3 HARDYS & A PRINCESS

by

PiperMerlyn

Epilogue

The Chapters

INTRO

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

EPILOGUE

Joe Hardy was still in his pajama bottoms and a T-shirt although he'd been up for awhile. It was nearly lunch time and he'd been considering ordering a pizza when the doorbell rang. "Wow, Tony, that was fast," muttered Joe, jokingly as he walked to the front door. His grin faded at the gap between the door and the frame. The only thing keeping the door shut was the chain lock. He undid the chain lock and frowned. "You again?"

"Would you rather I come back later?"

"And ruin my lunch? I don't think so. Why are you here?"

"Thought I'd be generous and share before I headed to sunnier climes."

"You're leaving?"

"Don't sound so excited, you'll make me cry." Jesse Sheridan grunted and folded his arms across his chest. "Are you going to make me share out here?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Cute," said Sheridan, nodding to Joe's pajama bottoms. "You still a Power Rangers fan?"

Joe glared at him. "Don't even go there."

"Joe?" Fenton came out of  his study and stopped. "Detective Sheridan."

"Mr. Hardy, your son's being rather abrupt this morning. May I come in?"

"Of course." Fenton glanced at Joe. "Let him in."

Joe heaved a sigh. "Okay, fine. Come in. Now, share."

"I don't get to sit down?"

Joe started to say something but sighed instead. "Fine, go, sit down.

Fenton shot his younger son a hard look and then nodded to Sheridan who said, "I figured all of you were wondering what all went down last night."

"You could say that." Fenton sat down in his recliner and gestured for Sheridan to take the other chair. Joe flopped down on the couch.

Sheridan took a deep breath.  "What Missy Thorne said was true. She was virtually a prisoner in her father's estate, raised to take over the business. She probably would have except he killed her boyfriend when it seemed the young man took up too much of her time."

Sheridan nodded to Joe. "When Agent Willoughby lost you in traffic, she contacted me. I contacted Chief Preston and suggested if Rogers listened to reason to let Rory go with you, he might listen to reason if the police asked for his help. I figured Missy would balk with the police but not the people she's been hanging out with."

"Who were the guys in the black car?" asked Frank from the doorway. He shot Joe a look. "Couldn't you have let me know Sheridan was here to tell us everything?"

Joe shrugged. "Got sidetracked with his witty comebacks."

Sheridan rolled his eyes. "More minions who worked for Thorne. He hired   the desperate and the needy to keep them loyal to him. He figured if he kept them fed and clothed, they'd do what he asked."

"Oh my God, Laura, there's been a raid," exclaimed a loud female voice from the open doorway.

Fenton went still. He'd planned on replacing the glass lamp that had been broken and fix the door before his wife and sister came home. He stood up and walked to the foyer. "Laura, Gertrude, you're home early."

Laura took in her husband's robe and pajamas, noted both her sons were still in their nightclothes as well. She nodded politely to Sheridan and frowned at Fenton. "Rough night?"

Fenton cleared his throat. "I can explain."

There was a rumble of footsteps on the stairs and Ella raced down to the foyer, with Rory right behind her. Ella was wearing a long nightgown and her strawberry blond hair was tousled from sleep. "Which one of you is Mr. Hardy's sister."

Gertrude Hardy arched an eyebrow, gave her brother a look and glanced down at the impertinent child. "I am."

"Cool. Mr. Hardy said you were a good sister. Can you give Rory pointers on being a good sister?"

Rory let out an exasperated sigh. "Ella."

"Rory's usually a good sister. Sometimes she gets distracted with boys."

"Ella!"

Laura looked at the two girls and then at Fenton. "Okay, I  guess I'd better sit down to hear this, right?"

Before either woman could move, Ella looked past them and let out an ear-piercing squeal. "Daddy!"  She darted past Gertrude and Laura and ran out the door.

Everyone crowded to the door, to see a tall man sweep Ella up in his arms. "Ella, my God, I've missed you." His green eyes rested on Rory. "Rory, darling.."

"Dad.." Rory stepped outside and hugged her  father. "Oh Daddy."

Fenton cleared his throat. "Laura, Gertrude, this is Terence  Kingsley, from Sag Harbor. These are his daughters Rory and Ella."

Laura went pale. "Oh my God, Mr. Kingsley, I saw the newsreport..."

Kingsley swallowed hard and nodded to Fenton. "May we come in? Seems a bit awkward out here on the sidewalk."

"Of course, of course."

As everyone made way for Kingsley and his daughters to come in, Sheridan edged for the door. "Well, I've done my duty. I've got a ticket to ride."

Joe looked over at him. "Won't miss you, you know."

"Won't miss you either. If you and your brother ever show up in Barbados, I'll be ready and waiting."

Frank frowned. "Ready and waiting for what?"

Sheridan rolled his eyes. "For mayhem, murder and mystery, for certain." He sketched a wave and headed down the sidewalk.

"Good riddance," muttered Joe as he pushed the door closed. It swung back and nearly hit him in the shoulder. He glared at the door and then headed for the stairs.

"Where are you going?" asked Frank.

"To get dressed. I'm fixing that door before it gives me a black eye or something. I could go for a pizza too."

"You're buying this time," said Frank, following his brother up the stairs.

"Idle threats, big brother. I haven't yet and you still pay for it." Joe dodged into his room and shut the door before Frank could grab him.

"Yeah, well, I may leave you this time. Tony probably needs help with the dishes."

"Yeah right."

Frank sighed and shook his head. Things were back to normal in this  house, he thought ruefully. Of course normal was just a matter of opinion nowadays, he added to himself as he went to get dressed as well. "Last one dressed has to ride in the back seat."

"You wish!" called Joe.

Frank rolled his eyes. "Keep it up, little bro.”

                                                            The End

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