Danny Spendlove was hobbling up to the door of the precinct. Mrs. Spendlove was helping him, but they both paused as they saw Frank, Joe, and Paul exiting the police station.
"What happened?" Anita asked maternally.
Paul sighed heavily. "He's just so angry. I don't think he'll ever-"
Paul broke off. He didn't seem to know what to say.
Danny quietly asked, "Did you tell him he's my grandfather?"
The Hardy boys looked questioningly at Paul, who smiled slightly at them. "I told Danny yesterday who I am and who Adler is to him." Paul addressed Danny. "No, I didn't get a chance."
Danny shrugged, "Seems to me this guy is as mule-headed as I am. I'll talk to him."
Paul began to protest, but Danny shushed him. "He's my grandpa. If he doesn't calm down I'll never talk to him again, but I came all the ways down here, so I'm not leaving until I see my dear old grand-pappy."
Danny gestured to Frank and Joe. "Come on, boys."
They followed him wordlessly back into the precinct.
Danny limped authoritatively through the police station. The cheeky bloke addressed most of the officers by name, as he had likely had run-ins with every one of them. Chief Collig was just leaving the hallway that held the holding cells. Danny waved to him.
"Hey Chief. I'm here to see my Grandfather."
Collig looked for a moment like he wanted to ignore Danny, but he then gave a shrug and said, "Alright boys, but he's rather grumpy right now. The cell will stay closed, so you should be alright."
The Hardy boys nodded, but Danny just walked past him towards the cells.
Adler was lying on the cell bed with his back to the door. Danny walked up to the cell door, and rudely snapped, "Hey. Do you know who I am?"
Adler did not respond. Danny answered anyway. "I'm the first guy you beat up. My name is Danny Spendlove. My mom's name is Anita. I never met my Pa."
Danny paused, almost for dramatic effect. "My Pa died in the war, about 15 years ago. His name was Alek Haas."
Adler stiffened. Then he got up slowly to turn and look at Danny. His face was a blank mask.
Danny, on the other hand, was leering impudently. "That's right. Your son was my old man. I'm your grandson."
He continued snarkily. "I never knew my Dad. The only paternal sort I had in my life was Paul. He was so good to me. I only found out yesterday it was because he's my great-uncle."
Danny put his hands in his pockets, and continued speaking to nothing in particular. "He's spent years trying to fix his mistakes. Meanwhile, the only time I ever saw my Grandfather, he tried to bash my head in."
"But," Danny finished, clapping his hands together, "That's life I guess. Bye!"
Danny walked out of the cells, and the Hardy Boys were more than a little confused as they followed him.
"What was that about, Danny?" Frank asked.
Danny held up a finger. A second passed before they heard a desperate, strangled, "Wait!" from the holding cells. Adler was calling Danny back.
Danny smiled. "He thinks I'm the only family he has left. He won't let me leave so easily. And I think, in time, I'll show him that Paul really loves him."
Joe raised an eyebrow. "Wow, Danny, that's really…"
"Mature? Sweet?" Danny finished. "Whatever. You boys take care of yourselves, kay?" He slapped them both on the shoulders and all three of them winced in pain.
Danny laughed as he walked back to the cell holding area.
Frank was chuckling as he rubbed his shoulder. "Well, Adler isn't out of the woods yet, but I'm glad Danny is willing to talk to him."
Joe nodded bemusedly. "Yeah. Well, it'll take a while for all that hurt to be resolved. Meanwhile, we better get home. We don't want Mom to flip out."
Both boys smiled as they walked to their father's car.