Hardy Boys Fan Fiction at the HDA - With This Ring

Joe stepped back and smiled, admiring his handiwork. His black Mustang convertible, polished to a high sheen, was almost blinding in the late afternoon sunshine.

“Nice job. You want to do mine now?”

Joe turned and saw his father coming down the porch steps towards him. He’d spent this Sunday afternoon at his parents’ house, thoroughly cleaning, washing and waxing his beloved car. While he loved the cozy little apartment he shared with Vanessa, Joe definitely missed having a garage and driveway. So whenever he wanted to tinker with his car or, like today, give it a good wash and wax, he came to his childhood home. As an added bonus, his mother was usually so happy to see him that she insisted on preparing one of his favorite home-cooked meals.

Before he could respond to Fenton Hardy’s question, his cell phone rang. He smiled at the special ringtone, flipped the phone open and lifted it to his ear.

“Hey, Babe. How goes the registration? You done yet?” he asked.

“Yup, we got to all three stores today,” Vanessa replied. She, Callie, Joe’s mother Laura and her mother Andrea had spent their Sunday registering Joe and Vanessa for bridal gifts at various stores around town.

“Great!” Joe exclaimed. The idea of spending a summer afternoon indoors ‘faux shopping’ as he called it, had not been at the top of his list of things to do. Knowing how much Joe hated shopping for anything other than sports gear and car parts, Vanessa had absolved him of that wedding detail, instead enlisting the enthusiastic help of Callie, Laura and her mom. “How soon will you be here? I’m starved!”

“Actually, that’s why I’m calling,” she said, sounding apologetic. “We’re already downtown so we decided to go to Prito’s for dinner.”

“Without me?!” Joe practically whined. Prito’s, owned by the family of Tony Prito, one of Frank and Joe’s closest friends, was Joe’s favorite restaurant. He and Vanessa dined there often enough that Tony had unofficially put a table on ‘permanent reserve’ for them.

“Sorry, honey,” Vanessa chuckled. “We’re still talking wedding gifts, flowers… you know, all the stuff you hate?”

“Aw, man… what am I supposed to do for dinner?” he pouted.

“I’m sure once you tell your dad that your mom won’t be home anytime soon, the two of you will be able to fend for yourselves,” Vanessa replied and Joe thought it sounded like she was trying very hard not to laugh at him. “Your mom is going to drop me off at home when we’re done so you don’t have to wait for me. See you later. Love you! Bye!”

Joe pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at it in disgust.

“Something wrong?” Fenton asked, leaning against the car.

“We’re on our own for dinner,” Joe replied, pout firmly in place as he nudged his father off the car. “You’re gonna mess up the shine!”

Fenton took a few steps back, looked from the car to Joe and rolled his eyes. “Sometimes I wonder who you love more – Vanessa or the car!”

“Right now, the car!” Joe responded, sticking his chin out petulantly. “It didn’t leave me stranded and starving!”

Fenton shook his head and smiled. “I’m sure you’ll survive until we find something to rustle up for dinner. In fact I think there are a couple of steaks in the ‘fridge that we can throw on the grill.” He motioned Joe towards the house.

“At least somebody loves me,” Joe muttered trailing his father into the house.

…..

Fenton continued chuckling as Joe followed him into the house, but then his son posed a question that, even for Joe, was so far out in left field that Fenton stopped short and Joe almost ran into him.

“So, Dad… if Vanessa and I got divorced in a few years and then got married again, would we get more cash and presents?”

Fenton spun around, Joe now only two inches away, was startled by Fenton’s abrupt halt.

“You’re planning on divorcing Vanessa before you’ve even gotten married?!” he asked. He knew that wasn’t possible; Joe’s love for Vanessa was almost obsessive, yet he had no idea where his younger child was heading with that question.

“No!” Joe cried out, aghast. “Once she says ‘I do’, there’s no turning back. She’s stuck with me – forever!”

Slightly relieved, Fenton continued on into the kitchen.

“I was just speaking hypothetically, ya know?”

Fenton pulled open the refrigerator and began digging around for the steaks. “Why?” he asked, a bemused grin on his face. Finding the steaks he stood up and pushed the door closed.

“I was just curious-”

‘Uh-oh,’ Fenton thought moving to the counter. He put down the meat and started rummaging through the cabinets looking for seasoning. ‘This oughta be good!’

