Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

-TOO CLOSE TO HOME-

Friday, 10.30am

The next morning saw Frank helping his mother in the garden. Fenton had left quite early to speak to Chief Collig about the boys’ theories. Gertrude had gone for a walk. Joe was at the hospital visiting Biff and had promised to tell him that Frank would be along later that day. Frank paused to wipe some perspiration from his brow. He was half-way up the ladder, removing some leaves from the guttering. While gardening wasn’t on his list of favorite things to do, Frank had to admit that it was welcome distraction from the recent goings-on. The sun felt good on his face.

‘When do you think Biff will be able to come home?’ called Laura as she weeded the garden bed.

‘Probably tomorrow,’ replied Frank. ‘Joe said he’d find out while he’s there.’

‘I’ll make up a hamper for the Hoopers and get you to take it around to them once he’s home,’ said Laura. ‘That way, Biff’s mother will be able to focus all her attention on getting him well.’

Frank smiled to himself. No wonder all Frank’s friends thought so highly of his mother. While all of the gang’s parents took an active interest in what was happening, Laura was ever thoughtful.

‘Honey, I just heard the doorbell!’ called Laura. ‘I’ll be right back. Don’t you dare try getting down that ladder with that full bucket before I’m back to help you!’

‘Okay,’ promised Frank, smiling again. It cracked him up that Laura was so concerned about him breaking his neck coming down a ladder. It was just as well she never saw half of the dangerous things he and Joe had had to do while on cases. She’d never rest comfortably again!

The bucket full of leaves, Frank rested his elbows on the roof. Gee, she’s taking a long time he thought. Probably one of those annoying door-to-door salespeople. They always ramble on and on as if the householder has nothing better to do! If I call out to her, maybe she could use it as an excuse to put an end to the sales pitch.

‘Mum!’ he yelled out. ‘I need some help out here!’ There was no immediate answer. ‘Mum!’ repeated Frank.

‘I..I’m coming,’ he heard his mother answer, but Frank immediately heard the tremble in her voice. Looking down, he saw Laura looking up at him, her face white and her lips quivering.

Throwing caution aside, Frank came down two rungs and jumped down the rest of the way, leaving the bucket of leaves on the roof.

‘What happened?’ he asked anxiously. Laura held out a pink piece of paper. Her hand shook.

‘This was on the doorstep,’ she told him, clearly upset. Frank took the note and read it.

Dearest Laura,

I know you’re a fine mother, but are you sure you’ve really been looking after your babies properly? Are you keeping a close enough eye on them? It would be a dreadful shame if anything were to happen to them. Maybe you should be warning them about the company they are keeping. You wouldn’t want them led astray, would you?

From a concerned friend.

Frank put his arm around Laura and led her inside. She looked as though she might faint. He could feel anger growing inside his chest. Someone had deliberately tried to scare his mother out of her wits! It was a threat to him and his brother, but whoever wrote the letter also wanted to upset Laura.

He guided his mother to a chair and got her a glass of water.

‘You need to get Joe back home,’ Laura said anxiously. ‘And your father. He needs to know about this. Oh Frank! Do you think the house is being watched?’

Frank patted her arm and attempted to give her a reassuring smile.

‘Don’t worry,’ he said. ‘It’s probably just a prank, but I’ll ring Dad and Joe right away and tell them they need to get home straight away.’

Suddenly the telephone rang and Frank snatched it up, hopeful that it was his father or Joe.

‘Hardy residence.’

‘Frank! Thank goodness you’re home!’

‘Callie. What’s the matter. You sound upset,’ said Frank, moving out of earshot of his mother who was still looking shaken.

‘Oh Frank! I’ve just received the most awful letter! I don’t know what to do!’

Frank felt his stomach twist. This was too much!

‘Calm down Cal ,’ he told her. ‘What’s in the letter?’

‘Frank,’ she said in a whisper. ‘I think it’s from John Winter!’

‘Listen to me,’ Frank said calmly, despite his rapidly beating heart. ‘I’m about to ring my Dad. I’m going to ask him to pick you up on his way home. Until he gets there, I want you to keep the doors locked. Are your folks still away?’

‘Yes,’ said Callie miserably. ‘They’re not coming back for another three days.’

‘Hang in there,’ said Frank, not liking the idea of Callie being scared and on her own, but liking the idea of leaving his mother even less. ‘Dad will be there soon. Okay?’

‘Okay,’ replied Callie, trying to sound brave. ‘See you soon.’

‘I love you,’ said Frank softly, before hanging up.

‘I’ll ring Dad and Joe and then I’ll make you some tea,’ Frank told Laura. His normally ordered mind was feeling – how did Joe describe it? – like spaghetti. Part of him wanted to race around to Callie’s house and comfort her. Part of him wanted to storm out into the street and find the gutless wonder who had left the letter for his mother to find. He hesitated for a moment with the phone in his hand, wondering who he should ring first. Damn it, what did it matter? Squaring his shoulders and taking a deep breath, he rang his father.