So I know it's been a long time since I posted a Lola story here but I am back to try to get the rest of them posted. I can't promise to get them done fast but I will work on them until done. This story is the start of a multi-story arc known as the "Brothers" series. As usual, we don't own the Hardy Boys, they are owned by Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Syndicate.

For those who don't remember, copagirl (aka Lola) passed away in 2013 after a variety of health issues. All of these stories were once posted on the now defunct Hardy Detective Agency and are being reposted by permission of her family.

Feel free to leave feedback, just remember she's not here to answer questions. So be kind.

Love to all, Rokia, former Webmaster of the HDA.

CHAPTER 1

The twenty-eight-year-old man scratched the side of his face as he stared out the window of the seedy hotel. He would be glad to get rid of his beard once his assignment was over. Running a hand through his blonde hair he winced as he touched the greasy strands. 'Once this is over I'm taking a very long, very hot shower,' thought Joe Hardy. His scruffy appearance was vital for his undercover assignment.

He closed the curtain and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed. He had a small smile on his face, thinking of what his aunt and mother would say about the unmade bed. With a sigh Joe fell back and stared up at the ceiling. His thoughts turned to his brother, Frank. Joe was finally beginning to understand why Frank left the Justice Department. Joe closed his eyes as he thought back to the first time they had met Harry Hammond, head of the Justice Department.

Fenton had taken the family on a vacation to Florida paid for by a grateful client, a rich millionaire who had suspected someone from his law firm was embezzling his inheritance. Fenton found that the culprit had been a cousin who also tried to have his millionaire relative killed. Spending time on the beach had been fun until one fateful day. Vanessa Bender and Callie Shaw, Joe and Frank's girlfriends, had been invited to join the family on their vacation. Joe and Vanessa had spent a fun filled day at Disney World and were driving back to the hotel when they were almost hit by a car going the wrong way. Joe managed to swerve the rental car but unfortunately a tow truck was parked at the side of the road picking up a stranded vehicle. Joe didn't have enough time to swerve the car back onto the road. He crashed head on into the stalled vehicle. Although both were wearing their seatbelts, the passenger-side airbag didn't deploy, causing Vanessa to receive the brunt of the injuries. The tow driver was unhurt and quickly called for medical help. As they waited for help, Joe saw another car pass by. The tow driver tried to get it to stop and help but the driver of the car ignored them and drove on.

While waiting in the hospital ER, Joe, who had been treated for minor injuries, paced the floor ranting to Fenton and Laura about the driver who wouldn't help them. It was then that two police detectives walked in.

Joe recognized one of the men as the driver of the car that refused to help. Frank had to hold Joe back as he lunged at the detective. When the Hardys found out that the detectives knew who had driven Joe off the road but weren't going to arrest them because they wanted that man for another more serious crime, it did not sit well with the family. Although Fenton understood, he knew that his youngest son would not let this matter go. And he was right, for Joe found out the criminal's name and took matters into his own hands, going undercover as a rich spoiled brat.

He befriended Jocko, spending and flaunting his money at the young man. Joe had found out that Jocko and his partner Dobs had robbed an armored truck and killed one of the guards. Dobs had buried the money, not telling Jocko the whereabouts as they waited for the statute of limitations to run out and they could spend their riches. Joe had been showing Jocko the rich life and treating him to anything he wanted. When Dobs saw Jocko living the good life, he suspected that Jocko had dug up the money.

One night Dobs found Jocko and they went to the pier to retrieve the money. Joe and the detectives were waiting for them. A few days later, Frank and Joe found out that Fenton had been offered a consulting job with the Justice Department. Fenton introduced them to Harry Hammond, who was impressed with what Joe and Frank, who had helped, had done to capture Dobs and Jocko. Mr. Hammond had offered the brothers a job and they accepted.