“-as to how many times a person can get divorced and remarried before the loot from friends and family stops rolling in.”

Fenton couldn’t help but laugh out loud and be grateful once again that he was lucky enough to be Joe’s father. Life was never dull, that was for sure! “So you’re trying to figure out how long you can milk the system before the return is no longer worth the investment… right?”

Joe flashed his trademark, mega-watt smile and shrugged. “Just a thought,” he replied, preparing to boost himself up on the counter.

Fenton shook his head, all the while cherishing the precious time he got to spend with Joe. He was proud as he could be that his sons had grown into fine young men and were embarking on their own lives but he missed spending time with them away from work, simply as father and son. Rarer still was when he got to spend an afternoon or evening with only one of them. With Frank accompanying his best friend Phil Cohen to a computer expo today, Fenton was relishing this one on one time with Joe. “Go start the grill while I get the steaks ready.”

“Okay,” Joe said agreeably and headed for the back door. “Besides,” he continued as he walked out onto the deck, his voice floating back in through the open window, “why would I want to divorce Vanessa? She’s perfect!”

Fenton smiled wondering how many times he’d heard Vanessa say the same thing about Joe. He watched his son through the window for a moment, grateful Joe had found someone to share his life with. There was a time, right after Iola Morton died and Joe’s reckless streak morphed into a death wish, that he wasn’t sure Joe would live long enough to graduate from high school, let alone fall in love, get married and start a family of his own. Thinking back over the years since the two had met, particularly the very difficult last year and a half, he felt a rush of love for both Joe and Vanessa. While neither of them was perfect they were, he decided, perfect for each other.

*****

“I take it he wasn’t too happy about being stranded for dinner?” Callie asked, amused, as she watched Vanessa return the cell phone to her purse. The four women were seated at a corner table at Prito’s waiting for their appetizers to arrive.

“How’d you guess?” Vanessa said dryly then shrugged. “Hey, I invited him to come and help me register for the gifts. He’s the one who seemed to think it would be less painful to jump off the cliffs on Shore Road!”

“Sorry, honey,” Laura apologized with a grin. “But he’s been one hundred percent all boy from the day he was born. He hates shopping, period. Spending a whole day ‘shopping’ without actually bringing home anything to show for the effort would be a fate worse than death for him.”

“True,” Vanessa agreed but quickly came to Joe’s defense. “But he’s been really great about the wedding planning. He’s done everything I asked him to, even the things I knew he wasn’t crazy about, and always with a smile. If I’d told him I really, really wanted him to come along today, he would have without hesitation. Besides, we looked through a lot of catalogs and magazines together and picked out different things we wanted. So he did do his part…” She stopped and took a sip of water then grinned and continued. “He loved the idea that we could tell people exactly what we wanted and they’d buy it for us. He even made a few suggestions for places where we should register for wedding gifts,” she said, her eyes sparkling.

“Oh?” Callie raised her eyebrows questioningly.

“Yeah… the Ford parts department… Pep Boys…” Vanessa finished as the others laughed. “He even had visions of registering for a Ferrari. He thought if all the guests pooled their money we might have enough for a down payment.” She rolled her eyes.

“Hey, those sound like good ideas to me!”

Callie turned at the sound of Tony Prito’s voice. “Hi, Tony. You guys are busy tonight,” she commented, waving a hand around the packed dining room.

“Yeah,” Tony agreed, smiling. “Weekends are our busiest time. So is this Ladies Night?” he asked then looked at Vanessa. “I’m not used to seeing you here without your other half.”

“We were registering for wedding gifts today. He was absolved of that duty,” Vanessa replied. “It was just easier to let him off the hook than have to listen to him whine all day,” she winked at Laura.

Just then a waitress came up and tugged on Tony’s arm. “They need you in the kitchen – ASAP,” she said then hurried away.

Tony sighed heavily. “Duty calls. Maybe I’ll get a chance to visit for a few minutes when we slow down for the night.” He waved and hurried off to the kitchen.

The four women enjoyed each other’s company over a relaxing dinner. While the conversation ebbed and flowed, it always seemed to return to Joe and Vanessa’s upcoming wedding. It was only when their waitress came by with the dessert tray that Callie looked around, startled by the fact that other than one other table, they were the only people still there.

“Wow! I think we closed the place!” she said, surprised.

