Frank felt time pass like sluggishly. Apart from Council, the other Trumps weren't much conversationalists from where he sat. Roger was amid the other Trumps, far from the stage. He almost seemed to be sociable from the way Frank saw him talking and discussing eagerly and familiarly with the other boys. The young Hardy shifted uncomfortably where he sat, ignoring some of the Trumps who were still staring at him in contemplation. His mouth felt dry and sore but every time he tried to reach and pull off the gag, he was cuffed soundly by someone behind.
"Council, it's been quite some time," Frank watched one brave Trump approach the Council. "I don't mean to be rude but shouldn't they be here by now?"
"Patience," Council murmured and waved him away. He looked at Frank nonchalantly. "Last I heard Fenton Hardy was out of town, yes?" He leaned over and pulled the gag loose.
Frank smacked his lips gratefully but the insides of his mouth were still parched and stung when he opened his mouth. Council was still looking at him expectantly.
"He's not coming!" Frank rasped.
Council laughed. "Don't you wish it!"
"Nothing you do to me matters," Frank said. "People should get what they deserve."
The man looked at him blankly.
"You poor boy," He clucked. "It's a shame I have to resort to such gruesome..." His words trailed off; almost taunting him.
"For your sake," Frank said. "I hope they put you behind bars for a long time. For whatever it is you and the Trumps did or have been doing."
"I'd pray he won't come if I were you," Council replied.
"Let him come," Frank said, but his words were empty. "unless you're more scared than I am!"
"Hush," Council said, putting a finger to his lips. "Speaking of which, here he comes!" Frank felt his muscles tense as he watched Trumps scurrying into the unlit sides and corners of the theater. Holding his breath, he watched as police stormed in, shouting at the top of their lungs.
"Everyone stay calm!"
"No sudden moves!"
"Keep your hands where we can see them!"
The police seemed more frantic than the Trumps. But the young Hardy felt his stomach lurch when he saw his father walking down one of the aisles.
"What's going on?" Joe asked no one in particular when he heard loud shouting.
"Come on, Joe," Zeke urged, bouncing on his heels impatiently. "We're almost there! There aren't any Trumps around, let's go!"
"That's the whole point," Joe insisted. "Where are all the Trumps?"
"We can figure that out when we get to Head," Zeke said and ran ahead. Joe started to protest but followed. The two searched two more hallways and were halfway down a third one when they heard pounding on one of the doors. Zeke found the door where the pounding was coming from, got down on his stomach and whispered through the gap between the bottom end of the door and the floor.
"Keepers!" Zeke hissed.
"Zeke? Is that you?" a voice floated from the other side.
"Sam!" Zeke exclaimed. "Hey, is Head with you?"
"No," Sam replied. "We don't know where he is. We don't know where the others are."
"Okay, stand back, we'll try to get the door open!"
"Okay. Man, I'm glad to you're here! I thought Carl wouldn't be able to get to you."
"Same here. Have you seen Carl?" Zeke got no reply, then stood up and looked at Joe.
"I brought a lock pick if that's what you're asking for," Joe said and handed it to Zeke. Zeke tossed the device about on his palm and then handed it back to Joe.
"I think it's better if you do it," Zeke said. "What I had in mind was more like screwdriver and wire."
Joe nodded and set to work on the lock until it popped open. Zeke swung the door open and saw eleven youths, including Sam, staring back at them exhausted but grateful. They were all covered in scratches, dried blood, busted lips and bruises.
"Joe," Sam said. "I didn't think you'd—"
"Hey, I've always been a team player," Joe said. "And I never let my team down."
"He's right," Zeke said, putting an arm around Joe's shoulders. "I couldn't have gotten down here without him." The bruised-up Keepers in the room nodded and thanked the two youths.
"Sam, where's Hank?" Zeke asked, looking around at the familiar faces.
"The whole thing went downhill so fast," Sam said, shaking his head. "We were unprepared. Hank stayed by Head the whole time. So find one, you find the other. Where's Carl?"
"I don't know. He came by the yard to tell me everything then the next thing I know, he's gone."
"Maybe he's with the others," Sam said. "Evan, Wayne, Jack aren't with us."
"My brother, Dave, is missing too," one of the Keepers said. Joe flinched without meaning too and Zeke noticed but didn't say anything.
"Three of our recruits decided to switch over to the Trumps," Sam added with a little regret. "Owen, Ryan, Chris, Bruce and Drew were the only ones other than you and Joe who weren't accounted for yet when we were at the Docks. No one's sure about how they are."
"That's about ten other guys not including Hank and Head," Zeke said slowly. "We'll have to find them."
"Now that there are more of us," Joe said. "It should be quicker."
"Yeah, but what if the Trumps see us?" one of the Keepers asked.
"No Trumps seem to be around right now," Joe explained. "Besides, they're not expecting anyone to break in and break out all in the same night. There's something going on upstairs and they're too preoccupied."
