"Why didn't you tell me?!" he shouted at her. "How could you keep something like this from me?"
"Because Joe was afraid you would do something stupid," Callie told him. "He didn't want you to end up in jail because of him."
"He was trying to protect me?" Frank asked, shaking his head. "Stupid kid," Frank said affectionately.
"What are you going to do?" Callie asked him.
"First I'm going to find Joe," Frank said. "Then we are going home to talk to Dad," he told her. "You're right. If I get near Johnson, I probably will kill him," he added, his brown eyes hard as steel.
Back inside the school, Frank spotted Joe heading down to the gymnasium. Frank told Callie he'd call her and took off after Joe. He had almost caught up with Joe when he saw an arm reach out and take hold of Joe's arm, pulling him into a classroom. The door closed as soon as Joe crossed the threshold.
Frank ran the last few steps and pushed the door open. Mr. Johnson stood there with one hand on Joe's cheek and the other on his arm. Joe looked like he was about to be sick and it took every ounce of self-control Frank possessed not to run over and knock the teacher through the window.
"Hey Joe," Frank said, then paused, acting surprised to see Mr. Johnson in the room with him. Mr. Johnson quickly released Joe and took a step back.
"Who are you?" Mr. Johnson inquired.
"Frank Hardy," Frank said. "I'm Joe's brother. If you're through with him, I need to talk to him," Frank said trying to sound innocent.
"Of course," Mr. Johnson replied. "I'll expect you for your tutoring session?" he asked Joe.
Joe looked at Frank and gave a slight nod. Now it was Frank's turn to feel sick to his stomach. Mr. Johnson left the room and Frank closed the door behind him. Joe started to leave, but Frank stepped in front of the door, blocking Joe's path.
"We need to talk," Frank said.
"You have nothing I want to hear," Joe replied.
"Then you talk," Frank said, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at Joe with a worried expression. "What is Johnson up to?"
"What do you care?" Joe snarled, trying to brush past Frank.
"I'm sorry," Frank said, grabbing Joe's arm. "I made a big mistake. I admit it. Now talk to me," he ordered Joe. "Something is wrong and I want to know what."
"Getting bored without a mystery to solve?" Joe sneered.
"I don't care if I never solve another mystery as long as I live," Frank said honestly, staring Joe in the eyes. "I want my brother back."
Joe looked at the conviction in Frank's eyes and knew he was telling the truth. Frank really did care more about him than mysteries. "It...it's nothing," Joe said. "I can handle it."
"Not by yourself you can't," Frank argued.
"You think I can't do anything without you?" Joe demanded angrily.
"That's not it and you know it," Frank told him. "I would have to be blind not to notice something is going on between you and Johnson," he continued. "Now spill it."
"There's nothing to spill," Joe insisted. "He ...he's helping me pass."
"Yeah, but not history," Frank said, not caring to hide the fact that he knew what was really going on.
Joe looked startled. "How did you find out?" he asked.
"Biff and Callie," Frank told him. "Although, it took a lot of effort," he added, not wanting his brother to be mad at them. "They're worried about you. So am I," he added softly. "Last night, you said you nearly did something that would have destroyed your self-respect. Tell me."
Joe looked at his feet and shook his head.
"I..I know whatever it was... was because of what I said to you," Frank said, obviously shaken. "And I thank God that Biff was watching out for you. But you have to level with me. I want to help and I can't if I don't know everything."
Joe looked up at Frank for a brief second, but that was long enough for Frank to see that his brother was crying. "Talk to me," Frank begged. "Please." So Joe told Frank about Johnson's pass at Joe after his exam and Callie cheating off of him and the quiz he had just taken. When he had finished, Frank stood there, his face pale, his breathing labored.
He took Joe in his arms and hugged him. "Listen to me," he said, pulling back and taking Joe's face in his hands. "This isn't your fault. You haven't done anything to deserve this." Joe looked at Frank, his blue eyes still pleading for forgiveness for something he hadn't done. "You have to believe me," Frank insisted. "Johnson is nothing more than a low life pervert. You had nothing to do with his ultimatum."
"But I went," Joe whispered.
"Because of me," Frank reminded him, crying himself. "If either of us is to blame, it's me. I'm so, so sorry baby brother." He pulled Joe to him again and squeezed him tight. "I'll make it up to you," he said. "I promise."
"Frank, no," Joe begged. "You can't do something stupid."
"I won't," Frank promised. "No matter how much I would love too. We've got to see Dad," he said. "Dad will know how to handle this."
Joe shook his head and told Frank about trying to talk to dad when it had first happened. "He didn't know," Frank said in their father's defense. "He would never let anyone do this to you."
"But he did," Joe said softly.
"And so did I," Frank added, not loud enough for Joe to hear. "Look, we'll go talk to Dad together," Frank said. "Johnson will be history in no time."
Joe made a face. "Bad pun," he commented.
"But accurate," Frank pointed out as the bell ending class rang.
"Great," Joe moaned. "Now I'm skipping classes."
"Don't worry about it," Frank told him. "Let's get to lunch," he added. "We'll talk to Dad as soon as school is over."
"I think I'll skip lunch," Joe said. "I'm not hungry. I'll just go to the library until my next class."
"I'll come with you," Frank offered.
"No," Joe said, shaking his head. "I'm okay, really. I actually feel better now than I have since Johnson first started harassing me."
"Okay then," Frank agreed and watched Joe leave the room. He left the room a little later and headed down the hall. He wasn't hungry either and decided not to waste his time in the lunch room.
"Attention! Everyone, may I have your attention please?" the principal's voice boomed over the intercom later that afternoon. "I know this is the last class of the day and you are all anxious to go home. However," this word was met with hundreds of groans from all occupied classrooms. "However," the voice continued, "the school day will run a bit longer than normal. There has been an incident in one of the teacher's offices and the police have requested that no one leave the premises until after they have secured the scene. Please be patient and stay in your current location until further notice. Thank you." There was a moment's silence and then one more announcement. "Would Frank and Joe Hardy please report to the office. Frank and Joe Hardy, please report to the office."
The boys met up outside the office door. Principal Dylan met them and led them down the hallway to Mr. Johnson's office. "I know you boys are experienced in solving mysteries," Principal Dylan said. "Perhaps you could help the police find the person who murdered Mr. Johnson," he added, opening the door and going inside.
Frank and Joe froze at the entrance. Joe looked at Frank who refused to meet his eyes. Had Frank killed Johnson to protect him?