Joe pulled the door shut again with just a touch of impatience.

"Come on Dad. It's been ages since we've been on a case with you."

Dark-haired Frank, a year older than his 17-year-old brother, smiled. It was a good feeling to be on a case with their father. And it was great to see Joe so eager and high-spirited. The last 12 months had been traumatic given the death of Joe's girlfriend. The moment their father had suggested he'd like them to help him on a new case, Joe had been buzzing with enthusiasm.

"What do we need to know, Dad?" asked Frank. Fenton looked at his watch.

"We’re running a bit early, so I’ll give you a short summary of the case out here in the car. About three weeks ago, one of Silhouette Gym’s best male instructors disappeared. He finished his shift one night, left the gym and hasn’t been seen since. The owner hired a new instructor to take on his duties, and a week and a half later he disappeared as well. The police have found no clues. The owner is understandably upset. Chief Collig suggested I look into it. I thought you two could have a bit of a look around pretending to be clients. "

Joe shifted restlessly in his seat and grinned mischievously.

"You could do that too, Dad. You’re in great shape!"

Fenton looked in the rear view mirror at the fresh face and sparkling blue eyes of his son.

"I may well be still in great shape Joe, but I kind of suspect the predominantly female clientele will be more likely to chat to you and Frank!"

"Why?" asked Joe, as they got out of the car. Frank punched him playfully on the arm.

"Because you’re a chick magnet, you idiot!" he laughed.

As the threesome walked through the gym to the owner’s office, they noticed how busy it was. Mainly young women and some men in designer exercise gear were working hard on various machines. The aerobics room was packed. Joe returned several dazzling smiles sent his way.

"I wonder how much your GIRLFRIEND Vanessa is enjoying her holiday in Australia", Frank asked Joe pointedly. Joe made a face at him as they followed their dad into a plush office.

"Oh my goodness! Fenton!" gushed a female voice. A well-groomed, attractive woman rose from behind her desk and embraced him. Fenton appeared to be equally as amazed and a little taken aback by the greeting.

"Greta?" he exclaimed, "I haven’t seen you since college."

"Twenty years and two husbands ago", she laughed warmly. Greta eyed him appreciatively then noticed Frank and Joe who were grinning at Fenton’s obvious discomfort.

"And who do have we here?" she asked curiously.

Fenton coughed and straightened his tie.

"Greta, these are my sons Frank and Joe. Boys, this is Greta Williams. We were at college together."

"Pleasure to meet you Ms. Williams," said Frank and Joe simultaneously. Greta stood between them and put her arms through theirs.

"Oh Fenton, they are DIVINE! One as handsome as you and the other obviously as gorgeous as his mother must be!"

Both boys reddened slightly. Fenton indicated they should all probably sit down and Greta returned to her seat behind the desk.

"Now Greta, I believe you’ve had some trouble with your instructors", began Fenton, clearly wanting to focus on the case. Greta’s expression instantly changed from one of pleasure to despair.

"Oh Fenton, I’ve had such a distressing time! First Stephen and then Joshua! I have absolutely no idea what could have happened to them, the clients are VERY upset, and I just don’t know what to do!"

She went on to explain how Stephen Riley, an instructor at the gym for six months, had simply disappeared three weeks ago. Worried about what had happened to him, but also needing another instructor to replace him, Greta had hired Joshua Cousins who had disappeared a week and a half later.

While he listened to Greta’s story Frank’s keen eyes roamed the plush office. It was beautifully furnished and Greta had wonderful taste. The desk indicated the gym was a busy place with many clients. Some new, glossy magazines were stacked on one corner. A beautiful vase with gerberas was placed on the other. Greta was a successful woman with expensive taste and an eye for beauty. His gaze turned back to Greta who was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, obviously distressed.

"I really feel like closing the whole place’, she confessed. "The police don’t have ANY leads. My last resort was to ask that charming Chief Collig if he could recommend a private investigator. And now here YOU are!"

Fenton and his sons all wondered at how anyone could refer to Ezra Collig as ‘charming’ but kept this to themselves. Fenton leaned forward in his seat.

"My feeling is that someone within the gymnasium must have knowledge of these two disappearances", he said. "Stephen and Joshua were both last seen at the gym. I think we need to do some further investigation here. I thought Frank and Joe might be able to go undercover here to…"

"Oh thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!" gushed Greta. She looked over at the boys. "But I only need one of you to stand in as the instructor. The other can pretend to be a client."

Frank’s reaction to this startling suggestion was known only to him, but Joe’s mouth dropped open.

"But we don’t have any experience gym instructing," he said quickly. Greta came over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Darling, you will be an absolute natural. You obviously work out yourself and the clients will think you are totally DIVINE! Frank can bring a friend and work out during your shifts. Fenton, I don’t know how to thank you for helping me!"

Back in the car, Fenton shook his head.

"What’s the matter Dad?" asked Frank.

"I don’t know how I’m going to explain this to your mother", he mumbled.

"What’s the big deal?" asked Joe.

"She’s not going to be happy about you taking the place of two people who have mysteriously disappeared. I don’t even think I’m happy about it Joe."

"Oh come on Dad," Joe pleaded, "I was a bit shocked when she suggested I pose as an instructor, but you have to admit I’ll be in a great position to find things out. Frank will be there to keep an eye on things. He could even ask Biff to come and train with him. We have to do something to help Greta. After all, she obviously has a lot of faith in you."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Fenton suspiciously.

"Nothing Dad!" chorused both boys in unison.