Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Frank shrugged and headed toward the costume shop. It took all of Joe's patience to walk beside his brother and not hurry on ahead. Joe let out a disgruntled sigh. Thank God, Frank doesn’t have the crutches anymore, he'd really be slow, thought Joe.

They came up behind the tall person and Joe tapped the man's shoulder. "Blocking fire exits is against the code."

The man jerked away from Joe's touch as if it had burned through his black shirt. He gave Joe an odd look and then just walked away. Joe frowned. "Who was that?"

Callie cleared her throat. "Byron James." When Frank arched an eyebrow in question, she took a deep breath. "He was in my kindergarten class."

Joe narrowed his eyes, still watching the man walk away. "You mean B.J.? The nerdy skinny kid who lived in that mansion north of town?"

Vanessa's gray eyes went wide. "You know him?"

Joe shrugged. "Callie's kindergarten class was mine as well. So what did B.J. want?"

"D-directions," stammered Vanessa. "To the restroom."

"Hey, we got tired of waiting to find out what our costumes were," said Frank, barely glancing in Vanessa's direction. He suspected something was wrong and that to focus on it would cause more problems.

Joe nodded. "Yeah, so we came down to pick out our own." He slung an arm around Vanessa's shoulders and frowned when he felt her tense up. "But for me, I'm hungry. Want a snack, Van?"

Vanessa took a deep breath and just nodded. She didn't say a word as Joe led her over to the nearest hamburger place and ordered two value meals with the works. She didn't even bother reminding him she didn't like onions.

Joe got their food and led the way to an empty table. "Let's eat."

"Joe..."

Joe sat down and then looked up at her. "Sit down and eat," he said as casually as possible. "Your stomach will appreciate it."

Vanessa sank down into one of the metal chairs. "My stomach would just as soon reject it."

Joe slid his tray to one side. "Vanessa, what's wrong?"

"I—" Vanessa heaved a sigh. "Last Monday, the same day you left with the band, Callie and I decided to finish up our shopping. This Byron James shows up and won't leave me alone."

"Oh, he did, did he?" Joe spared another glance for the direction the man had gone. "I'll tend to him."

"I told him I had a boyfriend and to leave me alone. And for a while I thought it was over—"

Joe let out a low growl. "What happened?"

"Byron sent me roses – two dozen red and white roses and a box of peppermint candy. I thought..." Vanessa stared down at her hands. "I thought you'd sent it, so I signed for it."

Joe turned to look at her and started to say something. He shook his head and swallowed hard, turning an interesting shade of pink. "So...?"

"He's been following me, I know it. I—" Vanessa finally raised her head to look at Joe and frowned. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry."

Vanessa's frown faded into a puzzled look. "What?"

"I've never ever sent you two dozen roses, have I?"

Vanessa reached out a hand and touched his arm. "Joe...I don't want roses...I have you."

***

Frank studied Callie for a moment. "Okay, what is it?"

Callie sighed and told him what had happened. Frank frowned. "And Vanessa didn't want to tell Joe...why?"

"Vanessa was worried Joe would get injured worse – or something." Callie shrugged. "I don't know, Frank, I was just telling her she needed to tell him."

Frank nodded. "Well, looks like they're happy now," he said, nodding to where Joe and Vanessa sat, holding hands.

Callie grinned. "Only Joe would get romantic over burgers and fries."

Frank turned to go into the costume shop and stopped. About twenty feet away, Byron James stood in the shadow of a ficus tree – and he was watching Vanessa like the proverbial hawk.

Callie looked over at Frank, puzzled as to why he'd stopped in the entrance. She followed his gaze and frowned. "I thought he'd left."

"Tell me about him."

Callie sighed and gestured to a nearby bench. She waited until they were both seated before speaking. "Byron's father was Bruce James, owner of Current, Fashion and a slew of other magazines. Byron's mother was Alexia Anders, a former fashion model. Alexia was the first to grace a cover of Fashion when it began."

Frank shifted on the bench to keep an eye on Byron. "Poor little rich kid?"

"Something like that," said Callie. "Byron was seven when they were killed in an accident."

Frank arched an eyebrow. "Accident?"

"According to the story, that's what the police ruled it as."

"And Byron?" Frank kept his gaze on the young man, not liking how he seemed so focused on Vanessa, like there wasn't another soul in the entire food court.

"He was already shy and nervous. After their death, he was even more withdrawn. Rumors ran rampant that he was a holy terror and the longsuffering butler had his hands full with him. By the time, he turned twelve, Byron was in a boarding school, the first of many."

"And now he's back."

Callie nodded. "He used to be so preppy and now—"

"He looks like a vampire reject."

Callie's eyes went wide. Frank wasn't usually the one who labeled people without even meeting them. "Frank."

Frank shrugged. "He's been standing in one spot for the last fifteen minutes, just watching Vanessa."

Callie shivered. "That's creepy."

