(Do not own the Hardy Boys) Thank you for the wonderful reviews. Please keep them coming, more to come.

A Friend in Need

It was around midnight , at the Hardy house. Joe was in bed staring up at the ceiling. He could not get Tony out of his mind. Angela's father Robert Santos threaten to hurt him, just for being involved with his daughter. Mr. Prito had suspect there is more to the threat. The thought, of his friend's life being threaten, made him worry even more. Tony refused to talk about it, could not wait to leave Italy. He was always telling his friends, how much he loves Italy, never wanting to leave.

Angela comes walking into, Prito's restaurant six months later, to tell Tony, he has a son. On top of that, dealing with his gravely ill mother. That got Joe thinking, of his own mother Laura, who he take after in blonde hair and blue eyes. She was close to the same age as Mrs. Prito. They both volunteer in various charities. Joe knows first hand at, what's like to lose someone close to him. Iola Morton his late girlfriend died in a car explosion, meant for him and Frank. It is still too painful to talk about. He decided to push that a side and, focus on Tony.

"Sleep, isn't coming for me tonight." Joe muttered to himself. He got up from his bed walked through, the bathroom that connected to his brother's room.

"Frank, are you awake?" He whispers.

"Yes, I'm awake." Frank replied, He sat up in bed, turning on the light on his nightstand.

"Can't sleep?"

"Yeah,

"Tony?"

"Yes."

"Me too."

Frank moved over so Joe could lay down beside him. It was something, they always did. When his little brother couldn't sleep from a nightmare or had something on his mind. Joe would come into Frank's room to talk about it. It didn't matter how late , they would until Joe felt better. Frank would wake up the next morning, to find Joe sound asleep, right next to him. He would never turn Joe away. Right now, Frank was feeling the same way.

There was a knock on Frank's door. "Thought I saw a light on in here." both brothers turn to see, Fenton Hardy the older version of Frank, coming into the room.

Fenton sat down in Frank's computer chair. "Why are you up so late, Dad?" Joe asked.

"Working on a case."

"So,why are you two up?"

The boys took turns telling their father, about Tony's situation with his mother, Santos, and the baby. When they had finished, Frank saw a look on the detective's face, that told him he knows something. "I take it, you already know."

"Only about Tony's mother and, Italy." Fenton continued to explain, before he was hit with a bunch of questions. "Just before, the Prito's trip to Italy, Aldo told your mother and I, about his wife's illness. He needed the name of a good lawyer for some legal advice. Simone wanted to make out a will for Tony."

"What about Santos?"

Fenton stood up, walking over to shut the door. "What I am about to tell you two, goes no further, than this room."

Frank and Joe both sat up. They both knew it wasn't good news.

"When they go home from Italy, Aldo told me about, the threat Santos made, against Tony about his daughter. So, I did some checking, with the Italian authorities, to see if they had anything on Santos."

"What did you find out?"

"Robert Santos is their main suspect in a murder investigation. A man's body was found in a dumpster outside an Italian restaurant."

A chill ran down Joe's spine. "Why do they suspect Santos?"

"A man by the name of Carmine Devereux, was found dead outside an Italian eatery, around March seventh this past spring," Fenton explained, "Santos is a very dangerous man. They also suspect that Santos, maybe involved in crime a organization, hiring out hitmen to do his dirty work. Carmine Devereux was co-owner of the restaurant. Apparently, a heated argument, broke out between the two men. It was the last time, anyone saw Devereux alive. His body was found outside a dumpster, an Italian restaurant own by Santos himself."

"The police suspect Santos is responsible for, a least several more deaths in the past few months. They are unable to find any evidence," Fenton said, shaking his head." or anyone to, come forward with information.

"People are too scared of losing their life."

Frank had a startling thought. "When did this happen?"

"The body was found two nights ago, after the Prito's left Italy." Fenton answered.

"The night Tony got involved with Angela." Joe broke into Frank's thoughts.

"Didn't they met at an Italian restaurant?"

Frank shook his head yes. " Mr. Prito said Tony was really, anxious to leave Italy."

"Tony might be a witness to the murder."

"The only way, we are going to find out, is if Tony tells us himself," Joe shrugged his shoulders, " and, he refuses to talk."

"Tony is afraid, " Frank said, "I think Santos is using the baby, to keep Tony from talking."

"What about Angela?"

"I don't trust her."

"Why is that?"

"Let's just say, I think Angela is a really good actress." Frank quickly explaining her actions in Aldo's office. "I also, think she is in on this as well, but for a different reason."

"I'll keep looking into Santos, Sam is working on the case in Italy." Fenton stood up to leave before saying," Since Santos's daughter, is here in Bayport, that means Santos is here too. We can't put Tony in protective custody, because of his mother. I'm going to talk to Chief Collig, and see about getting, police protection for Tony.

"In the meantime, You two are to stay close to Tony. He might talk to you than, anyone else." Fenton heads for the door, turns to his sons with, "I suspect Santos knows, that I am investigation him. Please be careful, you could be in danger yourselves."

Both boys knotted in agreement. Fenton left saying goodnight. Joe got up to go to his room, hoping tomorrow Tony will talk to them.

The sound of a telephone woke Frank out of a deep sleep. Forcing his eyes open glancing at the clock, it was three in the morning. "Who would be calling at this hour? Stepping out into the hallway to answer the phone. He stopped when to see, Fenton already answering on the phone.

Joe and Laura stood beside Frank, wondering what was going on, Fenton had a somber look on his face." I am so sorry, Aldo. If there is anything we can do...yes, I'll let eveyone know. Take care."as Fenton hung up the phone.

"Fenton, what's wrong ?" Laura cried.

"Simone Prito passed way."

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