Disclaimer: The Hardy Boys are owned by Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Syndicate. Thanks for reading! Hold onto your hats and keep your arms inside the vehicle at all times...

CHAPTER 11

Alice never noticed the navy blue Volkswagen following her. Joe had Callie drive at least two cars behind. While they were still in the Bayport city limits, that was easy to do. They soon came to a lonely stretch of highway; Joe had Callie pull back. He was afraid that Alice would see them as they traveled the almost empty road.

"Be careful, Callie, this part of Shore Road is pretty steep."

"Yeah, I know. I really don't like that curve we're coming up to, it's got a really bad blind spot."

"Alice is following the speed limit, so if you want to slow down, go ahead."

"I think I will." Callie said, then she let out a fearful gasp.

Joe's eyes grew wide with fear when he saw the truck speeding towards them. At first Joe thought that Alice had seen them following her. Then he realized this was a truck coming toward them, not a compact car.

*campusterror*campusterror*

Frank was surprised to see Joanna Walker waiting for him outside of his classroom. She seemed to be nervous as she stood out in the hall.

"Ms. Walker, is there something wrong?"

"Joanna, please call me Joanna. I need to speak with you as soon as possible."

"I have an exam in Calculus, as soon as I'm done I could meet you in the cafeteria again."

"No, I don't want Alice to see us together. There's a little café a few blocks from here, do you know it?"

"Yes, it's a hang-out for a lot of the caffeine addicts around here."

"I'll be waiting for you there. Please Frank, it's very important that we speak."

"I understand, I'll be there as soon as I can."

*campusterror*campusterror*

With quick reflexes, Callie turned the steering wheel and veered left. The two vehicles just missed hitting each other by mere inches. As soon as she passed the truck, Callie swerved back onto her lane. As soon as she could, Callie pulled over to the side of the road, putting the car in park she let out a ragged breath.

"I really hate that curve."

"That was quick thinking Callie. Have you ever considered becoming an Indy 500 racer?"

Callie threw Joe a dirty look, and then she punched him in the arm.

"Hey! I was just trying to lighten the moment. Do you think you can drive or would you like me to?"

"I'm still a little shook up, but I'm okay. Normally I would tell you to go fly a kite but, I had enough driving for now."

Joe and Callie changed places, making sure that Callie was buckled up. Joe checked that there was no oncoming traffic and got back onto the road. He figured they had lost Alice but wanted to drive around just the same.

Callie searched for Alice's car while Joe drove; they had just passed a run down house.

"Joe, isn't that the Pollitt house?"

Taking a quick glance. "Um, yeah it is."

"Go back Joe, I think I saw Alice's Isuzu."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I think so."

Joe made a U-turn and headed for the Pollitt house.

*campusterror*campusterror*

Charles had finally gotten his hands free and was working on the ropes that bound his legs when the door opened. Fear registered on his face when he saw Alice standing in the doorway.

"Frank, I'm home."

*endofchapter*endofchapter*

Poster's Message: I am really starting to feel sorry for Charles! BUT, just maybe, Joe and Callie will come to the rescue! I'm biting my nails here!