“So, Frank, are we going to finish this?” The Gray Man asked. “The clock is ticking.”  

“I want to know more about what will happen which ever way I decide,” Frank said. “You know that’s how I am. I need to know everything before I can make a decision. Especially one that has a lot weighing on it.”  

“You know what each decision means.”  

Frank pushed himself to a standing position and leaned against the wall. “I want to know what the plans entail. That’s the only way I will make a decision.”  

“My patience is quickly vanishing with you,” the Gray Man said.  

“Well, you won’t get an answer from me until I know.”  

The Gray Man stared at him and Frank figured he had pushed it too far. But he knew he had to do what he could before giving the Gray Man an answer.  

“Fine,” the Gray Man finally said. “Come with me.”  

Frank looked at Caren. “I’ll be back.”  

“Okay.”  

Frank made his way to the door and followed the Gray Man out of the room. He saw the man who had come to the door the first time standing in the ball. The door was slammed shut and locked behind him.  

The man grabbed Frank’s arm and assisted him back to the area where he had first seen the Gray Man. There was now another chair in the room, as well as a small table with food. Seeing the food, Frank realized he was hungry. But he wasn’t going to eat. He needed to know what was in store with each decision.  

“The food is for you,” the Gray Man said, sitting down across from him.  

“After we talk,” Frank said.  

“As you wish,” the Gray Man said.  

There was a long pause and Frank figured the Gray Man was trying to psyche him out. Frank decided he wasn’t going to play that game.  

“What is the plan for going after my father?” Frank asked.  

“You will call your father telling him you are in a location that had a phone, but you are too injured to continue on. He needs to come to the place alone because there are people searching for you and you don’t want to give away your hiding spot.”  

“Do you really think my father will come alone?” Frank asked. “As soon as the phone rings, Joe will be there and insist that he comes along.”  

“I forgot how much of a nuisance your brother was,” the Gray Man grumbled.  

“So, with this plan, my father would come to the spot where I called from and then be captured by your agents, hopefully before he commits suicide.”  

“Exactly,” the Gray Man said, beaming. “I knew you would agree to this plan and quickly. This ensures the safety of your brother and mother.”  

“Wait a second,” Frank said, putting hi hand in the air to stop the Gray Man from speaking. “I haven’t decided anything yet.”  

“Time is a factor, Frank,” the Gray Man said. “If we don’t act now, Joe and your mother could be dead in hours.”  

Frank glanced at the Gray Man. “What will happen if I decide I don’t want to help you kill my father?”  

“This man is not your father!” the Gray Man bellowed. “He is an imposter.”  

“Tell me,” Frank demanded.  

“If you don’t help, you and the girl will be left here. Alone. You will have nothing. No food. No water. And no way out. We will go ahead with the plan without you and take care of your father.”  

Frank did not like this. If he didn’t help the Gray Man, the plan would go ahead without him and his father would be killed. But if he helped the Gray Man, he could probably save his father because he didn’t fully trust the Gray Man.  

Frank let out a breath. “I will help on one condition.”  

“What’s that?”  

“The girl is released immediately. No ifs, ands or buts about it. She it taken to the mall where she is able to call for a ride home.”  

“Done,” the Gray Man said.  

“Fine,” Frank said. “Then you have my assistance.”  

“All right. We will be leaving shortly. You may have a few minutes to say good-bye to her before we depart.”  

Frank let out a breath, grateful for the opportunity. He started to get up and head for the door. As he looked up, he saw the man now had a pair of crutches in his possession. Frank gratefully accepted the crutches and made his way down the hall once again.  

Upon entering the room, Frank saw Caren was still sitting on the floor. She jumped to her feet and hurried to him. “You okay?”  

“I’m fine, but we don’t have a lot of time.”  

“Why’s that?”  

“Just listen,” Frank said and Caren nodded her head. “You are going to be take to the mall and left here.”  

“But Frank.”  

“Caren, please. You need to do this for me.”  

“All right.”  

“You will be taken to the mall and left there.” Frank motioned Caren close so he was giving her a hug. He whispered in her ear. “Then you need to find a phone and call Joe. Tell him what has happened.”  

“Will he be able to help?” Caren whispered as well.  

“I know he will.”  

“But, Frank, I don’t want to leave you here.”  

“Caren, you don’t have a choice. This is what has to be done.”  

“But, Frank, I can’t leave you here. It’s not right.”  

“You don’t have a choice,” Frank repeated softly. “I’ll be all right. And once you talk to Joe, help will be on its way.”  

“Frank, I don’t like this.”  

“Just call Joe on this number. Everything will work out once you do.” Frank whispered the number into her ear.  

As Frank gave her the last number, the door to the room opened. The man who had followed him before said, “It’s time.”  

Frank leaned back and looked Caren in the eye. “Everything will be all right.”  

“Okay.”  

Caren stepped away from Frank. She took a couple steps and then turned back to him. She quickly hurried to him and kissed him.  

Frank was surprised at Caren’s sudden gesture, but the surprise quickly left him. Caren’s kiss was perfect and it seemed as if the world had stopped moving for a few minutes.  

“We need to go now,” the man said, interrupting their kiss.  

Frank looked at her. “Everything will be all right.”  

Caren nodded her head and reluctantly left the room.  

Once she was gone, Frank closed his eyes and hoped the Gray Man would come through on his end of the deal. He knew he would feel horrible if something happened to her. He made a vow that when he got out of the situation, he was going to get to know Caren a whole lot better.  

After a little while, the door was opened again. This time by the Gray Man. He looked at Frank. “It’s time we take care of business.”  

Frank let out a breath, aggravated to be put in this position. He said, “Let’s go.”  

* * * * *  

Back in the Hardy home, Joe was pacing his bedroom, getting more aggravated by the minute. He had stayed home from school hoping there would be some word of his brother’s whereabouts. He did not like not knowing where Frank was. All the terrible thought that could happen to his older brother continued to swirl through his head, each one worse than the previous thought.  

He had tried to distract himself by doing some chores, but his mind started thinking about ‘what if’ scenarios. He had stopped trying to attempt getting the chores done and resumed pacing.  

Joe knew his constant movement about the house was getting on everyone’s nerves, but he just couldn’t wait. He had wanted to go back to where Frank’s crutches had been found and try to see if there were any more clues, but his father had told him there was no point. The state troopers had thoroughly gone over the area and had come up empty.  

Joe was startled when his phone rang. He quickly put it to his ear and asked, “Hello?”  

“Oh, Joe, it’s so good to hear your voice,” a female voice said through the crackling of the phone.  

He didn’t recognize the voice. “Who is this?”  

“It’s Caren,” she replied. “And I think there’s going to be trouble.”  

 

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 original characters without express permission of the authors.