Joe fell to the pavement, gasping for breath as a siren sounded in the distance. Recovered, Wyrd helped free Kurtz and the two men jumped into the car. As it took off, Joe memorized the tag number.

Stan helped Joe to his feet as the Saturn made it's way out of the parking lot. As the siren grew closer, a crowd spilled out of the restaurant to see how the two were. Officer Delray, a new man on the force who had met Joe the last time he and Frank had been in the police station, came to a stop and got out of his car.

"What happened here?" Delray demanded, his eyes looking sharply at Joe for an explanation.

"Two men just tried to abduct Joe," Stan answered for Joe.

"They headed south in a black Saturn," Joe added. "License number GZY 4983."

The officer put through the information to dispatch. "Do you need medical attention?" he asked Joe and Stan, seeing their growing bruises form the fight.

Joe shook his head. "I'm fine," he said, then looked at Stan.

"Me too," Stan assured Joe. Stan looked at the officer. "The two men who tried to kidnap him were at Berkley’s Golf Club this morning," he informed the officer. "They said their names were Andrew Wyrd and Randy Kurtz."

"Probably aliases," the officer commented. "But I'll take their descriptions anyway," he added, pulling out his pad and a mechanical pencil. He radioed in the descriptions and requested a report time and number. Then he took Joe's and Stan's personal information so they would not have to go to headquarters to file another report. Done, Officer Delray departed.

In the jeep, Stan looked over at Joe. "I guess they were after more than golf this morning." Joe nodded. "I daresay it must have something to do with a case your father is working on."

"Most likely," Joe affirmed.

"You'll have to tell him," Stan directed. "He needs to know that whatever he is doing is putting you in danger."

"I know," Joe agreed. "But finding him to tell him is the problem."

When they arrived on Elm Street, Stan walked Joe home. "Just in case someone is waiting to surprise you," he insisted when Joe had told him it wasn't necessary.

"Joe!" gasped Laura when he walked into the living room. "What on earth happened?" she demanded, rushing over to him.

Joe told her about the attempted kidnapping. "Luckily Stan was there to help out," he finished.

"Thank you so much," Laura said, turning to look at their neighbor gratefully. "Oh, you're hurt too," she added, noticing his cut lip and the dried blood on his cheek. "Sit down," she ordered. "You too, Joe. I'll run and get the first aid kit."

Stan started to argue but Joe placed a hand on his arm. "Better do as she says," he told Stan. "Mom can be a tiger when she is disobeyed."

"What are you doing home?" Joe asked when his mother returned with the first aid kit. "I thought you were playing bridge today."

"One of the girls got sick," Laura explained. "So it was called off." She began cleaning the blood from Stan's cheek as she spoke. "I want you to try and get in touch with your father after I take care of that cut," she told Joe, finishing up with Stan.

"Yes, ma'am," Joe agreed.

"And I want you to turn on your alarm when I leave," Stan told Laura. "And if either of you need anything, call me at once."

"That’s very kind of you," Laura replied, smiling. "But thankfully, Frank will be home tonight. I doubt anyone will try to break in with both of the boys at home," she added optimistically. Joe smiled. Sometimes he thought his mom wore rose-colored glasses.

"You never can tell," cautioned Stan. He bid the two good bye and left.

"He's a nice man," Laura said as she put a small band-aid on the corner of Joe's eyebrow.

"Yeah, he is," agreed Joe. "I'll get the alarm and head upstairs to try and get in touch with dad."

"Hold off on the alarm," Laura told him. "I need to run to the grocery store. I'll be back in about an hour," she promised.

Seeing his mother off, Joe went upstairs and to his dad's office. He tried the hotel in DC once again. His father had not returned. Where is he? Joe wondered as he hung up.

Next, Joe logged onto the Internet and went to the FBI files. Using his father's passwords, he ran a search for Andrew Wyrd. Bingo! Andrew Wyrd..alias...Patrick Devon..alias Sam Thompson. The man's real name was Anthony Willis, a suspected terrorist.

Joe picked up the phone and put a call through to the FBI. "FBI, who do you wish to speak with?" came a stale female voice.

"I would like to report seeing a suspected terrorist," Joe announced. "Anthony Willis."

"Please hold," the woman said. Less than a minute later Joe was put through to another line.

"Agent Tinesdale," a man barked into the phone.

"Agent Tinesdale, my name is Joe Hardy. I live in Bayport, New York. I would like to report seeing someone listed in your files. The man's name is Anthony Willis."

"I'm listening," Tinesdale said. Joe told the agent of playing golf and of his attempted abduction.

"Randy Kurtz was the man with him, you say?" the agent asked thoughtfully. "Sounds like Tom Meecham. We've been after him as well. I will get in touch with your local police about the matter," he promised. "If you see either of them again, please call me back. My extension at the department is 9587. If I'm not in, you will be patched through to my cell."

"Sure thing," Joe promised.

Joe logged off the computer and stood up and stretched. It had already been a long day and it was still early. As he dropped his arms, he heard a loud noise, like gunfire. A second shot rang out and Joe fell to the floor.