Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Casi busied herself making a sandwich, thoroughly embarrassed with herself. "Standing there like an idiot, dripping water, clad in nothing but a bikini," she muttered, turning from her sandwich in the making and digging in the refrigerator for that tomato she knew she had bought the other day. Finally she found it where it should have been, the vegetable drawer.

She took the tomato to the sink to rinse it, then dug through the drawer next to the sink for a sharp knife. She sliced off the top, then cut herself a slice to go on top her cheese and deli turkey. She added a few dill pickle slices and laid the top slice of the bread on top of the pickles. She grabbed her favorite potato chips and opened them to grab a handful.

"Well, at least those aren't for breakfast."

Casi jumped and nearly spilled the rest of the chips.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He gestured to the canister. "Sour cream and onion chips, " he added, wondering if she even remembered.

"Yes. I remember that day. You never told me there was the possibility of a concussion or I would never have asked you to go with me."

"I volunteered. You didn't ask."

His blue eyes met her brown ones and they both realized what they'd just said. Joe leaned on the counter. "I had the weirdest dream the other night, reliving my safari-less African safari trip."

"Really," said Casi, hoping she sounded calmer than she felt. "Why weird?"

"I hadn't thought about it in a long time. Then Jody fills me in on everything going on around town."

Casi pointed to the white table nestled up to the bay window in the kitchen. "We can sit over there."

He nodded and joined her at the table.

Casi narrowed her eyes. "You're not eating?"

"I haven't been hungry lately."

"Well, go ahead and starve yourself. More power to you." She took a bite of her sandwich, then looked over at him when he didn't say anything right away. The angry expression on his face nearly made her choke. She chewed quickly and swallowed hard. "What? I'm just stating facts as I see them."

He didn't say a word, just scooted his chair back so hard the scraping sound made her want to cringe. Then he walked over to the island and proceeded to build himself a sandwich. He didn't even bother asking for a plate, he just walked back over to the table and sat down, holding the sandwich in his right hand and took a big bite.

Casi didn't say anything else as she ate her food, but she did notice after that first bite he didn't seem to notice her anymore, his attention was only for the food. When he finished, he took a deep breath. "I didn't mean to wolf it down."

"I'd really hate to see you starving then." She looked over at him, and saw his mood turn angry again. So that's what Gail had meant about Mr. Hyde. "But hey, whatever fries your bacon." She finished off her own sandwich, then started in on the chips.

After a long moment, he sighed. "I'm being ridiculous, aren't I."

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

He shook his head. "No." He sighed again. "You know, I've been--"

"Here before, I know. Jody told me all about the junior high prom and your dark-haired date when he first saw the place."

Joe nodded. "I like what you've done to it. It's you."

She found she could relax enough to smile. "Thank you."

"You like apples and sunflowers, apparently."

"Surprised myself actually. My mother was the first to hear I'd bought a house, so for Christmas last year, she gave me that cookie jar over there." She pointed to a tall cookie jar, the base of it an earthenware pot with a checkered trim and the lid a pile of red apples. "I didn't think much about apples as a theme until I got home. I love Christmas colors and suddenly it hit me why those little wooden apple ornaments are so popular, they're so Christmasy and then I realized I could have Christmas colors all year around with apples."

"And the sunflowers?"

"They're just so pretty. And since the green is the same, they just kind of blend together." Casi suddenly realized she was babbling. "It's been a long few months getting this place in shape."

"I can imagine. Councilman Eddings and his wife moved to Florida in 1997. Liz was in college,and Vicki was in med school."

"That's what Jody told me." Casi finished off her chips. "You're welcome to another sandwich."

He started to shake his head, then noticed her looking at him. "Oh all right. I'll eat."

Casi couldn't help but grin. "It's not like I'll make you eat broccoli. Although it is good for you."

"So the health nuts say. It looks too much like a tree for my peace of mind."

"I always thought cauliflower looked like albino trees. I still refuse to eat those."

He grunted and rolled his eyes, then looked around the kitchen. "Thank you."

"No problem." Casi scooted her chair back and stood up.

