Frank closed his eyes and swallowed. Obviously, Joe had been kidnapped or worse. "Did you..." Frank started to ask if he had seen the driver when Joe's voice rang out from the kitchen.

"He's here," Frank said. "I'll have him call you back after dinner," he added, hanging up as Joe came into the living room.

"Where have you been?" Frank stormed at Joe.

"Geez! Chill," Joe ordered defensively. "What's your snitch?" he demanded.

"You're late!" Frank told him. "You told Mom thirty minutes."

"And I'm only ten minutes late," Joe pointed out. "What's the big deal?"

"We were worried," said Mrs. Hardy, standing up and coming over to Joe. She started to give him a hug but stopped when she saw grass on him. "Where were you?" she asked, curiously.

"I started to the park but Mr. Clemmens was starting to mow his lawn and with Mrs. Clemmens in the hospital, I thought I should stop and help," Joe explained.

Mrs. Hardy smiled at him. "That was very thoughtful of you, dear," she said, watching her son shrug off his good deed. "Run upstairs and get showered and changed," she ordered. "Frank and I will get dinner on the table."

"And after dinner, you need to call Biff," Frank added. "He's called twice." Joe nodded and took off up the stairs.

"Come on," Mrs. Hardy told Frank. "Help me put everything in the oven to heat it up again," she ordered leading the way into the kitchen.

When Joe returned fifteen minutes later, he helped put everything back out and the three sat down to dinner. "When's dad coming home?" Joe asked as he poured himself a glass of milk.

"He said he should be home in a day or two," Mrs. Hardy replied. "He promised to take a couple of weeks off when he got here too," she added and the boys knew their mother had something to do with the promise.

"Now, why were you so upset over Joe being gone when you got home?" Mrs. Hardy demanded of Frank.

"And where did you go?" Joe asked with the lift of a brow.

Frank told them about Principal Dylan's call; their conversation; and the truck. "Are you sure you're okay?" Mrs. Hardy asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"I'm fine, Mom," Frank assured her. "Joe's the one in real danger."

"And the other contestants," Joe added, a frown on his face.

"What is it?" Frank asked, knowing Joe felt he was on to something.

"If none of the contestants know about the trip and cash prize then that can't be the motive for eliminating contestants," Joe stated.

"You're right," Frank agreed, frowning. "Then why is someone taking a chance on killing these kids?" he asked, thoughtfully. A question that went unanswered as they finished their meal.

"You'd better call Biff," Mrs. Hardy said to Joe after they had finished eating.

"Hey!" Frank said, his eyes brightening. "Ask him if he saw the driver of that truck," he instructed Joe who nodded his agreement then trotted off to the living room to make the call while Frank stayed to help with the dishes.

"Joe! I've been trying to reach you," Biff said when he answered. "Do you have any plans for tonight?"

"Not really," Joe answered. "We've got a new case but it's too late tonight to do anything. Why?"

"My cousin, Annie, is in town and, well....." Biff stumbled for the right thing to say.

"Forget it pal," Joe told him. "Vanessa would kill me."

"Oh, no, it's not like that," Biff hurriedly assured Joe. "Her birthday is tomorrow and mom and dad are spiffing the place up tonight. Annie wasn't supposed to get here until tomorrow, so now I've got to keep her occupied until I can drop her off at my grandparents later tonight. Grandma and grandpa are helping to get the place ready."

"So why do you need me?" Joe asked. "Take her to a movie."

"And if she doesn't want to go?" Biff demanded. "Look, she's always wanting to meet my friends and you're my best friend," he begged.

"All right," Joe gave in laughing.

"Great! I'll pick you up in twenty minutes and we'll meet her plane. Thanks Joe!" Biff enthused.

"Hold it!" Joe shouted before Biff could hang up. "Frank wanted to know if you saw who was driving the green truck he asked you about earlier."

"I guess I did but I didn't pay much attention," Biff admitted. "All I could tell you was that it was an older guy."

"How old?" asked Joe.

"Maybe in his forties," Biff answered. "I'm not sure."

"Ok, thanks," Joe said hanging up. He turned to Frank and started to relay the information but was halted by the ringing of the phone.

"Hello," Joe said, picking it up. "Oh, hi Con," he said and listened a bit more. "Frank will be right over," he promised, hanging up the phone.

"Over where?" demanded Frank when Joe turned around.

"Shore Road," answered Joe. "Up near the cliffs," he added. "Your green truck was found abandoned," he explained. "You'll have to go alone," he added and told him about promising to help Biff.

"What about the driver?" demanded Frank.

"All Biff noticed was the guy might have been in his forties," answered Joe.

"Well at least it's not one of the contestants," Frank said. "Be careful," he begged Joe.

"Relax," Joe reassured his brother. "What could happen with Biff around?" he asked grinning. "Biff's muscles have muscles."

Frank left before Biff arrived and drove to Shore Road. He pulled to a stop behind a squad car. "Just in time," Con said watching Frank get out of the boys' van and come over. "Forensics just finished," he told Frank.

