CHAPTER 11

Blaine shuddered with fear as he looked up at Joe. The young man had a cold steely gaze that chilled him to the bone.

Hearing the gunshots Vanessa and Mackenzie quickly turned around, holding onto each other – afraid of what they would see. Vanessa let out a sigh of relief when she saw Joe still standing. She and Mackenzie walked over. Vanessa stiffened with fright when she heard the venom in Joe's voice.

"Joe!" Fenton yelled as he ran towards his son. Reaching Joe, he placed his hand over the gun. "Frank's okay…he's at the police station with your mother. Dean Anderson was with him – also, they're giving their statements."

Joe slowly lowered his gun, watching as two police officers helped Blaine up from the ground. One of the officers was pressing hard against Blaine's shoulder to help stop the bleeding.

"Where's Van and Mackenzie?" Joe turned around, searching for his girlfriend and sister-in-law. He tucked his gun back in his belt when he saw the two women and walked over to them. Vanessa met Joe part way and hugged him tightly. Joe held out a hand to include Mackenzie and gave her the best news she would ever hear: "Frank's safe."

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Frank signed the statement he had given, rereading it to make sure there were no mistakes, before signing. He rubbed his eyes. His adrenaline was going down, now that he was safe.

"You okay, Mr. Hardy?" asked Detective Johnson.

"Yeah, just tired," answered Frank, suppressing a yawn.

"Would you like some coffee? I know for a fact that the pot was cleaned yesterday so the coffee should be decent."

"No thanks," chuckled Frank recalling how bad police station coffee could be. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, he looked up and saw Dean Anderson standing next to him.

"Frank, I just wanted to thank you…you saved my life back there."

"Don't give me all the credit; you did a good job helping me out." Frank stood up to shake Anderson's hand.

"I'm getting an escort home. I definitely need that vacation now. Goodbye, Frank."

Frank watched Anderson leave and was about to sit back down again when he heard someone call his name. His heart beat faster when he turned and saw Mackenzie hurrying towards him. With long strides Frank met her halfway, taking her in his arms and holding her tight.

Pulling away slightly Mackenzie gazed into Frank's face. "Are you okay…did they hurt you?"

"He's fine…we Hardys are tough." Joe smiled at his brother.

"What took you so long? I had to get out of there myself." Frank gave Joe a mock glare.

"I knew you could take care of yourself," teased Joe.

Still holding onto Mackenzie Frank grabbed Joe, giving his brother a one-armed hug. Joe had a silly grin on his face as he returned the hug.

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Blaine lay on the gurney, his hand cuffed to the railing. The doctor on call had already treated his wound. He was waiting for the police to take him to jail. He hoped that Lassiter was moving Frank and Anderson to another location, unaware that the two men had already escaped.

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John intended to drive straight to the house but Mr. Lassiter had other ideas. Instead, they drove down several blocks and parked the car in front of a house that appeared to be empty. There were old newspapers littered across the lawn and the mailbox was filled with a month's worth of mail. Getting out of the car John walked up the driveway. He easily opened up the garage door and found a covered vehicle. Removing the cover, John smiled when he saw the '69 Mustang. He tried the door and found the car unlocked. Getting in, he hot-wired it, his smile growing wider as it purred to life. He drove into the street and parked in front of the Mercedes.

"I'm sorry sir, but you'll have to sit up front…there is a backseat, but I don't think you'd want to climb in there."

"It's all right, John…I used to own one of these in my younger days," replied Lassiter.

John moved the Mercedes inside the garage, then got into the Mustang and drove to the hospital. Lassiter knew the police would take Blaine there to have his gunshot wound treated, before taking him to jail.

Before they reached the hospital Lassiter had John pull over.

"I think it would be best if I did get in the backseat, John. It will make it easier when we pick up Blaine."

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Lassiter slid low on the seat, not wanting anyone to see him as John drove the car towards the ER entrance. He saw a police car parked near the entrance. The hospital doors slid open and two police officers escorted Blaine out, his hands cuffed in front. They stopped at the curb when a nurse came outside and called to the officers. One officer followed the nurse back into the hospital.

"Now, John!" hissed Lassiter.

Revving up the engine John pressed down hard on the gas pedal and headed straight for the police officer.

Blaine didn't know why, but when he saw the Mustang speeding towards them he took several steps back. Thinking that his prisoner was trying to escape, the police officer wasn't paying attention to the oncoming car, and the Mustang clipped his leg.

The Mustang screeched to a stop and the passenger door opened. John jumped out of the car and ran around the front. He manhandled Blaine inside the car and slammed the door shut, then ran back to the driver's side, leaped in and careened out of the entrance way.

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Fenton drove Laura home in his car while Joe drove Frank, Mackenzie and Vanessa in his mother's car. Fenton informed Joe that a tow truck had taken his rental back. Frank and Mackenzie sat in the back seat, his head resting on her shoulder. She had wanted him to lay his head on her lap when she noticed how tired he was, but Frank insisted he was fine.

A few minutes later, sitting in the slow moving car, Frank nodded off to sleep.

Joe kept glancing at Frank in the rearview mirror as he followed his father home. He was also making sure that Lassiter wasn't tailing them again. But the only car behind them was the unmarked police car Con had assigned to them. The ride to his childhood home was uneventful.

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"Frank…Frank, we're here," Mackenzie gently shook his shoulder.

Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Frank let out a yawn. "This isn't my home…Joe, why didn't you take us home?"

"Hey, I'm just the driver…talk to the boss lady over there." Joe pointed at their mother, who was waiting patiently on the front lawn.

The annoyance Frank felt quickly vanished. He knew there was no way he could convince Laura to let him go to his own home. He got out of the car and let her fuss over him.

"I know you're old enough to take care of yourself, but to me you and Joe will always be my babies," she said, when she noticed Joe's smirk. "And stop teasing your brother, Joe…I can still take you over my knee!"

"Sorry Mom, couldn't help myself," Joe grinned wickedly. "Some habits die hard!"

"Actually he was always a brat," whispered Frank to Mackenzie.

Joe rolled his eyes upward. He smiled at his brother as he patted Frank on the back. "If I'm such a brat why would I go out of my way to get some clean clothes for you?"

"Thanks Joe, I really appreciate that."

"Anything for my big brother."

While Frank showered and changed into clean clothes, Laura made lunch, with Vanessa and Mackenzie's help. They were enjoying their meal when the phone rang. It was Con…telling them of Blaine's escape.