Chap 31
In the last chapter, Frank was ordered to meet with the CIA.
Joe saved Tony's pizzeria from foreclosure by selling Iola's diamond engagement ring.
FRANK - THE CIA OFFICE
I am tired of waiting.
The CIA has spent the last 74 minutes watching me. I am "alone" except for the camera in the corner. My face is a mask of false calm.
It looks like a normal conference room, but looks are deceiving. I sit in a chair built to be uncomfortable, that makes my muscles ache. I have a headache from the ceiling lights built to shine in my eyes. The CIA wants me mentally and physically exhausted before we meet.
Bad move. I have been physically and mentally exhausted since Shark kidnapped us . . . since I painted a target on Joe's back. Exhaustion has become a way of life for me. Now I am exhausted and furious.
I keep imagining Shark kidnapping Joe, while I am stuck here playing mind games with the CIA.
If they want to play games, I will play games.
I walk to the head of the conference table and sit down. The chair is comfortable and the lights don't shine in my eyes.
I pull out a computer keyboard under the table and type. A loud bump comes from behind the wall.
Sloppy. Sounds like whoever is watching me just panicked.
Let the games begin.
JOE - THE BANK
I'm tired of waiting.
Ever since we saved the pizzeria, Tony has sat in a chair with his eyes closed. It's only been ten minutes, but in "Joe" time it feels like two hours.
"Prito, you ok?"
"Sorry."
"You're sorry we saved the pizzeria?"
"No."
"Prito, back up. You're making my brain hurt. What's going on?"
"Remember last year, when you helped me build a deck on my house?"
"Yeah. Frank keeps reminding me how you sold your house so you could invest in your retirement."
"I lied. Ever since I bought the pizzeria from my parents, it's been in the red. The first months, I just needed a few hundred dollars to keep the lights on. I pawned some stuff. Figured I'd buy it back in a few months. But things kept getting worse. I sold my plasma.
"At first, I just needed a few hundred dollars for the pizzeria. I pawned some stuff. Figured I would buy it back in a couple months. But things kept getting worse. I sold my plasma, sold my car and then I had to sell my house. "
"Prito, I'm sorry."
"Joe, you didn't do anything wrong."
"Yeah, I did. You went through hell and I didn't notice. Where are you living now?"
"Over the pizzeria."
"So we'll fix up your apartment."
"I don't have an apartment. I sleep on an air mattress in a bare room."
FRANK - CIA OFFICE
Four men and two women walk into the room. They wear dark suits with white shirts. Six agents is meant to intimidate me. It doesn't.
"Have a seat," I say and continue to type.
"Your chair is over there," a gray-haired man says and points to the uncomfortable chair where I first sat
I ignore him and study the agents. I peg the gray-haired man as the one in charge, until I look closer. He wears a black suit that has seen better days. His black shoes are scuffed. Definitely a field agent.
The agents stand together, but there is extra space around a red-haired woman. Her black suit looks professionally tailored. Her haircut looks expensive. This is the agent in charge.
"Bring me up to speed, Ms. Smith," I say to the red-haired woman.
"We are not sharing information," Ms. Smith says.
"You do not have information to share," I say, as I scan the computer screen.
"Frank, you can't bluff me. No one can hack into our computer system."
I hit a few keys. The information on my computer screen fills the white board on the left wall.
"You tracked Shark for the last three years. You assigned an agent to infiltrate Shark's drug organization last year. You found the agent dead two months later. A second agent was given the same mission. You found their body last month."
Agent Smith's eyes widen for a fraction of a second. Good. I need to keep her off balance.
"You planted bugs in Shark's condo and Ferrari. Unfortunately, he has not used either for the past three years."
"We are exploring different options," Ms. Smith says with a glare.
"Are you exploring the option of a clean up mission to scrub this five million dollar failed mission from your books?"
"You just crossed the line. Place him in protective custody."
My phone rings, as the agents walk closer.
"Hardy," I growl and put my phone on speaker.
"You gonna send me the information? My editor has a spot reserved on the front page above the fold."
"Trace it," Agent Smith barks.
"That depends. If I'm held here, you will get a text containing all the info in two minutes."
"That's illegal," Agent Smith says while she glares at me.
"So is holding me without cause."
"But it makes a great story, so what do you say?" My caller asks.
