"That's not it!" Frank shouted back, slamming Joe's bedroom door to mute the noise.
Downstairs, Mrs. Hardy looked up anxiously. "Maybe we should.." she began.
"No," Mr. Hardy prevented her from finishing the suggestion. "They have to work this out themselves." His wife bit her lip, but picked up a magazine and tried to ignore the commotion from upstairs.
"Then say what you have to say and get out!" Joe yelled, throwing his arm back over his eyes. "I really don't feel like talking right now."
"I love you!" Frank shouted, causing Joe to move his arm again and look at him in shock. "I love you," Frank repeated but softer than before. "I don't know what the problem has been but you were right when you told Biff we hadn't really been communicating recently. I don't want that. You're my brother by birth but you're my best friend by choice."
"Then why?" Joe asked in a small voice. "Why did you turn on me yesterday?"
"I was jealous of you," Frank admitted.
"Huh?" Joe asked in shocked disbelief. "Why would you ever be jealous of me? You're so much better than I am."
"Where did you get a crazy idea like that?" Frank demanded, going over and sitting down on the bed beside Joe.
"You're a straight A student. You always say and do the right thing. You're the best-dressed student at Bayport High and were voted most likely to succeed. You always finish everything you start and you.." he broke off.
"And I what?" Frank urged him to continue.
"And you are dad's favorite," Joe answered.
"Is that what you think?" Frank questioned, not believing Joe could think such a thing.
"It's what I know," Joe replied. "I'm okay with it, honest," he told Frank. "I've gotten used to it. But you always gave me what Dad never did. You always looked out for me. I used to think you cared more about me than mom and dad put together," he added softly.
"I did," Frank said, pushing a stray strand of hair from Joe's eyes. "And I still do. No one could care more for you than I do. I don't know what came over me yesterday. I didn't mean any of it," he continued. "I've always been envious of the way you can take charge of any conversation. The way you can get almost anyone to do what you want just by smiling at them. I thought Callie was the only girl at Bayport High to not go crazy over you. And when I heard you two saying I mustn't find out, well, I thought no one was safe from your charm."
"Callie doesn't like me that way," Joe told him.
"I know," Frank said. "It was my insecurity talking. I really am sorry," Frank said.
"Me too," Joe added, sitting up and grabbing Frank. They shared a big hug and then Joe sank back onto the bed. "About Biff..." he started.
"Yeah, about Biff," Frank agreed. "Are you okay with your friendship?" Frank asked. "I mean, since Johnson tried to um," he stopped, trying to think of the right thing to say.
"I don't think Biff would ever hurt me," Joe told him. "He has always been a good friend."
"You really are okay?" Frank asked in concern.
Joe looked at Frank, his eyes once again filled with worry. "About Johnson," he began.
"He deserved to die," Frank said gruffly.
"You didn't?" Joe asked, half in shock, his eyes filling with fear.
"No!" Frank shouted. "I wanted to though," he admitted honestly. "And I'm not sorry he's dead."
"Me either," Joe admitted, "but I didn't kill him either."
Frank let a relieved sigh slip out. Joe grinned. "You thought I had done it," he observed. "I wasn't sure about you either. I guess we really don't know each other."
"Yes we do," Frank disagreed with him. "We just lost touch for awhile. But that's going to change," he asserted. "Starting now. Are you sleepy?" Joe shook his head. "Me either," Frank replied. "How about we start with your telling me about your plans for when I'm in college?"
"Breakfast is almost ready," Mrs. Hardy said, peeping in her husband's office the next morning. "You get Frank and I'll get Joe?"
They walked down the hall together and Mr. Hardy stopped at Frank's door and gently knocked before opening the door. "He's not there," he said, going down to Joe's door where Laura had just rapped on the door. She pushed the door open and smiled over at her husband who peered into the room. Frank had fallen asleep on Joe's bed. Joe's head was laying on Frank's chest. Both of them were still wearing the clothes they had been wearing the night before.
"Hey you two," Mrs. Hardy said as Fenton went over and shook the boys. Frank opened one eye and peered up at his dad while Joe just groaned and snuggled deeper into the crook of Frank's arm. "Breakfast in fifteen minutes," Mrs. Hardy told them before going back downstairs.
"You two okay?" Mr. Hardy asked.
"Yeah," Frank replied quietly, knowing Joe was asleep again. "Dad, you have to talk to Joe. He thinks I'm your favorite."
"That's ridiculous!" Mr. Hardy thundered. "I love you both equally."
"Really?" Joe mumbled, having been woken up by his dad's roar.
