Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Joe heard Seth’s voice and slowly turned to face the man. “I have no idea,” he replied honestly, still reeling from the unfamiliar emotions fighting for control.

“I’m sorry. Really,” Seth said sympathetically. “But if we’d pushed to try and see him tonight, it would’ve sent up red flags all over the place. The last thing you want to do is call attention…someone might begin to wonder exactly how you found him and start asking questions.” Seth reached out and squeezed Joe’s shoulder.

“Yeah, I know, you’re right,” Joe replied, unable to keep his eyes off the building where the children lived. “It’s just that he’s so close…”

“Why don’t we head back to Corner Ketch? I’ll spring for dinner. You can get a good night’s sleep and we’ll head back here bright and early in the morning.”

Joe looked at Seth and then back at the children’s home, hesitating uncertainly.

“Joe?”

“Yeah…listen, thanks for the offer but I don’t have much of an appetite right now. And I noticed a little motel on the outskirts of town here. I think I’ll check out of the B & B and get a room there,” Joe responded. He couldn’t explain it even to himself, but Joe suddenly felt the need to be as physically close to Luke as possible.

“Uh…are you sure that’s such a good idea?” Seth asked warily. “I mean, it might be a little too tempting, ya know?”

Joe actually grinned at the man, not the least bit offended. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to do anything stupid like try and bust him out tonight. I just…I can’t really explain it. I just need to be here…closer to him. I know it sounds stupid…” Joe trailed off with a helpless shrug.

Seth smiled in understanding. “It doesn’t sound stupid at all. I know which motel you’re talking about. I’ll meet you there at eight a.m. sharp and we’ll head back here together, okay?”

Joe smiled again, this time in gratitude at Seth’s understanding and forgiving nature. “Thanks, Seth. For everything.”

“Glad to help,” Seth deflected the praise and got into his patrol car. “See you in the morning.”

Two hours later Joe walked into a small room in the little motel just outside Sandersville. He dropped his duffel bag on the floor and put the bag of Chinese take-out and several cans of soda he’d picked up on the small table in the corner. Shrugging out of his jacket he tossed it on the twin bed closest to the door. Sitting on the edge of the other bed, he set down his laptop case and kicked off his shoes, letting them fall to the floor between the two beds. Sighing heavily he lay down across the bed, legs dangling over the side and stared up at the ceiling, letting his thoughts wander.

Joe was terrified that Luke was his son; that was the worst-case scenario as far as he was concerned. So why did he feel such a strong pull to be close to the boy? Standing in front of the home, he’d felt for the briefest moment, that Luke really was his son, yet that was the last thing he wanted. Aside from the strain it couldn’t help but put on his and Vanessa’s relationship, it would be a reminder of the most painful time in his life; a time that had taken him years to accept and one that he didn’t necessarily want to be reminded of on a daily basis.

Joe threw an arm over his eyes, seeing the faces of his mother, his father and Frank. He wondered just how disillusioned they’d be if they ever found out about the decisions he’d made, both past and present. If it turned out that Todd were Luke’s father that would be a moot point – they’d never have to know. Although Joe would have to live with the knowledge of what he’d done – keeping the truth from them. And he’d made Vanessa a party to it. How could he ask her to carry that secret for the rest of her life?

Joe drew in a deep breath and exhaled forcefully wishing the past few days had never happened. Yet as much as he wished that, his thoughts kept wandering back to the little boy only a few miles away. ‘If only I could have seen him…’

Worried about how his family would react if Luke were his son, nervous and anxious about what the morning would bring, Joe felt as if he were slowly unraveling. If he was so apprehensive about being Luke’s father, why had he felt such desperate need to see the boy tonight? It had been almost overpowering. Despite knowing otherwise, he’d felt if he could just see Luke, talk to him, look into his eyes, he would know beyond a shadow of a doubt whether or not Luke was his child.

Knowing that was not a good road to let his mind travel, he pushed himself up and looked at his watch. Reaching for his cell phone he flipped it open, stared at the display for a moment and blinked, as if that would make the ‘Low Battery’ signal disappear. Sighing, he dug the charger out of his bag and set it up on the nightstand, placing his phone in it. He then pulled the room phone onto his lap and picked up the receiver, his hand hovering over the keypad. He had every intention of calling the main office number and checking in with Mrs. G, but as if they had a mind and will of their own, his fingers dialed Frank’s cell phone…

*****

Frank sat back and rubbed his eyes tiredly. Two days of nothing but report writing was definitely starting to take its toll. He knew an evening jog or a trip to the gym would improve his mood but he wasn’t sure he had the energy. Absently wondering how something so sedentary could be so draining, he was startled when his cell phone rang. He automatically glanced at the display, noting the unfamiliar number as he answered.