"The call is coming from The New York Times," a female agent says.
"You won this time. But I will get even," Agent Smith says.
"I am leaving the building," I say.
"I have a better chance of winning a Pulitzer if you stay," my caller says.
"If anything happens to me, all information will be forwarded to you immediately," I say in Agent Smith's hearing.
Ten minutes later, I am in my black Lexus driving home.
My secure phone rings.
"Hardy," I growl.
"Did you escape from the FBI?" Phil asks.
"Yes. How did you get into the New York Times building?"
"I delivered a plant to the front desk for the woman who writes the cooking column. I called you on a burner phone from the lobby."
"Thanks. I owe you."
We disconnect.
I don't know what scares me more - the amount of power Agent Smith has or that we outsmarted her with a plant and a burner phone.
JOE - Still at the Bank
"I don't have an apartment. I sleep on an air mattress in a bare room," Tony says.
I can't speak. How did I fail Tony this badly?
"Dude, I want you to hold on to this for me," I say and hand over the 26 in my wallet.
"I can't take this."
"Yeah, you can. It's your payment."
"For what?"
"For listening when I finally talk about buying Iola's wedding and engagement rings."
"Why haven't you talked about it?"
"I bought them after Iola died."
"Mr. Prito, I need you to sign some papers in my office," the bank president says.
"Joe, how are you gonna get home?"
"No worries. I called a ride before we got here."
"Who?"
Biker walks in the bank. He wears black jeans, a black t-shirt and a black leather jacket.
I see a bank clerk about to press the silent alarm button under the counter.
"It's ok! He's with me," I say.
The bank clerk looks unsure, but she doesn't press the alarm button.
"Frank is gonna kill us," Tony says.
"Only if he finds out."
"Yeah, it's not like he's a professional detective or anything. We are dead," Tony says.
I have a bad feeling Tony is right.
"Biker, you look bad," I say.
He is pale with dark circles under his eyes.
"You wanna walk home?" Biker asks.
I follow Biker out of the bank.
He stops in front of a 1998 shiny, black corvette.
I open the driver's door and climb in.
"Nobody drives my car," Biker growls.
"Dude, you're too sick to drive."
"Hardy, I've got a killer headache, my throat is raw and all I want to do is sleep," Biker growls. "Do not mess with me. Get out of the driver's seat."
"Biker, look at this," I say and give him my phone.
"What am I looking at?" Biker asks.
"A picture I just took of three bald spots in the back of your head."
"What happened to my hair?" Biker asks.
"Dude, what happened to your hands?" I ask.
Brown spots cover the palms of Biker's hands.
"You need a doctor."
"No way. I don't have insurance."
"I'll cover it."
"Hardy, I don't take charity."
"Ok. We'll go to the free clinic."
"Forget it," Biker says.
"So, say hello to bald Biker?"
"Shut up, Hardy."
I drive to the free clinic in total silence. Honestly, I'm surprised Biker let me bring me him here. He must be sick.
We walk into the free clinic.
"I'm not some loser who needs charity."
The people sitting in plastic chairs in the waiting area look at Biker angrily.
"Sorry. My friend is here for a mental evaluation," I say.
Biker glares at me.
"Look, one of my friends can't afford health insurance. He and one of his employees come here."
"Tony, right?"
Crap. He guessed right.
"No comment."
"Dude, I know it's Tony. They almost foreclosed on his pizzeria."
"Lots of people working in restaurants don't have health insurance. Karie, the hardest working waitress I know, comes here."*
"She works for Tony, right?"
Sometimes I hate Biker.
"Can we stop talking about Tony?"
"So she does work for him. I knew it."
"Katie works three jobs to make ends meet. Her mom comes here too. She takes care of her parents so she can't work a paying job."
We walk to the check-in desk.
"How much is this gonna cost?" Biker asks.
"Nothing," the nurse says. "Our doctors and nurses volunteer. The Bayport community funds the rest."
Biker fills out forms
"Hardy this is stupid. Don't know why I let you drag me here."
A nurse leads us to an examination room.
"Why aren't you home resting?" Dr. Tager asks.
"Uh…Dr. Tager. I wasn't expecting to see you."
"Clearly, since you aren't home resting."
"I'm going home as soon as Biker gets looked at."
