The next day, the guys slept in. They finally rolled out of bed just before noon. After getting something to eat, they headed to the lake to join in the hockey game. When they arrived, Ned and Joe headed out on the ice. Frank moved over to the bleachers and watched. He wasn’t sure about getting on the ice again so soon. He didn’t want another dunking.

He had been sitting there for a half-hour watching the game when he looked away from the lake and saw Nancy making her way toward him. She climbed up the bleachers and sat down beside him.

Frank asked, “Where are Callie and Vanessa?”

“Out shopping with Bess and George. They’re looking for something to wear tonight.” Nancy glanced out to the ice. She looked back at him. “So, why aren’t you out there playing?”

“The thought of going through the ice again is too fresh in my mind.”

“I can understand that. One dunking is enough.” She stared at him. “Is something bothering you?”

“I’ve been thinking about last night.”

“What about it?” Nancy asked slowly.

“Trailer hitches don’t get unhooked unless someone has been tampering with it.”

“Do you think someone purposely messed with the trailer?”

“It’s possible, but there’s no way to prove it with the trailer at the bottom of the lake.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“There’s no way to prove anything. We have an accident, but no one saw anything.” Frank looked at Nancy. “But this accident is connected to something.”

“Like what?”

Frank took a breath. “It might be connected to the guy from yesterday.”

“You think the guy who held the knife on me and the runaway trailer are connected?”

“I don’t know what else to think.”

“I think you’re right,” Nancy said softly.

“Huh?” Frank wasn’t sure he heard her right.

Nancy was about to respond when a gust of icy wind from across the frozen lake caused her to shiver with cold. “Let’s go somewhere warmer so I can explain.”

“All right.”

They left the bleachers and went into one of the buildings. After they each got a cup of hot chocolate, they sat down near the fireplace, soaking in the heat.

“So, why do you think I’m right?”

“I don’t know. I just have this feeling everything you said is true.” Nancy stared at her cup.

“I keep thinking we’re missing something important.”

“Well, last night I thought I saw some movement by the trailer hitch. But it could’ve been a shadow.”

“But it could’ve been someone.” Frank took a drink. “Now, if someone was tampering with the hitch. the question is why.”

“But if it’s connected with the guy who grabbed men, what’s the connection?”

“I wish I knew, but there’s definitely something strange going on.”

At that moment, Joe and Ned came into the room. Nancy and Frank noticed both their faces were pink from the wind. Joe and Ned came over and sat down beside them.

“It’s getting cold out there,” Joe said rubbing his hands together.

“It looks like there’s a storm coming,” Ned said. “There are gray storm clouds moving this way.”

“Hopefully any snow that may be on the way will wait until after dinner.” Nancy glanced at her watch. “And speaking of dinner, it’s getting late. I need to get ready.”

Nancy rose to her feet and moved over to Ned. Bending down she gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t be late.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll be there.”

“Then I’ll see you later,” Nancy said and left the building.

“So,” Frank said, “are you two ready to get dressed for dinner?”

“We might as well,” Joe sighed. “If we don’t show, Nancy may be upset.”

“Come on,” Ned said. “Let’s go.”

* * * * *

Nancy returned home just before Callie and Vanessa. The three quickly got ready. They were just finishing up when Carson came home. A half-hour later, they were ready to go. They climbed into Carson’s car and went to the restaurant.

The trip to the restaurant usually took twenty minutes. Nancy realized the roads were becoming more treacherous when they finally arrived forty minutes later. After checking with the maitre d‘, they realized they had arrived before the guys. They were seated by the window and waited quietly for the guys.

It was beginning to snow harder, and Nancy was starting to worry. She needed to know Ned was all right. The longer they were delayed, the more worried she became.

Finally, about thirty minutes later, Ned entered the restaurant with Frank and Joe. A moment later, the three of them hurried over to the table.

Nancy got to her feet and gave Ned a hug. She whispered, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“We’re sorry we’re late,” Ned said as he pulled away and sat beside Nancy. “The roads are slick.”

“Let’s not worry about the weather,” Carson said. “Let’s enjoy a nice dinner.”

“All right,” Joe said.

Once they ordered, Nancy glanced around the restaurant. There were only a dozen or so couples in the restaurant. Glancing back out the window, she could see the snow blowing. She figured people were staying home since the storm seemed to be picking up in intensity.

Once they started to eat dinner, they began talking about the New Year’s Eve Ball. “The ball is really a lot of fun. There’s tons of food there’ll be lots of dancing.”

“It does sound like fun,” Frank said. “It was nice of you to invite us.”

“Nancy thought you’d like it,” Ned said taking Nancy’s hand in his. “Besides, it’s nice getting together without all of you involved in a case.”

“True,” Nancy said. “I also wasn’t sure how many times we’d meet up before the wedding.”

“We’re having a good time so far,” Callie said smiling at Frank.

“Definitely,” Vanessa added.

At that moment, the waiter brought out the desert and put a plate in front of each of them. They were enjoying the cake in silence when suddenly a man yelled, “QUIET!”

Nancy looked up startled. At the entrance, she saw a man wearing a black ski mask. He had a rifle and it was pointed at their table.

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.