Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Roy Connelly pulled into the three-car garage and parked. Before he got out of the old Studebaker, he shed the hat, the oversized sweater and blazer, stuffing them in a garbage bag he'd hid under the seat. When he exited the car, it wasn't the hunched barrel-chested man who'd gotten in. The beard and mustache were in the plastic bag along with the wig.

The garage was empty save for an old but highly polished aqua and white 1957 Chevrolet and a gleaming white 1938 BMW. The driver's side of the door of the Chevrolet swung open and Roy frowned as a tall man with short-cropped red hair came toward him. "Ahh, Roy, how are you today?"

"Fine, James. And you?" Roy strode for the door connecting the garage to the kitchen, as if James always appeared that way. Just in the short time he'd met the man, he'd gotten used to the man's ways of suddenly appearing.

"Well as can be." The man skirted around Roy and blocked the door. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Why was he there?"

Roy sighed, a part of him hating that he actually had people out and about, practically spying for him. It had been one of those persons who'd informed him of his arrival in town. "He was looking for strippers."

James McConnaughhay stared at him. "You're...not joking, are you."

"No."

"Well, that was a bust." McConnaughhay moved to let Roy through the door, then followed as Roy headed for his study. He absentmindedly closed the study door behind him. "Strippers....what on earth for?"

Roy gave him an odd look. "Quick fix?"

There was a tap on the door before McConnaughhay could answer and because he was standing right there, he opened it. Roy looked over to see his sister come in. "Hello, Bree."

"Roy, James." Bridgit Connelly nodded to the two men. She walked over to her brother's desk. "Mail call."

Roy's hazel eyes rested on a cream-colored envelope addressed to him and his sister. "What's this?" he asked, picking it up.

Bridgit gave him an exasperated look, tossing her dark hair over one shoulder. "Are you daft, brother? Or have you not been reading the society pages again? Catherine MacFairlaigne's getting married."

McConnaughhay blinked, startled. "Of course. Strippers."

Roy frowned. "Hunh?"

"He's friends with the MacFairlaignes. There's a wedding, he's looking for strippers.....get it?"

Roy stared at the envelope. "Bachelor party."

James snapped his fingers. "Bingo."

Roy shook his head. "But why come here?"

James shrugged. "Isn't that the place that had that brawl a month ago. The day before Valentine's day?"

Roy narrowed his eyes. "Now I remember. It involved the MacFairlaignes, didn't it?"

"The brothers. I think it was the oldest one's bachelor party."

"What?" Roy grunted. "You have spies everywhere?"

James frowned. "Hell no. I just have sources."

"Sources," muttered Roy. "Like you're really a reporter."

Bridgit stepped around his desk, placed one hand on his shoulder. "Roy, don't."

James sighed, shook his head. "Don't fret, Bree, your brother's just a wee bit testy. Nerves."

Roy glared at the top of his cluttered desk almost as if he was trying to make it all disappear. "Don't remind me," he whispered harshly. "I was a damn fool and look what it's cost me."

"Not if we can get him on our side. He'll help us catch her, help us stop her."

Roy's head shot up, his eyes blazing. He clenched his hands into fists, accidentally crumpling the wedding invitation. "If I could find her, I'd kill her."

"She is not the real problem," stated James. "And you know that too."

"Damn it, yes I know that," snapped Roy. "And if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. I know that too. I still want a piece of Lilith Raven."

James sighed, glanced out the nearest window, an odd look passing over his face. "Well, you're not alone there. Not at all."

***

"Phone call. Line two, sir."

The tall, handsome man sat down at his desk and answered the phone by pressing the button for the speakerphone. "Hello."

"It came."

Chandler Whitfield bit back a smile as he shuffled papers, searching for the selling information he needed. "What came?"

The youthful voice on the other end grunted. "You know very well what, Chad."

"Alexandra, the post is delivered three hundred days out of the year without fail."

"The wedding invitation, brother. Catherine's getting married and we're all invited."

Chad held back a groan, his hands freezing in midmove. What were you thinking, Cassandra? he wondered. "All?"

