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Chapter 9

"So years later, Keith Rashman, who was trained by his brother in the art of torture and abuse, finds his latest victim is the son of the man who sent his brother to prison with no hope of ever being released. Fate has suddenly given him the chance to seek retribution for his brother's imprisonment and he wasted no time in doing so. With relentless savage acts of barbarism…"

Vanessa stared at Peter Handling, knowing her mouth was gaping open in absolute shock. Before going to bed the previous evening, Joe had asked her for the umpteenth time not to attend the trial even though he knew she would refuse. When she did just that, Joe had nervously related what Fenton told him wanting her to be prepared for Handling's onslaught. Yet, in her worst nightmares she never expected anything like this.

"…the merciless, inhumane torture…" Handling continued theatrically.

Almost hypnotized by Handling's brutally graphic description, it took Vanessa a moment to realize something was wrong. Seconds later, she heard someone gasping for air and turned to her left in alarm.

"…sadistically tormenting…"

The words ripped at her heart but Vanessa could see the effect on Joe was far more devastating. She had never seen such fear in his eyes and knew, at least mentally, he was no longer in the courtroom.

"Joe!" she whispered harshly, hoping to grab his attention.

Joe suddenly tore his right hand from her grasp, his breathing becoming harsh and ragged. Squeezing his eyes shut, Joe pulled his left arm into his body clutching it protectively.

As Vanessa put her arm around Joe, she saw his sudden movement had gotten Frank's attention, too. As she leaned in closer and began to speak to Joe, she watched Frank put his hand on Joe's shoulder and squeeze tightly.

"Joe, honey, listen to me," Vanessa said in a low, soothing voice. "You're safe. I'm right here with you. Frank is here with you." Despite being aware of not only Frank, but also Laura, Callie and even Fenton staring at her, Vanessa continued her whispers of comfort to Joe. "You're all right. No one can hurt you. Just open your eyes, Baby. You're not alone. We're all right here with you."

Frank watched, first in fear, as his younger brother started to slip away into the nightmare that slowly seemed to be taking over his life. Then in amazement as Vanessa began talking to Joe, hoping to lure him back from the horrific memories that refused let him go. Initially, Frank thought he'd have to grab his brother and drag Joe from the courtroom. As bad a scene as that would be, Frank was certain Joe would prefer that to the embarrassment of a complete breakdown in front of a room full of strangers.

Just as he was about to pull Joe to his feet, Frank saw something spark in Joe's eyes. Vanessa had kept up a continuous stream of whispered words of love and support, refusing to stop. Frank couldn't hear exactly what Vanessa was saying but he could see the effect it was having on Joe.

Slowly, Joe released the painfully tight hold on his arm letting it fall to his side. His breathing slowed considerably, almost returning to normal. Blinking a few times, Joe became aware of his surroundings. Instinctively he turned to Vanessa, somehow knowing without a doubt she had been the one to pull him back.

The next few minutes passed by in a blur as Joe suddenly realized the judge and jury had left the courtroom, ending the proceedings for the day. As everyone stood, Joe turned to Vanessa and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

"Thank you," he whispered in her ear.

"Joe?" Frank's voice was filled with concern.

Releasing Vanessa but holding her hand securely, Joe moved to face his brother. As his gaze swept the front of the room Joe froze, finding himself trapped in Keith Rashman's hateful glare.

Glancing over his shoulder, Frank immediately saw what had caused Joe to stop in fear. Taking two steps to his left, Frank now stood directly in front of Joe effectively blocking Keith Rashman from his brother's line of sight.

"Joe?" Frank waited for Joe to acknowledge him.

"Huh? What?" Joe said snapping out of his daze.

"Ready to blow this taco stand?" Frank smiled.

"You have no idea." Joe gave a tired smile of his own. "Let's go."

As Frank walked beside him, Joe was aware of Frank's continuous shifting of position and knew it was to ensure he would not have to face Keith Rashman again that day.

'Thanks, bro,' Joe thought gratefully, feeling Frank's hand on his back, guiding him towards a side exit away from both Rashman and the horde of reporters that had been circling like vultures since the opening day of the trial.

"Frank?" Joe said tentatively as they walked.

"Yeah?"

"Um…were you and Callie planning to go to the pool again tonight?"

Frank smiled inwardly, getting the message loud and clear. "I think that could be arranged."

oooOOOooo

"Come on, Cal! I'll even let you win!" Joe yelled from the pool, trying to convince Callie to stay a little longer.

"How can you turn down an offer like that?" Vanessa laughed, trying to avoid the spray of water Joe sent in her direction.

"It's tempting, but I'm starting to turn into a prune," Callie smiled, pulling a t-shirt over her head. Blowing a kiss to Frank who was floating in the pool trying to avoid Joe and Vanessa's water fights, Callie picked up the towel and magazine she'd brought with her and returned to the penthouse.

After she had showered and changed, Callie walked towards the kitchen for a snack. Passing Laura and Fenton's room, she heard Fenton's muffled voice through the closed door. She smiled to herself when his voice rose and she caught the words 'idiot' and 'moronic'.

'Must be talking to – or about – Handling,' Callie mused, shuddering slightly as the image of Joe rapidly falling apart flashed before her eyes.

