HDA - Living in Darkness Trilogy - Pt 2 - The Search

Joe didn't answer the man right away. Instead he turned to Frank. "You should have seen it. It looked---She looked real, lifelike, not like a mummy. Skin was still pale. I swear you'd think she was just someone in costume, sleeping."

Frank frowned. "You think it was a real person pulling a prank? But why?"

"Don't know but that Slade dude was beyond rude."

Vincent cleared his throat. "Both sarcophagi went through extensive scans both at Heathrow and here. I think it would have been noted if a real person was in one."

Frank focused on the curator. "So what about the mummy?"

"Two of my security guards said they saw a woman wandering the display rooms." Vincent turned red. "In full Egyptian costume."

Frank blinked. "You're kidding, right. Your security guards think the mummy woke up? " He glanced at Joe. "Didn't I see this in a movie?"

Joe's lips quirked but he didn't laugh. "It's a rotten prank. Come on, Frank." Joe led the way to the Egypt room where the Slade sarcophagus still leaned against the wall. He pulled open the lid, half expecting to see it empty. It wasn't. The unnerving thing was it wasn't the mummy. "What the hell?"

Frank stared, startled. It was one of the security guards, he could tell from the pale blue shirt and black pants. "How'd he get in there?"

As if Frank's question was the wake up call, the man's eyes snapped open and he screamed. "The mummy," he said hoarsely and sank boneless to the floor, unconscious.

Joe knelt down, felt the man's pulse. "He'll live. I don't think anyone's ever really died of fright."

Frank shook his head. "This is ridiculous. I feel as if I've stepped on the set of some cheesy horror movie."

Joe grunted and got to his feet. "Let's find the mummy." But the brothers spent the next hour at the museum, searching each display room, even off-limits areas but the mummy was never found.

***

Morning came too early for seventeen-year-old Joe Hardy and like always he sailed through his morning classes basically on autopilot and pure luck. By lunchtime, he was half awake, carrying a tray of not-so-appetizing food and searching for his brother. He found Frank almost by radar than real intention and sat down beside Vanessa.

Vanessa frowned at him. "I know you were a little hyper when we dropped you off last night but how late did you stay up?"

"We went to the museum," muttered Joe, shoveling food in. He blinked and looked down at his tray. "What is this?"

"Mystery meat," smirked Callie. "Why'd you go back to the museum?"

"Mummy," answered Joe, who decided it tasted halfway good so there was no need to waste the food.

Vanessa nearly spilled her soda. "Mummy?" She glanced at Joe, gave up and looked at Frank, who at least looked awake. "What mummy?"

Frank had already cleared the air with his girlfriend, now they sat next to each other, apparently having made up. He sighed. "Mr. Vincent called at eight last night, wanting me and Joe to come to the museum. When we got there, he said two security guards saw a woman in full Egyptian costume wandering the rooms. When Joe went to look for the Slade mummy, we found one of the security guards tucked neatly in the sarcophagus."

Vanessa's gray eyes widened in surprise and she said, "You're kidding."

Joe grunted, rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. "No. We never found the mummy."

Callie gasped. "No way."

"Yes way," said Frank with a sigh. "I don't believe in mummies, ghosts or anything like that. But we didn't find her. I suggest we go back this afternoon, look again."

Now with food in his stomach and it approaching a decent hour to be awake, Joe seemed more alert. "You bet. You girls want to help?"

"Count me in," declared Vanessa as the bell to end lunch period rang. "Gotta go. See you after school."

Callie got up. "I got a test in Chemistry, so I have to run. See you later."

Joe grinned. "You groveled?"

Frank snorted and stood up. He picked up his tray and glared at his brother. "I merely apologized."

"Groveled." Joe smirked as he gathered up his own mess and dumped it in the nearest receptacle. "Be honest."

Frank rolled his eyes. "Yes. I groveled. Now go away."

"Only because I have algebra this hour." Joe waved and dashed across the school's courtyard, heading for the wing of the school where the math and science classes were held.

