HDA - Living in Darkness Trilogy - Pt 2 - The Search

Fenton Hardy looked away from his computer and stretched, rubbing at his eyes as he took a breather from the intensive computer search he ran. He blinked several times, dark eyes finally tearing up a little, and he reached for the bottle of water sitting beside his monitor. The water disappeared moments later and he sighed, wishing things were easier than this.

"Here, honey." Laura set another bottle of water on the table and wrapped both arms around Fenton, nuzzling his hair with her face as she held onto him. Fenton leaned back, inhaling the coconut-scented shampoo she used on her hair, and smiled contentedly. Laura pulled back a few minutes later and rubbed at his shoulders, easing the tension in his muscles before kissing the back of his neck.

"How's the search going?" Laura asked him as she settled beside his seat in a chair of her own and looked at the computer screen. Currently Fenton had a listening of Massachusetts properties on the screen, owned not by Andrew but by Catherine Mathews, Andrew's mother.

"Deanna managed to get a complete listing of all the properties that Andrew owns between Bayport and Cambridge ," Fenton said. "I thought I'd work on a listing of the properties that Cathy owns. I'm not saying she has anything to do with Andrew kidnapping Joe, but it's possible Andrew could use one of her properties without telling her about it. Cathy owns and rents out a bunch of properties all over Connecticut and Massachusetts , and even the house in New Haven is listed in her name, rather than Derak or Andrew's."

Laura ran her eyes down the fifteen or so properties listed on the screen and shook her head.

"That's a lot, Fenton," she said. "How long do you think it's going to take to search all of those? I mean, the F.B.I. can only afford to put so many people on this, right?"

"We'll get help from the local police departments," Fenton said. "I daresay they will do most of the searching for us, rather than us having to do it ourselves."

"Oh," Laura nodded. "Makes sense. What should we do, though? I'm going stir-crazy sitting at home, waiting. I'm trying, hard, not to think about what Andrew might be doing to Joe. You don't…you don't think he's…"

Fenton went dry-mouthed and turned in his chair, drawing Laura close and holding her. He shifted her from her chair to his lap and held her tightly, stroking her hair and soothing her nerves.

"I don't know," he admitted in a soft voice. He didn't want to lie to her, even though he wanted to make her feel better. "I don't know why Andrew took Joe. I…just don't know."

Laura studied him and Fenton knew she saw right through him. "Just tell me, Fenton. You do know."

"I don't, for sure," Fenton said. He hadn't lied, he just…hadn't told all the truth. That counted, didn't it? "It's just everything Deanna's told me, everything I've found out for myself – Laura, this isn't good. I think…I think Andrew wants to pick up where Derak left off when they were ten."

Laura paled slightly and Fenton held her even more tightly, holding her and stroking her back and hair as she tried to swallow back the urge to cry. Laura took a deep breath and nodded again.

"It took a long time to get him over what Derak did," Laura said, softly. "I just don't understand how…how Derak did that to either of the boys. That's…isn't it usually passed down from other family members? Something they learn rather than…than just are?"

Fenton shrugged. "I don't know the whole psychology behind molesters, Laura. Where Derak got it from, why he felt he had to do that…maybe he was just sick and there was no other reason for it. I don't care about that, anymore, I just care about getting Joe back and doing our damnedest to make sure we get him through this. Whatever it takes."

Laura nodded again. "All of us."

"Right," Fenton said. "I'm going to get this list to Deanna, then I thought we could go for a drive. What do you think, babe?"

Laura smiled at the 'babe' and laughed. "All right," she said. "Let's go…babe."

** ** ** **

All four of the young adults froze in place and slowly turned to face the man who stood behind them. The man, only about 5'8", had long, curly, auburn hair pulled back into a ponytail and bright blue eyes. He bounced slightly on his feet as he watched them, waiting for one of them to say something.

"What do you want?" Connor asked. He was a half-foot taller than the short man near him and, when he wanted to be, imposing.

