Author's note: Believe it or not, but after this chapter there is just one more to go! Just as you all know, there will be a "quiz" (yes, I know this sounds really strange) in the end of the chapter. Just read, enjoy, pay attention and be a detective, and you will nail it! (Wonder what I am up to? Good!)

Chapter 24

Sam felt his hands tremble slightly as he fumbled with the lid of the box. He knew Fenton was right outside, waiting with the police to arrest the criminals. All he needed to do, was to make sure the evidence really was there.

Opening the box, his face lost every trace of colour.

"Frank, Joe! What?!"

The two in the box looked as shocked as himself. Squeezed together, both with green faces, spherical eyes and seemingly ready to fight, they actually looked rather sheepish.

"Sam?" Joe was the first to respond. While he slowly got out of the box, Sam looked at them, still overwhelmed. "You here?" he asked again "I am expecting to find a box of drug, and what do I get? A box of Hardy-boys! Interesting."

Frank and Joe couldn't help but smile. Sam, on his part, laughed out loud, tears running from his eyes. It took him half a minute to get the laughter under control again. "This… just SO comical! I… Fenton will… love it, I am sure!"

A confused look passed between the brothers before Frank asked "Dad? Where is he? I don't understand. Are you… into drug or something?"

The only answer he got was a new fit of uncontrolled laughter. "You… you boys are really… really funny today! I, into drugs? Yes, indeed I am! Undercover, in the least..."

Frank let out a heavy sight in relief. In the least he didn't have to concern about that. "Does that mean you have them under arrest?" he asked, not daring to hope.

"Exactly!" Sam's voice didn't show as much of a hint of doubt. Suddenly, his expression went from complete satisfaction to pure concern. "How could I forget! Joe, what on earth are you doing here? You are sick, dead, in coma! You can't be here!"

"Whoa, take it easy!" Joe grinned broadly "but thankyou for your empathy, it's highly appreciated, albeit not needed."

"Not needed? Of course it's needed! You have to get in bed as once!" Sam was not in the mood for objections.

"But the girls…?" Joe didn't get to finish, but was cut of by his brother "Sam is right, Joe, you need a bed. I will take care of the girls."

Not allowed to say another word, Joe was placed in a bed on the second floor. He didn't give up without a fight, though. "Listen up, I am not sick at all! Vanessa needs me! I can't let her down, you, if anyone, should understand that, Frank." Frank didn't listen, though. "Sorry, little brother" was all he said before he went outside. The door was nearly closed, when Frank's concerned eyes met Joe's frustrated once more. "And don't you dare show your face before I come and fetch you!" With that, Frank closed the door.

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"It's done, Sam. Collig has Logan and his men under arrest. If you just…"

Fenton was halfway through the door too Sam's apartment when the sight of his eldest son silenced him. With eyes filled to the edge of surprise and relief, he pulled Frank into a hug.

"Frank! I am so glad you are safe. What happened to you? Where is Joe?"

When he didn't saw his youngest anywhere, he felt the knot in his stomach tighten. Had something happened?

"Don't be afraid! Joe is upstairs, resting." Sam interrupted his partners concerned thoughts and received a heartfelt smile. Letting his eyes wander back to Frank, Fenton asked again "What happened? Why are you here?"

Clearing his throat, Frank answered "You know this Logan you have caught? It's our Mr. Chuck. He was the one to kidnap Joe, not me. He kidnapped me from prison and forced me to say all those things to Callie and Phil. If I didn't, Joe would die. I tried to write you a note, but you didn't get my point at all."

"I was supposed to be moved to Washington, but someone, Mr. Chuck I think, placed explosives in the motor. It was nothing but luck that made me survive. It was also due to pure luck the explosion happened right where Joe was. I managed to take down Mr. Chuck, but he escaped through a catacomb. Meanwhile, someone sent you that mail. I was forced. It wasn't my message either, it was Mr. Chuck's."

"When I understood you didn't believe in Chuck, I knew I had no options but to escape prison. I met Joe in the catacomb where the criminal had escaped some days earlier. He had run away too. We saw the drugs and understood what Mr. Chuck, or Logan as you call him, was up to, when we heard footsteps. The only thing we could do, was hide in one of the boxes. And well – here we are."

"Wow. That was some of an explanation!" Sam was the first one to break the silence. Fenton couldn't say anything. The lump in his throat was too big. Feeling the tears burn in his eyes, he hugged Frank once more, not wanting to let go. Finally, he managed to choke out the apology that pricked on his tongue "I… I am so sorry Frank. So awfully sorry. I don't know if you will ever forgive me, I can't blame you if you don't, but please know I am sorry. I know I should have trusted you. I know I should have listened to you. I didn't. I don't have anything to say to my defence, except from sorry. I did what I thought was best, yes, but I should have known better. You are my son, Frank. You are my own, trustworthy, innocent son. Please forgive me."

"Of course dad" Frank's voice was soft "of course I forgive you. In fact, there is nothing to forgive. You did what you thought was best. I know you did. Don't be sorry. There is no reason to be."

Not able to respond, Fenton just smiled, tears in his eyes. As he stared into his eldest's eyes, he was once again so proud and thankful for being father to the most honest and forgiving boys he knew.

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'This is not good. I can't do it. It's impossible. I can't. I absolutely can't. Frank will kill me, though… Nah, he won't. Hate me for a few weeks? Well… I think it's worth it.'

Joe Hardy stared up in the blue ceiling, not knowing what to do. Was he tired? Exhausted? Sleepy? Of course he was. But could he sleep? No way! Vanessa could be in danger! And Callie too… He needed to save them. He had to. It was his duty. But how? How?

If Frank saw him, he would probably lock him up. But he had to get out. Examining his surroundings, Joe noticed the window facing the garden. Jumping out of the bed, he realised a fire ladder led down to the garden below. A golden opportunity!

Without a second thought, Joe started to climb down. The dark made it a little harder, but it also made sure he wouldn't be discovered. Step by step, he slowly approached his goal. Soon he was there…

When there was about three meters left, Joe suddenly noticed the ladder stopped. He had to jump.

Grabbing the bottom step of the ladder with both hands, Joe hung about a meter above the ground. He was about to let go, when he heard footsteps. Clinging to the metal rod, Joe tried to make his sweaty hands clutch to the ladder a little longer.

The sound of footsteps increased. The same did the panic inside him. How much longer could he hold on? His shoulders burned, especially the one with a bullet hole. There weren't many seconds left before he had to let go…

Crash. Joe Hardy was lying on the ground, trying desperate to catch his breath. Before he could do so, something heavy jumped on him, forcing his shoulders down. Somewhere, a desperate scream shattered the silence: "The criminals have run away!"

Well, well, there it was. Nothing more to say then? Oh yes, of course, I promised you a quiz! Well, rules are: The questions are enumerated from one to one. Ergo: There is just one question. Rule number two: Send me the answers as a review or PM me. The final rule: The question you are going to answer is: Which eye colour has Mr. Chuck? Yeah, I know, sounds easy, but…

Anyway: Look forward to read your answers and figure out who is the best detective! (The answer will be revealed in the next, and last (!) chapter!)