“Not for twenty minutes yet,” Sarah, their waitress, assured her as Laura, Andrea and Vanessa also glanced around at the now almost empty restaurant. The young woman then sighed almost dreamily and stared at Vanessa’s left hand. “I know I say it every time you come in here, Vanessa, but I just LOVE your engagement ring!” Sarah reached out and Vanessa automatically extended her left hand, practically beaming as she showed off her most treasured possession. Sarah let out another sigh. “It’s just so romantic that he had a ring made just for you.”

“I know,” Vanessa agreed, smiling broadly. “I’m a very lucky girl.”

With Vanessa and Sarah deep in conversation about the ring, Callie noted Andrea grinning. The older woman then leaned forward, towards Callie and Laura, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“You know sometimes I can’t believe how attached Vanessa is to that ring. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve caught her just staring at it with a dreamy smile on her face.” Andrea stopped and glanced at her daughter affectionately. “And she just revels in the attention it brings.”

Laura chuckled softly, nodding her agreement. “I know exactly what you mean; I’ve seen it too. She’ll be totally oblivious to everything around her, just staring at it. And when anyone comments on it, she practically glows.”

Callie glanced at Vanessa and sat back, recalling a conversation she had with the younger girl right after Joe proposed. Vanessa had been overwhelmed that Joe went to such great lengths to get something so different for her, rather then settling for a ring that could be found in any jewelry store in town.

“Every time I look at it, I realize how lucky I am to have Joe and how much he loves me. Looking at it reminds me just how far he’ll go - to extremes – just to make me feel special.”

And he did, Callie thought. Joe always went out of his way to put Vanessa on a pedestal but this – having a ring created just for her, one that no one else in the world had – had been extreme even for him. ‘You did good, Joe,’ Callie thought, lifting her glass in a silent toast to her brother-in-law. Watching Vanessa now, she was sure no one would ever truly understand how much Vanessa cherished that ring.

Fifteen minutes later, having settled their bill, they were the only customers left. Tony had pulled a chair over from an empty table and was now chatting with them.

“So how’s Kara?” Vanessa asked referring to Tony’s girlfriend and one of her oldest and dearest friends. “Ever since you put the moves on her she doesn’t have time for me anymore,” she teased.

Six months earlier Kara had called Vanessa from New York City in desperate need of help. Having been set up and falsely accused of siphoning funds from her employer, Vanessa had convinced Joe to take a chance and try to prove Kara’s innocence. Despite opposition from his father and skepticism from his brother, Joe had done just that and as a bonus, while staying with Joe and Vanessa, Kara had met Tony Prito. There had been an instant attraction and the two had been seeing each other exclusively ever since.

“I went into the city Friday night,” Tony smiled. “We spent most of the weekend together. Just got back for the evening rush tonight.”

“So should we anticipate getting another wedding invitation this year?” Callie teased.

Tony looked at her in mock horror and was about to respond when there was a noise from the lobby area. Turning towards the sound, Tony began, “Sorry we’re cl—” but he never got a chance to finish

Four armed, masked men rushed into the dining room, guns drawn and ready. Tony started to rise when one of the men yelled, “Sit down and shut up! Just stay put, don’t move and no one will be hurt. As long as everyone cooperates, we’ll be in and out in two minutes.”

Apparently hearing the commotion, Tony’s father rushed out of the kitchen. The man who had spoken turned on him, pointing the gun at his chest. “You the owner?”

“Yes,” the elder Prito replied, his eyes flashing with anger.

“Take me to the office,” the apparent ringleader ordered.

Mr. Prito glanced at Tony, shook his head slightly in a silent order for his son not to move, then turned and walked away. The leader silently motioned one of the men towards the bar, another to accompany him and the fourth to stand guard in the dining room as he followed Tony’s father.

In the ensuing silence Callie glanced first at Laura Hardy who, as she expected, looked calm and cool though there was rage simmering in her eyes. Andrea Bender appeared unruffled but her eyes showed fear and she clutched Vanessa’s right hand tightly. Callie noted that Vanessa was holding just as tightly to her mother’s hand and while she was trying hard to hide it, terror was practically radiating off her in waves. Callie’s heart tightened just thinking of the horrifying memories this had to conjure up for Vanessa and then felt a pang of guilt – her own past actions were probably responsible for a few of those painful memories.

