‘Come on, Joe, where are you?’  Vanessa Bender thought, frowning.  This was the fourth time in the last two hours that she had tried to reach her fiancé with no success. 

“Damn.” she said softly, returning the phone to its cradle.  She resumed pacing back and forth across her living room.

“Honey, why don’t you sit down?  I’m exhausted just watching you.”  Andrea Bender asked her daughter.

“I’m sorry, Mom, I can’t.  Something is wrong.  I can feel it,” she hugged herself staring out the window into the darkness.  Turning, she caught a glimpse of the worried look on Laura Hardy’s face.  “I’m sorry,” she smiled weakly.  “I guess I’m just antsy.  We haven’t been apart for this long since before…” her voice trailed off. 

“Why don’t I try Frank?”  Callie offered to call her husband.  She picked up the phone Vanessa had just discarded and dialed Franks cell phone.

“Hello?” She smiled with relief at the sound of his voice.

“Frank, where are you?”

Vanessa rushed to her side, clutching her arm.  “Where’s Joe?” she whispered.  “Is he with Frank?”

“I, uh, I’m at the police station.”  Something in the sound of his voice made Callie nervous.

“So, it’s over then?  You caught him?”  Vanessa tugged on her arm again.  “What about Joe?” she repeated.

“Yeah, it’s over.”  Callie definitely did not like the sound of his voice.  Something had gone wrong.  

“Is Joe with you?  Vanessa has been trying to reach him for two hours.  He’s not answering.” 

“Um, yeah he’s here.”

“Can you put him on?  Vanessa won’t be convinced he’s all right until she talks to him.”

“Actually, I can’t do that.  He’s not exactly with me.” 

Callie’s heart sank.  Her first instinct was correct; something had gone wrong.  Laura and Andrea were now on their feet, standing next to Vanessa, all three watching Callie expectantly.  She turned away from them and lowered her voice.

“He’s there but he’s not there.  He’s with you but he’s not with you.  Frank, what’s going on?” she whispered.

“Callie, please…don’t ask me any more questions.”  Frank pleaded.  She heard some noises in the background and then Fenton Hardy’s voice. ‘Joe.  Are you all right?’ 

“I gotta go, Cal.  I’ll call you later.”  Frank said hurriedly and she was left listening to a dial tone.

She turned and looked at the three women staring at her.  “He said they are at the station and Joe is with them.”  She said attempting a smile.

“Why didn’t you let me talk to him?” Vanessa demanded angrily. 

“I’m sorry, Van.  He said they had to go.”

Years of living with three detectives had sharpened Laura Hardy’s intuition to the point where she was rarely wrong.  Without a word, she grabbed her jacket and purse and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”  Callie asked.

“To find out what happened to my son,” she replied over her shoulder. 

“I’m coming with you.”  Vanessa grabbed her jacket and ran to catch up. 

Andrea looked at Callie, shrugged her shoulders, and followed her daughter. 

“Wait for me.” Callie called, slamming the door behind her.

 

Fenton stood up as Andrew and Joe came into the room, followed by Con and Ezra. 

"Joe.  Are you alright?"  Fenton asked, extremely concerned about his youngest son.

Joe nodded as they all took seats around the table.  Joe purposely chose to sit between Andrew and Sam, across from his father and brother, rather than next to them.  Andrew looked at Joe, who nodded again.

“You can go ahead and start the questioning.”  Andrew said to Chief Collig.  Turning on a small tape recorder,  Ezra Collig and Con Riley began to question Joe about the events that had taken place over the previous four hours.

When they finished, Fenton looked across the table at his youngest son.  “Joe, isn't there anything else you can tell us?  Maybe something we didn’t see that can prove your innocence?”

His son fixed him with a gaze; his piercing blue eyes filled with disappointment, disillusionment and overwhelming hurt. 

“You never needed proof before.  My word was always good enough.”  Joe replied staring at his father. 

There was an audible gasp. The temperature in the room felt as if it had suddenly dropped, as father and son continued staring at each other.  They felt the gulf between them widening by the minute. 