Frank grunted. "I wish Vanessa had told Joe sooner. We could have taken care of this and he—" Frank gave a brief nod in Byron's direction. "—wouldn't be staring at her now."

Callie swallowed hard. "I don't think she wanted to worry either of you."

Frank sighed. "I'm worried now. Let's go."

***

"Vanessa—"

Vanessa smiled. "What?"

Joe swallowed the lump in his throat. "How'd I get so lucky?"

Vanessa laughed softly, feeling better and safer now that Joe knew. "Must be that guardian angel of yours hard at work."

Joe shivered. "Uh, yeah."

Vanessa frowned. For a heartbeat, he'd gone pale. "Joe?"

"I'm fine. Starved but fine." He picked up his hamburger and took a bite.

Vanessa decided she was in no position to press the issue, so she began removing the onions from her burger.

"Oh, Van, I forgot. Sorry."

Vanessa shrugged. "No problem. You're the one who has to kiss me."

Joe groaned. "True." He flashed her a grin. "Good thing I don't mind onions."

Vanessa rolled her gray eyes. "Yeah, isn't it though."

"Why don't you get doggie bags and let's go."

Joe frowned up at his brother. "Frank, what have I told you about interrupting me when I'm eating?"

Frank rolled his eyes. "Come on."

"Why?"

"Because you have an audience of one and Vanessa's the star attraction."

Vanessa jumped, knocked over her drink which splattered everywhere, most of the liquid and ice sliding across the table and falling into Joe's lap.

The shock of the ice and cold soda made Joe jump to his feet. "Whoa, that's cold."

"I'm sorry, Joe," said Vanessa, sounding mortified.

"I'll live. I think." Joe looked down at his now wet shirt and jeans. "I might freeze to death but I'll be okay."

Vanessa blushed. "I'm sorry." She moved to grab some napkins but Joe snagged her hand.

"Come on, Van, let's head out."

She nodded and the four of them left the mall. "Where'd you park, Callie?" asked Frank.

Callie gestured in the general direction of her Volvo. Frank nodded. "I'll get the van. Joe, go with them. I'll find you."

Joe nodded and followed the girls to Callie's car, his wet jeans becoming more and more uncomfortable. Callie pulled out her keys and unlocked the door. Watching her, Joe thought of something. "Callie, did you see anyone drive the van while we were gone?"

Both girls shook their heads but then Vanessa frowned. "You think...someone borrowed it?" she asked finally.

Joe looked over at her, his wet jeans forgotten. "Vanessa?"

"Right after the roses...were delivered..." She swallowed hard. "I had gone to the store for some stuff for Mom and when I got back in the car." She shivered.

Joe frowned. "Seat was in the wrong position? Radio station different?"

"Yes," whispered Vanessa, shivering again. "Joe, I'd locked the car."

Joe felt a growing anger and whipped his head around as the van pulled up behind Callie's car. "Is that why you're not driving, Van?" he asked softly.

Vanessa gave a slow nod. "It scared me, Joe."

Joe sighed. "God, Van, why didn't you tell me when you met up with me at my house, the second I got off the bus?"

"You were injured."

Joe grunted and started to say something when Frank blew the horn. He touched Vanessa's cheek, made her look at him. "Never think you have to keep me safe. It's my job to keep you safe." He leaned forward and gave her a kiss and then headed for the van.

Callie motioned for Vanessa to get into the car and then once she was in the driver's seat and the doors shut, she pushed the button to lock the doors. "I'll be good and won't say I told you so."

Callie looked to her right as Vanessa looked directly at her. Vanessa started to laugh and cry at the same time. "Callie!"

"Well, if you insist, I'll say it."

Vanessa shook her head and gave the other girl a hug. "No, you don't need to. I'm just glad you're my friend."

Callie laughed softly and started the engine. "And I'm glad you're mine."

***

The moment Joe got into the van, Frank sensed something was wrong. "What?"

Joe clenched his hands into fists. "That little pervert...I think he drove the van, Frank. The same way he drove Vanessa's car. The sick little—"

"Hold up. Why would he drive our van?"

"How the hell should I know? Maybe to prove that he's better than any of us." Joe thumped his fists on his thighs.

"Joe, calm down."

Joe let out a low growl instead but after a few minutes, he slowly unclenched his hands. "I'm calm," he snapped.

Frank spared a glance for his brother. "I think we should talk to Dad about this. See what legal recourse Vanessa has."

"She can get a damn restraining order. I know that much."

Frank nodded. "Yes. But I was talking about a more permanent recourse. A restraining order would only keep him at a distance. He needs to be convinced to just leave her alone."

"I'll convince him," muttered Joe.

Frank glanced at Joe again and fought not to smile. "Maybe it better not be you then. I'd wager you'd kill him first."

"Don't tempt me."

Frank took a deep breath and headed for home. The sooner this was taken care of, the better – for everyone.

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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.