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.

27. Chapter 27

It was less than twenty minutes after the Hardys discovered Frank was missing that they stepped out from Fenton's car onto the gravel drive of Paul's garage. Laura stayed home to coordinate search efforts, Sam Radley and the police were informed, and Fenton and Joe went straight to the garage. Immediately they were on high alert. Frank's motorcycle was parked by the side of the building. A trail of blood spatters led from the front door to a place on the driveway where a car seemed to have driven off in great haste. There were two imprints of where tires cast up a small pile of gravel. Squatting down to look at the blood, Joe said, "It's fairly fresh, the larger puddles aren't quite dry yet."

Fenton nodded. "Careful not to step on anything. We may be able to identify the tracks."

They quietly opened the door, stepping around the blood drips. The scene that met them inside made Joe's heart fall. A body had been dragged from a central spot in the room. That spot was marked by blood splatters, various handprints and footprints, and most ominous of all, a message written in savage handwriting.

"Viky, come and play!"

Joe gulped. Fenton was examining the blood splatters and retracing steps. "Dad," Joe asked quietly, "They wouldn't have taken Frank if he was already dead, right?"

"Probably not." Fenton said. "It looks like he was shot, fell to his knees, and then collapsed. See how there's an imprint there?"

Fenton continued, "The shooter wrote the message, and then dragged Frank towards the door. You can see how the body blurred up some of the letters."

Fenton stood. "Joe, I want you to call the police, and then Sam. Tell Sam to get Paul and tell him about the situation as well. I'm going to see if I can follow the car's tracks at all."

Joe nodded, and hurried to follow his father's orders. The police immediately gave word they would send officers and forensics. Sam was also cool-headed and logical, and said he would drive himself and Paul down to the Hardys' house to help.

Once the phone calls were done, Joe had a moment to think. Usually it was Joe's impetuousness that led him into trouble. Frank was always there to save him. Their reversal of roles was unnerving, and the sight of his brother's blood on the floor made him want to punch something. He took a deep breath, swallowed his fear, and ran outside to meet his father.