"Biker? You only have one name? Like Elmo?" Dr. Tager asks.
I smile. This is gonna be fun.
"I don't need this," Biker says.
"No doctor, no keys," I say and put Biker's car keys in the pocket of my sweat pants.
"What's wrong with you?" Dr. Tager asks.
Biker doesn't say a word.
"You know those mysterious crop circles people find in fields? Biker has those all over his hands," I say.
"Any other symptoms, Hiker?" Dr. Tager asks as he looks at Biker's hands.
"Biker!" Biker shouts.
"Besides the crop circles, he's crankier than usual and his hair is failing out in the back," I say.
"I'm not cranky!"
"Definitely cranky. I need to run a blood test on Triker," Dr. Tager says.
"Biker!" Biker shouts.
Dr. Tager takes two vials of blood.
"When do I find out what's wrong?" Biker asks.
"Two days."
"You can't pull some strings and find out now?" Biker asks.
"I'm pulling strings to get lab results in two days," Dr. Tager growls.
Biker walks out without saying goodbye.
I run behind him.
"I'm driving," Biker says and grabs the car keys out of my
I am halfway in the passenger seat, when Biker hits the gas pedal. My door slams shut.
"Tell anybody about this, you're dead," Biker says.
"Relax. I never told anybody about your brother before he left."
"I'm glad he left."
"Cuz he's a maniac?"
"No. Cuz one of you was gonna kill the other if he stayed."
"Maybe he left cuz he was scared of me."
"Maybe he left cuz he stole drug money from the Scorpions and they put out a hit on him
Biker pulls up in front of Frank's condo.
"You good?" he asks.
"Yeah. Go home. Get some sleep," I say.
"You got a security alarm?" Biker asks.
"Frank lives here. What do you think?" I ask, as I get out of the car.
"Hardy, you forgot your phone," Biker says.
My phone rings.
"What?" Biker says and pushes the speaker button.
Silence.
"Frank?" I ask.
"Where are you?" Frank asks. Each word is cold and clipped.
"Your condo. I can explain."
Frank disconnects.
FRANK - DRIVING BACK TO HIS CONDO
I hate asking for help. It makes me feel weak and incompetent. The only thing I hate more than asking for help is when someone hurts Joe.
"Siri, call Dad," I say and swallow my pride.
I push the gas pedal down another notch.
Dad's phone rings.
He does not pick up.
Come on, Dad. I need you.
Another ring.
I hold my breath.
Dad has to be there. I need him.
Three rings.
Where is he? What good is leaving me an emergency number if I can't get him in an emergency?
"Hi..."
"Dad?"
"This is Fenton Hardy. I'm away from my office. Leave a message." BEEP
My anger boils over.
"Having you for a dad is like being an orphan. I never know if you are dead or alive. When you come home, I know two things will happen. First, you be gone in a day or two. Second, I will have to clean up your messes. You decided to rebuild Joe's beach cottage, then you left. So now I'm in charge of rebuilding the beach cottage.
I deserve better. If you get this message, don't bother calling back."
Who else can I call for backup?
"Siri, call Sam Radley."
He picks up on the first ring.
"Radley."
"Sam, I need your help. Joe's life is on the line."
It costs me a lot to say those words.
"Sorry, Frank. Your dad is deep undercover. If he needs an emergency extraction, Fenton is calling me. I have to be here."
"Forget it."
I hang up. I don't have time for excuses. I glance at the time. Joe was supposed to check in two hours ago!
"Siri, call Joe."
Joe's phone rings.
"What?" Biker shouts.
Biker? I am too shocked to say anything.
"Frank?" Joe asks.
"Where are you?" I growl.
"Your condo. I can explain…"
I disconnect.
While Joe was hospitalized, I installed a hidden security camera and microphone on my porch. The feed automatically goes to my phone. I forgot to tell Joe.
"Your brother is a real piece of work," Biker shouts and walks on the porch.
"Drop it, Biker," Joe says.
"He hung up on you."
"My brother does that before he says something he will regret."
Joe is right.
"Yeah, cuz hanging up makes you feel a lot better," Biker says.
"I messed up. I told Frank I'd check in two hours ago. He was scared I was hurt, kidnapped or dead."
I was not scared. I was terrified.
