Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys or any of the canon book characters, and am making no monies from this story. Any Original Characters belong to the author(s).
This story was originally written in the early 2000s. There are many technological differences from today's world. Co-written with RokiaHDA, who wrote back then under the name of Aspen.
Thank you, Cherylann and Max2013.
September Reprise
By EvergreenDreamweaver and RokiaHDA
Chapter 36
Frank felt himself re-living an action from a few days before on Monday, hugging his mother as he was preparing to leave for school. He held her tightly for an extra few moments, grateful that she was still safely with them – and that she was no longer in danger! The would-be kidnappers were now in jail, definitely unable to make another attempt on Laura or Erica Ranson.
Frank shuddered slightly. He didn't want to think about all the things that could have gone wrong the previous day, despite all the planning – too many things had gone awry as it was! The young police officer, Jeremy Isaacs, was in the hospital still, and would be for a couple more days; he'd lost more blood than originally thought. And Mr. Ranson, who had so narrowly escaped a bullet plowing straight into his head – he'd been stitched up and bandaged, and the ER physician had recommended he be admitted for observation. But Michael had steadfastly refused to stay overnight, and had been released – against the advice of both the doctor and his young wife!
Well, we got the bad guys, when all's said and done, Frank mused. But I wish Mom hadn't been in danger in the first place! He sighed as he released Laura. "Mom, I'll be back this afternoon – and I'll give you a call later this morning…just to make sure you're okay."
Laura laughed softly and patted his shoulder. "Honey, I'm fine – really. I still get the shivers occasionally, but I'll be all right. It's all over now – and I can take care of myself!"
"Besides," Fenton's deep voice interrupted the conversation as he entered the room carrying a cup of coffee, "I'm going to be home all day. I'm pretty sure—" His dark eyes twinkled, "that I can come up with something or other to take your mind off yesterday's occurrences, Laura." He raised an expressive eyebrow in his wife's direction, and she blushed pink.
Frank groaned, and followed that with a gagging sound. "Dad, that was definitely too much information! Give a thought to your children's delicate sensibilities, huh?" Sheesh…they neck on the couch, they're always kissing in every room of the house, Dad goes around making suggestive remarks…are everyone's parents like this, or are Joe and I just…awfully lucky?
After giving Laura one more heartfelt hug, and receiving an affectionate pat on the back from his father, Frank hefted his backpack to his shoulder and headed out to the Saturn.
"Morning, Nerd-boy."
Frank jumped at least six inches, and turned to glare at his brother, who was leaning against the open-hooded Aztek, evidently tinkering with something in the engine. Joe smiled sweetly at him, his eyes sparkling with wicked mischief.
"If you don't lay off the Nerd-boy comments, I'm going to bean you with my cast!" Frank threatened, "And I know exactly where you sleep at night!"
"Oooh, I'm shaking!" Joe held out his hands and shook them rapidly. "This is me, shivering! See how scared I am? I'm so scared…I won't be able to sleep at night, now…."
Frank looked down his nose at his brother. "Some people should learn proper respect for their elders," he remarked loftily.
"That's true," Joe said thoughtfully. "I should be more careful of the elderly, decrepit, almost-twenty-year-olds in my life. Yep, I should. I really should. Red would appreciate it, I know. I'll try to remember that when I'm around her."
Frank sighed. There was absolutely no justice in the world. "What are you doing up so early, anyway?"
"Oh – I just woke up. I wanted to check on something in the engine." Joe gestured vaguely at the Aztek. "And Vanessa's bringing donuts and coffee over…." He paused. "But…I just thought I'd stick around here a little while longer, that's all. You know?"
Blue eyes met brown as the brothers shared a knowing look and nodded at each other. Yesterday's events had affected them both.
"Dad's staying home," Frank commented. "Lurking around and being…" He paused and chuckled, shaking his head despite Joe's inquiring look. "Never mind. I've gotta get – class in twenty!" He threw his bag into the back seat of the Saturn. "Keep an eye out, Joe."
"I will." Joe grinned cheerfully. "You too, Nerd-boy."
Frank glowered, but by the time he had the Saturn started and was on his way, he was laughing too.
The chuckles died as he drove towards school. Inevitably, his thoughts were turning towards the other case, now, and the ever-growing stack of evidence against Kirk Moncrief. He'd found that incriminating backpack and sweatshirt in Kirk's car. Vanessa had managed to track down Corin, and although the young man had steadfastly declined to talk to the police, he had been quite willing to repeat what he had seen to HER, although he hadn't been able to add anything new. And what he had seen – and what Joe's new friend Jacklyn had seen – tallied with what Frank had found.
I'm glad that Joe and the girls agree that Kirk is a suspect and should be watched. It's not just a matter of me being jealous of him! He had hoped that his suspicions were based on good detective instincts, and not just jealousy because Moncrief had been so eager to help Megan. Frank sighed, and shifted in his seat. In all honesty, those thoughts hit close to home. He WAS jealous.
It was hard not to be jealous about Megan – and yet, it was that sweet personality which made everyone like her, himself included, that had made for problems! But how could he fault other guys for being attracted? She was pretty...more than pretty, and warm, openly friendly to everyone, and truly interested in other people. How could he fault her for being herself? He couldn't – and neither could he blame people like Kirk Moncrief for liking her. Hardy, you're an idiot…you want her to be her for you – and someone else to everyone else? If she did that, she wouldn't be Megan anymore!