"Yes. Isn't it great."

Chad found he had to clear his throat. All of his brothers, his parents. What a fiasco in the making. "Yes, it is."

"Oh damn, I haven't a thing to wear."

"Watch your tongue, girl. Meet me at Harrod's sevenish tonight."

Alexandra squealed. "Oh thank you, Chad. Gotta go."

Chad pressed the phone button, hanging up. All the Whitfields. Good God in heaven, Cassandra didn't have a clue. He reached for the phone, started to call his baby sister. If she could hide the invitation, no one else would find it.

His secretary, Mary Watterson, came in. "Good news, sir?"

"In a way." Chad pulled his hand away from the receiver. "My girlfriend's sister is getting married."

"How nice."

Chad nodded, wishing he'd told Cassandra to send the invitation to his office, not the house. "Is something wrong, Mary?"

"It's ten-thirty. You're showing the Oakwood Estate at eleven."

"Oh damn." Chad stood up, grabbed his blazer, then gathered the files. "Thanks, Mary. I'll return sometime in the afternoon. Depends on how the sale goes."

Mary nodded. "Of course. Good luck."

Chad hurried past her out of his office. "Thanks." God knew he needed the luck. Luck that Alexandra wasn't babbling about the invitation to anyone. Luck that the Springfield couple would buy Oakwood Estate...He needed a holiday...

***

"So you got into a fight. Donovan, I'm shocked." Joe grinned and finished off his second stack of griddlecakes.

Marc grunted. "You're shocked. I was beyond shock. Whew. Never knew big brother could fight like that."

"Shut up, Marcus," said Donovan mildly.

Adrian yawned. "I thought it was cool, man. Real knight in shining armer stuff."

"Only the princess knows the shining armer tarnishes easy," said Brittani with a grin.

Donovan looked over at his wife of four weeks. "Oh. Is that so?"

"Uh-oh," said Ethan. "First spat."

Catherine arched an eyebrow at him. "You are so naive."

"What did I do?"

Casi grinned. "Don't worry, Ethan. The married keep their secrets and in three days you'll be as wise as they."

Ian frowned. "That's not how it goes."

"How would you know?" demanded Marc.

Ian ignored him. "Alexander Smith said 'The dead keep their secrets and in a while we shall be as wise as they'."

Ethan grunted. "I liked Casi's better."

"I got one," said Adrian. " 'Eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog.' "

"Eew! Adrian, we're trying to eat here."

"What's that from?" asked Savannah.

"Do bats have wool," Ian wanted to know.

"The real question is do frogs have toes?" said Joe.

"I thought it was do newts have eyes, countered Ethan.

"It's from Shakespeare's MacBeth," said Catherine.

"Of course newts have eyes, so they can see where they're going on frog's toes," said Erick, answering his brother.

Joe sat back in his chair and shook his head with a grin. He caught Casi's eye and gestured to the door, then gathered up his dishes and left.

"Oh, I have one," said Marc. "Music is a higher revelation than philosophy. Beethoven said that."

Ethan grinned. "Here's one. 'All men like to think they can do it alone but a real man knows there's no substitute for support, encouragement or a pit crew.' "

Catherine sighed. "Something tells me I'm going to regret asking this but who said that?"

"Tim Allen."

Casi finished her breakfast, left the dining room and headed for the kitchen.

"Good morning."

She nearly dropped the dishes. "Don't do that."

"You knew I was waiting."

"Well, I wasn't expecting you to be lurking in the kitchen."

Joe came forward, took the dishes from her hands and set them on the counter, then moved closer to her. "I never lurk."

Casi tilted her head to look up at him. "I thought that was a prerequisite of the---"

Joe silenced her with a kiss.

Casi leaned against him, deepening the kiss. This was so right. Body, soul, heart and mind were in total agreement. He made her soar and she swore she heard bells ringing....

"Casi---" Marc poked his head in the kitchen. "Uh-oh."

Casi jerked away from Joe and spun around. "Um, Marc....uh, hi."

Marc looked just as awkward. "Uh...it's Chad."

