Diagnosis Murder:

Chapter 4: Vanessa's Party:

We arrived early to Vanessa's to help her get ready for the party. She lived on the outskirts of town in a quaint old house her and her mother, Andrea, had fixed up. I could smell the salty air that came off of the ocean not too far from her house. Many times we had sat back and enjoyed the sunset from her front porch. It was amazing to watch the sun melt down behind the cliffs above Barmet Bay.

When we pulled up I could already see Vanessa, Andrea, and Callie building a bonfire in their fire pit to the right of the house.

"Hi there!" I called out as Vanessa ran over and embraced me in a warm hug. Frank was already helping Andrea and Callie out with the fire.

"Hey Joe? Have you heard anything from Biff?" she asked.

"Biff? No why?"

"Oh, well Hope called me about an hour ago to ask what she should get at the farmers market and she just sounded...err...different. Just not herself."

"Oh yeah, well about that..." I was interrupted by the sound of a car engine behind us, and turned to see Biff's truck pulling up to the house, "Here let's talk to her about it."

"Hey guys! How goes it?" Biff boomed in his normal, cheery voice. I saw Hope hop out of the massive truck. Wow, she does look different. I mean Hope is usually beaming, cheerful, carefree, but something about her didn't seem right...at all.

Biff walked over to her and wrapped his burly arm around her waist and seemed to whisper something in her ear, and she nodded and attempted to put on the biggest smile she had in her. Vanessa gave her a quick once over and then a worried glance towards me.

"Hi Hope, how are you?" I asked as carefully as possible. At this point Callie and Frank had come over to greet them and he was just as weary about freaking her out as I was.

"I'm fine Joe, thanks. By the look on both of your faces," she said, with an almost happy glint in her eye, nodding to me and Frank, "I assume that you have already had a chat with Chief Collig."

"Uhh, yeah...about that, we were kind of assigned to the case. I hope that's okay?" Frank interjected.

"Yeah, it's fine," Hope replied with a wave of her hand and a smile, she almost looked completely normal by now, "Why should me being a witness keep you from your sleuthing?" I couldn't help but laugh a little, at least she still has her sense of humor.

"Would someone mind telling us what's going on?" Vanessa asked. She and Callie pushed past me a little. But before we could explain anything we noticed two other cars rolling up. Well the gangs all here. At least we won't have to explain this multiple times.

Phil and Jamie were the first to reach us. That's when I noticed the confused look on Jay's face. He pushed past his older brother to face Hope with Phil close behind.

"Hope are you okay? What's going on?" he asked.

"I-I'm fine, why do you ask?" she replied yet again, but this time trying to act as if she had no idea why Jamie was so concerned.

"Your mom called over to the house this morning after Biff left. She wanted to make sure you were alright or if Biff," Jamie said raising his eyebrows at his brother, "was planning on checking in anytime soon."

"She did what?" Hope practically exploded in Jamie's face. By now Tony, Chet, and Nic were standing behind her listening in on the conversation. Hope then turned to Biff, "Does she think I need you to baby sit me or something?"

Hope was the most independent person we knew. No matter what, she always went her own way and never needed anyone to stand by her. However her mother thought otherwise. Merrylee is a kind, gentle hearted woman but when it came to the safety of her children she was even worse than our mom, and trust me our mom is worries...a lot. It didn't strike me odd at all, especially considering Hope's current circumstances, that Mrs. Peters would be checking up on her daughter. But I also knew that Hope's free spirit would not be wielded by her mom.

Along with her sovereignty, Hope was extremely most stubborn, impulsive, and temperamental. Frank often compared us as twins in our personalities. I suppose that's why Hope and I got along so well together. But just like Frank, Biff was there to balance Hope out and he was the only person she would let take care of her. And sometimes that responsibility fell hard on his shoulders, like right now.

"Hope, it's okay she's just concerned. Don't worry I wasn't baby sitting you," Biff tried to calm his girlfriend down. Frank who was standing next to me whispered something in my ear.

"Now who does she remind you off?"

"Very funny," I whispered back sarcastically. By now Biff's soothing words had calmed Hope down enough to attempt to explain her situation to the rest of our friends.

"Woah," was the simultaneous reaction.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Hope said trying to assure Callie and Vanessa who were currently in a state of shock. The girls all headed off to the house to start fixing dinner while Frank and I were left to fill in the blanks.

"Is she really going to be fine?" Tony asked in concern.

"I don't know, Chief Collig said he had in under control, but we still think Hope could be in danger," Frank responded.

"And knowing Hope she'll never let anyone look after her," I added, which got affirmative nods from everyone. But I could see Biff's face was still heavy with worry.

After most of the discussion of the case and Hope had dissolved Biff pulled me away from the group.

"I want you and Frank to keep an eye on Hope," he said in a firm tone.

"What? Biff if she found out she'd kill us and then go after you," I replied half laughing, but still serious about Hope's temper.

"I know but you guys are the detectives, you've been on many stakeouts, how hard can it be to keep an eye on a sixteen year old girl?" Biff said his blue eyes shining. We both broke out laughing, because we knew Hope would be harder to keep an eye on than most criminals. But finally I gave in and said that along with working on the case Frank and I would both keep an eye out for Hope.

The rest of the night went smoothly, until we all dispersed and Frank found a note addressed to us on the windshield of our van.

"Who knew we were here? And why didn't we hear or see them?" I asked anxiously. Frank just shrugged and unfolded the note. It read as follows:

-Frank and Joe Hardy,

We know that you are investigating the Harlen murder case.

We also know that your little friend Miss Peters happened to get private view of the crime scene.

Don't worry she's safe...for now at least.

You better watch your back boys.

Or else...

Damn. This case just got a lot more personal...and dangerous.

A/N: I really appreciate the reviews I have received. Thank you! So here's the next one, what do you think? I'll update in another couple days! R&R please!

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