He got up and followed her to the island and made another sandwich. He ate as she proceeded to clear off the counter. She gave him a mild glare. "You know, I do have plates...and napkins." She reached over by the sink and ripped off a paper towel. "Here."

He mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like 'thanks' and continued eating. Casi sighed, thinking of how much he reminded her of Marc when her brother was in a hurry. He finished the sandwich just as she set a can of soda in front of him.

He swallowed the last bite and nodded. "Thank you."

Casi used a fresh dish rag and wiped the counter. "You're as bad as Marc about wolfing down food."

Joe sipped the soda. "So how is your brother? I mean brothers."

"Donovan's head of the Orlando branch of MSI." At his blank look, she clarified, "MacFairlaigne Software Inc."

"Bully for him. He still a worrywart?"

"Oh yes. He nearly had a cow when he learned I'd bought a house--a two-story, four bedroom house." She turned to face him and saw a grin. "Oh yeah, you think it's funny."

"And Marc?"

"You haven't kept track? Shame on you."

"What do you mean?"

"Ever heard of Sorcerer?"

"The hot heavy metal band? Who hasn't?"

Casi leaned against the edge of the counter. "And no one looks the least bit familiar?"

"I haven't seen them, just heard them on the radio." He gave her a puzzled look, then slowly realization dawned. "Marc?"

Casi nodded, her expression turning excited. "Yep. Lead singer. Isn't it awesome?"

Joe took a deep breath. "All I can say, is wow. The songs. Did he write them?"

"He wrote some, Erick wrote some, on others they collaborated. Erick Ashworth is his lead guitarist." Suddenly, she snapped her fingers. "I'm sorry for stringing you along. I forgot they chose to go by stage names, Marc Colton, E.J. Ash....silly me."

Joe stared at her. "Erick Ashworth?"

Casi cocked her head to one side. "Yeah. Know him?"

"There's a jewelry shop manager named Elana Ashworth in Arlington."

"That's his youngest sister. He has an older sister, and a brother younger than him but older than Elana. I think his name is Evan or Ethan. I've never met him. Or Ellen. Just Elana once, when I went to visit Cat at the Smithsonian."

Joe blinked as if startled. "Smithsonian? As in The Institute?"

Casi tossed the dishrag into the sink. "Yeah, she works there now."

He nodded absently and stared at the countertop for a long moment. "Do you...still write?"

Casi busied herself rearranging her knick-knacks for awhile. Finally, he looked over at her at the same time she looked over at him. "So....the name C.M. Fairlane just whizzed right past you?"

He frowned and shook his head. "What do you mean?"

"That's the name I write under. My fourth......book number four is out in book stores right now."

"Book number.....You've written four books....published?"

Casi grunted. "You don't have to sound so surprised."

"No. I just never realized. So you're famous too."

She blushed. "That's stretching it."

Joe shook his head. "I doubt that." He took a deep breath. "Do you mind if I go upstairs, maybe settle in?"

"Go ahead. I've got stuff to tend to." Casi stopped fussing with the items on the countertop as she watched him go up the back stairs. She sighed softly. Maybe this temporary situation could work.....

*** *** ***

Joe closed the bedroom door and felt his head spin. But it wasn't from dizziness, not this time. He shook his head and sat down on the edge of the bed. Her brother was in a famous heavy metal band with Erick Ashworth. And he was older brother to Ethan Ashworth, thought Joe, amazed. Ethan, his partner. And Ethan had a girlfriend named Cathy.

Joe stiffened and whipped his head to look at the bedroom door. Cathy---Cat---Catherine, was there such a thing as too much coincidence, he thought, his blue eyes widening. He had yet to meet the ever-elusive Cathy and now he wondered if somehow Ethan knew that they knew each other. Could she really be Casi's sister?

Suddenly, he shook his head. "Cathy is a very common name. She could be anybody," he muttered, trying to convince himself that was the truth. But somehow, he was beginning to doubt it. It all fit. Her sister was in the D.C. area, she knew Ethan's sister and Ethan had once told him he'd met Cathy at his sister's store. He took a deep breath. Wouldn't that be something.

