7:50

3:27

8:34

5:20

4:23

1:57

2:29

6:18

12:45

9:36

Then she turned it over on the back and made note of the next telephone number, "All right," she said, "Everything is right here. All we have to do is call this number."

Marie and Rob Silver were sitting at the dining room table, waiting to see if any more word would come. They hadn’t heard anything else since the call two days ago. Vicki’s parents remembered how much they wanted another call to come in.

Just then Becky, Vicki’s sister, came down the stairs. She had been told the previous morning since she was at her friend’s house. For the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Silver had actually seen Becky concerned about Vicki. Usually, Becky, who was nineteen and Vicki didn’t get along or care much for each other. Still, their parents wished the change had been under other circumstances.

"Any word," Becky asked, and Rob shook his head, "Look, I’m going to ride around a little. I’ll call you when I’m on my way back, okay?" Her parents nodded silently as she left.

Marie looked at Rob and said, "Do you think they’ll call anytime soon? I can’t wait another minute." Just then the phone rang.

"You might not have to," Rob replied and pushed the speaker button, "Hello?" A familiar voice came over the line.

"Hi," the man from before said, "Have you reached a decision yet? We need an answer. What are you going to do about it?"

"Give me another day to think it over," Mr. Silver replied, "There’s a lot of work that needs to be done…" He was cut off.

"I need an answer now Silver," the man said, "What’s it going to be?" There was silence for a few moments, "Well…"

Mr. Silver let out a deep breath, "Okay, I’ll do it. When and where do you want them?"

"Dad," Vicki yelled in the background, "Don’t do it. Please don’t. They’ll get away with it if you do."

"Let me talk to her," Mr. Silver asked, "I need to ask her a few things."

"Hey," Vicki said, "Promise me that you won’t do what they ask."

"I have no other choice," her dad replied, "What else can I do?" Vicki didn’t reply, "Vicki, please answer me."

"Don’t you have any connections," Vicki finally said, "Someone that you can trust?" She was speaking in whispers now, as if she didn’t want their conversation to be heard.

"What are you talking about," Rob asked, looking at Marie in confusion.

"You know," Vicki answered, "A close friend or yours and mine. Who were over a few weeks ago?" Before he could give her an answer, the phone was snatched away.

"We’ll call you later with details," the voice said, "Expect a call tomorrow." Then the line went dead.

Vicki could only hope that her dad understood her message. He knew several people that could be of help. As the man slammed the phone down, he turned to her again.

"I don’t know what you told him," the man said, "but don’t expect anything to happen according to your plan."

"Don’t worry," Vicki reassured him, "I don’t know what’s going to happen either, except for the fact that you’re getting caught."

"You would like to see that wouldn’t you," he asked her, "Too bad no one is going to find you out here." He closed the door before Vicki could yell out another comeback.

Come on, Vicki thought, your dad will figure it out eventually. He has to find it out. Just let it be sooner than later.

Fact is, he had just gotten the message right. Mrs. Silver glanced at him after the call had been ended, "What was she talking about?"

"I know," he replied and walked to the phone, "It’s time that I called an old friend for help. He’ll know what to do." Marie glanced at him curiously and went silent as someone on the other end answered.

"Hello," Rob asked, "I need to ask you a favor. It’s very important. It’s about Vicki."

"I assumed that. I got a note yesterday." Fenton Hardy replied, "Frank and Joe left to help out with the case. What do you need?"