When Frank and Biff left the Hoopers, it was starting to get dark. Biff now had brown hair and a mustache. He wore faded blue jeans and an old tee shirt beneath a large navy sweater. "Remember," Frank reminded Biff, "your name is Tad Hardy. Your dad was my dad's big brother, Craig."

"I didn't know you had an Uncle Craig," Biff commented, climbing behind the wheel of his van.

"He died about eleven years ago," Frank informed him from the passenger's side.

"How?" Biff asked curiously.

"He had leukemia," Frank responded.

Biff started the motor and they drove over to the Cohen Security Agency. Frank ran inside to pick up the walkie talkies.

"I think we've got it figured out how you can get Joe out of there," Phil said. He pulled up a screen showing the schematics for the front of Corwin. "This place has really been set up to keep the patients from leaving. Basically, anyone can get inside."

Phil pointed to a set of lines on the side of the screen. "There is an emergency exit," he said. "From the inside it will set off a siren when opened. If it's opened from the outside, however, nothing."

"That's where you've got to get Joe out," Tony stated. "The only problem is the exit is located directly across from the nurse's station."

"With Callie and Vanessa there, that shouldn't be a problem," Frank said.

"We're coming with you," Tony said, standing up. "We've done all we can here."

The three left the building and climbed into the van. Biff drove to Tamin's Bagelry and pulled to a stop beside Chet's jalopy, affectionately known as the Queen. Inside, the four boys found Chet devouring his second helping of fragel.

"We should have known why you wanted to meet here," Tony said, sitting down in the booth beside Chet.

Phil sat down opposite Chet and Tony. Frank and Biff remained standing. "After we get Joe we'll contact you on the walkie," Frank said to Phil.

"We'll be ready to open the door," Phil promised.

"And I'll have Biff's van ready and waiting," Chet stated, finishing his dessert. He rapped Tony on the shoulder. "Move it."

"Not yet," Frank said. "I want to check in with Dad. He was going to try and get Joe transferred but I doubt he's managed to do it yet," he explained. "Also, I need to call Mrs. Shaw and see what time Callie left. She has to have time to be accepted as a volunteer."

Frank was back in ten minutes, his face wrinkled with worry. "They can't do anything to help Joe until tomorrow," he informed the group. "We may be Joe's only chance."

"Easy, pal," Biff said, standing up. "We're getting Joe out of there now," he vowed. Tony, Chet, and Phil piled out of the booth and the foursome went to the van.

"Callie left a little over two hours ago," Frank said on the way to Corwin. "She should have met up with Vanessa by now." He looked at all his friends. "Everyone know what they're supposed to do?" he asked.

All heads nodded to the affirmative. "Joe can stay at our place," Chet offered, thinking the cops would go straight to the Hardy's place.

"Thanks Chet," Frank replied with a faint smile and a shake of his head. "They're bound to look for him at all our friend's houses until they find him."

"Where are you taking him then?" Phil asked, concerned about Frank as much as about Joe.

Frank shook his head again. "I'd rather not say," he said. "You would have to tell if you knew. This way, I'll be the only one to get into trouble."

"Do you think you can handle him?" Tony asked. Frank frowned. "You said he had dementia," he reminded Frank. "Joe could get really erratic."

"I don't think he does," Frank stated. He held up a hand as Tony started to interrupt. "Who diagnosed him?" he demanded.

"Dr. Wagner," Chet said, his eyes wide. "But he's the one trying to kill Joe."

"Exactly," Frank replied.

"But what about the voices Joe said he had heard?" Biff demanded. "And his behaviour lately?"

"I don't know," Frank admitted with a certain amount of sorrow. "But this wouldn't be the first time someone has messed with his head," he added, thinking back to a case they had solved last Halloween where a clone of Iola had appeared.

"We're here," Biff said, slowing down and turning into the parking area. Phil directed Biff on where to park, then Chet took the wheel and Frank and Biff climbed out of the van.

Walking inside, Frank heard a familiar voice in an unfamiliar tone. "What do you mean I can't see my son?" Laura Hardy demanded angrily, glaring at the nurse. Frank grabbed Biff's arm and pulled him down the hall while the staff were preoccupied.

Arriving at the door to Joe's room they found it locked. The chart on the front said Joe had become dangerously violent and had to be placed in full restraints. No visitors were allowed. Frank pulled out the lock pick kit his father had given to him for Christmas one year and knelt down by the lock. Seconds later, the door opened.

Walking inside, Frank's heart leapt to his throat. His brother still wore a straight jacket and was strapped down but now his face had been placed in a muzzle. Beneath the muzzle were bandages which even covered his eyes. "What have they done to him?" Frank whispered fearfully.

Frank and Biff raced over to the bed. Biff set about freeing Joe from the straps while Frank removed the muzzle. As they were working, Callie slipped into the room.

"I can't find Vanessa anywhere," she replied, closing the door behind her and coming over. "Oh," she said, her eyes growing wide in horror as she saw the muzzle Frank slipped off Joe's head. He then started removing the bandages. When he had finished, all three stared at the unconscious person on the bed. They had found Vanessa.