Hunt for Revenge
Chapter 1
"Man, I look good," said the seventeen year old boy to himself in the mirror. He was applying the finishing touches to make sure his blond hair was just right. After he was satisfied with his blond locks he checked his six foot frame once more, straightened his tie, and suit jacket. It was a handsome navy blue suit that fit perfectly despite his muscles.
"Joe, let me see that tie. I think it's cutting off circulation to you're the part of your brain that controls your modesty, " laughed the eighteen year old as a twinkle in the brown eyes sparkled while poking fun at his younger brother. He was wearing a black suit with a white shirt, and black tie.
"Ha ha very funny. Just looking good for the ladies, " responded Joe to his big brother Frank. He looked over at his brother eyeing up and down his brother's 6 foot one frame and whistled. "Looks like you're going to be in trouble when Callie sees you."
Frank noticed his brother's sly grin but humored him by asking why.
"Because she'll think you're trying to look good for the ladies too."
Frank gave a mischievous smile and playfully tousled Joe's blond hair knowing it would annoy him because Joe had just claimed it was perfection. Frank started running down the stairs as Joe was yelling "HEY" and then frantically fixing it again. Once Joe was sure his hair was fine again, he followed in suit as they entered the living room of their family's home. There they found their mom, Laura, in a long purple dress and their father in a similar suit as Frank's.
"Where's Aunt Gertrude?" asked Frank who was anxious to get going.
"She's still getting ready. I'm afraid she's changed her clothes more than twice because she's so excited for you boys and of course because it will be on television," answered their famous detective father, Fenton Hardy.
Just as Joe was about to sit down in their overstuffed chair, Aunt Gertrude appeared from the staircase announcing she was ready to get the show on the road. Her hair was pinned up and she was wearing a beige dress.
Joe smiled. Here we go...he thought as they all piled out of the house and into two cars. Frank and Joe took their high tech black van while their parents and aunt drove Fenton's blue sedan.
Frank grabbed a hold of the passenger side with his right hand while looking down at a yellow piece of paper in his left hand, reading intently.
"You don't mind driving while I practice for my speech, do you bro?" asked Frank as he climbed into the seat of the van and not even looking up to see his brother mocking him.
"Hey, if it means I don't have to make one, then fine by me. You only have a few minutes anyways. So get to work!" teased Joe as he turned on the van and headed out of the driveway and towards downtown Bayport.
About 15 minutes later, all of the Hardys arrived at the central park located in the heart of Bayport.
Both boys got out of the car and saw their favorite fans waiting for them by the entrance.
"Hey guys! Thanks for coming out!" exclaimed the younger Hardy as he and Frank strode up to meet Callie, Chet, Tony, Phil, and Biff. Callie was Frank's girlfriend but the guys were their best friends.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world, guys!" said their heavy set friend, Chet Morton as he shook both Frank and Joe's hands.
Callie walked up to Frank and kissed his cheek. He smiled and brought her in for a close hug. He had been a little nervous about his speech but seeing Callie put him more at ease. She looked up at him proudly and said, "It's not every day that my boyfriend gets a medal for saving the mayor's daughter!" She squeezed him in a hug again before letting go.
"I am too you know! Where's my kiss and loving hug?" asked Joe, pretending to be sad and feeling left out.
"Here it is," said his big muscular friend, Biff as he picked up Joe in a bear hug lifting him from the ground. They all laughed as he put Joe back on his own two feet. Joe smoothed out the wrinkles in his navy suit.
"Ha ha. Don't even think about kissing me!" added Joe who chortled at the thought of Biff kissing him. His friends also laughed.
"Well, congratulations to you both! I know you're already getting medals but how about free pizza for a month at Mr. Pizza?" said Tony Prito, the manager of the Bayport's finest pizza parlor.
"YES! I mean…thanks Tony," exclaimed Joe who enjoyed his pizza probably a little too much. He had punched his fist into the air and slowing retracted it realizing how slightly embarrassing his excitement was.
Frank added his thanks and then said, "Well you all should probably start joining our parents and get some seats. We have to sit up on the stage. So we will see you when it's done?"
Callie gave him a kiss for good luck. The rest of their friends nodded and headed into the park where about fifty white folding chairs were laid out on the lush green grass. Ahead of them was a large platform with four more white folding chairs, and a podium. The podium had several microphones on it causing Frank's nerves to amplify but he knew it was just because several television stations would be listening and watching the ceremony.