"Did you find out who owns it?" Frank asked.

"It was reported stolen by a Michael Wilson three days ago," Con told him. "He lives at 743 Corbin Drive in East Bridge."

"That's where the first attack was," Frank commented thoughtfully.

Con nodded. Frank had told him about the "accidents" when he had stopped by and filed a report on his own accident.

"Why didn't Joe come with you?" Con inquired. Frank told Con about Joe's plans for the evening.

Con broke out laughing. "Poor Joe," he said. "He gets tongue tied around older women."

"Yeah," Frank agreed grinning. "Biff should be ready to scream by the time this night is over."

Joe and Biff arrived at the airport in time to hear Annie's plane being announced. "What are we going to do first?" Biff hissed standing near the gate where the passengers were to unload.

"Why are you so nervous?" demanded Joe grinning at his friend.

"Because my cousin would make mincemeat out of your Aunt Gertrude," Biff answered.

"No way!" Joe argued. His father's sister, Gertrude Hardy came across as a strict, stubborn woman who was set in her ways and demanded everyone behave properly at all times in her presence. Joe swallowed nervously at the thought of someone worse than his aunt then laughed at himself as he remembered what a charade it all was. His aunt was considerate and went out of her way to treat him and Frank with the affection she felt their dad neglected to give them.

"Here she comes," Biff muttered.

Joe looked over and saw two women emerging from the doorway. "Which one?" he asked, his eyes on the woman with her hair up in a bun, wearing a dress that stopped just below her knees.

"The one with the crew cut," Biff whispered back, smiling brightly as she came nearer. A strangled noise came from Joe's throat that he quickly hid by coughing.

"Are you all right?" Biff's cousin asked Joe as she came to a stop by the boys.

"Yes, Ma'am," Joe replied looking at the auburn-haired woman who stood eye to eye with him. Her six-foot frame was packed into an Army Officer's outfit and her icy blue eyes stared into Joe's questioningly.

"Annie, this is Joe Hardy. Joe, my cousin, Annie Hooper," Biff introduced the two.

"Pleased to meet you Lieutenant Hooper," Joe said, holding out his hand.

"Don't be so formal," Annie said taking Joe's hand and smiling at him. "I'm on leave. You can call me Annie," she whispered in a conspiratorial tone. She leaned over and kissed Biff's cheek. "So how's my favorite young cousin?" she asked him.

"I'm here," Biff answered, looking at her curiously. "You seem different," he said.

Annie laughed. "Probably because the last two times you saw me I was in front of my commanding officer. Now, I'm off duty for two weeks and plan to have some fun."

"I think we can make that happen," Biff replied grinning at Annie. "I'll grab your bags and we'll be off."

"I've got my gear," Annie told him holding up her duffel. "Lead on," she ordered.

"Let me take that," offered Joe politely.

"That's okay," she said smiling at him. "I'm used to it."

They made their way out to Biff's van and climbed inside. "I guess you two are going to drop me off at gramps," she said. "What are you two planning on doing tonight?"

"We three," Joe said stressing the number, "are going to the amusement park. You said you were ready for some fun so let's check out Cowboy Bob's Wild West Adventure Theme Park," he suggested.

"Isn't it too late for that?" Annie demanded looking at Joe questioningly.

"It doesn't close for three more hours," Biff answered for Joe. "And anyone who buys a ticket after five pm gets in tomorrow for free," he added.

"That sounds great," Annie agreed. "But I had better stop off and change into civvies first."

"But that's all the way at the other end of town," complained Biff.

"Let's stop at Barney's Burgers," Joe said. "You can change in the ladies room and we might get to the park in time for the next clog show."

"I'm game," Annie said. Five minutes later, Biff pulled into the parking lot at Barney's Burgers.

"Want anything?" Biff asked Annie as the three of them got out.

"Burger, fries and a chocolate shake," she told him, pulling her duffel out of the van. "I'll meet you back here in ten," she added, taking off.

Joe and Biff went inside and got in line. "Thanks, man," Biff said as they waited. "You're a lifesaver."

"Hey, you've really saved my life," Joe retorted with a grin. "More times than I care to remember."

"Speaking of which," Biff said, frowning. "What was with Frank and the green truck?"

Joe looked around and shook his head. "Too crowded," he said. "I'll fill you in later," he promised.

"Okay," Biff said. "Then tell me why you were called to the office today?" Grinning, Joe told Biff about the upcoming tournament.

"Well all right!" Biff shouted, throwing up a hand and exchanging a high five with Joe.

"This is taking forever," Joe said looking at his watch.

"Yeah. Why don't you go on out to the van with Annie and wait?" Biff suggested. "I'll bring the grub as soon as I can."

"Deal," Joe agreed and headed out. He stepped outside and saw Annie wearing jeans and a tee shirt standing by Biff's van. "Hey!" he yelled, getting her attention as he started across the parking lot.

Annie looked over at Joe as he started across. Her eyes went wide as she screamed, "Look out!" Joe turned his head as he heard a car approaching. Instead of slowing down as it neared him, the car sped up.