Pulling open the door of the refrigerator, Callie contemplated her choices when she heard a soft whimper. Letting the door swing shut, she took a few steps into the living room and heard it again, this time accompanied by a few sniffles. Following the sound, Callie crossed the large living area stopping when she reached the partially closed door of the sunroom. Listening closely, Callie heard someone crying softly.

Quietly pushing the door open, Callie poked her head inside. A single light cast a soft glow over the room and it's lone occupant. Seated all alone on the couch, Laura Hardy stared out the window into the night, crying softly.

Callie felt her eyes burn at the heartbreaking scene. Quickly pulling herself together, Callie stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. When she sat on the couch, Laura turned pain-filled blue eyes on her daughter-in-law. She closed her eyes, her lower lip quivering, as Callie put her arms around Laura and held her.

As soon as she felt Callie's arms encircle her, Laura broke down, sobbing helplessly. As Callie gently rubbed her back, Laura let go of all the pain she'd been trying to keep hidden from Fenton and especially Joe. She had no idea how long she'd cried, but finally Laura felt the tears subside. Pulling away, she gratefully accepted the tissue Callie offered.

"Th-thank you," Laura hiccupped, looking at her daughter-in-law with red-rimmed eyes. "I guess I needed to let that out."

"Is there anything else you need to let out?" Callie asked, stroking Laura's back encouragingly. "I'm a pretty good listener."

Laura looked at Callie, debating her offer. "You wouldn't mind?" she asked tentatively.

"Of course not. And everything stays just between us."

Laura nodded gratefully, squeezing Callie's hand. She desperately wanted to talk about her own tangle of emotions as a result of what she had heard – and seen – in the courtroom, but couldn't figure out where to begin. Gazing out the window, she said the first thing that popped into her head.

"He was smiling," she whispered, her eyes immediately burning at the memory. "Keith Rashman," she clarified turning back to Callie. "When Peter Handling was describing how he… the way he… hurt… Joe, I couldn't help but look at him. And he was smiling, Callie. Smiling!" Her voice quivered.

Sensing Laura just needed to get everything out in the open, Callie simply held her hand tightly, remaining silent.

"Fenton told me about Craig Rashman. He told me Keith was probably harder on Joe once he found out who Joe really was. My God, that doesn't even begin to describe what he did." Laura shook her head as Handling's words haunted her, still having trouble believing they were being used to describe what her son had endured.

"…savage barbarism…inhumane torture…sadistically tormenting…"

"Knowing he tortured Joe – that he took pleasure in torturing Joe – simply because of who his father is..." Laura said, distressed. "What kind of human being would do that? Deliberately abuse a child just to get back at a parent?"

"He's not human," Callie replied bitterly. "He's an animal."

"I've always known in the back of my mind that the boys could be hurt simply because of who their father is. Oh, hell, I know it's happened. I guess I just didn't want to acknowledge it before. None of us did. And it's always been easy to ignore. But this…" Laura waved her hand in the air. "Joe suffered so horribly just because he's Fenton Hardy's son."

Laura wiped away a few lingering tears and then smiled at Callie. "I-I guess I wasn't as prepared as I thought I was."

"I don't think anyone can be prepared for what we heard today," Callie comforted her.

"Thank you, Callie. Thank you so much for listening," Laura said gratefully. "I didn't want Joe to know how upsetting it was – to hear how much he suffered – but I knew I couldn't keep it inside much longer. And I couldn't possibly talk to Fenton about it. He feels badly enough already. He doesn't need to be reminded how much more Joe had to suffer because of him." Reaching out, she hugged Callie tightly. "I'm so proud to have you for a daughter-in-law."

"Anytime you need to talk just let me know. I'll be here," Callie assured her.

"I will." Laura stood up and the two women took one last look at the bright lights of the city below before leaving the room.

oooOOOooo

Callie lay in bed, trembling. She had awakened from a terrifying nightmare almost an hour earlier and was scared to close her eyes again. Hearing Frank's soft, easy breathing next to her she almost wanted to wake him. More than anything she wanted to feel his arms around her and the comforting sound of his voice reassuring her it was just a bad dream, but she knew that wasn't possible. It had been just a bad dream for her, but Fenton and Laura Hardy had been living her nightmare for the past six months.

In her dream, she had seen a boy with dark hair and eyes. He looked eerily like Frank. Somehow, she knew this was their son yet she wasn't happy. It had taken a moment before she realized the little boy wasn't simply sleeping. He was lying in a hospital bed, swathed in bandages, with tubes and machines attached to every visible part of his small body. Frank was there beside her, apologizing, telling her it was his fault. Their son had been kidnapped, beaten, tortured and left for dead simply to get back at him. Even though their little boy had been found alive, the doctors were not hopeful. They had used the words 'head injury' and 'permanent brain damage'. It was when the comforting beep-beep-beep of the heart monitor had suddenly turned into a shrill, steady whine that Callie had awakened.

Callie felt the tears on her cheeks once again, as she worried about the children she and Frank planned to have one day. Would they suffer because of what their father had chosen to do for a living? Would they become targets simply because of who their father – or grandfather or uncle – was? Would they one day have to go through the same thing Joe did – or worse?

No longer wanting to sleep, Callie nonetheless felt her eyelids become heavy and finally slide shut. As she drifted off, the piercing scream of the heart monitor announcing the death of her child filled her dreams once more.