Casi's eyes went wide. "Here?"

"On the phone."

Casi took a deep breath. "Right." She looked from Marc to Joe. "Well, um, let me get the phone. I mean it's long distance and...."

Joe watched her leave, then noticed Marc was still standing there. "What, Chad wants to talk to me, too?"

"Uh, no." Marc swallowed, looked around and frowned. "What the hell was that?"

"A kiss." Joe felt himself go on the defensive. "Nothing more, nothing less."

"Sure looked like something more to me."

"She's your sister, not your wife."

Marc shook his head, then made a T with his hands. "Whoa, time out, buddy. It just surprised me. I mean I like it, it's cool."

Joe arched an eyebrow. "Really," he said finally, his tone only slightly sarcastic.

"Aw, dude, we're friends, right? Casi's been into you since you guys first collided. It's cool with me."

Joe told himself to relax. It wasn't like they were going to lynch him....right? "Crazy, isn't it."

"How so?"

"We've known each other for nine years and suddenly it's like somebody punched me. I think---"

"What are you two still doing in here?" asked Casi as she came back into the kitchen. "That was Chad, said he got the invitation." She sighed. "He said I shouldn't have invited all the Whitfields."

"I agree with him there," muttered Joe.

Marc shrugged. "Chad's not so bad. He's boring but not so bad."

Joe told himself to shut up. He left the kitchen, snagging Casi's arm as he went, leading her out into the hall. "So you and Chad are still an item? You two made up after that last fight?"

Casi took a deep breath, not wanting to go into a detailed explanation that Chad considered their relationship more than what she did. "Not exactly."

"You wouldn't be stringing me along, would you?"

"No!" Casi narrowed her eyes. "You have a hell of a lot of nerve accusing---"

Joe clamped a hand over her mouth. "Not here. Unless you want an audience." He yanked his hand away a second later. "And no biting me again."

Eyes blazing, Casi let him lead her to the Bentley and usher her inside. Joe got into the driver's seat. "Where to?"

"Anywhere."

He roared out of the driveway and headed south. "What is the deal with you and Chad? You acted like it was over last year."

Casi recalled the huge argument over the house just over a year ago and at the time she'd thought they were over. But in the last six months Chad had suggested they start over. "We're friends."

"Close friends?"

"Shut up."

Joe pulled off the road. "Okay, that's it." He opened his mouth to ask the question burning in his brain but found his throat wouldn't work. Truth was, he really didn't want the answer. He cleared his throat. "Do you...love him?"

Casi didn't answer, just glared out the side window.

Joe resisted the temptation to pound his fists against the steering wheel. "Well, that clears things up."

"Shut up."

Joe took a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh. He should be glad, really. With Chad in the picture, he could leave a lot easier. Why the hell was he even bothering? "Okay." He made a U-turn and headed back toward Castle MacFairlaigne.

Casi watched the scenery pass by, the biscuits she'd eaten for breakfast like lead weights in her stomach. Knowing Joe, he had her and Chad already blissfully married. The thought brought an inward shudder to her soul. "It's not like that," she said quietly.

Joe cocked his head. "Like what?"

"I don't love him."

Joe slowly braked the car on the side of the road. "You don't?"

Casi shook her head, stared down at her hands. "I can't," she added, her voice barely audible. "I love you."

Joe froze, then quickly, automatically pulled completely off the road. He sat staring out the windshield, his stomach suddenly queasy. "Say that again. I'm not sure I heard right," he said as quietly.

Casi looked over at him, felt her eyes tear up. "I love you."

Joe jerked his head around to look at her, his expression so serious, Casi was sure she'd just made the stupidest mistake of her life. "I love you too." He cracked a smile. "Isn't that a coincidence."

Casi hiccupped on a sob, then punched his shoulder. "It's not funny."

"No, it's not." Joe slid over to her side of the car, took her face in his hands and kissed her, gently, carefully. He pulled back slightly. "I love you."

Casi felt like she was soaring again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and grinned. "Do you realize how long I've been waiting to hear you sat that? So I could say ditto?"

