The Criminal's Revenge

by trianglelionface

A Hardy Boys mystery inspired by the classics. When a high school acquaintance is attacked, Frank and Joe have to use all their wits to determine the cause. As the list of victims grows, so does the proximity to danger, threatening the lives of all whom Frank and Joe hold dear. Will they uncover the criminal before it's too late? Find out in The Criminal's Revenge! My first fic.

11. Chapter 11

Joe woke up the next morning with a crick in his neck. The couch was fine, but he had used a very flat pillow, and it was not quite as comfortable as his down pillow back home.

Randy was already awake and was fully dressed on the couch next to Joe's, tying his shoes. "First night on the couch is always uncomfortable," he addressed Joe, "but you get used to it."

Joe raised an eyebrow, "You sleep down here a lot?"

Randy nodded. "My step dad ain't the nicest fellow. Ever since my ma died there don't seem to be much reason to go home no more."

"I'm sorry."

"Eh," said Randy with a wave, "It used to bother me, but only because I was trapped, ya know? I didn't have nowhere to go. Ever since Danny introduce me to Paul, and working here-"

He trailed off with a grin. "Thing's ain't bad no more. I know the fuzz thinks that maybe Paul attacked Danny. It just ain't possible. Danny's his favorite; he's been working here for almost 5 years, and Paul treats him like a son. So don't you and your detective family get any ideas."

Joe raised his hands in mock surrender. "I know, I know. Paul seems like a stand up guy." Joe had met Paul last night, and though he constantly had the doleful look of a basset hound, his actions spoke of genuine care for these guys and for the garage. Joe, Adam, Randy, and Ron had helped string tarps over the windows until the broken ones could be replaced.

Joe quickly washed up and got dressed in the bathroom upstairs, but as he once again descended the stairs to the basement, he saw that the rest of the guys (who weren't hospitalized) were sitting on the couches, apparently waiting for him.

"Uh, hey guys. What's up?" He greeted them.

Ron stood up. "Alright, Hardy, you want to hang with us, you're going to have to change this here look you've got going on."

Joe was taken aback. Looking down at his outfit he asked, "What's wrong with this look?"

Ron pinched the bridge of his nose, looking exasperated. "Every single thing, Hardy. You can't be around us wearing a cardigan!"

Joe adjusted it slightly. "I think it's comfy."

Adam made a noise of disgust. "Lose the cardigan, Hardy."

Resigned, Joe shrugged off his cardigan. He spread out his arms. "Okay, now what?"

Ron grinned and held up an unusually large bottle of something labeled "hair grease."

Joe grimaced.