Joe Hardy drove the van back to the Hardy home. He had not wanted to leave the scene for fear that a clue as to his brother’s whereabouts would be found and he wouldn’t be able to act on it.  

But the sun had set and there was little to be done in the dark. Troopers had converged on the area and looked for clues from where the cars had parked to the woods where the crutches had been found. The troopers had spread out a mile into the woods searching for Frank and Caren. But as night fell, the troopers had halted the search.  

Joe had been angry that the search had been halted. He had been about to speak up when his father suggested he take the van back home.  

As he pulled into the driveway, he saw his mother’s car parked in front of the garage. He let out a sigh. He knew that as soon as he entered the house, he was going to be bombarded with questions, which he didn’t have the answers to.  

Getting out of the van, Joe grabbed Frank’s bag and made his way to the front door. He went inside, closing the door behind him. He looked up and saw his mother standing in the living room, looking at him.  

“Where have you been?” Laura asked. “I saw your car in the driveway and thought you would be home.”  

“Actually, Dad came home and got a call about a case,” Joe said. “I went with him to check things out.”  

“Where’s your father now?”  

“He’s still there,” Joe admitted.  

Laura narrowed her eyes at Joe, and he knew what was coming next.  

“I heard the van pull into the driveway,” Laura stated. “And since you said you had gone with your father and I know Frank had…”  

Joe cringed as he realized his mother had quickly put things together. He moved to her and tried to offer some comfort. He was angry his father had left him to break the news to his mother.  

“Mom, you need to stay calm,” Joe said. “We don’t know anything for certain. What we do know is that the van was found empty. There is a search going on as we speak to try and find Frank.”  

“What could have happened?”  

“When we find that out, you’ll be the first to know.”  

Laura took a breath and leaned back from Joe. “So, what’s the next step?”  

“Right now, we wait,” Joe said. “I expect to hear from Dad in a little while.” He looked his mother in the eye. “Have there been any phone calls since you’ve been home?”  

“No,” Laura answered. “It’s been really quiet. And there weren’t any messages on the machine.”  

“Okay. We should keep the lines open in case someone does call.”  

“All right,” Laura said. “Do you know when your father will be home?”  

“He shouldn’t be too much longer,” Joe answered.  

“Okay.”  

After giving his mother another hug, Joe went upstairs, dropped the bag on the floor and logged onto his brother’s computer. Something about this entire situation bothered him. He was grateful he knew some things about computers and could access the files he needed to.  

Joe entered his own e-mail account and searched through the messages that had piled up in the last couple weeks. He had not checked his account since before Frank got hurt. Then after that, he had just been too busy with football practice and spending time with Vanessa.  

He quickly deleted the messages that were junk and made note of the ones from his friends. He had just gone through his mail when an instant message popped up on the screen. He recognized the sender’s name.  

Graywolf: I’m glad you are on  

HBI2: Why?  

Graywolf: Because there is a matter we need to discuss  

HBI2: We have nothing to discuss. Frank said everything that need to be said the last time we talked  

Graywolf: Maybe you should put your brother on. He’s usually more level headed  

HBI2: He’s not here  

Graywolf: Where is he?  

HBI2: He’s out  

Graywolf: On a date? I thought he and Miss Shaw had broken up.  

Joe stared at the screen. He was now certain.  

HBI2: Why don’t you just tell me what’s going on? Someone how I think you know more than you’re telling  

Graywolf: Has something happened there?  

HBI2: Answer my question first  

Graywolf: I don’t know what you mean  

HBI2: How did you know about Frank and Callie?  

Graywolf: Well…  

HBI2: You’ve been watching us, haven’t you? Haven’t you?  

There was silence for a few minutes.  

Graywolf: We keep everyone who works for us under surveillance  

HBI2: We DON’T work for you. We made that clear months ago  

Graywolf: You will still be under surveillance  

HBI2: Listen and listen closely. We don’t work for the Network and never will. We helped out on those few occasions, but that is it. We are done with you  

Graywolf: I understand  

Graywolf signed off.  

Joe leaned back in his seat and let out a sigh. He knew the Gray Man knew that Frank was missing. That was his gut feeling. But why is Frank missing? he thought. What could possible by the reason? And what does the Gray Man really know about it?”  

* * * * *  

Frank Hardy stared at the man sitting in the chair in front of them. He couldn’t believe Arthur Gray was sitting there with a smug look on his face.  

“Why did you do this?” Frank demanded. “You had no right!”  

“Ah, Mr. Hardy,” Arthur Gray said. “It seems you’ve developed a bit of a temper recently.”  

“You had no right in taking us,” Frank repeated.  

“You both were in danger and I did what was needed to ensure your safety.”  

“You put us in danger!” Frank yelled, stepping slighting in front of Caren. “And you almost killed me!”  

“Quit being so dramatic, Frank,” the Gray Man said. “You’re beginning to sound like your brother.”  

“What do you want with us?” Frank demanded, venom dripping from his voice.  

“Ahh, I see you still get straight to the point,” the Gray Man said. “That’s a trait you should get rid of.”  

“I’m not playing,” Frank said. “Either tell me, or we’re walking out of here.”  

“I don’t believe so,” the Gray Man said.  

Frank felt Caren’s hold get pulled away from him. He tried to remain standing, but he couldn’t. He fell forward to his hands and knees, groaning as his left leg hit the floor. Turning, he saw the man that had released them now had Caren’s throat in his hand. Caren was trying to break his grasp.  

“Let her go!” Frank yelled. “She’s done nothing!”  

“Ah, ah, Frank,” the Gray Man said. “That temper which you are displaying could be detrimental to the young woman.”  

Frank took a breath trying to calm down. He knew he had to control his temper, or Caren would get hurt. He could see the fear in her eyes and wished he could switch places with her.  

After another deep breath, Frank looked back at the Gray Man. Controlling his voice, he asked, “What do you want?”  

“Now that’s the Frank Hardy I know.” He looked past Frank. “Take her back to the room. Mr. Hardy and I need some time alone.”  

Before Frank could say anything, Caren was dragged out of the room. He turned his gaze of distrust toward the Gray Man.  

“I see you want to get down to business, so we shall,” the Gray Man said.  

Frank turned himself around so that he was sitting down. He looked at the agent. “You have my undivided attention.”  

“Good. Now we can get things straight. There’s a matter that I need your assistance with.”  

“And what if I don’t want to help you?”  

“I know you will help me,” the Gray Man said. “You see, your life and the young woman’s hang in the balance.”  

Frank couldn’t believe the Gray Man was using their lives to get him to help. Frank knew he couldn’t put Caren’s life in danger. He was in a no-win situation.  

“What do you want me to do?”  

“I want you to help me kill your father.”

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.