"Ditto?"

"Yeah, you know that movie---"

Joe groaned, then kissed her again and time flew by....

***

Donovan set his dishes in the big old stone sink. "Marc, why are you just standing there?"

Marc blinked. "Just thinking."

"Well, I always knew it was a monumental effort for you but---"

"In double weddings, do you have to have two of everything?"

Donovan stared at him. "Don't tell me you proposed to Kari. I didn't think hell would freeze over that fast."

"Not me. Casi."

"Casi? Don't tell me Chad proposed over the phone. That was him on the phone, right?"

"Yeah, but it wasn't---I mean---no, I'm talking about Casi and Joe."

Donovan's green eyes widened. "Joe?" He shook his head. "No way. He's nowhere near to proposing to Casi."

"That's not you sounding hopeful, is it?" accused Marc.

"Yes---I mean, no. I mean---" Donovan scowled. "It wouldn't work. Now Chad---"

"Yeah....solid boring Chad. What about him?"

Donovan looked at his brother. "I take it Sam didn't tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"After the barbecue last year when we all went our separate ways. Joe left without saying goodbye, hit Casi hard."

Marc realized now just what she'd meant the day before. He didn't comment on that, just folded his arms across his chest. "I think," he said distinctly, "she got over it."

Donovan glared at him. "Oh?"

"They were in a pretty heavy liplock when I came in here."

"You do have a way with words, little brother." Donovan shrugged. "So?"

"It wasn't the brotherly see you next year peck on the cheek."

"And of course you would know."

"Damn straight."

Catherine came in with her dishes, took one look at her brothers and heaved a world-weary sigh. "What are you two butting heads about this time? And do I have to get the whistle?"

Marc aimed a glare in her direction. "Don't you dare."

Donovan grunted. "Little brother seems to think Casi and Joe are in love."

Cat shrugged. "I think he's right. So why is that a problem?"

Donovan turned to look at her. "It's---I don't know. I just don't think it's such a good idea."

"And why not?" asked Marc.

"I don't want Casi hurt."

Marc arched a sandy eyebrow. "Casi's a big girl now, Donovan. She can take care of herself."

"Anyway, every relationship has the potential for hurt," added Catherine.

Donovan frowned over at her. "You sound awfully cynical."

"It happens when you grow up," she answered.

Donovan studied his sister for a moment, wondering just when she had grown up. She didn't look older than twenty although he knew she was twenty-five. With a sigh, he left the kitchen. Catherine watched him go and started to follow him. "Donovan..."

"Let him go, sis. Tell me, in double weddings do you have to have two of everything...?"

***

Joe took a deep breath, catching a glimpse of his watch face. "Damn."

Casi blinked. "Don't tell me you're on assignment."

"Okay, I won't." Joe pulled out onto the road and headed toward Castle MacFairlaigne.

"Oh no you don't. I'm going with you."

"Hell, no."

"You know," began Casi in a very conversational tone. "I have access to a car. All I have to do is follow you."

Joe looked over at her, then groaned. "And you would, wouldn't you."

"Yep. Lead the way."

"That's not a good idea. These people are dangerous."

"And last year, they weren't?"

Joe winced and tightened his grip on the oversized steering wheel. "Please, Casi, just this once? Please don't get involved."

Casi swallowed hard. "I'm not going to end up like...Bryce. Last year should have been proof of that, Joe."

"How do you know that for sure? Have you seen the future?"

In that split second, Casi wished that she could. "Stop the car."

Joe looked at her and tapped the brake pedal until the car stopped. Casi placed one hand on the door, staring out the windshield, looking everywhere but at him. "Don't do anything stupid, or I'll kill you myself."

She got out of the car and in a spurt of anger, slammed the door as hard as she could. She stood there watching as Joe manuevered a tight U-turn and took off. The urge to follow him was strong, instead she trudged back to the castle.

Lost in her thoughts, it didn't register she was home at first. Faint thuds and swishes drew her behind the four-car garage. Donovan shot another lay-up just as he caught sight of her. "Hey, Casi." The conversation with Marc and Catherine echoed in his mind. "You okay?"