“And, no, there’s no further proof," Joe overemphasized the last word.  “I told you what happened.  I’m sorry if that’s not good enough for you anymore.  It always used to be.”

‘What’s happening to us?’  Fenton had never felt such sadness. ‘Doesn’t he know how much I love him?  He’s my baby, I would do anything for him…’  He swallowed hard as a small voice in his head taunted. ‘Anything except believe him.’

“Joe, the DA is not going to take your word for it.”  Hearing Frank’s voice, Fenton knew he was just trying to help.  ‘Frank, stop.  You’ll just provoke him into…’

“The DA?!  Oh please, Frank," Joe's voice was dripping with sarcasm.  “You’re the one who needs the proof.”

The other four men in the room were growing increasingly uncomfortable at the war of words.  Joe was clearly very hurt at what he felt was his family’s betrayal.  He had put up a wall to protect himself and was using words to dispense as much hurt as he felt he was receiving.

“I’ll explain it again.  Try listening this time.”  Joe was putting up an angry front but it was obvious he desperately wanted his father and brother to believe him – without any proof.  “I got control of the gun.  I told him to put his hands on his head, turn around and kneel on the ground.  You all heard me.”  He looked around the room for validation and was rewarded with a simultaneous nodding of heads. 

“He started to lift his arms, to put his hands on his head, then he grabbed my hands with both of his.  He pressed down on my finger…” His voice started to tremble as he relived that horrible moment.  “…and the gun went off.”  He looked up his gaze sweeping everyone in the room. 

"He killed himself.  He as much as told me he was going to kill himself.  He said I would be going to prison for his murder.  He said it had taken seventeen years but I would get what his father had intended for me all along.”  Joe's voice was shaking now.

He looked directly at his father.  "I don't have any idea what he was talking about.  He said I could thank you for everything."

There was an uneasy silence between Joe and his father.  "So you choose to believe him over me."

"Joe, I believe what I saw with my own eyes."  Fenton replied quietly.

"Maybe you shouldn't believe everything you think you see.  And maybe you should have a little more faith in me."  Joe said stonily.  He then straightened his shoulders and stared at his brother.

“So, do you believe me, Frank?  Do you?”  Silence.  “Gee, thanks for the support, big brother.  I guess that means you think I'm lying, too.  Must be something else I learned from you.”

Franks mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out.  He looked pleadingly at his father.  ‘Help me!’

Fenton knew it was the wrong thing to say but he could not stand seeing his sons like this.  He would rather have Joe’s anger directed at him.  “Joe, he was smaller than you.  You couldn’t stop him?”

“Dad, it was over in five seconds!  It all happened so fast I didn’t even have time to react.  I mean who would believe he’d do something like that?” 

The silence was suffocating as Joe’s words hung in the air.  He had just validated everything Frank and Fenton had been saying.

“But he did do it." He continued, trying to keep his voice steady.   "It happened exactly the way I said it did whether you believe me or not.  I – did not – kill him.”  Gritting his teeth, he emphasized every word, eyes flicking between his father and brother.

Turning to Con he asked, “Can I go back to my cell now?  It’s been a long night.”

Without waiting for an answer he stood with his back to Con, obediently putting his arms behind him. After getting a nod from Chief Collig, Con handcuffed Joe and led him out of the room, into the hallway.

Fenton rested his elbows on the table and put his head in his hands.  The last three weeks had become an ongoing nightmare that his family could not wake up from.  Every time he thought things could not possibly get any worse they did, and tonight was no exception.  From out in the hallway he heard a commotion and raised voices. 

‘Was that Laura?  Vanessa?  Oh, no…’  Looking up he turned towards the window separating the hallway from the interrogation room and saw Vanessa suddenly run by.  

Out in the hallway, Vanessa threw herself on Joe, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.

“What’s going on?  Why are you handcuffed?” she asked, confused.

Immediately a uniformed officer grabbed Vanessa around the waist and attempted to pull her off Joe.  Even with his arms handcuffed behind him, Joe felt Vanessa stiffen. 

