CHAPTER 8

Joe threw his suitcase down on the floor and plopped down on the cot.

His security breached, Arthur Gray had the four teens leave the hotel. He took them to the Network's home base in San Antonio. The Hardys and their friends were now in an underground bunker beneath the Alamo.

"How long do you think this has been here?" Joe glanced over at his brother.

"I'd say, ever since the Network was formed."

"I can't believe they got Chet! How could we have not heard them come in?" Joe slammed his fist into his hand in anger.

"They're Assassins, Joe, that's what they're trained to do."

"Yeah, whatever."

Frank didn't say anything. Joe wanted to sulk and he knew it was best to let him. Carolyn and Biff walked into the room. Frank could see that his friend was just as angry as Joe was. He couldn't tell how Carolyn was feeling; her face didn't register any emotion.

A few minutes later, the Gray Man came into the room.

"By the way, Frank, I didn't get a chance to ask you. How exactly did you disarm all of the listening devices in your room at the same time?"

Frank decided to turn the tables on the Gray Man, giving him his best innocent smile: "That would be on a need-to-know basis and right now, you don't need to know."

The Gray Man heaved a heavy sigh. "You're just lucky you didn't cause any permanent damage to my agent's ears."

Swinging his legs over the edge of the cot, Joe sat up and glared at Mr. Gray.

"How are we going to get Chet back?"

"Don't you worry about your friend, we'll be handling his safe return."

"Gee that makes me feel sooo much better!" Joe replied with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.

Frank, who sat down next to Joe, squeezed his shoulder, silently telling him to calm down.

"Try and get some rest while you can. Carolyn, I'll show you to your room."

"I'd rather stay here if you don't mind."

"Carolyn I'd really rather you…"

As Gray took a step towards Carolyn, he felt a sudden force push him back. Slowly turning to face the Gray Man, Carolyn gave him a cold hard stare.

"I don't think you want to do that, Mr. Gray. I can push you a lot harder than that!"

Their eyes locked in a battle of wills, both determined to make the other look away first. First Frank…Joe, and then Biff stood in front of Carolyn. Crossing his arms across his chest, a determined glint in his eye, Frank spoke.

"She stays with us."

With a slight nod of his head, the Gray Man quietly walked out of the room. They heard a distinct click when the door closed.

"He locked us in!"

"You're surprised by this, Joe?"

"Well…no! Oh, okay, maybe I am!"

They glanced over at Carolyn when they heard her chuckling softly.

"Don't worry guys, that lock won't keep us in here."

Biff walked over to the door. "Carolyn, this is a deadbolt and it looks like it can only be locked from the outside."

"Piece of cake," Carolyn said with a smile. "Uh Biff, you should move out of the way."

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Chet woke to find himself lying on a bed in a strange room. The room was white and sterile looking, making him think he was in a hospital. Trying to sit up, Chet found that he was strapped to the bed. He struggled for a few minutes but couldn't get loose. Hearing the door open, he closed his eyes and lay very still. Using a breathing exercise that Frank had taught him once long ago. Chet slowed his breathing, making it seem as if he were still sleeping.

Samantha and Dr. Warner came into the room to see if Chet was awake.

"How strong was that sedative you gave me, Warner?"

"Not that strong, but these things affect people differently. I'm sure he'll be awake in a hour."

"He better. I might as well occupy myself till then. I'll go find the Hardys, find out if they know anything about their missing friend."

"Watch what you say around those Hardys. One slip-up and they'll know you are somehow involved."

"I know how to do my job! Besides, those boys are nothing special. That Joe Hardy is nothing but a flirt who thinks he's God's gift to women! And Frank, he may be smart but he's no boy genius."

"Don't underestimate the Hardys, Samantha. Alexander died because of them."

"Alexander was a fool! Stop worrying, I know how to handle pretty boys like Joe Hardy."

Chet listened to their footsteps fading away, the door slamming shut. He waited a minute or two before he opened his eyes. Assassins! He had been kidnapped by Assassins! Chet knew he had to escape, he had to warn Joe and Frank. He had to save Carolyn!

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Biff kept staring in awe at Carolyn. He couldn't believe what she had just done. And now here they were, mingling among the other tourists inside the Alamo. All four teens calmly walked out; glad to still have her sunglasses, Carolyn slipped them on.

"Come on, keep walking," Frank urged them along.

They had walked four blocks when Samantha suddenly appeared.

"Hey! I was hoping to run into you guys! Well, I see you added a new member, but lost one. Where's Chet?"

**END OF CHAPTER**

Authors Note: Please read the author's profile for this story. The author, copagirl, passed away in 2013. I am posting these stories up with the permission of her family, who want her to be remembered as well. Lola was a long-time member of the Hardy Detective Agency and we miss her soooooo much! Love you Lola!

Thanks to those of you leaving feedback! I know copagirl would love all of it.