Frank hurried out of school and toward the van. His friends had been right, his teachers were very understanding. His hand dove into his pocket for his keys as he neared the van. He stopped in surprise as two men stepped from behind the van.
"I'll take those," said one of the men, snatching the keys from Frank's hand.
"Who are you?" demanded Frank. "Where's my brother?"
"Your questions will be answered," said the muscular man who held a gun trained on Frank. "Our orders are to bring you in. Let's go."
"You want to know about your brother, don't you?" the blond who had grabbed Frank's keys asked upon seeing Frank's hesitation.
Frank gave a slight nod. "You drive. I'll navigate," the blond continued, opening the driver's door for Frank to enter as the other man climbed in the passenger side.
It didn't take Frank long to realize where they were going. "Cooper Sorrel!" he exclaimed angrily. "He kidnapped Joe!"
"Pipe down!" the blond man ordered Frank.
Frank closed his mouth and kept driving. He would be quite for now but just wait until he saw Sorrel! A few minutes later, Frank pulled the van to a stop in Sorrel's drive. He wondered if Marie were here or if she had already returned to boarding school. If the latter were the case then Sorrel's abduction of Joe could have dire consequences.
"Come on, Kid," the man with the gun ordered Frank as they exited the van. "Let's go see the boss."
Frank was more than ready and wasted no time going from the van to the front door. He was in such a hurry that his captors almost had to run to keep up with him. The blond rang the bell and the three waited on the doorstep silently for the minute it took the butler to open the door and admit them.
"Hello, Frank," Sorrell greeted Frank as he and Sorrel's two men entered the living room.
"Forget the niceties," snarled Frank, balling his hands into fists. "Where's my brother? If you've hurt him I'll hurt you!" he threatened.
Sorrel smiled in amusement. Frank was unarmed and outnumbered but still courageous and brash enough to be protective of his brother. "Calm down, Hardy. I do not have your brother."
"You...you don't?" asked a devastated Frank. He hadn't realized how much he had been hoping Sorrel did have Joe. "But you know who does?" Sorrel gave him a curt nod. "Who? How?" Frank demanded.
"Tippoli," Sorrel answered.
"So Joe's abduction does have something to do with the Kern case," Frank stated with a frown.
"No," Sorrel told him. Frank looked at Sorrel in surprise.
"Then why?" asked Frank.
"First, why did you assume Joe's kidnapping had to do with Kern?" Sorrel countered. Frank was silent. Should he tell Sorrel about Joe dating Judge Lane's daughter? "Frank?" Sorrel prompted him.
Deciding it couldn't hurt, Frank filled Sorrel in on what they knew and suspected about Joe's disappearance. "So, if Tippoli didn't take Joe as leverage against Judge Lane, why did he?" ended Frank.
"He knew Joe was dating my Marie," Sorrel stated, his eyes darkening. "He took Joe because he was the most vulnerable member of the family. My family," he qualified.
"Joe isn't..." Frank began heatedly but Sorrel prevented him from continuing.
"No, Joe isn't," he stated. "But Tippoli is behind the times. He took Joe believing he was a means of controlling me."
"And you put him straight," Frank guessed, his stomach knotting in fear. Was Joe dead?
"No," Sorrel denied. "Tippoli took something he believed to be mine. I cannot allow that."
"Even if it means Joe gets hurt in the process," Frank stated with contempt.
"I do not like you or your father," Sorrel informed Frank haughtily. "But I do respect your brother and no harm shall befall him because of his previous association with my daughter."
"Do you know where they are holding him?" demanded Frank.
"Yes," Sorrel acknowledged. "And we will get him back."
"Meaning, you aren't going to tell me?" Frank asked, scowling.
"No," Sorrel concurred with a smile.
"Then why did you have your men bring me here?" Frank wanted to know.
"I suspect you are as fond of your brother as he is of you," Sorrel explained. "Had I called your home then your father, and possibly the FBI, would have their noses in my business. I am telling you out of respect for your brother. You will not involve yourself in the matter. I promise you, Joe will be returned, safe and sound."
"But..."
"Enough," Sorrel silenced him. "Stay out of this. Your interference can only cause trouble. You may leave now," he ended the conversation.
Frank was escorted back to the van. He climbed in and drove away under the watchful eyes of the two men who had brought him.
He arrived home and was surprised to find so many cars about. At the front door he was greeted by a FBI agent.
"Frank Hardy!" the agent exclaimed in surprise.
"Is my father here?" Frank asked, not wasting time trying to find out the man's name.
"Inside," Frank was informed. Frank hurried into the house, pausing at the entrance to the dining room as he saw Callie standing before his father. He listened to what she had to say and his father's response.
"No," Frank stated.