Joe shook his head again. It would be something if Ethan and Cathy got together permanently. He stood up and went around to the end of the bed and hefted his suitcase up onto the bed. He laid it on its side and unzipped it. Suddenly, he froze. As if in a daze, he turned around and sat back down on the bed. Something was.....different, he realized, feeling guilty and confused all at the same time. Seeing Casi again had made him temporarily forget about her. He felt his insides clench. He couldn't forget about Bryce. She died because of him. He shuddered and closed his eyes. God, he could never forget those big brown eyes turned glassy and staring, the red spreading wetly across the front of her blouse.

Restless, he got back to his feet and walked to the window. He stood there gazing at the blue sky and thought--about his life, the choices he'd made, about the person who laid the foundation for every choice--his father, no matter how reluctantly...the people he had met who changed his life--Casi, Carlton Simmons, Jackson Wilder, Ethan, Kendra......Bryce.

His hands clenched into fists as the rage seemed to fill every fiber of his being.....rage against his loss, against what was done to him. A rage that threatened to overwhelm him in its ferocity. He slumped to the floor as the tears came--bitter, scalding tears for his past, for his losses--both the ones forgotten by the wayside and the more permanent one. And then a cool small hand touched his face. Slowly, he looked up to see her kneeling beside him, wiping away the tears and he wondered that they didn't burn her. She touched his cheek. "Let me help."

He shook his head, feeling that his throat was too dry, too raw to speak. He wanted to be alone. That's what he had to be. Anyone close to him came to ruin or worse. Finally, he managed to say it. "You can't."

Out of the corner of his tear-blurred eyes, he saw her sit back on her heels, then stand up. "All right." He couldn't resist watching her as she walked to the door. "But when you realize that I can, I'll be here." And then she left, closing the door solidly behind her.

Joe sat there, feeling the smoothness of the wall at his back, the coolness of the wooden floor beneath him. There was no one who could help, he thought. No one......

*** *** ***

Cassandra MacFairlaigne wanted to slam every door in the house until the foundation shuddered. Then she wanted to throw every piece of ceramic in the house to hear it shatter. Instead, she stalked out of the French doors and onto the deck. She thought of swimming again, but dismissed the idea immediately. She turned around and went back inside, crossed the kitchen and went into the mud room. It connected the kitchen with the dining room and it also led to the two car garage. She entered the garage and hit the button by the door that raised the garage door, then she snatched the extra car key off the hook and strode to her car, a candy-apple red Aston Martin.

She got into the car and turned on the ignition, revving the engine until the noise hurt her ears, then she shifted gears and backed out of the garage. She spun the wheel hard and headed for the gate, stopping with the front grill only inches from the wooden slats of the gate. She got out of the car and opened the gate, then got back in to move the car forward. Once she was out of the gate and the gate closed, she roared off down Province Lands Road, not caring for the moderate speed limit sign posted not far from her house. After a few minutes, she switched over to Route 6 and sped even faster down the highway.

Anger filled her being, but there was hurt as well. She could help, she knew she could. If only he would let her. She felt her eyes fill with tears and for just a moment, common sense intruded and she pulled off the highway to a jolting stop. For several seconds she pounded the steering wheel with her hands. Then she crossed her arms across the top of the steering wheel and cried.

A soft tap on the driver's side window made her sit up with a jerk. The first thing she saw was a policeman's uniform and his side holster. Then she saw who it was. She rolled down the window and took a deep breath. "I'm all right."

The older man grunted. "Yeah and I'm Santa Claus. Hit and run?"

Casi shook her head and got out of the car. "No."

He frowned. "You've been crying. Your family's okay?"

"They're all just fine, Malcolm. And so am I."

Malcolm MacKensey grunted a second time. "Casi---", he began, then shook his head, an odd look on his face. "Then you know."

"Know what?"

"About Joe...He's at Jody's. I know we should have told you before now but....." His voice trailed off as she shook her head. "What?"

Casi told herself she was through crying. But she felt her eyes tear up even as she spoke. "He's at my place. He's driven Gail and Jody nearly to a divorce according to Gail." She suddenly and viciously slammed her car door. "I can see why."

