-52-

"Will you be long, you think?" Tiffany asked a bit pensively. Darkness was enveloping the foothills and she felt uneasy.

Frank gave her a firm reassuring smile and put an arm around her. "Well, it could be late. Perhaps all night. Or, we may be back before you know it. But rest easy. You have some food here. And, just in case, the gun."

Tiffany shook her head. "No, I don't want to go there. I just hope you will be back soon. I wouldn't know how to defend myself with a gun." She quavered nervously.

Fenton stepped forth and put his hand on her shoulder. "Try to relax, Tiffany. We put our camp up here because it was well hidden and not in an area that any others would anticipate. We should be back well before daybreak." He looked down at his watch. "We should go, son." Frank nodded.

He leaned over and gave Tiffany a kiss. "See you soon."

Tiffany nodded then took a nervous breath. "Well, good luck." She whispered as the two silently slid into the nearby woods. Tiffany watched wearily until she could no longer see them. She returned to the dimly camp light she had on and sat down. Her worry was clear, though not the only issue present as she shifted, attempting to get comfortable. She had finally figured out what was helping attribute to the headaches she had been experiencing through the day. She felt her abdomen and rolled her eyes to herself. Her time of month was right on schedule.

"Great. Just what I need to top things off." She told herself as she felt increasing cramping pains. She took out a bottle of water and began to search through her purse for something to take. She grunted in frustration after a five minutes search yielded only one regular Tylenol. Next to useless. But she took it anyway.


The two Hardys crept through the woods and down the slope as Fenton backtracked from where he came earlier. They moved silently through the woods and did their best to avoid the moonlight as it shone through the trees in some spots. Fifteen minutes of careful walking brought them back to the camp site that Fenton had discovered earlier that day.

Frank knelt down and examined the area in the dim light of his cell phone. "Certainly appears as though someone was here in recent time. Where is this cabin?" Fenton had his field glasses out and was looking out in a north easterly direction.

He pointed in the direction and handed Frank the glasses. "That area." He motioned and looked around. When he was convinced that there were no other persons in the immediate area, he sat down.

With a grunt, Frank caught his father's attention. "Yeah, I see it. When do we take a closer look?" He asked softly, still looking through the glasses.

"Let's give it about an hour. Just wanting to see if anyone shows up. I can't help but think there have been other people combing the area. This campsite proves as much." Frank nodded and hunched down with the glasses. They set in for a wait.

After an hour and ten minutes Fenton checked his watch and stood up. He and Frank had been trading off periods of observing the cabin. He was now fairly confident that no one was in or around it. "Ok, son. Now we can get a closer look." He whispered as he took a moment to slowly stretch his back and neck, rotating his head slowly.

Frank looked over to his father who was looking a bit fatigued. "You ok, Dad?" He asked noting his condition with concern.

Fenton nodded a bit wearily. "Been a long week, son. I could use about twelve hours of sleep." He said with a weary half-smile.

Frank nodded. He too was feeling the effects of the long week. The stress and travel had been a drain. But there was work to do. "I hear you, dad. Let's hope we make some progress tonight." He said with determination.

Fenton led his son slowly from the wooded area and crept along a tree line slowly towards the mysterious cabin. The two detectives made out the silhouette of the cabin as they approached. Mr. Hardy was in no hurry as he led the way with no illumination outside of the moon. As they approached a small clearing near the cabin Fenton held up his hand to signal his son to stop. Frank halted just a couple feet behind his father. Fenton slowly knelt down to examine the ground. He had seen a slight rise in the foliage which included many vine like growths. The ground was also blanketed with pine and cedar needles. Mr. Hardy was not sure what he had almost stumbled upon in front of him. He took a small pen light out of his coat and cupped his hand around it. He examined the area in front of him, taking a nearby branch and started cautiously probing. He abruptly stopped and stood up.

He slowly turned to Frank and took a cautious step back to talk to his son. "Be very careful!" He whispered. "We are on to something here. The area has been booby trapped!"

Frank looked at his father, wide eyed, then looked down around him. "How?"

"About two foot in front of me is a rather sizable bear trap!" He whispered tersely.

"What?" Frank asked with concern and disbelief. "I know there are bears around, but you don't typically find traps in a person's yard or around where they may be walking."

Fenton nodded. "It's not set for bears, son. It appears to be concealed, and I would bet there are more. We need to use our pen lights and approach the cabin cautiously." He warned. Frank nodded and removed his pen light. "Follow me closely, son." Mr. Hardy advised and turned back slowly advanced. Frank followed on his father's heels. Fenton made slow progress over the last twenty-five yards between them and the cabin. He probed slowly at the ground ahead of him very weary. For a single mistake would likely cost them half their leg if they were to find a trap the hard way. Ten minutes later, which seemed more like an hour, Fenton and Frank Hardy arrived at the cabin. Fenton Hardy looked back to Frank as they stood in front of the door.

