TAKING TO TASK
CHAPTER THREE
"Under the Radar"

"Dad, it's Frank," Frank spoke into the phone as he paced his bedroom. "We have a big problem on our hands."

Fenton Hardy's voice was warm on the other side of the connection. "What's wrong, son?" he asked.

Frank described the situation as described to him by the F.B.I. agents and their plans to take Ras-Alman down themselves.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Fenton sounded dubious. "You all could get in over your heads very quickly if Ras-Alman finds out what you're doing."

"I know," Frank admitted. "That's why we want to make sure you, mom and the baby are all safe. As much as I want Diana to stay with me, I think she would be safer wherever we send mom and Aunt Gertrude."

Fenton was quiet for a moment. "I'll call your mother when we hang up. You get the baby's things ready to go so Mom can take her when you go. I'm not going to tell you where they're going, in case you get caught. I'd bet anything Ras-Alman would like to get his hands on your daughter."

"I'm sure," Frank sighed. "All right, then. I'll leave Mom and Diana's safety to you."

"Good," Fenton said. "I'll tear myself away from this case as soon as I can. I want you, Joe or Nancy to call me every day without fail. If you miss a day, I'm going to come looking for you."

"That's fine," Frank sighed with relief. That took care of potential backup. "I'd better go so we can plan our first move. Take care, Dad."

"I will, son. That goes double for you. Love you."

"Love you too, Dad. Bye."

Frank turned back to his brother and girlfriend. Nancy was already packing a bag for Diana, tucking in plenty of diapers, clothes, bottles and other necessities.

"Your mom will probably have to buy more stuff for her wherever they go," Nancy said. "But this will do for a start. I'll go pack some stuff for you, if you'd like to spend some time with Diana."

Frank smiled at her and gave her another kiss before he went to pick up Diana. The baby was awake, her blue eyes half open as she looked around at the world around her. Frank gently stroked her cheek as he settled into the rocking chair, holding her against his chest.

She was a beautiful baby, very beautiful and Frank knew he was lucky to have her. She could have very easily died along with her mother but she'd shown her fighting spirit from the very beginning. Frank grinned as the baby pursed her lips and blew a raspberry.

"You are going to take after your Uncle Joe, aren't you?" Frank asked the baby. "I'm not sure my head can handle two of you. You'll have me in a mental ward by the time your five. Don't do that to your old dad, all right?"

Diana blew another raspberry and Frank laughed helplessly. He carried her into the kitchen to prepare a bottle, then settled back into his rocking chair to feed her. Diana ate ravenously until the bottle was mostly empty and then Frank changed her diaper.

"There," he sighed as he kissed her. "All ready to go with grandma when she gets back."

By the time Laura Hardy arrived back at the house, all three had a bag packed and ready to go. Laura looked concerned and worried but she was efficient as she went to pack her own bag.

"Your dad told me not to say where I'm going," Laura said. "Are you going to be all right with this?"

Frank nodded. "As long as she's safe, I can handle it. That's what matters. Are you going to be okay, Mom? You're getting uprooted because of me again."

Laura nodded as she kissed Frank's cheek. "I'm fine. We'll have a good time as long as you three stay safe."

Laura kissed her younger son's cheek and hugged Nancy.

"I'll be in contact with your father," Laura told the boys. "So I'll leave progress reports on how the baby is doing. You can ask him when you check in."

"Thanks, Mom," Frank smiled. "I really appreciate that. It makes me feel better, knowing you're on top of things."

"That's what mom's do best," Laura grinned as she took the baby from Frank.

"You be a good girl, Diana Laura," Frank told his daughter. "And stay out of trouble."

Frank kissed the baby's forehead and turned to Joe and Nancy.

"Let's go," he said.

The three went out to the driveway to Frank's new car. They put their bags into the trunk and with a last wave at Laura and Diana, drove away.

"First stop, St. Louis MO," Frank said. "Back to his home base."

"Right," Joe agreed. Joe looked over at his brother and was glad to see that Frank was relaxed but ready – ready for anything, Joe hoped. "And what do we do from there?"

"Drive Ras-Alman to distraction," Frank said. "So that he makes a big enough mistake that he acts publicly. Then we take him down."