcastically.

“Honey, don’t be that way,” Laura said, turning and frowning at him.

“I’m sorry,” Joe apologized. “It won’t be for long and besides,” he added with a grin, “I can wipe the both of you out in Monopoly tonight.”

Sam threw his head back and laughed. “You wish,” he said, turning to look at Joe with twinkling brown eyes. “What makes you think you can beat me this time?”

“I’ve lost to you two times,” Joe replied. “The third time is a supposed-to-be a charm.”

“Come on,” Laura said. “Let’s get settled in.”

“You certainly worked fast,” said Joe as he climbed out of the car. “How did you get this place ready so fast?”

“Actually, it’s kept ready,” Sam informed him, unlocking the trunk. “I keep two places ready just in case,” he explained, pulling out a duffel bag and handing it to Joe.

Thirty minutes later Joe was setting up the Monopoly board when a knock sounded at the front door.

“Stay here,” Joe ordered his mother as Sam got up to answer the door.

“Keep out of sight,” Sam admonished Joe as he moved to the window to look outside.

“I will,” Joe returned. He waited until Sam had gone to the front door before pushing the curtain aside. Before he could peer out he heard his mother gasp and he spun around to stare at the two men standing in the room with their weapons drawn.

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.