"I will jimmy the lock and we can investigate further." He said softly. Frank nodded as his father bent down to work on getting them inside the cabin. Mr. Hardy worked diligently on the lock. A minute later he looked over his shoulder and smiled to his son. "Alright. Let's be careful." He whispered as he turned the knob and slowly pushed the door open.

Fenton and Frank stepped into the darkness. A split second later both Hardys collapsed to the floor!


Bayport

7:27PM

Dino's Lodge Italian restaurant

Iola sat at the table with Callie and Chet. An anxious look on her face. For the first time in over a week, she was going to see Joe outside of the prison like confines of the Hardy home, and its warden, Gertrude Hardy. Joe had been granted an evening with his friends on the advice of his doctor that he could take short trips to visit friends as long as he would be home to get a full night sleep. His doctor was not one to take chances. He had entrusted Gertrude and Laura to look out for Joe, and to ensure he not put too much strain on himself for those first weeks home. This was translated by Gertrude, and to a lesser degree, Laura, that they should keep Joe under a microscope for the first month back. After having the doctor give his two caregivers the all clear for an evening, Joe would be enjoying dinner with his friends.

Callie tried to keep Iola pacified while they waited. She gave her friend an assuring smile. "Now, don't get yourself in a twist. He will be here. You know how Laura drives. Plus, I am sure aunt Gertrude gave him twenty minutes of instructions before he was allowed to leave." She laughed.

Chet looked over to them. "There may have been some documentation as well. Joe may have had to sign waivers to hold her harmless if he had a relapse and a written promise that he would return." He smirked, knowing how overbearing Gertrude could be when matters of health were concerned.

Iola nodded and sighed. "I know. But it's been over a week now. I am just impatient, I guess." She absently flipped through her phone to pass the time.

Chet, who was on his second basket of bread sticks gestured to Callie. "Better have some, Angel. Might be a bit of a wait. And you need to keep your strength up."

Callie smiled to him, then reached for some. "Well, I am hungry. But I am pretty sure my strength will be ok given I am only about three weeks pregnant, babe. But you don't have to ask me twice. These things are delish!" Chet shrugged and then gave her a sideways smile. He wanted to ensure Callie had low stress and all the food necessary to have a safe pregnancy. He had not known very long, but was embracing the idea in his head. He was very happy that they would be having a child.

Iola gave her brother a smirk.

He looked back at her with an innocent expression. "What's on your mind, sis?" He asked, continuing the expression as though he had done no wrong.

Iola pursed her lips and looked upward. "I don't know, Chet. Maybe a little matter of our parents. You know, the grandparents who do not know yet. Presuming the Shaws haven't alerted them."

Callie shook her head. "I told my mom not to tell anyone else until I was ready to. I know she won't. My dad is upset, but I do not feel he wants to advertise this to anyone. Got that shame thing going pretty strong at the moment." She added with a look that suggested she was obviously still distressed about it all.

Chet cleared his throat. "Well, Iola. I figured tomorrow will be soon enough. But yeah, it's definitely on the to do list. I just didn't want Cal to get bent out of shape, even though I know mom and dad will be ok with it. I mean yeah, they will likely push for the idea of marriage to be happening sooner than later. But I think it will be a suggestion given with some tact and understanding…I hope." He paused and sat there a moment in deep thought, then gave his sister an animated glare and half smile. "Great, now you have me worrying."

Callie put her arm around him. "It's ok, babe. I will be right there with you." She said giving him a peck on the cheek. Chet smiled, but grabbed two more bread sticks. Cal raised an eyebrow to him.

"I'm eating for two." He replied.

Callie smiled at this statement. "Ah, I see. You need to keep your strength up, too! Gotcha. And you never know when you will need to carry me around some more. That was fun!" She said teasingly.

Chet nodded good naturedly. A moment later, Tony walked through the door. He looked around the dining room before spotting his friends who had invited him.

With a smile he made his way over to the table and looked down as he took a seat. "Hey guys. Thanks for the invite. Anyone see any celebrities yet?" He asked looking around. Dino's Lodge had been known at one time to attract the affluent and celebrity clientele.

Chet shook his head. "Nothing but that pack of old rats over there…." He muttered, gesturing to a table of older men, dressed in tuxedos and tossing back martinis.

Tony raised an eyebrow at Chet, then shook his head and smiled. "I hear Joe is getting a little reprieve tonight? Is that still happening?"

Iola nodded. "Yeah, Laura is bringing him by and dropping him off. Should be any minute now." She said pensively. As if an answer to her statement the figure of Joe Hardy appeared in the doorway. Iola waved frantically. Joe soon saw them and smiled then waved.