Almost two years after that Frank quit. He was tired of the lies and deceptions that he and Joe had to do in order to get the bad guys. They had met a lot of nice people whom they had to deceive, and that always left a bitter taste in Frank's mouth. Joe wanted to stay, figuring that Frank would just take some time off and come back – but he never did. When Frank went to college Joe wasn't concerned. He thought his brother would be studying some kind of criminal or forensic science. Instead Frank went in a different direction. He was now a History teacher at Bayport High.

The last time he saw Frank was at his college graduation. Joe frowned. That was also when he realized that they had started to drift apart. Growing up they had always been close, they even shared an uncanny psychic closeness. Ever since Frank had…was that the only reason they had been close, Joe wondered. Was solving mysteries and helping people the only thing they had in common?

Joe sat up, anger and fear surging through his body. Anger that he would think that was the only reason the brothers had been so close…fear that was the reason they drifted apart.

'No', Joe thought. 'Frank was the best brother anyone could have. He was always there for me…helping me…protecting me. It's my fault…I let my stupidity get in the way. When Frank chose to change professions I thought it meant he didn't want to be with me anymore…that he was finally tired of taking care of me.' There was a knock on the door interrupting Joe's thoughts. He mentally shook himself…he couldn't let his feelings get in the way of his mission.

"Who is it?" Joe barked out.

"Hey Joey open up, it's me!" replied a whiny nasal voice.

Joe smiled, his contact was here. He opened the door to find not only his contact but two other people as well.

"I brought you a present!" A short fat man stood grinning stupidly, his arms wrapped around the waist of two young women.

"I told you to come alone, Manny," Joe growled angrily; he had to move away from the door as Manny pushed his way in.

"Aww come on, Joey, live a little! Can't we party before we do business?" Manny shoved the brunette at Joe. "This one's yours."

Joe caught the brunette before she fell. 'She can't be more than eighteen' he thought. The brunette looked nervously at Joe.

"What's your name?" Joe asked in a soft voice.

"S-Susan but…but you can call me whatever you want." Susan gave Joe what she hoped was a seductive smile.

"Crap!" Joe growled when he saw Manny pawing the blonde. "Hey Manny, I don't know about you but I could go for a nice steak…come on, my treat."

"I don't know, Joey…"

"Aww come on, Manny baby," cooed the blonde. "You promised to treat me and Susan to a nice meal. I work better on a full stomach!"

"Oh all right, sugar. You said you were buyin', right Joey!"

"Yeah Manny, I'm buying."

As they left Joe couldn't help but notice the grateful expression on Susan's face.

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Across the street from the hotel was a parked cable company van. Inside the van were two men sitting in front of a video monitor. Each wore an ear piece, listening intently. They watched as a tall blonde man, a short fat man and two pretty young women walked out of the hotel room.

"Good save, Hardy," said one of the men.

"Well he is Hammond's golden boy," sneered his partner.

"Jealous are we, Hernandez?"

"I could do a better job than him…he's such a goody-goody. I mean…look at those two…they're hot! I'd be having fun with that cute little blonde."

"Yeah, well that's the difference between you and Hardy…he's got scruples!"

"Shut up Adams," grumbled Hernandez.

Eric Adams didn't try and hide his smile. He knew how much his partner Raul Hernandez hated Joe Hardy.

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Joe made sure that they took his car. With its GPS tracking system he knew that his fellow agents would be able to find him. Joe made sure the women sat in the backseat and Manny sat up front with him.

"So where are you taking us, Joey?"

"I'm feeling generous today Manny…how does the Stone's Throw bar sound?"

"Joey, you and me are going to get along just fine!" crowed Manny.

"I hope so Manny, I hope so." Joe grinned.

*endofchapter*

Authors Note: Please read the author's profile for this story. The author, copagirl, passed away in 2013. I am posting these stories up with the permission of her family, who want her to be remembered as well. Lola was a long-time member of the Hardy Detective Agency and we miss her soooooo much! Love you Lola!

Thanks to those of you leaving feedback! I know copagirl would love all of it.