“No!” She cried out in a frightened voice, tightening her grip on Joe.  Instantly he knew what was happening.

‘Flashback!’ He had seen it happen too many times recently.  He could feel Con trying to unlock the handcuffs but he was apparently having trouble.  Vanessa’s breathing was now coming in short gasps as the officer tightened his grip on her, increasing his efforts to disengage her from Joe.

“Get your hands off her!”  Joe yelled, growing angrier by the second.  She was starting to tremble as the officer pulled at her waist. 

“NO! Please, not again!” Vanessa cried out clutching a handful of Joe’s shirt and digging her nails into his back.  Joe could hear Con cursing at the uncooperative handcuffs as Joe pulled on them to no avail.

“Frank!” Joe yelled in the direction of the interrogation room he had just vacated.  “Help!”

In a blur of movement Frank came flying out of the room and tackled the officer who was holding onto Vanessa. At the same instant Joe’s handcuffs suddenly popped open.  He scooped a crying Vanessa up in his arms and took a few steps back, watching as Frank and the officer landed on the floor in a tangle of arms and legs.

Having heard the commotion, several other officers had come running down the hall.  Seeing a fellow officer on the floor, tangled up with a civilian, they all drew their weapons taking aim at Frank.

“STOP!” Chief Collig bellowed, for the second time that night.  Everyone froze in their tracks.  The ensuing silence was broken only by an occasional whimper from Vanessa followed by Joe’s soft voice. 

“It’s ok, Baby.  It’s ok.  You’re safe.”

Collig turned to Joe first.  “Take her in there.” He said pointing to the interrogation room. 

Joe gratefully complied, taking Vanessa into the room and closing the door behind them. 

Collig then stepped into the circle of officers who still had their guns trained on Frank.  Knowing what the scene must look like to them, Frank hardly dared to breathe, let alone move.  He saw Callie standing at the end of the hall, terrified, clinging to his mother.  He tried to give her a reassuring smile, hoping that small movement wouldn’t get him shot.

“Put your weapons away.”  Collig said with authority.  The officers hesitated for just a second. 

“NOW!”  They immediately obeyed.  “Go back to what you were doing,” he ordered them, reaching down to pull Frank and the officer to their feet. 

Callie ran down the hall into Frank's arms.  “I thought…I thought…” She began crying, unable to continue. 

“Yeah, so did I for a few seconds.”  Frank laughed softly, hugging her. 

‘When was the last time Joe asked me for help?  When was the last time I helped him?’  It had felt good, just the way it used to.  Frank wanted so badly to get back to that point in their lives again.

Laura and Andrea advanced down the hall, with Andrea wordlessly opening the door to the interrogation room and going in.  Laura stopped in front of her husband, blue eyes blazing.  Frank looked at his mother and shivered. 

‘She looks just like Joe when he’s about to explode.’ He thought, not envying his father at that moment.

“What the hell is going on?” She growled at her husband.  “And why is Joe in handcuffs?”

Fenton sighed wearily.  ‘Can’t get any worse, huh?’  He asked himself sarcastically.  ‘Where do I start…’

Con watched in fascination as Fenton tried to explain to Laura just how their youngest son had ended up at the police station in handcuffs charged with murder.  Chief Collig walked up behind him muttering.  “I’m getting too old for this…Riley!”  Con jumped. 

“Yes?”

“Get him back to a cell now,” he replied, jerking a thumb towards the closed door behind him.  “That idiot Bennett was right about one thing; it can not appear as if we gave Joe any special treatment.  And if taking those handcuffs off him while his brother was tackling a police officer wasn’t special treatment…”  He slowly walked away, chuckling at the memory. 

Con turned away from the developing war between Fenton and Laura Hardy and knocked on the door.  He poked his head inside and saw Joe holding Vanessa’s hands speaking to her quietly, while Andrea Bender listened intently.  Vanessa seemed to have regained her composure, giving Con a little smile.  Joe turned around.  “Five more minutes…please?” he begged. 

“Five minutes, Joe, not one second more.”

