Frank was sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch when Joe came to the table. Joe sat down and quietly asked, "Is she here?"

"I haven’t seen her," Frank said between bites of his sandwich. "She probably has a different lunch."

"Maybe," Joe said opening a bag of chips. "So, how did you do on your history test?"

"I think I did well," Frank said. "I knew the extra studying would pay off."

"You mean the cramming," Joe said with a smirk.

"Why don’t you just eat your lunch so you have some energy when we go to practice this afternoon."

At that moment, Joe saw Chet heading in their direction with a girl behind him, but he couldn’t see her face. "Guys, I’d like you to meet a new student. This is Nancy Nickerson. These two bozos are the Hardy’s." He pointed the two of them out. "That’s Frank and that’s Joe."

"Nice to meet you both," Nancy said as Chet pulled out the chair next to Frank. She sat beside him.

"Same here," Joe said as Chet sat beside him.

"Isn’t it a little late in the year to be switching schools?" Frank questioned trying not to make Chet suspicious.

"Yes, it is, but it’s not my choice," Nancy explained. "You see, my brother, Ned, just got a job here and since he’s my guardian, I go where he goes."

"It must be tough leaving your friends behind," Chet said.

"It is," Nancy said. "I had two really great friends that I might not see again." She looked at Frank with a mischievous smile. "But that doesn’t mean I can’t make new ones."

"So, Nancy, what classes are you in?" Joe asked seeing how uncomfortable Frank was getting.

"Just the basics," Nancy replied. "They also put me in an American Lit class. I can’t stand that stuff and don’t understand why it’s a required course."

"Frank’s taking that class," Chet said. "He could probably show you to the classroom."

"I think that would be a nice gesture from this handsome young man," Nancy said putting her hand on his shoulder and batting her eyelashes flirtatiously.

"Excuse me," a female voice said from behind Frank and Nancy making them jump. Frank turned and saw Callie standing with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

I’m in trouble now, Frank thought. He spoke out as he got to his feet, "Callie, this is Nancy Nickerson. She’s a new student Chet is showing around."

"That’s fine, but what was her hand doing on your shoulder?" Callie asked staring at Frank.

Frank glanced at Nancy, then to Chet and Joe. From the smile on Joe’s face, he knew he wasn’t getting any help from either of them. He also knew he couldn’t talk his way out of it without blowing Nancy’s cover.

"Hi." Nancy jumped in as she stood up. She reached out her hand. "I didn’t catch your name."

Callie ignored Nancy’s hand and said, "I’m Callie Shaw, Frank’s girlfriend for the last three years."

"Sorry," Nancy apologized. "I didn’t know he was taken."

"Well, he is," Callie said. "So keep your hands off him."

The bell rang and Frank said, "I’ve got to get to class. Callie, I’ll walk with you."

Callie turned without saying a word and headed out of the cafeteria with Frank behind her. Frank grabbed Callie’s arm and stopped her. Frank said, "Look, Callie, you do understand that I had nothing to do with that."

"Well, you weren’t trying to stop it either," Callie said angrily. "What am I supposed to understand? A new girl comes to school and tries to steal my boyfriend."

"Callie, calm down."

"If she thinks she’s going to steal you away from me, she’s got another thing coming." She pointed a finger into his chest. "I’ve invested too much time and energy in you Frank Hardy and if you think I’m going to let some..."

Frank cut off the rest of Callie’s sentence with a kiss. When he pulled away, he said, "Believe me, Callie, you’re the only one for me."

Callie smiled. "As long as you remember that."

"I’ll see you later," Frank said with a smile.

Callie headed down the hall as Frank went into his literature class and sat down in his usual seat near the window, second from the front. Frank opened his text and was rereading the chapter when class started. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nancy come in and take a seat in back.

*****

Shortly before the class was over, the teacher called Frank and Nancy to his desk. "Frank, I would like you to tutor Nancy for the next few days so she’s ready for the test on Wednesday."

"Couldn’t someone else tutor her, Mr. Andrews? I’ve got a lot going on right now with my schoolwork, baseball practice with two games coming up."

"You are the only one who really understands the material, Frank. Not to mention you actually take notes. I need you to help her get ready for the test."

"I have the next two periods free," Nancy said. "Maybe we could get started then."

Frank knew this was the opportunity he needed so they could talk about the case, but he also knew he couldn’t seem really interested in spending time with Nancy since the incident with Callie and many of his classmates had been there at the time.

"Fine," Frank grumbled. "I’ll meet you on the second floor of the library next period."

The bell rang. Frank grabbed his books and stormed out of the classroom. He kept his anger going to make everyone believe he was angry about spending time with Nancy tutoring her. He knew he was putting on a good show. Frank sprinted up the library stairs to the second floor. He found a secluded spot and had a seat. He glanced at his watch and knew Nancy would be along shortly.