Casi squinted up at him. "Why do you ask?"

Donovan dribbled from hand to hand. "No particular reason."

"Oh....really."

Donovan looked up, caught the look in her eyes. "Well, Marc---"

"I'll kill him."

"How about a game of one-on-one instead."

"Won't work. I'll just kill him later."

"Cut him some slack. He means well."

"You? Sticking up for Marcus?"

"The game?"

"The stakes?"

"If you lose, you can kill Marc."

Casi swore she wasn't going to smile. "And if I win?"

"I'll stop pestering you."

"Good enough for me." She shed the knit cardigan, tossing it on a bar attached to the back of the garage. The knit tank and floral walking shorts and sandals weren't exactly warm-up clothes but she'd played in worse. "Top score?"

"Fifteen."

Casi snorted. "Really, Donovan."

"Twenty."

"Donovan."

"Thirty points."

"Deal. Let's play hardball."

Donovan cocked a dark eyebrow at her. "This is basketball, Casi. See, basket...ball? This is not baseball, no bases, no---"

"Shut up, Donovan and play."

***

"You're awfully quiet."

Catherine turned from the window. "Just watching Casi and Donovan play basketball."

Ethan pulled her into his arms. "So...what's wrong?"

She looked up at him. "Do you realize no one knows?"

"Cathy, don't."

"Everyone thinks it just happened because we'd known each other for so long." She stepped away from Ethan and moved back to the window. "Don't you think we should tell them?"

Ethan let his hands fall to his sides. "Tell them what? That I nearly killed you?" he asked, his tone void of emotion.

Catherine turned to look at him. "Oh, Ethan, no. It could have been worse."

"How?" he asked, his voice suddenly harsh.

"I could've---" Catherine swallowed her words, then continued, "---never had the chance to know I love you."

"Or you could have died." Ethan glared at the faded, threadbare Persian rug. "Admit it, Cathy. You almost did die and it would have been my fault. I'll never let that happen again." He still had trouble going into his sister's old store. The jewelry store with it's stash of loose diamonds had been the perfect lure for thieves. Cathy had been generous on her day off from the Smithsonian to cover for Elana that day. He'd been there, trying to talk her into a date.

Then one thief got nervous and accidentally shot a patron. His reaction had been automatic only Cathy had gotten in the way. Ethan raises his head, shame welling up as she moved to the window. His bullet, his gun had left the indented scar in her right shoulder, the scar the tank top strap barely covered up. He had finally shared the truth with his partner and although Joe's reaction had been favorable, he still dreaded for anyone else to know.

Catherine suddenly turned around, her hazel eyes hard. "Don't you dare treat me like a fragile china doll, Ethan, or you can forget about the wedding."

Ethan stared at her, shocked "Cathy---"

"I mean it, Ethan."

He watched her leave the room, then took a deep breath. Slowly, he moved to the window. Outside on the square of concrete below, Donovan and Casi were playing a very competitive, no holds-barred game of basketball. Donovan effortlessly blocked his sister's shot but Casi stomped on his toes and dunked the ball through the hoop. Donovan said something and Casi just grinned and tossed him the ball----hard.

Ethan stood there, realizing both his sisters had been too ladylike to get down and dirty in a game of basketball. Casi elbowed Donovan hard enough in the stomach to make him wheeze, and then rebounded and made a shot of her own. The old orange ball sailed through the air, hit the backboard at an angle and spun around the rim once, twice, three times before falling into the net.

Casi, looking flushed and thirsty, pumped both fists in the air. Donovan responded to her victory dance with something that made her laugh. Donovan rested his hands on his thighs, leaned forward, shaking his head, a tired grin on his face. Casi patted him on the back and pretended to help him stand straight.

Donovan laughed and pushed her away, then slung an arm across her shoulders and they headed into the house. Ethan sighed and decided he needed to talk to his brother. But first he had to find Erick and knowing his older brother, he'd be a hard man to find....

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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.