And then as Biff took in the whole scene he was flooded with relief.  It wasn’t Joe…it was William.

William had been shot.

* * *

When Fenton opened the front door and saw the blond haired boy with the gun, his first thought was that it was Joe.  But as he hurtled himself towards the boy and almost tripped over Frank, he realized it wasn’t Joe…it was William.

…The second chamber was empty…

Then as Fenton tackled William and knocked him to the floor, the gun went off and William went limp beneath him.

“Oh my god”, Fenton was horrified – he had just killed his new son!

In shock, he just looked down at William oblivious to the commotion behind him.

“Oh William…oh William, “he moaned as he saw the blood on the boy’s face. Behind him, he could hear Frank and knew Joe was there too but his world had been horrifically narrowed down to the child at his feet. 

The one he had shot.

Frank would take care of Joe…he always did.

* * *

When he saw his father take William down, Frank was overwhelmed with such huge relief that he was lightheaded.  His father had come. 

They had been saved!

It was finally over.  But then he remembered Joe and was instantly struggling towards his brother’s limp form, his movements impeded by those damn handcuffs.

Seeing Biff hurrying towards him, Frank called to him, “Biff call 911.  We need an ambulance NOW!”

Stopping in his tracks, Biff turned, grabbed the phone and was dialing as best he could.  He was shaken by what he had just seen and his fingers trembled as he held the receiver.

* * *

“Joe”, Frank whispered as he tried to help his brother but there was little he could do handcuffed.  Across from him he heard William moan and his jaw clenched but he was too worried about Joe to deal with him now.

Besides his father was there. 

Frank glanced over and he could see that his father was talking to Will and telling him to stay still he’d been shot.

Shaking his head, he saw Biff was just hanging up, “Biff please help me…we need to get some water into him…he’s so sick.”

Biff was running to the kitchen and back with a glass as Frank tried to get Joe propped up but it was difficult.  Normally he would have looped his handcuffed arms over Joe’s head and pulled him up in a mock hug, but he didn’t do that now because of Joe’s back.  He was going to need Biff to sit him up.

“Help me sit him up”, Frank said tersely.  He heard someone coming up the steps and hoped it was the paramedics although he had not heard a siren, “Watch his back.”

Biff blanched, his stomach churning against him when he carefully pulled Joe up and saw the damage.

“Oh my god”, he whispered hoarsely, “No”.  His mind was whirling…why hadn’t he pushed his way in past William last night and demanded to see Frank and Joe…why hadn’t he?

Everything fell heavily into place as he realized with sickening clarity what had been going on.  What Will had been doing to his best friend...

Closing his eyes briefly, Biff forced himself to contain his anger when all he wanted to do was pound the living daylights out of the twin.  But he couldn’t right now, Frank needed his help.

“Please baby”, the desperate tone in Frank’s voice brought Biff back and he saw the older boy trying to get some water into his brother, “you need to drink.”  But it was useless and the water just dribbled down Joe’s chin.

Now they heard the sirens.

* * *

Con Riley didn’t hesitate for a second.  He saw the open door, peered in and then was running and keying his shoulder mike for assistance at the same time.

He could see that Fenton had Will in hand and took his handcuff key out as soon as he saw Frank’s predicament.

“Here Frank”, Con said dropping down to a squat, “let’s get those things off you.”

Frank was shocked and then immensely relived to see Con and he held out his wrists as he stammered, fresh tears on his anguished face, “J-Joe, Will hurt him bad Con…real bad.”

With a click the handcuffs came off and as Frank gently pulled his brother from Biff and hugged him into his chest, Con was abhorred by the damage that was done.

Frank had looked bad enough with his black eye, haunted tear streaked face, ravaged wrists and sores on his arm but that did not prepare the police officer for what he saw when he took a good look at the younger boy.

Gently he touched Joe’s cheek frowning when he felt how warm he was and then he smiled reassuringly into the dark eyes watching him with unmasked concern, “He’ll be okay Frank.  He’s safe now.”

For some reason, Frank found strength in that soft reassurance and he gave Con a weak smile, “Thanks Con.”

Squeezing his arm supportively Con looked at Fenton.

Fenton was still trying to keep Will from getting up as he pressed his handkerchief to the side of his face.  The police officer could see where the bullet had grazed Williams’ face and knew he was lucky to be alive.

Hearing the ambulance pulling up out front Con straightened up and went out to meet the paramedics.

Within moments a stretcher was being wheeled in thru the front door and the paramedics were triaging Joe and Will.

Gently the medics placed a loose bandage on Joe’s chest over the knife wound before placing him on his stomach on the stretcher.  Frank saw the older man shake his head sadly as he assessed the damage down to Joe’s back as the younger woman began an IV.