He was taking advantage of the time and was reading a chapter on Twain’s contribution to American Lit when Nancy tossed her book bag on the table and sat down. Nancy said with a giggle, "You don’t have to tutor me, Frank."

"I didn’t plan to," Frank said closing his book. "Any luck so far?"

"Not really," Nancy said putting her notebook on the table. "The Chief told me about Nathan Miles and thinks he might be involved, but I’m not so sure."

"Did you get a chance to check out the gym and the computer lab?"

"I haven’t had an opportunity to check out the gym yet, but I had comp sci earlier. Whoever stole the computers must have come through the window, but there’s no way to tell." She sighed. "As for the graffiti, I’ve got Ned checking the stores to see if anyone’s been buying a lot of neon orange and green paint."

"Is there anything you need us to do?"

"There is one thing," Nancy said with a smile. "It may help me out if you and Joe fight about what kind of person would do these things."

"So, you want us to discuss these incidents in front of other students so those involved will take another step," Frank concluded.

"I think it might work. Whoever is doing this wants people to be impressed with what they are doing. These incidents have occurred during the night, so Ned and I will be staking out the school each night until we catch them."

"Do you want some help?" Frank asked after glancing around the library. "With an extra set of eyes or two, it might be easier to spot them."

"Good idea," Nancy said and kept quiet for a moment. "Frank, I’m really sorry about what happened in the cafeteria earlier. I didn’t know Callie was going to be there."

"It’s all right," Frank said with a laugh. "It’s nice to see her a little jealous every once in a while."

"I was laying it on a little thick," Nancy laughed. "If Ned had been there, he probably would have reacted the same way."

"Probably," Frank said. "Go investigate and call me later tonight."

Frank wrote down the phone number for the van and slid the paper over to Nancy. She put it in her bag and got to her feet. "Enjoy your ‘discussion’ later and your studying."

"Bye," Frank said.

*****

That evening, Frank and Nancy were sitting in the front of the Hardy’s van. It was parked at the north ed of the school while Ned and Joe were in Ned’s rental car at the south end of the school. Both vehicles had radios to keep in touch.

Nancy and Frank decided to catch up. "I wish you had told me Ned was on spring break. I wouldn’t have asked you to come."

"It’s all right," Nancy said peering out the front window of the van. "He understands that I have to help my friends. Besides, we are spending his spring break together."

"How are Bess and George?" Frank asked referring to Nancy’s two best friends.

"They’re fine," Nancy said leaning back. "Bess is still going after boys and George is playing tennis right now. She’s got a couple tournaments coming up in the next two weeks."

At that moment they heard a crackle come over the radio. They heard Joe say, "Anything on your end?"

"It’s quiet here," Frank replied. "Whoever is responsible definitely heard we weren’t investigating after our discussion."

"Hey, Frank, look." Nancy said grabbing his arm and pointing toward the school.

"Joe, hang on a second."

Frank and Nancy saw three people, dressed in dark clothing, hurrying across the parking lot toward the school gym. Frank said over the radio, "Guys, we’ve got some action. Thee people heading for the gym. We’re going after them."

"Got it," Joe replied.

"Come on," Frank said getting out of the van grabbing a flashlight.

They were grateful they chose to wear dark clothes as they made their way along the hedges toward the gym. Frank kept the flashlight off as they moved quickly. When they got to the gym, Frank reached for the door and found, to his surprise, it unlocked. They quickly slid inside.

Once their eyes adjusted to the dark, they moved slowly forward. After a couple minutes, they could see that no one was in the gym. Frank whispered, "They must have gone through the gym doors leading into the school."

"Let’s find them," Nancy whispered as they crossed to the far end of the gym. They stepped into the hallway and listened to the sounds from the people, but heard nothing.

"We’ll have to split up," Frank said quietly. "You stay on this floor. I’ll go upstairs."

"All right," Nancy said checking her watch. We’ll meet back here in 30 minutes."

"Fine," Frank said handing the flashlight to Nancy. "Be careful."

"You too," Nancy said and headed down the hallway.

Frank went upstairs and started to roam the now empty halls. He thought, this is weird being in school after hours. I just wonder what they’re doing in school.

He turned down the hallway that led to the science labs. He thought he heard movement in the lab at the end and quickly made his way toward the door which was open. He peeked around the threshold and saw three people standing at the teacher’s desk. He could see the glow from the computer and the three people standing around it. He was unable to see their faces since they were wearing ski masks.

Frank dropped to his hands and knees and began crawling into the classroom. He moved quietly along the wall toward the teacher’s desk. He was almost there when he bumped into a desk chair.

"Someone’s in here," a male voice said and Frank saw three flashlights click on as the computer was shut off.

Frank sprang to his feet and sprinted for the door. Just before he reached the hallway, he felt something hit him in the back of the head, and he blacked out as he hit the floor.