As Con left, Joe turned back to Vanessa.  He had just finished explaining to her what had led to her finding him handcuffed at the police station.  She had been listening to him with great concentration, but as he had feared, she didn’t quite get the full meaning.  She had been shocked when Joe told her about the shooting.  When he explained that both Frank and Fenton actually believed he pulled the trigger himself, she immediately tried to comfort him.  He had been trying to make her understand he wouldn’t be going home with her when Con had interrupted.

“So we can go now?” She asked, hopefully.

‘Oh, man, how can I do this to her?  We haven’t been apart since…’  He took a deep breath and tried to explain it one more time. 

“Honey, I can’t go home with you.  I have to stay here tonight.  Bail hasn’t been set.  They won’t just let me walk out of here.”

“Why can’t we just ask them how much the bail is and pay it?”  Vanessa was starting to panic.  She could not return to their apartment alone.

“The judge has to set bail.  He won’t be available until the morning.”

“Can’t your Dad pull some strings or something?” She pleaded with him.

‘I doubt he’d want to, even if he could.’ Joe thought sadly.  “Not this time.”

As Vanessa finally allowed herself to admit Joe would be spending the night in jail, she began to cry.  Joe pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

“Please, don’t cry, Baby.  I’m sorry.”  ‘You really did it this time, Hardy.’

“Joe, I can’t go home alone.  I can’t.”

“Your Mom is here.” He looked at Andrea, who nodded. “She’ll spend the night with you.  Tomorrow they’ll set bail and I’ll be back before you know it.” 

He didn’t have the heart to tell her there was a very good chance there would be no bail, meaning he’d have to stay incarcerated until he was cleared…or until the trial was over, which could very well result in his being sent to prison.

“No.” She said.  “I need to be with you.”

There was a knock on the door.  Vanessa tightened her hold on Joe. 

“One more minute, Con.  Please?”  He called out.  The door remained shut.  Wondering how in the world he was going to get Vanessa to go home, an idea struck him.  ‘It might work…’

“How about if you go home with my Mom tonight. You can sleep in my old room.  Would that do?” He asked hopefully.

Vanessa’s tears slowed.  She didn’t say anything, but he felt what he thought was an affirmative nod against his shoulder.  Relieved he pulled back, once again taking her hands in his.

“I promise, by tomorrow night we’ll be home together.”  He smiled.  ‘Please, God, don’t make a liar out of me.’

Vanessa nodded just as Con opened the door.  “Joe…”

“Yeah, I’m coming.”  He led Vanessa out into the hall, with Andrea following close behind.  Turning to Con he said, “I just need to talk to my mother for a second.”

“JOE!” Con said in exasperation.  “If the Chief comes back and finds you still here, he’ll skin me alive!” 

Joe smiled his most charming smile and shrugged his shoulders.  Con rolled his eyes. 

“One minute, Joe, and that’s it!”  He stalked across the hall and leaned against the wall, glaring at Joe.

Seeing Joe, Laura left her husband in mid-sentence and rushed over to hug her son.  She reached up and smoothed his hair back. 

“Are you all right, sweetie?” She asked with concern.

“I’m fine, Mom.  Really.” He reassured her. “But I need a favor.”

“Anything, honey.  Just ask.”

“Can you take Vanessa home with you tonight?  Let her stay in my old room?”

“Of course.” She reached out, and squeezed Vanessa’s hand.  “Would you like to stay in the guest room, Andrea?  You’d be closer to Vanessa.”

“Thank you, Laura,” Andrea replied gratefully.  “I’d like that very much.”

Con suddenly appeared beside Joe.  “We have to go...now, Joe!”

“Ok, ok.” Joe muttered.  He turned to Vanessa and hugged her tightly.  “I love you, Baby.  I’ll be home tomorrow.  I promise.”

“You better be, Joe Hardy.” She returned the hug, holding back tears.  “I love you.” She whispered and watched as Joe retreated down the hall and into the elevator that would take him back to his cell. 

“I love you, Baby.” She whispered once more as the elevator doors closed.

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 them without expressed permission of the authors.