"Keep looking," Con instructed the officer. "See if you can find anything else."
Frank nibbled on his bottom lip as he looked at Camille. He then turned back to Con. "If Tippoli is behind this then Camille could have been the real target."
"I know," Con affirmed. "It's possible they thought Joe was the judge's son."
Judge Lane's face hardened. "If Kern is guilty then I have to sentence him," he stated. "But I can give you some time to find the boy."
"How?" asked Frank hopefully.
"Tomorrow morning I will recess court until Monday," Judge Lane said.
"I hate to say this, but they will still come after Camille if she was the intended target," said Frank. "Once they see Joe's driver's license they will know they have the wrong person."
"But they may decide he would make a great hostage," Con put in. He could see how terrified Frank was becoming and needed to convince him that Joe still had a chance.
"I hope so," Frank said softly.
Con looked at the judge. "Would you like us to put Camille in protective custody?" he inquired.
"No," Camille stated, her green eyes determined.
Frank couldn't help but smile. It seemed Camille and Joe had at least one thing in common: they both disliked being confined.
"A guard, then," Con offered. "We can keep your house under twenty-four-hour surveillance."
"That would be acceptable," the judge answered before Camille could speak. "And for the time being, I think you should remain at home," he added, looking at his daughter.
"But school..." she objected.
"Can wait," her father finished for her in a tone Frank recognized as one their father used on Joe frequently.
Frank left the Lane residence after Con promised to keep the Hardys updated on the case and headed home. When he got there he found his father in the second story bedroom he had converted into an office.
"Find out anything?" inquired Fenton, looking from his computer monitor to his eldest son as he entered and sat down on the corner of his desk.
"Joe was kidnapped as he was leaving the Lane's," Frank informed his dad and then told him about the misunderstanding. "Oh, and Judge Lane is going to recess court until Monday," Frank added.
"That's good news," Fenton said, looking back at the monitor as he moved the computer's mouse. "That will help take the pressure off."
"What have you come up with?" asked Frank.
"I've been researching the Kern case," Fenton began. "Alvin Thomas Kern was arrested four months ago for breaking and entering the house of one Alan Jordan and killing him."
"Four months?" Frank repeated in astonishment. "And it's already going to trial?"
"Apparently, the state not only had evidence but also a witness," Fenton said.
"And he's pleading not guilty?" asked Frank.
"He is," acknowledged Fenton. "But he has no alibi."
"And Tippoli's lawyers are doing whatever they can but it isn't enough," guessed Frank.
Fenton shook his head. " Kern has a court appointed attorney. It seems, Tippoli isn't getting involved."
"But he did when he grabbed Joe," Frank said.
"Right," concurred Fenton, looking at the list of witnesses he had pulled up using the passwords he had been given to access sensitive material in the government's database. Fortunately, he often worked for the government and had a high level of security clearance with all the benefits that went with it.
"What now?" asked Frank. "Do we start looking for Tippoli?"
"I do," Fenton stated, turning to give Frank a stern look. "You will go to school."
"No way!" Frank denied heatedly.
"There isn't anything you can do at the present," Fenton told him. "By tomorrow afternoon I should have at least a place to start."
"But..."
"No buts," Fenton said. "Go to bed," he ordered. "By this time tomorrow you will be glad you did."
Frank left the room grumbling. He didn't want to admit it, but his father was right. They had to have a place to start and just looking for Tippoli wasn't going to do the trick. Tippoli probably wouldn't have Joe anywhere near him. With a heavy sigh, Frank went to his room. He tried to do his homework but couldn't concentrate. He finally closed his physics book in disgust and went to get ready for bed.
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The next morning Frank met up with his friends at the rear entrance to the school. "Where's Joe?" asked Biff, not seeing the blond boy accompanying his brother.
Frank told his friends about Joe's abduction outside the Lane home. "Is there anything we can do to help?" asked Chet.
"Not now," Frank declined the offer with a shake of his head. "Dad's hoping he will find something we can move on today but right now it doesn't look too good."
"You'll find him," Callie said with confidence, placing her hand on his arm and looking into his sad brown eyes.
"And kick Tippoli butt!" Tony put in with a grin.
Frank gave his friends a half-hearted grin as the first bell rang. "Want some company this evening?" inquired Phil as they hurried toward homeroom.
"Thanks, but I'm hoping I will have something to do after school," Frank said.
"I can help," offered Phil.
"Not just yet," said Frank. "We don't know what we're getting into."
"I understand," Phil said. "But remember, we're all here if you need us."
"Thanks," replied Frank gratefully.
With the help of his friends, Frank made it through his morning classes. When lunchtime rolled around he headed straight for the cafeteria. By this time, word of Joe's abduction had spread throughout the school so when Todd Brigham, a fellow senior, saw Frank heading his way he quickly ended his call and handed Frank the receiver, ignoring the other four students who had been waiting in line behind him.
Frank accepted the receiver with an apologetic smile to those in line and a thank you to Todd. "Anything?" asked Frank as soon as he heard the receiver picked up on the other end.
"Frank?" his mother's voice came through the line.
"Yes, Mom," acknowledged Frank. "Can I speak to Dad? Has he found out anything?"
"Your father isn't here," Laura replied. "He left about twenty minutes after you did and hasn't returned yet."
"Great," mumbled Frank, running a hand through his hair.
"He did say he would call if he couldn't make it home by dinnertime," Laura added.
"So there isn't any reason for me to come home now?" Frank asked, disappointed. He didn't know why he had to stay at school when he couldn't concentrate anyway.
"No," Laura answered. "Honey, I know this is difficult for you but if you keep missing school, even if it's for a good cause, you won't be able to graduate."
"But we get permission from the school board," Frank reminded his mother.
"Only when it involves national security," Laura said. Fenton had discussed the matter with her when she had voiced her concern over the boys' continual absences. "Joe not being there will be excused because it is beyond his control. You don't have that excuse."
"Peachy," grumbled Frank. "I'll be home as soon as school's out," he promised.
"I'm sorry, baby," Laura said sympathetically.
"It's not your fault," Frank said. "I should have realized. Joe and I have missed a lot."
"Yes, but Joe's only a junior. He can go to summer school," she reminded him.
"And I want to start at the university in June," Frank said. "It's okay," he continued. "I can make it through the rest of the day. But..." he stressed. "But if you hear anything, call me. I can always go to summer school and start at the university in the fall."
"I will," Laura promised and hung up.
Frank hung up and headed over to the table where his friends were sitting. "Why don't you just go home?" asked Callie.
"Can't," Frank answered and explained the situation.
"Talk to your teachers," Phil suggested. "You make straight A's and you always get your homework caught up. They'll probably cut you some slack."
"Phil's right," agreed Karen. "Your teachers are nice. I'm sure they will work something out with you."
"It's worth trying," said Frank, putting his hands on the table and pushing his chair back. "Thanks, guys," he added, smiling at his friends.
Twenty-five minutes later, Frank exited the school. His teachers had agreed with Frank's friends. He shouldn't be forced to stay at school when his brother's fate was unknown. As long as he caught up any missed assignments they would not mark him absent.
Callie was outside with her botany class collecting samples to study and saw Frank exit the building and start toward his van. She was glad he had been able to leave early. She was just about to turn away when she saw two men step from behind the van. One pulled a gun on Frank while the other took the keys from his hand. In seconds, Frank had been forced into the van and it was on its way out of the school parking lot!