Frank and Joe took their seats on the stage. The Mayor was going to be sitting in the first seat followed by their father, Frank, and then Joe on the end. It was in order of those speaking. Joe didn't mind being on the end if it meant he didn't have to talk in front of everyone else.
While Frank looked over his yellow paper again silently, Joe looked out into the audience. He could see his mother and aunt sitting and talking to his friends. He smiled because he realized it was nice having people you could trust. Especially, after some of the experiences and people Frank and he had dealt with.
Tuning into his paranoia antennae, he glanced around some more and thought he noticed a suspicious looking character slowly walking around to the back of the park but dismissed it knowing that Chief Collig and Con Riley had the best security team around the perimeter. However, Joe noticed, they were in the second row and were there as friends for this occasion. The rest of the seats seemed to be more people that the mayor or Fenton knew plus a dozen reporters. Liz! Thought Joe and he waved to her. She was a friend and also a reporter for the Bayport Times. Liz missed his greeting because she was already feverishly writing down notes.
The Mayor appeared at the podium from the opposite side of the stage with Fenton. Fenton sat next to Frank and patted his oldest on the shoulder and giving him an encouraging smile. He knew his son was going to be a little nervous. Frank half smiled back but kept looking at his notes. He stopped when he heard the mayor talking and poked Joe to look at the mayor as well. Frank tucked his yellow paper into his pocket and rested his hands in his lap as his listened.
All three Hardy men listened intently as the mayor spoke of their heroics and great detective skills. Mayor Wilson thanked them multiple times for saving his daughter, Ava, and returning her home safely.
"Frank and Joe Hardy please step up to the podium," said Mayor Wilson. The boys obliged.
As Frank got up he felt something hit the back of his neck. Thinking it was just a bug he swatted it away and continued walking towards the podium.
"Citizens of Bayport, it is a great pleasure that these two fine young men receive these medals of on honor today. Without their knowledge, strength, and perseverance I fear I would not have been reunited with my wonderful daughter, Ava."
Joe followed the mayor's line of sight and saw his brunette daughter smiling back. He recalled the day they found her and felt proud that he could have helped in any way for making it happen.
The mayor continued, "I have asked their father, Fenton Hardy, the famous detective to bestow these medals upon his sons. I know, as a father, it is a great honor."
Fenton smiled proudly and nodded as he took a medal and pinned it to Frank's black suit. He clapped him on the back and gave him a hug.
Joe smiled realizing his turn was next. He accepted the medal and hug from his father, noticing a slight resemblance of something wet in his father's eyes. Do I see a tear of happiness from dear old dad? His thoughts were interrupted by the mayor once again.
"I give you Fenton Hardy." The audience applauded as Fenton took his position behind the podium. The mayor took the first seat.
"Hello ladies and gentleman. My expertise is in fighting crime and not public speeches," Fenton laughed and paused for the audience's reaction. He looked at his two sons next to him smiling proudly at their father. He continued, "I will try to make this short. I have been a police officer and now a private eye. I have had many partners, solved many crimes. But the job I have been the most proud of is being a father to Frank and Joe. Not only are they good kids-young men, but they are great detectives and sworn to help people however they can. I am proud to work with them on the few rare occasions they allow me to"-pause-"but I could not have asked for two better sons. Congratulations Frank and Joe! I love you boys."
Fenton stepped away and embraced his two boys while the audience clapped and cheered. Frank released himself from his father and walked up to the podium.
He started feeling a little dizzy and started sweating from his brow. Come on, Frank. Get a hold of yourself. You risk your life all the time but you can't talk in front of people? internalized Frank.
"I speak for Joe and myself when I say thank you to Mayor Wilson and Dad. Thank you to our family and friends. Thank you everyone for coming out and supporting us today. We are honored that the mayor wanted to reward us for just doing our jobs. We have come through a lot and experienced many obstacles but we do it to help people. Joe and I are humbled by your praise and appreciate it greatly. However, we always do what we think is right and we are just glad that we were able to help find Ava." Frank stumbled on his words and swayed a little. He grabbed onto the podium to stop himself from falling over. Joe noticed his brother's behavior and gave a concerned glance in his direction. He knew Frank was nervous but he would never lose his cool like that.
Joe moved to his brother as he noticed the color draining from Frank's face. Frank is going to pass out!