Sitting as still as possible Callie stared at the lone gunman who’d been assigned to watch them, quickly realizing there wasn’t much to see. Like the other three men, he was dressed completely in black from head to toe, including a black ski mask and gloves. He was probably a little shorter than Frank with light brown or hazel eyes – she couldn’t tell for sure from this distance – but other than that she knew they wouldn’t be able to give the police much of a description.

Callie thought about their conversation with Liz the previous day, and marveled at the bizarre twist of fate. She also fervently hoped Vanessa’s innocent comment — “I sure hope the police catch them before someone gets hurt.” — wasn’t a bad omen.

As Callie watched the gunman she noticed, with a touch of irony, that his eyes kept darting to Vanessa’s engagement ring. ‘Even men can’t keep their eyes off it!’ she thought wryly.

He continued staring at it, seemingly mesmerized and then shot a quick glance towards the bar area. He looked back at the ring nervously, his eyes darkened… and Callie gasped. He took a step forward and thrust the gun towards Vanessa’s hand.

“Gimme the ring!” he demanded.

“Wh-what?!” Vanessa stuttered, her eyes wide.

“The ring! Give it to me!”

“NO!” she cried out, pulling her hand to her chest.

“NOW!” he said getting agitated and waving the gun at Vanessa.

Her voice now a trembling whisper, Vanessa stared at him wide-eyed and shook her head. “No,” she repeated.

Callie noticed a movement to her left and was shocked to see Laura Hardy removing both her engagement and wedding rings. “Here, take mine,” she offered, now reaching up to remove the emerald necklace and matching earrings she had on.

Seeing what Laura was trying to do, Andrea Bender released her daughter’s hand and began removing her own jewelry. “Take these,” she insisted, shoving the small pile of expensive jewels towards him. “All together they’re worth a lot more than her ring.”

“NO!” the gunman yelled now furious. “I want the damn ring! Just the ring… NOW!” He took a step back and extended his arm, now aiming the gun at Vanessa’s head with deadly accuracy.

“Vanessa, honey, please,” Laura urged, leaning towards the distraught girl. “Just give him the ring.”

“No,” Vanessa murmured, tears in her eyes.

Andrea reached out and squeezed Vanessa’s hand again. “Please, honey. I know how much that ring means to you but it’s not worth your life.”

“She’s right,” Laura tried again. “Joe would much rather you give up the ring than take a chance getting hurt because of it. Vanessa, please… give it to him.”

Vanessa turned wide eyes on Laura and Callie’s heart broke for her. “I can’t,” she said softly.

Suddenly the gunman cursed and lunged at the table grabbing Vanessa’s hand and yanking it towards him. She gasped loudly, the look on her face pure fear. In an instant Tony was on his feet.

“Get your hands off her!”

In a blur, the man turned and clipped Tony in the head with the butt of the gun. Tony fell to the floor, bleeding and moaning but still semi- conscious.

“Vanessa! Give him the ring!” Andrea insisted, tugging on her daughter’s arm.

“Please, Vanessa,” Laura added. “I promise you Joe will understand. The ring can be replaced, honey – you can’t!”

Openly crying now, Vanessa removed the ring with a shaking hand. It was barely off her finger when the gunman grabbed it, ripping it from her grasp and shoved it in his pocket.

Seconds later the other three robbers returned with Mr. Prito each carrying several overly stuffed moneybags. “Antonio!” he gasped, rushing to Tony’s side. “What did you do to him?!” he demanded angrily.

“What happened?” the leader asked, obviously not happy that someone had been hurt. Callie watched the man who’d stolen Vanessa’s ring carefully.

He licked his lips nervously and couldn’t make eye contact with the man. Waving his gun at Tony he replied, “Guy tried to play hero,” never mentioning Vanessa or the ring.

The leader of the small gang cursed under his breath and then gestured towards the door. “Come on, let’s get out of here before someone calls the cops!”

As the four men disappeared into the night, Callie pulled out her cell phone and immediately called 911, watching helplessly as Vanessa broke down and sobbed. She knew Laura and Andrea were right – Joe would much rather Vanessa give up the ring than get hurt or killed trying to keep it. But as Laura and Andrea tried to console the younger girl to no avail, Callie knew nothing in the world would heal Vanessa’s shattered heart… nothing short of getting the ring back.

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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.