"If he hadn't hung up, you could have explained Tony's car died, you called me for a ride, and dragged me to the Bayport Free Clinic to get checked out."
What?
Biker is right. I am a piece of work.
"It doesn't matter! I didn't check in on time. It happens a lot. I don't deserve to work with him."
No. It does not mean that.
"Everybody makes mistakes," Biker says.
Listen to Biker, Joe.
"Nobody makes as many mistakes as me. I'm holding Frank back."
"Hardy, your brother does what he wants. If Frank a wanted a different job, he would get one."
That is true. I have never wanted to work with anyone but Joe. I trust him.
"Maybe Frank can't get a different job because he has to babysit me."
"Really? You just saved his life by keeping him from climbing into his burning car. Sounds like you were babysitting him."
"Biker, Frank told me to wait in the car. I didn't tell him I left. So it's my fault - again. I didn't check in."
"Whoa. Let me get this straight. You'd weren't killed in a car bomb and it's your fault?"
I step on the gas pedal. When Joe starts blaming himself for everything it is a bad sign. Keep him talking, Biker.
"Biker, you don't understand. I'm giving Frank an early Christmas gift. I'm leaving. If I vanish, Frank can live his life without me holding him back."
What? Where did that come from? I should have cancelled the CIA meeting and taken Joe back to the condo.
"Great idea, Hardy. Running away will solve all your problems."
I know Joe is hurting when I see him limp up the porch steps. Joe gets inches from Biker's face.
"I'm not running away."
Are they going to fight?
"Really? You have problems you won't face. You plan on vanishing. You are a coward, Hardy."
"Biker, go home."
Joe limps to the front door, unlocks it and slams it in Biker's face.
I see Biker get off my porch. Seconds later I hear tires squeal as Biker leaves.
"Delivery," someone shouts.
"Leave it on the porch," Joe shouts.
"Gotta sign for it."
The voice sounds familiar.
"Forget it."
"Lots of things get lost at headquarters."
"Whose name is on the package?"
"Frank Hardy."
"Yeah, take it back."
I know Joe is hurting.
I hear a metal clink and the sound of the door opening.
"What are you doing in my house?" Joe asks.
"It's called payback."
I know that voice. Shark.
I have no time, no plan and no help.
The only thing I have is the element of surprise.
I hit the gas, aim for my condo and drive through my living room wall.
"
Joe hurting forget it leave it get it later
Gotta sign for it
Not happening today
JOE
MAD WHAT AM I 10? SNEAKING AROUND WITH A FRIEND? SO WHAT IF FRANK HATES BIKER? I HATE SOME OF FRANK'S FRIENDS BUT I STILL LET HIM CHOOSE THEM.
GLANCE AT THE TIME. CHECK IN.
How I worry when Frank doesn't check in
START HERE*
do not want my thoughts and feelings spillling out of my mouth. the call before I say something that will hurt Joe.
I do not want Joe to explain. I want a partner. Someone I can count on to check in on time, to do what they say and to have my back.
Where are you? Are you ok? Why didn't you call?
I thinkhim to be a normal partner. Someone I can trust to check in on schedule. call when they say they will. Someone who I can depend on to do what they say.am not in the mood to hear excuses.
Am I angry at Joe because he just got to my condo? Am I mad because Biker is there? Or am I jealous?
I drive down a dirt road that leads to my condo.
Suddenly a black Corvette, coming the opposite way, pulls across the road.
I slam on my brakes. I turn to avoid hitting the car and end up hitting a tree.
"Are you insane!" I shout as I get out of my car.
"We need to talk," Biker growls.
2 Top 20 Body Language Indicators, , Joseph Hindy,
CHAPTER END BUT KEEP DRAFT WRITING
Chap 31
BIKER AND FRANK
What does Biker say?
Don't ask much
Bad brother - I know cuz I have one
Can't talk to/ My way or the highway
Yeah, things didn't go according to yr
Schedule
The look on Joe's face
Disappointed you, You shut him out
Now I understand why Joe nvr told you
NVR told me what?
Hardy, you created his biggest monster
In high school he didn't want to disappoint you
What are you talking about?
I'm saying maybe he found me cuz you weren't doing your job
Biker gets In car and drives away
Worry. I shut Joe out. Did he shut me out too?
