CHAPTER 5
A black Mercedes was parked across the street several houses down from the corner of Elm and High. Besides the driver two men sat in the back seat.
"Seems as if the whole family is there, Mr. Lassiter."
"So it seems, Blaine."
"Everything is ready; all I need to know is when you want your packages picked up."
"Let Fenton enjoy some time with his sons…I want him to feel the pain I felt when he loses them. I can wait one more day, Blaine."
"Very good, sir. Take us back home, John."
As the car drove slowly past the Hardy home Donald Lassiter glared at the house.
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Joe was beginning to wake up; he stretched as he rolled onto his side. He reached out to find empty space on the other side of the bed and opened his eyes to find Vanessa gone. He didn't hear the shower running which meant that Vanessa was already dressed and downstairs. Throwing the blankets off, Joe got out of bed, grabbed some clean clothes and headed for the shower.
Thirty minutes later he followed the delicious aroma of bacon into the kitchen, where he found Vanessa sitting at the table with his mother.
"Where's Dad?"
"And good morning to you too, sweetie," Laura teased her blushing son.
"Sorry…good morning." Joe gave Laura a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Your father is in his office talking to Chief—"
"Collig is still the top dog around here?" Joe interrupted, awed.
"Noooo …Ezra retired three years ago. Con Riley is now the Chief of Police," informed Laura, trying not to laugh at the stunned expression on his face.
"Way to go, Con! Did you know about this?" Joe turned to Vanessa.
"Ooops. I knew there was something I had to tell you. But then again, you did distract me when you returned home." Vanessa smiled sweetly.
Laura coughed softly as she took a sip of coffee, gazing at Joe who was still blushing. Deciding that her son had been teased enough, Laura took pity on him.
"Joe, would you like me to make you some breakfast?"
"I was going to make my own, but since I'm here I don't mind being spoiled by my mom!" Joe sat down next to Laura with a mischievous grin on his face.
"Don't I always?" replied Laura with a kiss.
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Fenton walked over to the front desk, waiting for the officer to finish with his phone call. He didn't recognize the police officer and wondered if he was one of the new rookies.
"May I help you, sir?"
"Yes, my name is Fenton Hardy. Chief Riley asked to see me." Although it had been three years since Ezra Collig retired and Con Riley took his place, Fenton still had a hard time visualizing the former Lieutenant as the Chief of Police.
"Yes, Mr. Hardy, here's your visitor's pass. Second floor…"
"Trust me, Officer Daniels, I know the way." Fenton replied with a grin.
Using the stairs instead of taking the elevator, Fenton walked down the small hallway into a large room crowded with people, some sitting at desks, others milling about. He heard several people call out to him in greeting. Fenton smiled and waved, answering a few comments directed his way.
As he neared Con's office he wondered if Riley needed help on a case. A part of him felt the familiar excitement upon learning of a new mystery. Another part hoped this visit would turn out to be nothing. Fenton really wanted to spend time with Frank and Joe. It was so rare when he and his two sons were free to be together. He paused at the door and knocked.
"Come in," yelled a familiar voice.
"Ezra, what are you doing here?" asked Fenton, entering and closing the door behind him.
"I figured it was because Riley missed me!" chuckled Ezra Collig.
"Actually I missed both your ugly mugs," replied Con laughing. He waited a few moments before turning serious. "I received a call from the District Attorney. Do you two remember a Donald Lassiter?"
"Wasn't he the man that tried to hire Fenton to kill his wife to get to her inheritance?" asked Collig.
"I thought he was sentenced to fifteen years?" commented Fenton.
"He was but the parole board thought serving twelve was enough. He got out a few days ago. I thought I should warn you two in case he wants some kind of revenge. If I remember he wasn't too happy that you spoiled his plans."
"Thanks for the heads-up, Con," said Fenton.
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Donald Lassiter sat in the Mercedes waiting patiently for Blaine. His driver, John, had already returned and was now in the driver's seat. Suddenly the back door opened and Blaine slid inside.
"Did you run into any problems?" Lassiter asked.
"No, for an ex-cop he has a lousy security system," replied Blaine.
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Fenton left, followed by Collig, who wanted to see Joe when he found out the younger man was home visiting. Collig was anxious to hear of the adventures Joe had had working for the Justice Department, and he spent the better part of the morning talking with Joe and Fenton. Vanessa and Laura left shortly after twelve to see Andrea Bender.
Joe showed off his cooking skills by microwaving some leftovers. Fenton found a pitcher of lemonade and got out three glasses. Collig helped set the table, and the three men sat down to eat and talk some more.
It was just past three o'clock when Ezra finally left, declining Laura's invitation to stay and have dinner with the family, and mentioning that he would soon be going on a fishing trip and needed to get his supplies ready. Collig hadn't been concerned when Con had told him about Lassiter getting out on parole. He had criminals threaten his life before. He was going to do what he always did…go on with his life.
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Returning from the grocery store Collig was taking out two bags filled with food when the paperboy came riding up.
"Try and hit my front porch this time, Bobby!"
"I always do Mr. Collig!" Bobby flung the rolled up paper as hard as he could. He watched it fly in the air then hit the front door….BANG!
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Frank opened the door to greet Joe and Vanessa, and Fenton and Laura walked in behind them. Mackenzie had called the elder Hardys to invite them over for dinner. Frank wanted to give Joe and Vanessa a tour of their home, a two-bedroom, two-bath Colonial.
"I like how you converted the other bedroom into your study. Even though it makes it hard for me and Vanessa to stay over," teased Joe.
"That's why I made it into a study!" Frank laughed at the shocked expression on Joe's face.
Having seen the house already, Fenton was outside checking on the grill while Laura helped Mackenzie by making a salad. Frank, Joe and Vanessa were walking outside when Fenton's cell phone rang. It was Con Riley. Someone had tried to kill Ezra by blowing up his house.
*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.