"Where are we going?" Joe asked from the back of the van where he was secured to the tire well.
"Our first destination is in Texas," O'Neil informed Joe cheerily.
"Texas?" Joe gasped. "First destination?" he repeated. "Aren't we going to take a break somewhere along the way? We've been traveling non-stop all night."
"Only for gas," O'Neil answered.
"But I need to go to the bathroom," Joe complained.
"You will just have to hold it for awhile," O'Neil told him.
"My bladder doesn't want to," Joe retorted. "And right now, it's very adamant."
"Then go on yourself," O'Neil instructed, his mood staying sickeningly optimistic. "I'm not taking any chances. We are not going to be seen until we reach Texas and then only I will be seen."
"Works for me," Joe said. "Every cop in the country will be looking for you."
"For O'Neil, maybe," he agreed. "But before we get there I am going to change. Matter of fact, there is a good place to do just that up ahead," he added, seeing a dirt road ahead of them. Yes, he had been smart to avoid the interstate for the first leg of the trip. But once he had his disguise in place he would change tags on the van and they would ditch it as soon as an opportunity arose.
"Since we're stopping anyway, how about letting me visit a tree?" Joe pleaded. All he needed was the chance to make a break for it. He didn't think O'Neil would kill him but, as evidenced by the powerful blow he had delivered the previous afternoon, O'Neil would go to extreme lengths to keep him.
"Sorry, Joe," O'Neil said, shaking his head as he brought the van to a stop behind a massive extent of bushes. "I can't trust you not to try and get away."
"Do you blame me?" Joe countered bitterly.
"Not at all," O'Neil answered, turning to look at the youth with sympathetic eyes. "But this is for your own good. If you had kept going the way you were you would surely be dead before you turn eighteen. I am not going to let that happen."
"It's my life!" Joe snapped. "You have no right to control it!"
"Someone has to," O'Neil retorted. "Or you won't have one left to control."
Joe began mumbling angrily and O'Neil smiled and climbed in the back. Sitting down next to Joe, he pulled a box close to him and opened it up. First, he removed some clothes that Joe guessed he had picked up at a thrift shop and then he pulled out a small box that Joe recognized at once. It was a professional make-up artist's kit like the one his father possessed and used when he went undercover. Joe groaned. He could feel his chances of rescue slipping away as the seconds ticked by.
"Hello, Mrs. Hardy, this is Camille," Camille's voice came over the phone early the next morning. "Have they found Joe yet?"
"No," Laura answered in a weary voice. "They found the cabin where O'Neil took him to begin with but they weren't able to find any leads as to where he was taking him next."
"Would you like to come stay with Dad and me until they find Joe?" offered Camille kindly. "I know Frank and Mr. Hardy will be spending all of their time trying to find him and you really shouldn't be alone now. Joe wouldn't want that."
"You're right," Laura agreed, smiling at the girl's thoughtfulness. "But I need to stay home in case Joe manages to escape and calls. Would you mind terribly coming over here after school and staying awhile?" she asked the girl. "I would like to get to know you better."
"Of course," Camille agreed at once. That was exactly what she had been hoping Mrs. Hardy would request. She needed to win Joe's family's trust if she wanted Joe to fall in love with her. "I would like that as well."
"Who was on the phone?" inquired Fenton, entering the living room with Frank as Laura hung up the phone.
"Camille," Laura informed him. "She is coming over after school."
"That's good," approved Fenton.
"Mom, about Camille," Frank said, approaching the subject hesitantly. "I've heard rumors that she isn't really as nice as she appears."
"Frank Andrew Hardy!" Laura snapped, frowning in disappointment. "You know better than to listen to rumors."
"I know, I know," agreed Frank quickly, holding up his hands defensively. "But a friend of ours said he heard Camille dressing down some girl at a hair salon even though the girl was apologizing. I just think we should get to know her a little better before Joe gets too serious about her."
"She's Judge Lane's daughter," Fenton reminded Frank.
"Just because she is not a thief or murderer doesn't mean she is a nice person," Frank pointed out. "You know how sensitive Joe is. He needs someone nice."
"Yes, he does," Laura greed. "But it isn't up to us to choose his girlfriend for him. However, I did invite her over so I could get to know her better. I don't want him to get hurt either," she added, grinning, before planting her hands on her hips and turning to look her husband in the eyes. "Now, then. How are you going to find my son?"