“Frank Hardy.”

“Hey, it’s me.”

“Joe?” Frank said, surprised.

“Yeah, what’s up?” Joe sounded tired and distracted.

“I’m cross-eyed from staring at a computer screen for two days. Other than that, everything’s fine,” Frank answered. “How’s the case going? Making any progress?”

“I found him.” Joe responded, an air of sadness in his voice.

“That’s great!” Frank replied, wondering why Joe sounded despondent. Wasn’t that his objective – to find the missing child? Then again, Joe wasn’t acting like himself; hadn’t been since he started this case. And each time Frank spoke to him, that became more and more apparent. “Where is he?”

“I tracked him to a children’s home. We went there tonight—”

“We?” Frank repeated, surprised. “Who’s we?”

“Oh, uh…the local sheriff up here is kinda helping me out,” Joe said. Frank detected a nervous edge in his voice, as if hadn’t wanted to reveal that little piece of information.

“I see,” Frank responded, suddenly annoyed. Why was Joe refusing his help at every turn but seemed more than willing to accept assistance from a total stranger? Mentally tired and worried about his brother, the words were out of his mouth almost before Frank even realized he’d spoken. “So the client’s confidentiality request doesn’t extend beyond the Bayport city limits?” There was a long silence and when Joe spoke again his voice was much quieter.

“Can we please not do this right now?” Joe begged softly. “I’m flying blind up here. The local sheriff’s been helping me out, that’s all. We went to the children’s home but by the time we got there it was after five. The offices were closed. We tried to get the housemother to talk to us, but she wouldn’t tell us a thing. Said I had to come back tomorrow when the offices were open and a CPS worker could be present.” There was an edge to Joe’s voice that Frank couldn’t place. “Damn, I really needed to see him tonight.”

“Why? If the kid is there tonight, he’ll still be there tomorrow,” Frank asked softly, growing more concerned about his brother’s odd behavior. A tense, heavy silence filled the line. “Joe? You still there?”

“Yeah, I’m here. Listen, I’m really beat and I still need to call Van and J…” Joe stopped abruptly and Frank knew he was about to clam up. He’d slipped twice in less than a minute, almost giving Frank more information than he’d planned to; and that worried Frank. Joe wasn’t normally that sloppy or distracted on a case; two things that could get him in serious trouble, especially when he was working alone.

Frank had been certain that whatever was going on between Joe and Vanessa was the reason for his brother’s preoccupation, but now he wasn’t so sure; or at least he wasn’t sure that was the sole cause. Something about this little boy was bothering Joe immensely, pushing him closer and closer to the edge, causing Frank’s concern to increase dramatically.

“I still have to call the client and I’m starving,” Joe said hastily, breaking into his thoughts.

“Joe, wait—”

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye.”

And just that fast, Joe was gone.

“Damn it,” Frank muttered softly, letting out a breath of frustration.

Pressing a button on his cell phone, Frank stared at the display for a moment, fighting with his conscience. He hated feeling as if he had to trick Joe into getting even an inkling as to what was troubling his younger brother, but Joe was giving him no choice.

“Sorry, kiddo, but you’ve got me worried,” Frank said aloud as he turned towards his computer and logged on to the Internet. “You finally made a mistake and I have to use it against you.”

Joe didn’t say why, and Frank didn’t ask, but for some reason tonight Joe hadn’t used his cell phone. And that gave Frank a phone number. Quickly Frank typed the number into a reverse telephone directory. Thirty seconds later, he had the address Joe had been calling from. Copying the address and phone number onto a piece of paper he hoped Joe would understand that what he was about to do, he was doing out of love and concern.

After placing a quick call to Jack Wayne, his father’s pilot, Frank shut down the computer. He stood and stretched, making a mental inventory of the contents of the duffel bag he kept packed in the trunk of his car. Deciding that he could make do with what he had, Frank straightened his desk, grabbed his briefcase and turned off the lights. Bidding a hasty goodnight to Mrs. Gresham, he got in his car and headed for the airport, planning to call Callie on the way and let her know he wouldn’t be home tonight.

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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.