CHAPTER 7
As Frank was being shoved into the trunk of a car…
Joe and Vanessa were helping Laura finish up the yard work. Laura went inside to get them something to drink while they put away the gardening tools.
They were walking to the garage when a dark van came barreling up the driveway. Dropping the gardening tools Joe grabbed Vanessa and pulled her back. The van narrowly missed hitting them as it came to a screeching halt. The side door opened and two masked men, one dressed in black, jumped out. One of them shoved Vanessa aside as he went after Joe. The man in black was the first to reach Joe, grabbing the blonde-haired Hardy in a choke hold. Vanessa had been pushed hard but managed to keep her balance.
"Oh no you don't," she muttered as she kicked the back of the masked man's knee. The man let out a yelp of pain as his leg began to buckle. Vanessa grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled his head back, screaming "911!". Maybe someone in the neighborhood would hear it and realize help was needed.
Joe had gotten in a few good punches and his assailant was now dazed. He turned to help Vanessa, who was by now in trouble. The man she had hit and tried to pull away was starting to recover. He twisted his upper body and swung his right arm at Vanessa's face, but she managed to side-step him. The man's fist missed her cheek by mere inches but connected with the tip of her shoulder. She fell to the ground gasping in pain. Looking up, she saw Joe clamp his hand on the masked man's shoulder, spin him around and hit him with a roundhouse punch.
The black-clad man was about to go after Joe again when they all heard the sound of a rifle cartridge being chambered.
"Don't take another step or I'll shoot!"
Joe turned and let out a sigh of relief when he saw their neighbor Mr. Manning, who had lived next door for over twenty years. Manning had a rifle aimed at Joe's attacker. Laura stood behind him, a cell phone clutched in her hand.
Thinking the old man was bluffing, the masked man in black attempted an escape. He turned and started running, Joe was about to follow him when a gunshot rang out. The assailant stopped and cringed at the sound. The dark van had a noticeable tilt; Mr. Manning had shot out the front tire.
Joe quickly took hold of his attacker, twisting the man's arm behind his back and walking him to the front yard. They all heard the sound of a car door opening, then the sound of feet pounding the pavement. With all the excitement everyone had forgotten about the driver.
"Sounds like the driver got away, sorry Joe." Mr. Manning gave him an apologetic look.
"It happens," replied Joe, who was sorely tempted to go after the driver. The sound of sirens and a wish to tend to Vanessa caused him to stay put. A few more people had come out of their homes. Mrs. Healy, another long-time neighbor, held two jump ropes in her hand.
"Here Joe, these might be of some use."
A wide smile crossed Joe's face. "Thank you Mrs. Healy, I know exactly what to do with them.
As Joe was tying up his attackers several police cars arrived. A few minutes later Fenton pulled into the driveway. Getting out of his car, he watched as the police escorted two men into the back of the police cruiser. His next door neighbor, Mr. Manning, cradled a rifle in his arms as he spoke to a police officer. Laura, Joe and Vanessa were chatting with another officer. Several of their neighbors milled about the yard.
"You're here less than a week and you've got yourself in trouble already, Joe?" Fenton looked over at Joe with a mock glare.
Joe gave Fenton a small smile, knowing that his father wasn't upset with him, but then it turned grim. "Dad, we need to find Frank. If they tried getting me…they may try to get Frank."
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Unknown to Fenton and Joe, Frank was trapped inside of a car trunk, looking desperately for a way out. He had already learned that the safety latch had been tampered with so he couldn't open the trunk from the inside.
Frank was mad…mad at himself. If he had been more alert…if he hadn't dismissed the car…if he had fought them! He could say they had caught him by surprise, yes…but this had happened before, back in the days he and Joe helped Fenton on his cases. Yes, he and Joe sometimes still got taken, but they always made their attackers regret it.
His thoughts turned to Mackenzie and Tyler. He hoped the young boy was okay and whoever these men were hadn't hurt him, or worse, killed him. Mackenzie was going to be so scared. Frank was glad that he had told her about some of the cases he and Joe had worked on but now he was regretting glossing over some of the more frightening parts. Letting out a sigh, he got as comfortable as he could in the cramped space.
He began to consider his captors. Were they responsible for the attempt on ex-Chief Collig's life? If these men came after him…would they go after Joe as well? Was his brother trapped in another car trunk, destination unknown?
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Sergeant Owens was busy scribbling in his notebook when a call came through his radio. Excusing himself, the officer walked several steps away and clicked the radio receiver on his shoulder. His face went pale as he listened to the dispatcher, and he glanced over at the Hardys
"Roger that, Central, over and out." With a heavy sigh the sergeant approached Fenton.
"Mr. Hardy…I've just been informed that your son Frank has been kidnapped."
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Mackenzie couldn't stop shaking. When Tyler had come running into the room screaming that 'someone had snatched Mr. H!' – at first she didn't understand what he was babbling about. His words were strung so close together it took her a minute to comprehend what he was saying. When she did it took all of her willpower not to collapse and fall apart. She immediately took out her cell phone and called the police. She tried calling Fenton but the line was busy. She wanted to call Joe but she didn't know his cell phone number.
Now she was sitting in Chief Riley's office, shivering from the non-existent cold. She looked up when the door opened and let out a cry, jumping out of her seat. Fenton let out an 'Oomph' when Mackenzie leaped into his arms. He gently patted her back, murmuring soft words of comfort.
"We'll get him back…we'll get him back," Fenton repeated over and over, hoping that they would find Frank safe and sound.
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Frank wondered how long he had been trapped inside the trunk. It was too dark for him to see his watch. He wasn't sure if they had been driving for hours or a few minutes. A few times he thought the car was going up an incline. Frank started to think of an escape plan. He wasn't sure how well he could fight his way out, for his legs were starting to get numb from the cramped position he was in. But he knew he had to do something. He felt the car begin to slow down then come to a stop. So much for having time to make an escape plan.
John and Blaine got out of the car. They turned towards the house when they heard the sound of a door opening. Mr. Lassiter stood in the doorway. He silently walked to the end of the porch.
"You're the first to arrive. When do you think the other will be here?"
"He's not, Mr. Lassiter. We heard the news over the police scanner…the men were caught." Blaine stood quietly waiting for his boss' reaction.
"Let him out. I want to see him."
Although Lassiter appeared calm, Blaine knew that his boss was extremely angry. His tightly clenched jaw and the vein that was throbbing at his temple let Blaine know how angry.
Blaine took out a gun, he stood back, aiming at the trunk. He nodded to John to unlock the trunk.
Frank watched as the trunk slowly opened. Three men stood outside. One held a gun and it was pointed right at him.
"Don't try anything foolish, Mr. Hardy. I won't hesitate to kill you."
*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.