Frank rolled his eyes again and headed off to his computer design class, anxious for the school day to end. By the time the bell rang to dismiss his last class, he was so glad for three o'clock , he practically sprinted for the van. He skidded to a halt seeing Callie and Vanessa talking cheerfully. Joe was nowhere to be seen. "Hey, where's Joe?"

Vanessa grunted. "You mean Casanova?"

Frank groaned silently. That did not sound good. "What happened?"

"Joe volunteered to help the new kid find everything."

Frank narrowed his eyes. "Joe never volunteers for that unless--"

As if she read his mind, Vanessa nodded. "Got it in one. It's a girl."

"More specifically," said Callie. "It's Merlyn Slade."

Frank stared at her. "Merlin--as in magician? As in The Sword in the Stone, Camelot?"

"Yes. Named after the man," muttered Vanessa, glaring at the double front doors of the school.

Suddenly what Callie said registered in Frank's brain. "Slade? Any relation to Archimedes Slade?"

"Daughter," said Vanessa curtly. Her scowl deepened as she glanced over Frank's shoulder.

Frank turned around to see his brother walking with a petite redhead who was drop dead gorgeous. Clad in a slinky sweater dress in graduated shades of green, she was beautiful. A guy and two girls who looked like twins trailed after the girl and his brother. Joe spotted them and waved.

Vanessa folded her arms across her chest and grunted. "The very nerve...."

"Hey, everybody," said Joe cheerfully and for some odd reason Frank flashed to that fateful day he, his brother, Callie and Iola Morton had gone to the mall for a presidential rally. Joe had been cheerful chatting up that blond girl before he embarrassed Iola-- Frank shook his head to clear it.

Joe quickly introduced Merlyn to Frank and the people with her. The guy was Merlyn's cousin Dyllan and the twin girls were cousins too but with really unusual names: Heaven Leigh and Harlei Quinn. Frank repeated the twins' names silently and tried not to laugh. Okay, apparently their parents were creative.

Merlyn managed an uneasy smile. "I wish to apologize for Ankhara."

Dyllan, a tall black-haired boy, nudged her hard. "There's Aunt Willow--let's go."

The blond blue-eyed twins nodded and headed toward a large van. Joe frowned. The van was black, like theirs, but along the front end were vivid orange and yellow flames streaking over each front fender. Written among the flames in putrid green were the words Slade Machine. Joe cleared his throat. "Nice, um, wheels," he told Merlyn.

She blushed. "My mum's a little strange," she murmured, then followed her cousin to the strange van.

Frank watched the van drive off, and then turned to Joe. "Who'd name a van the Slade Machine?"

"Who cares?" snapped Vanessa.

Joe blinked and looked at her. "What?"

Vanessa didn't answer him, instead she turned to Callie. "Let's go."

Joe frowned and looked at Frank. "What'd I do?"

Frank was saved from answering as an old yellow convertible pulled up to them. Chet waved his arm. "Hey, guys, did you hear?"

Frank turned to Chet. "Hear what?"

"Some old fisherman saw a mermaid."

Joe laughed. "A mermaid? Come on, Chet."

"I'm serious. He said he saw a mermaid."

Frank frowned. "Who?"

"Skipper Jim."

Joe's laughter faded. "Skipper Jim? He's not one to see imaginary creatures."

Frank nodded. "I know."

"Let's go talk to him. Find out what he saw."

"I agree." Frank nodded to Chet. "See you later," he called as he and Joe got in the van.

Joe shook his head as he settled behind the wheel. "There must be some mistake. There are no such things as mermaids."

Frank got into the passenger seat. "Yeah, that goes for disappearing mummies, too."

Joe just grunted and headed out of the school parking lot. He headed for the docks across town. "So what's with Vanessa?"

"Your new friend Merlyn."

Joe let out a huge sigh. "It's not like I'm dating her."

"Tell Vanessa that."

Joe grunted again. "I ought to let her stew, having such a low opinion of me."

"I wouldn't think that would be the best idea," said Frank.