JOE REACTION
Feelings let down Frank
happens a lot
how do I explain
get phone to text him don't know what to text,
Go upstairs, live in brother's house
Sorry, I messed up…again
Tell Frank You can trust me…and I trash it
Does he trust me enuf to be his partner
Do I trust me enuf to be his partner
FRANK HOME
"Joe?"
Phone tossed on kitchen table
Skid mark in driveway
Joe asleep on top of bed
Tang purrs loudly, curled up next to Joe.
Bats sits on headboard like a gargoyle watching.
When I come in Bats spits/hisses at me.
How comfortable Joe looks relaxed, arm over head.
Banged up. Bruises/cuts, I put there. Not counting mental bruises I caused today
Does Frank apologize to Joe while his brother is sleeping?
Does Frank cover Joe with blanket
Go downstairs hear Joe's phone
Joe's cell phone rings
Frank answers
Hello?
Is this Joe Hardy's phone?
Uh…
This is the Bayport Community Clinic
You tested positive for syphillis. Appt for treatment?
Uh
Any questions?
No. I'll schedule later.
Don't wait. Symptoms catch up/damage
Frank look up no spleen and syphillis
Gourmet cook? Throw on chicken soup?
Chopping vegetables feels good, get out aggression
Tang sniffs of water in her bowl. Ignores. I cut chicken in strips and sautee in frying pan.
Go to rinse off cutting board in sink, I can't. Tang sitting in the sink. in the sink.
Tang comes down, turns on faucet, takes a drink and leaves faucet on.]gffhgf mom.
Ok. Call later.
y w
FRANK PICKS UP JOE'S RINGING PHONE N GETS MESSAGE JOE HAS SYPHILLIS
FIND OUT X IN AREA
JOE HAS A TALK W BIKER THAT FRANK OVERHEARS. TEACHER - BULLY
TELLS BIKER NOT HAVE MY BROTHER COLLATERAL DAMAGE BECAUSEE YOU ARE BACK IN TOWN
TANG DRAGGING STUFF INTO FRANK'S ROOM. JOE SEES BUT DOESN'T STOP
WHEN HE DRAGS INTO FRANK'S ROOM
YOUR FAULT, FRANK. NVR SPEND TIME WITH HIM, SO TANG IS HANGING OUT WHERE YOU ARE
INSURANCE AGENT FUN W OLDER BROTHER INSURANCE AGENT W ULCERS
BIKER OLDER BROTHERS BAD NEWS
NO. YR BROTHER BAD NEWS. MINE ISN'T. CHOOSE HAVING YOU AS A FRIEND OR FRANK NOT HURT - CHOOSE FRANK.
BIG BROTHER BEST FRIEND, PROTECTOR, TELL STORY OF BULLY IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, ONE YOU GO WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ANYBODY ELSE TO GO TO. WHEN YOU ARE HANGING OFF A CLIFF AND. NOBODY ELSE WILL LISTEN
END CHAP W FRANK DRIVE CAR INTO CONDO, GET SHARK, HAMMER OUT DETAILS LATER
DON'T WANT HIM HURT, MADE FUN OF, TREAT HIM BADLY, DON'T WANT YOU TELLING HIM THINGS I HAVEN'T TOLD HIM
JOE
ago."
"I…"
Before I can explain, Frank disconnects.
FRANK
I drive back to the condo on an old dirt road. When I turn a curve, I see a black corvette blocking the road.
I get out of my car slowly.
Biker steps into the road.
"What are you doing here?" I ask.
"You know
You were gone a lot when Joe and I were kids. We knew you were working on a case. Now I need you to respect Joe and I are working on a case.
"Frank, I didn't mean to order you."
"Dad, you never ask us to work on a case. You tell us where you need us ASAP."
"I didn't realize I did that."
Uncomfortable silence I refuse to fill.
we aWhen I was in high school helping you on a case was fun
JOE
Look, I get it. You wanna keep him. I say as Tang drops the mouse and positions himself between me and the mouse.
But it doesn't work that way. How would you feel if you couldn't see Bats?
Tang backs closer to the mouse and spits at me.
"I see you have the situation under control," Frank says.
"I'm making progress."
"Five minutes," Frank says, as he unwraps a mousetrap and walks out of the room.
