Joe crept closer to the farmhouse trying to stay out of sight. He could see his father cautiously approaching the barn. Joe glanced around, looking for any movements. He had a feeling this was a trap and was determined to make sure nothing happened to his father.  

As he looked toward the farmhouse, he through he could see shadows moving about inside. He wasn’t positive anyone was in there, but he knew it was a possibility.  

See that his father was continuing to the barn, Joe decided to make a quick check of the house. He figured once he was certain the house was clear, and then he would backup his father.  

Joe approached the farmhouse and saw a window was open. He moved to the window and peered inside. No one was there. He pulled himself through the window and landed quietly on the floor, the dust swirling around his feet.  

Looking about, he saw there were several footprints near the threshold, as well as a large spot where some of the dust was gone. He figured something had been dropped there.  

Joe stayed still for a moment, taking in all that was around him. He listened intently for any sound of other moving about the house. But there was just silence.  

He stealthily made his way around the room by the walls being careful that he didn’t leave any proof of his presence. Reaching the threshold, he noticed that the footprints seemed to lead upstairs. Looking toward the front door, he saw the dust was stirred up there as well.  

Joe glanced at the stairs and figured he would go upstairs to see what was going on. Just as he was about to take the first step, his phone rang. He quickly pulled it out and shut off the ringer before it alerted anyone about that he was there.  

“Hello?” he answered softly.  

“Joseph, I believe we have a lead to your brother’s whereabouts,” the Gray Man said.  

“What?” Joe asked.  

“It’s true,” the Gray Man said. “It seems as if your brother is being held by a man that is well known in the crime world. We’re still narrowing down the identity of the person, but we’re positive we will know who it is for certain in no time.”  

“That’s good to hear,” Joe said, moving to the front door and gazing out into the yard. He could no longer see his father, but he did see some movement in the woods behind the barn. He saw a man exit the woods, but couldn’t see the man’s features. But there was something familiar about him.  

“Joseph, are you listening to me?”  

“I hear you,” Joe said distractedly while keeping an eye on the man.  

“Joseph, what are you seeing?” the Gray Man asked.  

Joe watched for another moment and saw the man he was observing pull out a gun and approach the barn. The man turned to face the house and Joe gasped as he recognized the person.  

“What is it?” the Gray Man asked.  

“It’s you.”  

“Whose me?” the Gray Man asked.  

“If you have any agents in the area, you better get them here now,” Joe stated, moving back to the window he had climbed through a few minutes earlier. “There is a man here that looks exactly like you.”  

“Where are you?” the Gray Man demanded.  

Joe quickly gave the Gray Man the location and ended the call. He climbed out of the window and stayed closed to the house. He neared the front porch and crouched down so he was out of sight. Joe peered through the porch rail toward the barn. The man looking like the Gray Man was moving closer to the barn. Joe figured his father was already in there.  

He watched the man make his way toward the barn, reaching for the door handle. He slowly pulled the door open and stepped inside. As the door slowly slid shut, Joe bolted from his hiding position toward the barn.  

He reached the dilapidated structure and moved to the one window to get an idea of what was going on inside before he made his move. Joe peered over the windowsill and wiped some of the grime away. He could see his father standing at the far end of the barn facing the Gray Man. He strained to hear what they were saying, but couldn’t.  

Knowing he had to get even closer so he could help his father when the time came, Joe began searching for another entrance. He moved to the side of the building and saw a small doorway. He figured this had been an office at one time when he saw the desk against one wall.  

He saw a door on the wall next to the desk and moved to it. The door was partially open and he could hear his father and the man talking.  

“I’m not going to ask you again where my son is,” Fenton stated. “You had no right.”  

“I had every right,” the man said. “You see, your son was just the bait.”  

“This was meant for me,” Fenton concluded. “But why? I don’t know you.”  

“You do know me,” the man said. “You may not recognize me with this face or with this voice, but you do know me.”  

“Then who are you?” Fenton asked.  

“How could you even ask such a question?” the man asked with a laugh. “It may seem like it has been years since our paths crossed, but to me, it was just like yesterday.” The man took a step forward, his hand holding the gun stretched out straight in front of him. “I remember the day clearly when you came into my life. It could have been ignored, but you had to play the part of the good cop. And by doing that, you destroyed my life. I had a wife and family and you destroyed it all.”  

“I still have no clue,” Fenton said.  

“I’m not surprised. You’re globetrotting all over the place catching people and putting them in jail, even if they are innocent. You’re so busy that you’re probably lucky if you know what your children are doing in school.”  

“I know my sons quite well,” Fenton stated. “I always know what they are doing, whether I’m home or not, or if they are home or not.”  

“Yeah right. That’s a lot of bull and you know it. But you see, that doesn’t really matter anymore. Because only one of us will be walking out of here alive.  

“I agree with you on that,” Fenton said. “It will only be one of us.”  

“So, have you figured out who I am yet?”  

“I still have no idea.”  

“Fine. I will give you the scenario and maybe, just may, you will remember.” The man took a breath. “More than 15 years ago, I was working in a warehouse, minding my own business as I did everyday. When suddenly, in comes all these cops and one new, hotshot detective. Not only was I taken into custody, but also my co-workers. We were all charged with drug trafficking.

Joe saw his father’s eyes go wide at the story and had a feeling his father knew who this person as now.  

“I guess you’ve put the piece together,” he said with a grin. “Yes, it’s me.”  

“Andrew Boxman.”  

“Correct on the first try. And now the time has come for me to get my revenge.”  

“Where is Frank?” Fenton demanded. “What have you done with my son?”  

“Your son is quite cozy at the moment. But don’t worry. Once I take care of you, your son will be joining you.”  

Joe reacted without thinking. He threw the door open and charged at the man. Just as the man turned to face him, Joe tackled him and they both hit the floor, hard.  

Joe pinned the man’s arms to the floor as he sat on the guy’s chest. “Where is my brother?”  

The man laughed as Fenton approached and took the gun from his grasp. The man looked at Joe. “Like I’m going to tell you.”  

“Where is he?” Joe yelled, tightening his hold on the man.  

“It’s too late. Your brother is now dead.”  

Before Joe could react, the man broke his arm free of Joe’s grasp and reached for his waist. His arm then fell to the floor. A moment later, the man’s eyes went wide, and then shut permanently.  

“NO!” Joe yelled, realizing they were dealing with the Assassins.  

Suddenly, there was a loud explosion knocking Fenton and Joe to the ground, with pieces of the barn falling on top of them.  

 

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.