"Whatever." Joe pulled into a parking space near the wharf and got out. "Come on."

Frank followed his brother to the wharf. The brothers easily spotted Skipper Jim. James Langley was tall, broad-shouldered with silver hear and scraggly beard. He was fishing off the wharf, his dark brown eyes focused intently on the surface of the water.

"Skipper Jim!" called Joe as they hurried out to meet him.

Skipper Jim turned and smiled. "Joey, Frank? Is that you?"

Frank remembered all those fishing trips the older man had taken them on, to the best fishing spots. "Yeah, Skip. You're still famous."

The old man grunted rather rudely. "So you heard. I shoulda kept my mouth shut. Bad news flows fast in this town."

"You didn't really see a mermaid--did you?" asked Joe, almost hesitantly.

Skipper heaved a sigh and gestured out to the mouth of Barmet Bay. "No self-respecting person would be out in that water, Joey. It's frigid. But I saw a girl. Blond, young, then I saw the tail. Either someone's done an elaborate prank or it was a mermaid."

At the word 'prank', Joe shared a startled look with his brother. They'd both forgotten the plan to go back to the museum. Joe frowned. "Maybe you're right, Skip. Maybe it was a prank."

Skipper Jim sighed again and rested a friendly hand on Frank's shoulder, then gave both boys a sad smile. "If it was, I'm a fool. Once I could see through any prank some young kid could dream up."

"You're not old," said Frank.

"My mirror tells me different." Skipper Jim tugged at his beard. "Why do ya think I stopped shaving?" he added, giving both boys a teasing look. "Hey, boys, I'm sorry you came all the way out here for nothing."

"It wasn't for nothing," said Joe. "We got to see you."

"Been a long time we've gone on a trip, boys." Before either Joe or Frank could say a word, Skipper Jim shook his head. "I know. School, your detective work, you're busy. You should be busy. Living a life full of fun and adventure."

Joe swallowed hard. "How 'bout a fishing trip soon?"

"Too cold, Joey. Best fishing's in spring, summer, and fall up here." Skipper Jim shook his head. "Maybe when you get a spring break, boys. Look me up." Skipper Jim turned back to his fishing pole, once again intent on the water.

Joe shared a look with Frank, then both brothers headed back to the van. This time Frank got behind the wheel. "I wish we could've gone on one last fishing trip this year."

"Yeah, me too," muttered Joe quietly. "Did he sound sad to you?"

Frank nodded and backed out of his space. He shifted gears, and headed for the highway that would get them to the museum. "Yeah. You know, he never married, never had kids. Always a bachelor."

Joe sighed again and watched the scenery pass outside his window, then turned to Frank. "Cell."

Frank gave him a surprised look. "Sale what?"

"Cell phone. I need it."

Frank dug into his windbreaker jacket and slapped the small phone into his brother's outstretched hand. "Who're you calling?"

"Vanessa. I think she's stewed enough. Anymore and she'll never talk to me again." Joe punched in her number. "Oh, hi, Mrs. Bender. Vanessa there?" Joe put a hand over the mouthpiece part of the phone. "At least she didn't tell her mom she didn't want to talk to me. Hey, Van, I'm sorry......You want to know the truth?" asked Joe, his lips stretching into a grin. "I just want to meet her father. You know he's a famous horror writer." Joe laughed, both at what Vanessa said and the look on his brother's face. "Yeah, sounds good.....All right, see you tonight."

Joe smirked as he switched off the phone and waved it at Frank. "I didn't grovel."

Frank just shot him a glare as he pulled into the museum parking lot. "You be quiet, little brother."

Joe laughed as they got out of the van and slammed the doors shut. They hurried over to the entrance and walked in. A pretty receptionist started to ask them for the door fee when Vincent walked up and shook his head at her. He turned to Frank and Joe. "That was fast."

The brothers shared a look, then Frank turned to the curator. "What?"

"I just called your house. The mummy's back where she belongs."

"The sarcophagus?"

The curator nodded. "Mr. Slade is on his way over to get her."