“Wait a second”, the sound of Fenton’s voice made everyone glance at him.  He had been still kneeling down next to William but when he saw them preparing Joe for the ambulance he got up and came towards him, “William has a gun shot wound to the head.  He needs to go to the hospital.”

“Yes he does”, the older paramedic agrees, “But it’s only a flesh wound.  This kid is dehydrated, has second degree burns and is in shock. We need to get him there stat.  Now if you’ll excuse us.”  The man went to help his partner with the stretcher but Fenton grabbed his arm.

“It’s a head injury.  He’s been shot!”

“Sir I must ask you to release my arm”, the ambulance attendant said icily and Con moved towards Fenton.

“Fenton”, the younger man said in a warning tone but Fenton ignored him.  He was so overcome with shock and in denial that he wasn’t thinking straight.  All he kept thinking was, ohmygod…I shot William…ohmygod…

The detective glanced down at Joe but a light sheet prevented him from seeing the extent of the injuries and he shook his head, not understanding, “but William’s been shot.  Since when do cuts and bruises take priority over a gun shot wound to the head?”

Frank bristled but before he could fly into his father, Chief Collig’s voice boomed from the doorway, “Fenton Hardy remove your hand from that man and let him do his job.”

Collig had just gotten there in time to hear Fenton’s remark and he narrowed his eyes at his long time friend wondering what in the world he was thinking.  He had only been a couple blocks from the house when he heard Con’s radio call but he was still not prepared for what he saw.

William on the floor with a gunshot wound; Joe being attended on a stretcher; Fenton arguing with the paramedics; Con prepared to intervene; Biff Hooper seething so angrily the vein on his forehead stood out; and Frank…

Frank looked terrible.  But it was the look on Frank’s face that got the police Chief the most, it was that of a man who’d been pushed further then they were willing to go and was ready to explode. 

The Chief of Police had known Frank since he was a child and could honestly say that he had never before seen Frank Hardy look so angry.

And as he followed Frank’s gaze he saw it was directed straight at his father.

So quickly, Collig took control of the scene before it got anymore out of hand.

Fenton glared at his friend but then let go of the other man who quickly moved Joe out the front door.

“Can I ride with him?”  Frank asked in a small voice, very concerned about Joe being out of his sight.

The woman smiled sympathetically, “I’m sorry.  We need the room to work on him.  He’s very sick.”

Collig nodded and then stepped out of the way grimacing when he saw the state Joe was in, without seeing his back.

“Fenton”, Collig turned back to his friend and spoke with the authority of his position, “I’ll drive you and William to the hospital.”

“I’ll take Frank”, Biff offered immediately and Chief gave him a grateful smile.  He wasn’t sure yet what had happened here but he already knew that Frank and William in the same car wasn’t going to work.

“Thank you Biff”, Collig said and then turned to Con, “Secure the scene.  You’re in charge.”

Then he helped Fenton get William to his feet and into the back of the car.

Frank watched numbly as Biff put his arm around his shoulder, “Come on Frank.  Let’s go and see how Joe’s doing.”

The dark haired boy didn’t move for a moment as he said miserably, “I failed him Biff.”

“What are you talking about?”  Biff demanded.

Frank sighed, “I’m his big brother…I’m supposed to look out for him. And I failed him.”

“Oh Frank”, Biff said sympathetically as he sensed what Frank was guilt-tripping about, “you could never have known.  This…this is beyond…beyond anything. “

“I still should have known”, Frank responded.

“No”, Biff reinforced, “Frank you’re only 16 years old for goodness sakes. No if anyone should have known or is to blame it your parents.”

Frank looked at him oddly and Biff shrugged, “Sorry but that’s how I feel.  You’re dad is a detective for Pete’s sake. He should have been a bit more perceptive…and speaking of which… What the hell is up with your old man?  He was acting as if Will was the victim!’

“I don’t know”, Frank admitted numbly as he let Biff lead him to Laura’s car, “I think he’s in shock.”

“Yeah well aren’t we all”, Biff commented as he helped his friend with his seatbelt.  Frank had started trembling badly as the adrenaline weaved out his system with the knowledge that this was truly over.

Biff paused and gave Frank a quick hug, “It’s going to be okay Frank…you’re safe…you’re both safe now.”

As Frank watched Chief Collig’s car pulling away, he could see the blond head leaning against the back seat and wondered about what Biff said.

Where they safe now?

Would they ever truly be safe?

Closing his eyes, Frank leaned his own head back against the headrest as he felt the car moving, emotional exhaustion lulling him to darkness.

Hold on baby brother…hold on…