"Really," Mr. Hardy asserted in a stern voice staring down at his youngest son in shock. "Why would you ever think such a thing?" he demanded.
Sitting up, Joe shrugged his shoulders but never answered. Mr. Hardy bent down and gave Joe a hug. "I know I've been rough on you," he said. "But I want you to be everything you can be. I know you're bright and intelligent," he continued. "I want you to know it too. I love you," he added. "Don't ever doubt that."
"I love you too," Joe told him, smiling.
"You know, I never knew how much I missed your smile until the past few days when you never," Mr. Hardy said, smiling back at his son in relief. "I promise to always listen to you from now on, even if you only want to tell me about the weather."
Joe laughed and got off the bed, stretching. "One of you had better use the shower in our room," Mr. Hardy continued. "Or you'll be late to see Sergeant Talbolt this morning."
When the boys arrived at school they met Talbolt on the steps. They continued inside to the principal's office where Principal Dylan left them alone to discuss the case. "I have two possibles," Talbolt told them as they sat down. "Nathan Little, his grades were mediocre until Johnson arrived and then he began pulling in A's and B's. Also, Patrick Caudill," he added. "His grades were also average but when Johnson began teaching they dived to F's."
"Patrick is in my homeroom," Frank said. "I don't know him very well, but I can try and get him to talk to me."
"And Nathan is in my chemistry class," Joe informed the two. "We have to choose lab partners today. I'll try and pair up with him.
In chemistry Joe took the seat beside Nathan. "Hey," he said, giving Nathan a bright smile. "Want to be my lab partner?"
"Why not?" Nathan said as the teacher, Mr. Turnmire, entered the room.
"Okay everyone," Mr. Turnmire said, standing in front of his desk. "We are beginning a new experiment today. If you haven't already chosen a partner, please do so now." There was about five minutes of rustling as students moved to join their new lab buddies. "Now, the experiment we are starting today is covered in chapter twelve of your books. Has anyone not read chapter twelve yet?"
Nathan slowly raised his hand. Joe, who had read it but was more interested in Nathan than class, also raised his hand. "Well," said Mr. Turnmire with disapproval. "You each certainly chose the appropriate lab partner. Read the chapter now and report here after school today."
Nathan made a face but opened his book, glancing at Joe, who was opening his book, out of the corner of his eye. "I thought you always did your homework," Nathan hissed at Joe after the teacher had turned his attention elsewhere.
"I've been having to put in extra time on my history class," Joe replied bitterly.
"Me too," Nathan said in a small voice as he looked back down at his text book. Joe and Nathan spent most of the class reading chapter twelve. With less than ten minutes left of class, Joe and Nathan finished the chapter and spent the time talking about things which might make the next exam. When the bell rang, Joe packed up his books and stood up. As he moved into the line for the door, he accidentally planted his foot on another student.
"Ouch!" roared the wounded student as he took Joe's shoulder and pushed him away.
Joe spun around in surprise. "I'm sorry Stanley," Joe told the boy. "I guess I should watch where I'm going," he added with an apologetic smile.
Stanley smiled back at him. "That's okay," he said graciously. "I guess you have had a lot on your mind."
Joe's smile faded to a puzzled frown as he thought about Stanley's remark but Stanley ended up explaining it himself. "I meant with Johnson's murder. I thought that was why you and Frank were called to the office yesterday afternoon."
"Oh, yeah," Joe agreed.
"How are you doing in history?" Stanley asked, "Not that it really matters. Isn't there some rule about when a teacher dies the students get A's?" he asked, as he and Joe walked down the hall toward the cafeteria.
"I think that only applies to suicidal students," Joe disagreed with him. "My grades have been kind of iffy lately," Joe admitted honestly, but never explained. "You?"
"I'm maintaining a B," Stanley said with a smile. "Want to study with me later tonight?" he asked.
"Uh, no thanks," Joe replied. "This afternoon I have to concentrate on chemistry with Nathan. But then, you heard Mr. Turmire order me and Nathan to see him after school," Joe added.
"I forgot," Stanley admitted sheepishly.
"Over here!" Frank shouted as Joe and Stanley entered the cafeteria.
"I'll see you," Joe told Stanley and went over to take a seat between Frank and blond headed, brown eyed, Chet Morton, another of the Hardy boys close friends.
Joe told Frank about having to stay late and promised to see him at home and talk about the case then. Frank told Joe that Patrick was absent today but that he planned on stopping at the Caudill's to see him after school.
Joe arrived at Mr. Turnmire's classroom a few minutes after the last bell. "A slight reprieve Mr. Hardy," Mr. Turnmire informed Joe. "Your partner was injured in gym class today and was taken to the hospital."