Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

The rain sluiced down the window, forming rivulets along the length of the glass. Despite the early hour, the sky was a leaden gray giving the appearance of dusk, leaching the world in view of color. Inside, it was dim--she never turned lights on in the morning--and quiet. For the last seven weeks, she hadn't switched on the stereo first thing out of deference to him. But now......

She swallowed hard, feeling tears prick her eyes as she remembered last night. Before she'd gotten out of her car, she had known. He was gone. No note, just the painting hanging over the fireplace in the study. She leaned forward until her forehead touched the cool glass of the French doors and closed her eyes. She was tired now. Her sleep had been restless. But in truth, it was because she was still angry.

Last night when she'd stepped into the study and noticed the painting, the one from the art gallery, rage had shot through her. Rage that he had left without even saying goodbye. Casi took a deep breath and opened her eyes. When she had told Gail seven weeks ago that, yes, he could come, she had never imagined it would end like this.

Truth was, she had been reluctant at first. She had been certain having him stay here and recuperate would be damnably awkward for them both. And for the first few days, it had been. So much had changed between them since that fateful day they'd met in an African jungle eight years ago. She was surprised to find she even held some residual resentment over him missing her college graduation after promising he'd be there. It was silly to harp on something that seemed so inconsequential now, but it had hurt that rainy night in May when she had realized he'd never come.

Then, of course, time itself drove the wedge between them even deeper. He moved to Arlington, Virginia only months before she'd moved to Provincetown to work at her aunt's astronomy shop. She saw him briefly at Jody and Gail's wedding two years ago and that had been the last time she'd seen him.

Casi turned from the dreary view outside and walked to the kitchen and fixed herself a cup of tea. She shouldn't be jealous of the poor woman, she told herself. When the tea was ready,she picked up her mug and walked back to the den. She took a deep breath to steady herself and continued through to the study. Hanging over the fireplace , the vivid colors muted in the dimness, the painting made her want to cry.

She had fallen in love with it weeks ago, the first time she'd gone to the art gallery. Of course, at the time, she was trying to find out who was behind a major art theft which turned out to be clever forgeries and a hell of a lot more, so other than noticing the painting, she had thought no more of it.

It was a girl clad in medieval dress kneeling in a stream, one hand outstretched to touch a beautiful white unicorn with a golden spiral horn. It reminded her of one of her favorite movies. When Joe had, quite unwillingly, gotten involved in the whole mess, she had mentioned she loved the painting. She had never expected to actually own it.

The phone rang, piercing the silence. She didn't move from her spot, reluctant to talk to anyone. After the fourth ring, the answering machine clicked on, the recording sounding all too cheerful: "MacFairlaigne residence. You know what to do. Have a nice day. Bye."

"Miss MacFairlaigne....this is Oscar Wyatt. Forgive the intrusion but I wish to know if everything is satisfactory. Joe couldn't remember if the painting's frame matched the room. I don't know if he told you that it is payment for the help you gave me. And I apologize again for---"

Casi snatched up the phone, causing the answering machine to squeal for half a second. "Oscar Wyatt?" She glanced at the painting. "What do you mean, payment?.........Oh." Listening to Wyatt explain, Casi felt the last of the anger fade away. "Yes. I love it. Thank you. Bye."

She slowly hung up, then walked over to the painting. She put down her mug of tea on the mantel, then reached up and touched the unicorn. When she brought her hand down, she saw the piece of paper folded small and tucked into the frame. Hesitantly, she pulled it out and unfolded it.

It was written in his slanted scrawl. She read the note, and then refolded it and put it back where she found it. She glanced around the room, still felt his presence. Finally, she spoke aloud. "I miss you.........I love you."

The words seemed to echo for a moment, then she turned to leave. She started out the door after retrieving her mug, already planning what to wear, hoping it would be a good day at the shop....

Life goes on........

The End

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Disclaimer

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.