Taken

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys or any of the book characters.I do have some OCs though that are mine.

Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is close to blue-spine.

Author's Notes: Some of the statements in the first chapter may lead you to think this will have sexual content, but it does not other than a statement here or there or an innuendo. Also, if you hate kidnapping stories, then go ahead and stop here, because that is where this is heading. Sorry. I like them. Also, this story does not directly follow a current story arc (as of 6/3/15) but I have started some stories where the boys are in 5th/6th grades. This story is in that time continuum and events from the stories already written may be referenced. Will probably post a chapter a week.

Chapter One

"Hardy," Fenton said as he picked up his home-office phone. His eyes were still looking at the online news from Brewster.

"Fenton, it's Marty Loetz." The Brewster Chief of Police's voice rang with authority over the connection.

Pulling his eyes away from the online news, he directed his attention to the framed family photo on his desk. "What can I do for you, Chief Loetz?"

"Carl Walker's family wanted the name of a private investigator and I wanted to let you know that I gave them your name." Loetz hesitated for a moment, "We'll give you access to whatever you need."

Fenton sat a little straighter in his chair. "Is there a reason you decided to call me personally?"

"I wanted to give you the information about the Walker family but I also wanted to let you know that the FBI will be moving part of their operation to Bayport."

A cold chill passed through Fenton at Loetz's words. The fact that the FBI was coming to Bayport could only mean one thing. "The FBI, they think…." His words trailed off.

Even without him saying the words, Loetz knew what Fenton's unspoken question was. "Yes, Fenton. The FBI thinks the next kidnapping will be in Bayport."

After asking and getting answers to a few more questions, Fenton disconnected the call and looked back at his computer. The words jumped of the screen at him now. Seventeen year old boy kidnapped… Human trafficking… Girlfriend released to tell of ordeal… Third kidnapping of a teen in the surrounding area in a month…. From what Fenton had read, a human trafficking group operating on the east coast was possibly in the Bayport area… at least in the nearby cities of Brewster and Southport.

The group's MO was to take a teenage couple between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. According to the teenagers who were released, pictures were taken of the teens while they were held. The captors wore masks and used emotional torture. The kidnappers would tell the teens what might happen to them when they were sold. Then they would tell them that only one of them would actually be sold, the other would go free. The 'freed' boy or girl was always traumatized. The guilt of being the one released was difficult. And so far, of the twenty-three known victims, only two had been recovered but it wasn't until after they were sold. One had been found dead and another one found after he escaped from the sick person that had bought him.

Fenton felt a chill pass over him again at the thought of these sick people coming to Bayport. His eyes strayed again to the family picture taken earlier in the year at the Valentine's dance at Bayport High. Looking at the two attractive couples his sons and their dates made, he felt fear.

While Fenton always felt disgust at what traffickers were willing to do to other people, he hadn't had the crime touch his family personally. Traffickers usually took people who didn't have anyone or couldn't defend themselves. That is why women and children from impoverished countries were usually taken. However, this group was different. The one escapee had told the FBI that the captors hadn't divulged much information about themselves. He had been able say that there were wealthy people in the US and other countries who were willing to pay top dollar for someone who met their 'specifications.' Disgusting. Criminal. Inhuman. In his town. He knew that he should be equally outraged for all those who were experiencing this on a daily basis. Now that it had touched him in such a minor way, compared to those who lived it, he would be sure to offer his services pro bono when he could to assist in apprehension as well as search and recovery.

His eyes focused again on the picture. Perhaps the fear was unrealistic. After all, Bayport was a pretty big city and they would take precautions with Frank and Joe. But those thoughts did little to abate his fear. His boys were drawn to mysteries and mysteries somehow seemed to be plentiful wherever the boys were. Fenton could only hope and pray that the magnet would turn and push the boys away instead of draw them in. The thought did little to assuage his parental concerns.

Carrie DeLano and Jonathan Byrd drove to the sprawling brick ranch house between Southport and Bayport. The house wasn't in a remote area but it wasn't in a housing development either. Carrie and Jonathan's boss, Larry Wiseman had purchased this house eighteen months earlier and had been making alterations to the basement and large three car garage behind it. This was how Wiseman operated and said it made 'Wiseman' not only his name but a descriptor of him as well. Carrie and Jonathan had thought it was a crock to begin with, but after working with Larry for three years, they had admitted that the man was good at his craft.

Wiseman or one of his partners checked out areas for months and before setting up a base of operation. Then they would make alterations discreetly. A small team of heavily trusted men did the work to make the house ready for its guests. The house would be kept for at least six months after the 'guests' left and the team would come back to return the house and outbuildings to their formal 'normal' condition. Wiseman had houses like these in the process up and down the east coast.

Carrie and Jonathan got out of the car and grabbed a bag of groceries in each arm and made their way to the back of the house. They had called before arriving and Wiseman would be there to let them in. It was unusual for him to be at a site during the 'takes.' Usually he monitored things from a distance. However, he had told them the 'takes' for this area of NY would be different. Supposedly, he would tell them tonight what was so special about this assignment.

After receiving the call that Carrie and Jonathan were almost at the house, Larry Wiseman had moved quickly to his bathroom to put in the brown contacts and cheek inserts. While these two were trusted, he didn't trust anyone but his two partners to see his real self. If something happened, Carrie and Jonathan wouldn't be able to give them accurate detailed description. Staying alive and out of prison meant taking precautions.

Moving to the back door, he opened it and let his two employees in. After helping to put away the groceries, he called the two over to the seating area in the living room. Once seated, he began.

"We've gotten three of our requested subjects. We have one more to go." His eyes lit up a little. "This last one will be special."

"What makes it special, Larry?" It was telling that Jonathan didn't even classify the subjects as a 'he' or 'she' but as an 'it.'

"Because the buyer this time is special for one thing. He's a repeat customer. He was pleased with the last two subjects we procured for him."

"Okay," Carrie said. "So what does he want? Boy? Girl? Tall and thin? Brunette or blonde?"

Larry smiled and it wasn't a pleasant one. "He wants a boy. For his purposes, they have to be smart, athletic, and able to survive on their own."

Jonathan frowned. "Are we grabbing someone older this time? That description doesn't sound like someone who is sixteen to eighteen."

Wiseman leaned back in his seat. "Oh, no. The buyer already has two boys picked out. We'll grab whichever of them is easiest. One is sixteen and the other is seventeen."

"And those two boys can do what the buyer wants?" Carrie's tone implied that she didn't see that happening.

"Yes. Perhaps you have heard of Frank and Joe Hardy?" Wiseman was pleased with the looks of astonishment on their faces.

"Are you kidding me!?" Jonathan shouted as he jumped from the couch. "Fenton Hardy's sons? Are you out of your ever-lovin' mind?!"

Carrie joined Jonathan in standing. "He's right, Larry. We didn't sign on for this. Hardy will find us. He will track us to the ground to get his kid back."

Larry Wiseman said nothing for a moment as they ranted and raved. Leaning back in his chair, he said, "But you haven't heard what the buyer is offering for this special subject." That got their attention and when he mentioned what their cut would be, they sat back down. "Now that you are both calm again, we can discuss this rationally. We will have to take more precautions as you are correct in figuring out that Hardy will not let this go. The buyer specifically requested that we get one of the two boys and he won't pay for anyone else. So we either do this or he locates another procurement group."

Jonathan and Carrie looked at each other and nodded. Turning back to Larry, they both said, "We're in."

"Wonderful," Wiseman said. "Let's begin planning the Hardy abduction."