"To talk to you," the man said. "But not here. Let's go."

The four young people frowned and wondered who this man was and where he was going to lead them – and why. Frank held more tightly to Samantha's arm as Connor put an arm around his girlfriend's shoulders. Connor didn't see anything like a gun on the man; maybe he was harmless.

"All right," Connor made the decision for the group. "But we all go together or not at all."

"Fine," the man said. "Let's go."

The man led them out of the student union and down a sidewalk to another building. They went inside the building, up two floors and, finally, into a classroom.

"My name is Bobby." The man took something out of his back pocket and showed it to them. An F.B.I. badge. "Bobby Stewart. I'm working on your brother's case."

Mandy studied the badge for a moment, a look of intense concentration on her face, before she finally handed it back to him and nodded.

"All right," Mandy shifted slightly closer to Connor again. "We didn't know the F.B.I. was sending anyone here."

"I'm undercover," Bobby said. "Working as a replacement teacher. I'll be helping with the search here on the campus and coordinating with the law enforcement in the area that is working the case. Deanna heard you were coming over and wanted me to meet with you. We aren't going to tell you not to get involved since we all know you won't listen to us, but I would take it as a personal favor if you would check in with me when you find out anything. We need to compile all of the information that we gather and it's not going to do your brother any good if we withhold vital information, now is it?"

All four of them nodded in agreement.

"Good." Bobby bounced a little more on the balls of his feet and grinned. "Welcome to M.I.T. Do you have a plan that you're going to follow?"

"Yeah," Frank spoke up. "We do have a plan, which we should probably get to. We promise to check in, Agent Stewart. It's probably best if we aren't all seen together, though."

Bobby nodded his agreement and Connor relaxed.

"Be careful," Bobby said. "Don't get hurt out there."

"We won't," Mandy said as she took Connor's hand. "See you later."

That was a dismissal if there ever was one and Connor grinned as he led the way from the classroom and back out into the commons area in front of the student union. It was an immense building, far larger than the SU back at Bayport University . Then again, M.I.T. was about four times bigger than Bayport University , so maybe that had something to do with it. Connor felt slightly out of place on this campus and he sighed as he limped inside, walking alongside his girlfriend with an arm around her shoulders as they stepped through the front doors and looked around.

"Well," he sighed. "Now what?"

They talked for several minutes before deciding where to start and then split up, Samantha leading Frank along and Connor walking away with Mandy, hand-in-hand. Their task – to find out what clubs Andrew belonged to on campus.

"I hope this isn't as hard as I think it's going to be," Mandy sighed. "I mean, these people don't know us, there's no reason for them to tell us what we want to know."

"That's why we're going to find out where the old yearbooks are kept," Connor said. "We'll take a look through those and see if we can't spot him in the club pictures. They should have him listed, even if he didn't show up for the class."

"Right," Mandy grinned. "Good idea, hon. Let's go."

Connor grinned right back at her, relaxing as he led the way down the hallway toward where he hoped to find the student services area, whatever passed for the student council at M.I.T.. Every school seemed to have them, no matter what they were called, and Connor relaxed even more. This would all work out, he was confident of that.

"Here we go." Mandy pushed Connor toward the student activities room. This might make it even easier. Mandy put on her brightest smile as they approached a young man their own age sitting at the desk. He looked up and returned the smile.

"Hi," he said. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah," Mandy said. "My name's Mandy. Mandy Hardy. I'm from Bayport University ? I was trying to find my cousin, Andrew, who goes to school here, but I haven't had any luck yet. It's his birthday coming up, you know, and I wanted to surprise him. You wouldn't be able to help me, would you?"

Connor watched her with appreciation and held back a grin. Mandy could schmooze with the best of them!

"I, uh," the young man stammered. "Well, I'm not sure how I could. Is there something specific you wanted?"