"Look, let's make a deal. Keep your pet outside like the Fentster's dog that barks all night."
Tang looks at me.
"Three minutes," Frank shouts.
Tang gently licks the mouse on the head. He takes the mouse in his mouth, carries it to the cat door and drops the mouse outside.
pushes the mouse outside. the mouse in his mouth. He walks
You can keep it outside of the house. It lives with Mickey and the rest of its family. You live with Bats.
, as he leaves the room.
"What are you
"Joe, cats kill mice. They do not bring them inside to play."
you see Bats?
FUNNY SCENE W INSURANCE GUYS N FRANK'S NEW LEXUS
"Kinda worried about Dad. He usually calls but…."
Way to go. Dad calls, you tell him off and leave Joe wondering if Dad is still alive.
"Dad called yesterday. Sorry I didn't tell you."
"What's wrong?" Joe asks.
"Nothing."
"Right. You always tell me when Dad calls. This time was different."
"He wanted us to fly to Paris."
"When are we leaving?"
"We're not."
"But we always go. I'll rest once we get there."
"No."
Joe stares at me. How can my younger brother crack me in interrogation so quickly?
No. Dad has been gone a long time. Usually he checks in with you…."
"He did. Dad called me two days ago. Sorry, I didn't tell you."
coffin because I failed him.
"
Frank freaks out cuz he thinks Joe has it
My fault. Wasn't around enough. Didn't talk enough about.
Frank grabs Joe's arms.
"Don't you realize how serious this is?"
Joe look away.
"I don't have it. I'm still….I've never…."
Joe blush.
I let go of Joe. He is a virgin.
"Think less of me."
"No.
Yeah.
Biker fills out forms
Usually results 7 - 10 days. Tager calls in favor and gets results immediately.
He has three bald patches the size of quarters.
"What
I dial a number I thought I never would. What Frank doesn't know won't get me in trouble.
FRANK MEETING
THEY HAVENT caught shark, but don't want Frank to make any moves
Frank explodes, then Dad call
Biker looks bad Joe takes to clinic w Dr. Tager Check name
Few days later, Frank home picks. up Joe's ringing phone and hears he has syphillis
Joe says not him, took a friend. to the. Clinic
None. of our friends look sick
Trust me?
Not when your health on the line??
What kind of friend leaves your phone number at clinic? Biker.
Frank guesses..
Go to clinic and find out how to notify people.
What are effects of child abuse?
ever wanted to spend the rest of my
What's really funny, I bought these three years after Iola died. Frank and I got a big FBI reward for catching one of their Most Wanted.
I spent my money pretending Iola was alive. I bought the rings after she died. But nobody needs to know that
"
just bared my soul to you. Why does there
but by what? I may never know. sleeps by my hospital bed. He looks rough. Dark circles under his eyes, unshaven and he's wearing wrinkled clothes.
Feel guilty keeping him here. I like knowing he's here. But I feel like a kid who needs a nightlight to go to sleep.
I reach for the glass on the tray next to my bed. It spills and falls on the floor.
Frank wakes up, stands up, grabs his gun and aims at me.
"Joe?"
"Yeah. Maybe you should try decaf."
Frank puts his gun back in his shoulder holster. His phone rings. I pick it up.
"Hardy," I say and put it on speaker.
"Frank, I'm Special Agent Williams with the FBI."
"What do you want?" I ask.
Frank glares at me, but keeps quiet.
"I'd like you to come to a briefing on Shark alias Stingray and Piranha."
"Guy really likes fish," I mumble.
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing. I'll be there."
"No. I won't," Frank says.
"Yes, you will," I say.
"I'm not leaving you alone while Shark is at large trying to kill you."
"Frank, If you don't get info from the briefing, how can you protect me?"
JOE
I set Frank's security alarm at the condo and drag myself to the couch.
I hate hospitals. I always have, but since Iola died my fear of hospitals has gotten harder to hide.
Told Frank I needed to rest to get out of the CIA meeting. Truth is I had to get out of the hospital before I cracked.
Too many flashbacks of losing Iola. Too many nightmares. Too many panic attacks.
Too many times I had to hide it from Frank.
I carefully lower myself onto the couch. I can do this when I'm alone. I collapse on the couch and shut my eyes. I'm scared to fall asleep, but too exhausted to stay awake.