Malcolm pulled her close, pushing her head down to rest on his shoulder. When he did, she started crying all over again. "I can help, I know I can. But Mr. Stubborn-Hardheaded-Pain-in-the---" She cleared her throat. "He won't let me."

Malcolm nodded and patted her on the back. "Yes, I know exactly what kind of pain he can be. He's a terror when he's angry. He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Casi jerked out of his embrace, stunned he'd even asked. "Of course not. And his moods don't scare me. God, Malcolm, I've known him for years. He'd never hurt me."

Malcolm's gray eyes studied her for a minute. "Do you know I clocked you at ninety-six? Speed limit here's sixty."

Casi pushed her hair away from her face. "I'm sorry. I was so angry and I needed speed." She leaned against the car. "If you want to write me up, I'll pay the fine."

Malcolm shook his head. "I'll give you a warning. This time."

Casi gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "That's what you always say, Malcolm."

With his free hand, he patted her hand. "I think on you as the daughter I never had, Casi. I'd hate to see you injured in a car wreck because you were speeding."

Casi let out a grunt. "Then tell your son not to make me so mad."

Malcolm stepped back and half-turned away. "He's not talking to anyone, Casi. Jody must have had to carry him to your house. He'd shut himself up in their guest room for the last month, barely eating, barely living. God knows, I wish I could do something to snap him out of it."

Casi glanced back down the road in the direction of her house. "He walked over to my place. He ate two sandwiches. Then he'd gone up to the room I showed him. I'd heard something fall or so I thought, so I went up to see if everything was all right. He was on the floor...." She felt her eyes tear up again. "Crying. I'd never....ever seen him cry before. I told him to let me help. And he said..." She took a deep breath. "He said I can't."

Malcolm reached out and touched her face, wiping away the tears. "You are probably the only person who could."

She felt her face grow warm and lowered her head to stare at the ground. "Malcolm...I think....I don't know. When Gail told me she wanted to talk to me about Joe this morning, I nearly died. I thought he'd been....killed. Then she told me he was shot and I nearly freaked."

Malcolm pulled her close again. "And now you suspect you love him?"

"I shouldn't. There's Chad and..." She shrugged and pulled away. "Why are you smiling?"

"You fell in love with him eight years ago. In Kenya when you two first met."

"As if," said Casi, sounding rather peeved. "I was with Jaime then. And anyway, he annoyed me too much, acting like a macho jock and all. Hardly, Malcolm. I am not in love with the man. And wipe that smirk off your face."

Malcolm couldn't help himself, he grinned wider. "Just you wait and see, future daughter-in-law." He tipped his hat and started for the police car parked behind hers.

"I'm telling you I don't love the idiot. Don't you dare start planning things, either." Casi watched him get into his car and heard the engine start. "Malcolm, I mean it."

He tooted his horn at her, backed up just enough to give him a little room, then shifted gears and pulled out onto the highway. He pulled up even with her car and rolled down his window. "No speeding going home, young lady. Or I will write you up."

"Idle threats," muttered Casi as he drove away. With a sigh, she got back into her car. Making a sudden decision, she drove on to Truro, stopping at a small grocery store for a soda and chips, then went on to several small shops that she liked to visit when she was in Truro. It was nearly an hour later when she got back on Route 6 to head home.

She pulled up in front of her gate and got out to check the mail. Absently, she opened the gate, then walked around her car and got in. She drove through the gate, wishing not for the first time that the gate was automatic like on Hart to Hart. She got out, closed the gate, then drove the car back into the garage. It wasn't until she'd gotten out of the car and hung the key on its hook, that she realized how lucky it was that it had been Malcolm. Casi hit the button to close the garage door with her free hand, holding the mail with the other and opening the mud room door. She'd taken off without her purse or her license. Good thing, indeed, she thought, as she went into the kitchen and tossed the mail on the counter.

Casi stopped suddenly, feeling something about her house was different. It was the knowledge of someone in the house, she told herself, looking through her mail. Or, she added to herself, it was purely her imagination. But the truth was, realized Casi with sudden sadness, it felt so good.....

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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.