Mandy flashed a look at Connor, and then turned back to the student. "Er," she said. "I was hoping I could get some idea of what clubs he belongs to these days. If I can get a schedule of when the clubs meet, I might be able to sneak in on him and surprise him. Otherwise, I'll have to just go find his apartment or something – but I'd really like to surprise him big, you know?"

Connor blinked several times, mostly to keep from laughing out loud. The excuse she just gave was, in his opinion, rather lame but he went along with it. It was what she came up, after all.

"Er," the student said, thinking. "Andrew Hardy you said?"

"No, no," Mandy smiled. "Mathews. His last name is Mathews. His dad and my mom are brother and sister."

"Mathews…" the young man turned to his computer and typed in the name. "I could get into trouble for this…but…well, it's for a good occasion, right? You having a party?"

"Biggest one we can hold," Mandy lied impulsively. "Just as soon as I find him and we get it planned. What's your name? We'll give you an invite."

"Collins," the young man said. "Albert Collins."

Like taking candy from a baby, only much easier! Connor continued to look stoic though he wanted to bust out laughing. Albert Collins was obviously a sucker for a good party.

The young man printed off the list and handed it over to Mandy. She twinkled, dimples in full effect, and blew him a kiss.

"Thanks, Al," she said. "I appreciate it."

She swept away with Connor in tow and, as they cleared the building and got down the hallway a ways, Connor started laughing. Mandy continued to smile, quite pleased with her results as she walked with him.

They found a coffee shop and seated themselves, after ordering a cup of coffee each. Mandy wrinkled her nose at the coffee – she didn't normally drink any – but she wanted to look like she belonged here. Connor sipped his gratefully, allowing the pick-me-up it gave to flow through him, and he leaned over to read the sheet of paper with Mandy.

"Oh, my, God," Mandy said softly, as she read through the names.

"Cheerleader – Football squad.

"Cheerleader – Baseball squad."

Connor looked confused.

"Athletic Training Club."

Connor stared at Mandy.

"There's a LET here – Law Enforcement Training, otherwise known as a Mystery Club…which you know Joe is involved with when he's not busy with Football…."

"Oh…" Connor felt just a little weak.

"All the same things Joe does back at BU," Mandy said, softly. "Connor, Andrew is doing the same things, or as much of the same things as he can do. At least Andrew isn't majoring in Law Enforcement…"

"Mandy, look," Connor pointed to the corner of the paper – a corner that had Andrew's student ID and major present. There were two majors listed – one for Physical Engineering and the other….

Mandy grew weak and Connor put an arm around her shoulders.

"He's majoring in Law Enforcement too. The…he's…" Mandy stammered.

"I know, love, I know," Connor said as he held her more tightly.

Mandy buried her head in Connor's shoulder and he held her, patting her back gently. He waited a few minutes, content to just be with her, when he felt her lean back and smile up at him. He wiped her face with a finger, holding the tear until it slid down and dripped off the bottom.

Mandy looked past Connor for a moment and Connor saw her go white, then red in about an instant. She pulled Connor around and pointed.

"It's her!" she exclaimed.

"What? Who?" Connor asked. Mandy was pointing at a blonde girl who was standing down the hall talking to someone.

"From the pictures of Andrew," Mandy said. "Lindsey? The blonde in those articles we looked through after Frank and Dad got home. How did he have time to be with so many girls at the same time, I wanna know? Did they know how many girls he was dating?"

"We could ask her," Connor motioned to the young woman who was still talking to a boy their age, about 20, with lanky brown hair. "Come on, let's go."

They walked cautiously down the corridor, watching the woman they knew to be Lindsey with the brown-haired boy. Just as they got to where she stood, the young woman looked up at them; her eyes went large as she saw them.

"You!" she exclaimed.

And, before they could react, she took off running down the hallway.

Home Library Authors Rogue's Gallery Vehicles Chums Message Board Rap Sheet Links Contact

Disclaimer

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.