"What's happening?" one of the Keepers asked.
"We don't know," Joe answered. "But we're going to find out soon enough. That is, after we find the others."
"We're right here," a voice said behind them.
"Hank!" Zeke exclaimed. "Where's Head?"
"Right here," a firm voice said. Head emerged and stood by Hank.
"We got out and came to get you guys," Hank said.
"Joe and Zeke helped us out," Sam explained.
"I'm glad you joined us, Joe," Head said softly.
"My pleasure," Joe said. "I joined the Keepers thinking I could make a difference. I did and I didn't do it by staying home and keeping you guys a secret from my parents." And brother, Joe thought.
"Thank you," Head said.
"Well, now that we've got everybody," Hank said. "We should get outta here." Joe saw from the corner of his eye the young Keeper who had been looking for his brother, reunite with his sibling and swallowed with difficulty.
"Zeke," He called gently. "What about—"
"Right," Zeke remembered. "Listen, Hank, the Trumps still got Joe's brother. We have to help him."
"Frank, right?" Hank asked Joe.
"Yes, how'd you know?" Joe answered.
"We overheard everything on the stage. The guy they call Council is the leader apparently. I think he wants to hold your brother hostage."
"Why?"
"He said Fenton Hardy was coming and your brother was their 'leverage.'"
Joe felt as if he'd been kicked in the stomach.
"I don't quite follow," Sam said slowly.
Joe sighed heavily and gave an angry groan.
"My father is Fenton Hardy, private investigator, a retired detective," Joe explained. "Lately he's been taking cross-country trips. I figured that the only reason why the Trumps and the Council guy would need leverage is if they were afraid of getting caught. But what I don't get is what is it exactly that they have been doing that they don't want anyone else to know about."
"I'm afraid there is more than one answer to that question," Head said and the entire Keepers listened in. "As all of you know, the Trumps are not exactly the most polished bunch of youths on the streets of Bayport these days. They have resorted to theft in the past—until now, actually. But after Council, better known as Frederick Wesley was assigned the new leader, the Trumps have evolved into modern-day drug pushers, drug runners, smugglers of all sorts, and they will do anything to keep that a secret."
"Is that why all of you were attacked at the Docks?" Zeke asked.
"Partially," the Head answered. "As you all know, we Keepers have to keep an eye on everything that goes on in our city. Several of our recon teams have found evidence of their drug activities. Most of the youngsters that the Trumps sell the drugs to eventually join them, in hopes of getting the meds regularly and at a lesser price."
"So that explains why your dad must be investigating this case," Sam told Joe, who nodded in agreement.
"But still, why would he use Joe's brother?"
"What you see is what you get. Apparently, Frank Hardy was the only one home last night." Head said glancing at Joe, who was looking pale and biting his lip guiltily.
"It's not like Fenton Hardy is going to bust in here all by himself," Sam said. "Right? I mean, won't he bring back-up police or something?"
"Hence the new recruits," Hank explained.
"But the police have guns and stuff," Sam argued.
"The Trumps have their blackjacks and whatnots," Head said.
"I'm sorry," Joe said, more anxious than apologetic. "But I think we should really get going now."
"Right," Hank said. "Let's split up. On the way here, I got a good look at the setup of the stage and everything."
"Yeah, we saw everything from the balcony," Joe nodded. "I read about it once. This theater is set up as an open stage, meaning that the seats for the audience cover each side of the semi-circle stage in three groups. If we split up, our two groups should take the right and middle seats. The police are probably gonna break their way in through the entrance and come in on the left, so they've got that covered."
"They won't go through the sewers?" Zeke asked, almost in envy.
"No," Joe shook his head. "They aren't trying to sneak in here like us. They're here to apprehend so breaking down a few doors and making a lot of noise won't matter. So, let's get into two groups." Suddenly he remembered who was supposed to be in charge here and shot an rueful glance at Head. "Head, do you mind if I—"
"Do as you like," Head said gently. "After all that you've done for us. I trust you."
"Thanks," Joe said. "Hank and Head will lead one group, you guys flank the right side. Zeke, Sam, you pilot the second group. You wait for my signal." The others nodded and started toward the door. Head approached him.
"May I ask which group you'll be in?" Head asked but Joe had the feeling the man already knew the answer.
"I'm going solo," Joe said.
"Be careful," Head cautioned. "I know you want to help your brother but you're no help if you get hurt.
As Hank, Head, Sam, and the other Keepers started to divide themselves and move out, Zeke lingered behind and talked to Joe.
"I knew it," Zeke said, smiling feverishly.
"Knew what?" Joe asked.
"You were way too good at being nosy to be just really nosy!" Zeke exclaimed, almost shouting.
"Yeah, sure, my dad taught my brother and I a few things," Joe said with a shrug. "Big deal." Joe hid his smile and Zeke shook his head laughing.
