Greta breezed back over to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Joe, Darling, I nearly forgot what I was going to say to you. I really, really need you to do a double shift for me today. Jake has a personal matter to attend to and I can’t be left with no one to work the gym. You’d have to work through to 7pm. Do you mind terribly?"

Joe didn’t particularly want to work what would essentially be eleven hours straight but Greta was very persuasive and he may just be able to get more information from Kristine who he knew was coming in to train at 5pm. He agreed and received a delighted kiss on the cheek from a grateful Greta. When Frank and Biff arrived half an hour later, Joe took them aside and explained about the double shift. Frank was a bit concerned.

"We can’t stay here and train for that long, and I don’t want you left here without back-up", he said. "Mum would freak if anything happened." Biff had the solution.

"Listen, I’ll go back home and then come back an hour before closing," he offered. "Since I drove you here Frank, you take the van home when you go, and I’ll wait outside for Joe at the end of the day and drive him home." It was agreed and Biff left.

The afternoon was fairly uneventful, except for when Kristine came in to train at 5. She again expressed her concerns about Joe working there and even revealed how she thought Greta was far too interested in the more handsome young men who trained at the gym.

"She’s all over them," she complained. ‘You’d think she’d act her age. It makes me sick."

"I think she’s just friendly and likes to get to know her clients," said Joe, amused.

Once Kristine had left at 6pm, Joe spent his time putting away the weights and programs. Biff came in and did his workout. He trained regularly anyway and Joe was very impressed by the weight his friend could push and lift. Little wonder the Hardys were always happy to have Biff on their side when the going got tough!

At five minutes to closing, Biff gave Joe a wave and the young Hardy knew he’d be waiting for him outside in his car. As the last few clients left Joe began turning off the lights and the ceiling fans. Greta had left him with the keys and the promise of a late start the next day to make up for the long hours he had put in. As Joe went into the staff area to collect his jacket he became aware of someone else in the room. Suddenly, a powerful arm pinned both arms to his sides and a towel was held over his face. After a brief, futile struggle, Joe felt the room spin and he blacked out.

Outside in the car, Biff looked at his watch. It was five minutes past seven. He had seen the last clients leave and the gym lights go out. Joe should be out any time now, he thought. He smiled at the recollection of Joe charming his way around the gym that afternoon. Talk about ‘in his element’! He had known Frank and, through him, Joe, for a long time. They had shared a lot of good times and adventures over the years. More recently they had all endured the death of Chet’s sister and all of them had seen Frank grow even more protective of his sometimes-reckless younger brother. Looking at his watch again, Biff began to be concerned. At 7.10pm Joe should have been well and truly out of the place. He got out of his car and went up to the front doors. They were locked. Heart racing, Biff ran around to the side entrance and discovered another locked door. He banged on the door with his fist and called out Joe’s name. There was no answer. Biff immediately called Frank’s cell phone number on his own.

"Hey Biff. What’s happening?" came Frank’s friendly, relaxed voice.

"Frank. The gym is all locked up and Joe should have been out fifteen minutes ago. What should I do?"

"Try and force your way in. I’ll be there in five."

Biff put his phone back in his pocket and began to shoulder the side door heavily. It took several hefty pushes to force it open. Biff found himself in the darkened weights room. He called out his friend’s name but heard nothing in reply. Desperately he searched every room in the place but found nothing. He caught sight of his own reflection in the mirrored walls but saw no other sign of life. He felt sick to his stomach. Joe had disappeared into thin air.

True to his word, Frank arrived soon after and came in through the side entrance. He found Biff looking distraught, hands on hips and shaking his head.

"Frank. I’m sorry. I can’t find him anywhere. I don’t understand it. I saw him turn off the lights. All he had to do was walk out."

Biff thought that if he were in Frank’s position he would have frantically torn the place apart and screamed out Joe’s name. But this was Frank Hardy. Frank quietly inspected each of the rooms, carefully opening cupboards and checking for other exits. Finally he punched in Joe’s cell phone number and heard the ringing from the staff area. Walking in there with Biff he located his brother’s phone on the floor underneath the table. Frank stood silently for a little while before Biff asked him,

"What do we do now?"