Ah, Megan, love…. Frank smiled, thinking about her. She had looked so delighted, driving her new car home on Saturday. He was rather happy that it was not red in color, for he was absolutely positive that Kirk Moncrief had given her that idea – although since she had said she wanted one, he had honestly tried very hard to help her find a nice red car within the budget her mother set. They had found four pleasing ones – in varying shades of scarlet, crimson, and tomato – but all of them were on the far upper end of that budget. And he knew that everyone concerned – he, Megan, and Carolyn – liked the sporty little Sunfire she'd ended up getting.
Even if I do feel like a sardine getting into it. It was a striking shade of blue-green – or as Megan's insistent voice echoed in his mind, 'Perfect teal – not too blue, not too green!' And it was a great-looking car, too. Only three years old, and with surprisingly few miles on it. Even Joe, picky as he was, had admitted it was great. And Megan had been so thrilled to be regaining her independence.
Frank hadn't, however, missed the anxiety on his girlfriend's face when she'd decided to try a test-drive of the little machine. He'd known that she might flash back to the day of the crash when she first got behind the wheel again. Carolyn too, looked anxious – whether in fear for her daughter, or in empathy, Frank wasn't sure.
Megan had advanced from looking apprehensive to looking downright scared, as she sat in the driver's seat and made adjustments and fastened her seat belt. Seeing how her hands and lips were quivering, Frank had knelt down beside her, in the open door, and very quietly, given her a pep talk.
"Baby, listen to me. Everything's going to be all right. The streets aren't full of people with their brake lines cut who are likely to run into you, believe it or not, and this little beast is going to be a thrill to drive. You can do this – you're strong and brave and determined as all get-out, and you aren't going to let this scare you away." He kissed her cheek gently. "Now, go out there and show the world."
Megan had nodded, squared her shoulders, given him a brief smile, and started the engine. A few moments later, she had driven off with the sales rep. Frank, jittery despite all his encouraging words, had stood and waited with an equally nervous Carolyn, awaiting Megan's return and hoping that all was going well.
Fifteen minutes later, the little teal-blue Sunfire had returned to the lot, with a flushed, laughing, exuberantly happy Megan at the wheel. She hopped out of the car and hugged her mother and Frank. She'd driven it home an hour later, after they'd talked with the insurance company, President Mitchell, and filled out an astounding amount of paperwork. She was talking about namng it!
Yes, it suited her…and he was darned glad she had it. However, all things considered, Frank preferred his Saturn to cramming his long legs into that Sunfire!
###
Morning classes seemed almost to fly by. For the first time in too long, Frank had had a full night's sleep, and the difference it made was astonishing. He'd seen Megan during their shared history class, and she'd looked radiantly happy – as she did now, sitting at a table with Joe and Vanessa, having lunch.
Frank grabbed a sandwich and a carton of milk, and headed towards their table. "Hey, Baby!" He leaned down and kissed Megan hello – lingeringly – then sat down.
"Jeez, get a room!" Joe commented, grinning wickedly at them.
Frank faked a blow at his brother's head, then draped his arm about Megan's shoulders. "Ever heard the phrase 'practice what you preach?'" he inquired, noting that Joe himself had decided to lay an enthusiastic kiss on Vanessa.
Joe came up for air. "I'm merely following my elder sibling's sterling, shining example—"
"Just behave, already," Vanessa cut in, laughing. "Where are my French fries? You promised me French fries!"
Joe grumbled beneath his breath as he got to his feet. "Nag, nag, nag…." He ambled off to get Vanessa her fries and soft drink.
Frank grinned as he watched Joe standing in line, talking animatedly with a friend as he waited to get the fries…
…and the grin faded, as Frank saw Kirk Moncrief standing nearby, standing all alone, and watching everyone with narrowed eyes. Frank kept his gaze on Kirk until Joe returned to their table; then he looked at Joe, and Vanessa – and Megan.
"We didn't really have a chance to talk about it Saturday night, or yesterday," he began, "but you know I found that backpack we talked about, in the back of Kirk Moncrief's car. The brown suede one with the environmental logo stickers—"
He was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone. Megan kindly reached into his backpack and retrieved it, saving him an awkward arm-twisting maneuver. She handed it to him, and he snapped it open. "Hello?"
"Frankenstein, it's Dani." Dani Tanner's voice was warm on the other end. "I just got some information on your case. Specifically, the Art building."
Frank snapped to full alert. He sat up straighter, his attention riveted on his friend's voice. "What is it, Dani?"
"The forensics team found fingerprints on the fire alarm," Dani told him, excitement mounting in her voice.
Frank raised his eyebrows at that one. "They did?" Softly, he whispered to the others, "Fingerprints on the fire alarm!" Immediately, everyone's eyes fixed on him, as they waited for further news.
"Yeah, and even better – you're not going to believe this, Frank! But they ran them through a national database. And they matched them up – to one Kirk Moncrief!"
Frank nearly fell out of his chair. "You're KIDDING!"
"Nope, no joke," Dani affirmed. "Listen, I've got to dash – Jack's picking me up in a few minutes – but I wanted to let you know what we found out. Call me later, Frankenstein! Bye!"
"I will, Dani – have fun." Frank snapped his phone closed and stared around the table at the others – all of whom were anxiously watching him.
"Well?" Joe demanded eagerly.
"The investigators found fingerprints," Frank repeated, "on the fire alarm in the Art Building."
"And?" Vanessa pressed.
"They checked them against a national database." Frank wasn't consciously trying to drag it out, but he could scarcely believe it himself. "And they came up with a match. Kirk Moncrief."
Vanessa frowned thoughtfully. "I wonder what he did to get his fingerprints on file?"
"Protests or some such," Megan offered. Vanessa nodded, conceding the point.
Joe whooped as he smacked a fist into his palm. "Yeah! We've got him now – Let's reel him in!"