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.

28. Chapter 28

The evening passed like a nightmare for Joe. Every second felt like a waste especially when his father and the police kept talking. Joe longed for action and finally his pacing and snippy temper led his mother to send him outside for a breather.

Joe sat down hard on the stoop of his house. Officers had been processing the crime scene all afternoon. The sun was sinking along with Joe's hopes. The police put out an APB as soon as they received Danny's description. The crime scene was being analyzed by the best forensic scientists in the county, and Sam Radley and Paul had arrived hours ago to look at the crime scene and do what they could. Joe had never felt so useless.

He was just about to return inside and probably make an emotional spectacle of himself, when the screen door opened, hitting Joe in the back.

"Gah!, what the-" Joe leapt to his feet.

It was a distracted-looking Paul. "Oh. Sorry Joe, I didn't see you there."

"The screen door is see-through." Joe pointed out.

Paul ignored this, or perhaps he didn't hear. He walked down the steps, wringing his hands together.

Joe called after him. "Where are you going, Paul?"

Paul jumped slightly. "Me? I just need a stiff drink. This whole business is terrible, terrible."

"It is." Joe agreed with a frown. "But this is hardly the time, is it?"

Paul looked pained. "I suppose not, but I'll be back shortly. Just a quick beer…"

Joe stepped closer and crossed his arms. "Are you sure that message on the floor didn't mean anything to you?"

Paul stopped wringing his hands. He set his jaw, then punched Joe hard, right upside the head.

Joe staggered back, and had the split-second thought to feign unconsciousness. It'd be easier to follow Paul- wherever he was really going- if Paul thought Joe was out of the picture. Joe let his body go limp and he collapsed to the earth.

Joe saw stars behind his eyelid, and was quite glad of the opportunity to stay still for a moment after such a hit. He smelled the grass beneath his cheek, and heard Paul lean over him.

"Sorry boy. You'll forgive me when Frank comes home."