I am back at the mall. I'm chasing someone, but I can't reach them.
Too out of breath to yell. Where is Frank?
A car explodes. I run to the flames. Ignoring the smoke, I pull out a body. Dad?
Half awake, I hear the condo's front door open. Frank enters. His back Is to me while he resets the alarm system.
I calm my breathing. I flick the lamp on the end table off. Easier if Frank can't see me trying to hold it together.
Tang walks over, sits on my blue comforter and purrs. I feel my blood pressure dropping.
Frank throws his keys in a dish and walks into the kitchen.
I forgot he was mad I called Biker for a ride home.
"D-did you hear from Dad?" I ask.
"Yes. He called me when I was driving here."
"He always calls you," I mutter.
"I always have my phone."
"Yeah, I know. I forget my phone a lot. But if dad called me sometimes, maybe I'd try harder to remember it."
"I hung up on him, so maybe next time dad will call you."
FRANK
"Frank, you hung up on Dad?" Joe asks.
"Don't worry. He called back."
"Where are we going?" Joe asks.
"Nowhere."
"I don't get it. Dad always wants us to fly somewhere and help him with a case. Oh, I get it. You are going alone cuz I'm collateral damage right now."
My heart sinks. Is that how Joe thinks of himself - just a body to be used on detective work?
0
Frank shared the info he hacked from the CIA with me. Shark is wanted by Interpol for
It's a
"Uh…ok.
BIKER LOOKS SICK fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, rash not itchy, wartlike sore, hair loss mayo clinic
BIKER SAID HE TOLD YOU HIS BROTHER ESCAPED, ANY REASON YOU DIDN'T TELL ME
FRANK, HE TOLD ME FIVE MINS BEFORE YOUR CAR EXPLODED. GONNA TELL YOU
FRANK GETS FBI BRIEFING IN JOE'S ROOM
1 Eight Hilarious Medical Pranks and Jokes, , dangerismycat, Oct. 1, 2015
2 Syphillis, CDC Fact Sheet
3 . I don't own them. They just sum up Joe's personality.
4 The CIA's Missing Family Jewels Document, Dark Docs, You Tube
Surprising Facts About Free Clinics, Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic, Carrie Moores, 1/30/2021
Biker
What happens next?
1. Does Joe remember Frank?
a. Yes
b. Joe nightmares/night terrors
c. Frank tells Joe he/Frank has nightmares
2.Frank pays Biker's bail n sets him up w/ his personal atty and will pay his fees
3. How to track down where piece of bomb
Was bought/made? FBI/crime lab or Phil?
4.Frank needs to see FBI but wants to drive Joe home from hospital, Joe says he wants this guy caught
5. Tony takes Joe home in clunker of a car
Joe finds 2/3rd/foreclosure notice in car, lets Tony drive Mustang, Biker hauls/tows Tony's car to garage. Joe promises to work on no charge. Joe sees rash on Biker. CHECK OTHER SYMPTOMS
6. FBI tells Frank how dangerous Shark is and where they will put him if caught - Superman prison
7. Joe takes Tony to bank n shows engagement ring
8. Frank sees counselor
9. Tony background in construction, asks to oversee Joe's beach cottage reconstruction and has him tour the cottage - Tony catches mistakes
10. Frank drives car into his condo cuz Shark has Joe
2. Tony drives Joe to condo, in old beater car, Joe finds bill overdue in car
3. Frank tells Joe to rest, no keys, no car, just one heavy duty security system
4. Joe calls taxi, goes to Tony's for Pizza finds out re: foreclosure.
2. Biker
a. Calls Joe for a ride
b. Joe gives Biker and his girlfriend a ride
c. Joe stops at flower shop to pick up\Then
d. Bikers friend wants flowers
e. Biker gets a cheap bouquet w daisies
f. Joe get bouquet of red roses In crystal vase
3. Frank and Biker work together re: Russ and Shark
Grammar guide
In vs Into
"The difference is … movement. Into is used when something or someone is going or being put into another location."
Tang is dragging a dead fish into Frank's bedroom.
"In is used to describe when something or someone already is."
Joe was in the garage putting antlers on Frank's Lexus.
Frank has to take driver safety class cuz so many cars destroyed, in class w high school/college kids and deadbeats