Joe grabbed his brother's jacket. "Come on, Frank, you gotta see her." He led his brother into the Ancient Egypt room. The Slade sarcophagus still sat where it had been last night. Joe walked over and pulled open the lid, noting once again the smoothly oiled hinges. Why hinges on what was nothing more than a very fancy casket, Joe wondered yet again.

Frank stood there, studying the mummy. Joe had been right. She did look only as if she were sleeping. Any minute he expected her eyes to snap open and someone yell, Gotcha. He almost looked to see if she were breathing but stopped himself. "Where was she?"

Albert Vincent shrugged. "I don't know. When I came in today, I found her there, where she belongs."

"That just doesn't make any sense," said Joe. "We searched all over but---" He broke off at a noise at the entrance to the Ancient Egypt room. Archimedes Slade stood there with two men. One had black hair silvering at the temples and a trim goatee. The other man had shaggy gold brown hair and hazel eyes. Archimedes Slade had eyes only for the open sarcophagus.

"Oh damn. Who opened it?"

Joe swallowed hard. "I did." He cleared his throat. "She went missing last night."

Archimedes barely acknowledged him. Instead the writer walked right up to the open sarcophagus and wagged a finger at Ankhara. "Shame on you, scaring people. You're going home now."

Joe shared a startled look with Frank, then saw the man with the black and silver hair laughing softly. The man scooted close to Joe. "Arch is a bit eccentric, you understand."

"That's the cauldron calling the kettle black, Sully," muttered the third man. "Come on, give us a hand. Arch can't carry her by himself.”

Joe blinked and took another look at the man who'd talked to him. He'd been thinking the man looked awfully familiar. "You're not...." Joe's voice dropped to a whisper. "Sullivan Graves, are you?"

The man gave Joe a sharp look, then a genuine smile. "A fan. Imagine that, Reiden. I'm still famous." He turned to Joe and smiled. "Yes, my boy. I am."

Joe's blue eyes widened and to Frank, he looked decidedly star-struck. "Oh man. I wish I had something you could sign. I'd love to have your autograph."

"I'd be happy to oblige," said Graves. Then he added, "If I had a piece of paper and a pen. Perhaps you can visit sometimes. We've moved into a nice mansion on Elm Street. I believe the realtor called it the Lancaster estate."

Joe blinked again. "That's only three houses down from us...on the other side. Wow."

"Neighbors," said Graves, cheerfully. "Then you must visit. Anytime." He nodded to the curator and Frank and went to help Slade and Reiden with the mummy.

Frank frowned. "Who is that?"

"Just the most famous magician aside from Harry Houdini," said Joe, still staring after the man.

Frank sighed and watched the three men leave with the mummy and it's sarcophagus. After a moment, Joe sucked in a sharp breath. "Dyllan. Dyllan said his last name was Graves. Oh man, he must be Sullivan's son. Now that I think of it, he does look like him."

The curator sighed, but it was a sound of relief. "Well, that's done. Have a good day, boys."

Joe turned to look at him, opened his mouth to ask something but changed his mind and started for the exit. "Come on, Frank."

Frank started to ask the curator about clues, possible locations someone had hidden the mummy, then realized there was not much hope for any kind of clue after they'd traipsed around last night and the security guards this morning. "All right. Bye, Mr. Vincent."

Vincent nodded and headed for his office while the brothers left the museum. Frank noticed the odd look in his brother's eyes. "I don't think Mr. Graves meant this very minute."

"What?" Joe blinked. "Oh, I guess not. Anyway, I'm taking Vanessa to a movie tonight. Time enough for that tomorrow."

Frank rolled his eyes. Things were back to normal, obviously. The last time Joe had been this star-struck was when they'd helped that rap music star with that problem a couple of years ago. He got behind the wheel and started the engine. "Home it is then."

"I'll need the van tonight."

"All right." Frank saw no reason to argue the point. He and Callie hadn't had plans tonight anyway.

Joe grinned. "Good, glad that's settled. Home, Jeeves."

Frank just sighed again.

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors 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.