"We are in so much trouble," moaned Pete. "The boss said to get the blond one and leave this one alone."

Frank’s eyes narrowed at the man’s statement. Why would they specifically want Joe? Axemeyer, Frank answered his own question. There was no other explanation. The thought of Joe being used by Axemeyer made his blood boil. He only hoped he could get free long enough to let Axemeyer experience the sensations he intended to inflict for his deeds. No one used his brother and got away with it.

Soon, the car came to a stop in front of a two story house. Frank was hauled out of the car and carried inside and down to the basement where he was left alone in the dark.

***

Joe called his dad’s cell and told him about the attack in the school parking lot and Frank’s abduction. "Forget about school and go home," Fenton ordered Joe. "The kidnappers may call with their demands and when they do call me at once."

"Well?" demanded Callie, her face white.

"I’m leaving," Joe said. "Dad wants me at home in case the kidnappers call with their ransom demand."

"Money?" asked, brown-headed Phil Cohen, one of the Hardys’ friends who had come running to help.

"More likely, they will want dad to get away from Redman," Joe replied with a shake of his head. "Look, Frank and I will tell you all about it later. Right now, I had better go."

When Joe reached home, he found his mother and Stan on the porch talking. Joe took a deep breath then got out of the van.

"Joe, is something wrong?" demanded Laura, wondering why he was home when he should be at school. "Where’s Frank?" she asked, looking to the van.

"We were jumped in the school parking lot," Joe informed her, putting his hands on her arms and looking into her eyes. "They took Frank." Laura closed her eyes as her face paled. "Come on," Joe said softly, moving his hands and wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he led her inside.

"Take her into the living room," Stan ordered Joe, following them in. "I’ll go and make some tea."

"Thanks," Joe said, looking over his shoulder at Stan. "It’s in the top shelf over the sink."

Stan was back in a few minutes with a tray holding the tea pot, cream, sugar and three cups. "I thought we could all use some," he said, setting it on the coffee table. He poured Laura a cup.

"One sugar and cream for her," Joe told him and watched as Stan fixed it. Stan handed Laura her tea then raised his eyebrow at Joe questioningly. "Three sugars, no cream," Joe responded, smiling as Stan fixed his tea and handed it to him. Stan then fixed his own and joined the two on the sofa.

When Laura finished her tea, she rose to her feet. "If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go lay down," she said, hurrying from the room. She knew Joe was worried enough and didn’t want him to see her cry.

Joe looked over at Stan after she had left. He knew she why she had left the room and was grateful. His mother may come off as weak to those who didn’t know her, but Joe had discovered long ago that she was anything but. If she left a matter to him, his brother and or father, it was only to soothe their egos or not add to the problem. She knew they worried about her. But Joe had seen her in action.

He would never forget one night, over ten years ago, when he had crept out of bed to go downstairs and try and snitch some cookies. His father was out of town on a case and his mother was still awake. Only when Joe went downstairs, she hadn’t been alone. A man in a mask was there holding a gun on her. Joe smiled at the memory.

His mother had stared the intruder in the eyes and told him that even a teenaged gang member wasn’t so insecure as to have to wear a mask and hold a gun on a woman. Then she told him he should at least have gotten a ski mask to match his outfit. Black was such a dull color compared to the green shirt he had on, but he should be afraid of the fashion police for wearing a pair of jeans that were too short for him. The man had snarled a threat but his mother had made him mad on purpose. By angering him, she had distracted him. She used the time to kick an end table from beneath, sending it’s contents on the man. The man jumped back in surprise but his mother had kicked again, knocking the man’s gun from his hand. Before the man could register what had happened, she was holding the gun on him.

He had known his mother had a black belt in karate. His parents had told them many times how the two had met, and it involved Laura putting Fenton flat on his back. But he hadn’t known how cunning she was. Joe had decided at that time to be more like his mom and try to utilize her knack for throwing the enemy off guard by tossing insults. Sometimes, it worked; other times it backfired. But he assumed the backfires were only because he had not mastered the craft the way his mom had. But he intended to keep trying.

Joe’s eyes sparkled with his smile. Stan, watching Joe curiously, finished his tea. Joe gave Stan a self-conscious grin. "Sorry," he apologized. "I kind of got lost in thought."

"That’s understandable," Stan replied, although he was curious as to what had brought on Joe’s nostalgic look.

"Thanks for sticking around," Joe said.

"I’ll be here for as long as you need me," Stan promised.

***

After he was left alone, Frank laid down on the ground and rubbed his face against the floor. It took several minutes, but he finally managed to work his gag off. He was attempting to work his legs through his arms so he could use his teeth to help untie the knots when the basement door opened and a light came on.

Frank watched as two sets of feet came into view on the steps. In seconds, two people, one who looked suspiciously like a female even in the shape-hiding sweat suit, stood before him.

"What is he doing here?" demanded the female, the voice low and gruff. Even muffled by the ski mask, Frank could tell this person was consumed with fury.

"It was him or nothing," the other person said, then explained how their three cohorts had bungled the abduction.

Frank listened to the guy talking. He knew that voice. But where.... "Steve!" the name erupted from Frank’s mouth unbidden. As soon as he said the name, he closed his eyes. Dumb! Dumb! Dumb! Frank shouted to himself.

Steve ripped off his mask and glared at Frank. His partner gave an exasperated sigh and pulled hers off as well. "Marilyn!" gasped Frank in surprise. "But... what are you doing here?" he asked, completely confused. "Where’s Stan?" he demanded, his eyes straying to the steps as if he expected the man to walk down at any second.

Steve burst out laughing. "You bought that garbage about Axemeyer hook, line, and sinker."

"What do you mean?" demanded Frank, starting to feel like a fool.

"We’ve been listening to you," Marilyn said, bending down and prying something from the rubber of Frank’s left shoe. "I planted it on you when I crashed into you at the five and ten," she explained, holding up a small electronic device.

Frank’s eyes narrowed as he tried to control his temper. It would do him no good to say something he would be sure to regret. "So you see," she continued, standing back up. "If those imbeciles had taken your brother like they were supposed to, then you would be with your father now instead of Joe and we would be able to hear what was going on."

"Best laid plans of mice and... women," Frank stated, his tone smug.

Marilyn slapped him. "We may not know what’s going on, but we still have you. Your dad will do what we want...if he ever wants to see you again."