He made his way over. "Hey guys!" He said cheerfully. Iola got up and wrapped her arms around him and kissed him several times. He smiled back at her gaze she had on him. "Wow. Looks like I was missed." He said returning the favor.

Chet cleared his throat. "Hey Joe! We missed you, buddy! You got the warden to let you lose. I am happy for you!"

Joe nodded and sighed deeply. "You know it, Chet. And thank God. I love aunt Gertrude, but after several days of her acting like you are on your death bed it got a bit much." He looked down at his watch. "I am going to enjoy these next few hours!"

Iola gave slight puppy dog face. "Just three hours, babe?" She asked sadly.

Joe nodded with a half shrug. "At this point, I will take what I can get. But yes, three hours and my ride will be here." He rolled his eyes. "Kind of like we are still in middle school, baby. But I suspect if I don't appear outside in three hours, aunt Gertrude will have Collig put an APB out on me."

Iola sighed and put her arms around him and kissed him again. "Well, we will make the most of it." She purred, pulling him close right next to her.

"How are you feeling, Joe?" Callie asked with concern.

Joe smiled. "Think I am feeling pretty good, Cal. I was a bit shaky off and on the first few days. But that might have also been stress caused by my nurse." He said smirked and managed to laugh.

A moment later, a waiter came up to the table and smiled to them. A middle aged Italian man named Luigi. "If everyone is here, I will take another drink order." He said pleasantly.

Joe nodded and gestured to Iola. Iola smiled and looked up. "I will have a Rossini." Iola said with a smile of anticipation. Luigi smiled then looked to Callie.

Callie bit her lip in thought when prompted for a drink order. "Can I get a peach Bellini?" She asked, then quickly added. "A Virgin, please."

Chet winked at her with a smile and looked to Luigi. "I would like an Angelo Azzurro." He requested.

Tony shook his head and smiled. "Make that two. I will live dangerously as well."

Luigi nodded. "Very good, sir." He turned to Joe.

Joe sighed then bit his lip for a moment. "A cherry and lime Italian soda, please." He said soberly. Luigi nodded and rushed off to fill the order.

Tony smiled at Joe. "Aunt Gertrude has a nose like a cat, eh Joe? Wouldn't do well to tempt fate with alcohol on your breath."

Joe nodded soberly. "Yeah, I don't want to go there. She would know for sure!" He said with a shudder in his voice. The idea honestly scared him.

"She probably has a breathalyzer." Callie speculated with a giggle.

Joe shrugged. "I don't mind, really. Not that I wouldn't like a drink after the week I've had! But we can all have a night off." He said gesturing towards Callie with a breadstick. "You're doing the same thing. Good for you! Not that you have to worry about Chet smelling booze on your breath."

Callie smiled slightly then looked down, avoiding eye contact. "You'd be surprised." She said softly.

Joe raised an eyebrow to Chet. "Keeping your gal on a leash now, dude?" Chet cleared his throat abruptly. He sighed and grinned to himself at the awkward position he was placed. He gave Cal a sideways glance. She rolled her eyes with a smile and nodded to him. Chet didn't want to let the cat out of the bag unless she was ok with it. Iola laughed as she watched the two carry on a conversation with expressions between them.

Joe and Tony looked at each other a bit confused. "What gives, guys?" Joe asked. "Did I touch on a sore subject?" He offered the pair a questioning look.

Chet looked up and shook his head. "No, Joe. And no, I haven't put Cal on a leash. She is just looking out for her wellbeing. Booze is not always a good thing." He said, attempting to evading the subject.

"Ok then…" Joe said. "You ok, Cal?" he asked concerned. I mean we were both in that crash so figured maybe you are on doctor's orders to avoid the booze like me. But I thought you checked out OK in Colorado."

Call smiled and nodded. "I'm ok, Joe. For sure!" She said a bit coyly.

Iola rolled her eyes a bit and looked to Joe. "They are dancing around, babe."

She looked over to her best friend. "If you meander like this around my parents, it will take forever." She scolded.

Callie smiled again and looked down shyly. Tony took on a look and his eyes got wide. He looked to Joe. "Well, Joe. If you want to my guess…" He started.

Joe looked incredulously to Chet. "Cal is knocked up?" He asked, not realizing his poor choice of words as Iola stuck an elbow into his side.

Chet smiled back. "Like a cheerleader." He said a bit boastfully.

Chet's poor choice of words earned him a jab in the gut as well from Callie who rolled her eyes. "Boys, boys, boys… you are supposed to use those words when we aren't here." She said with a faint laugh.

Joe stood up with a wide smile. "I am sorry about that, Cal. Oh my God! I am so happy for you both!" He said and came around and hugged them.

Tony had walked up behind them as well and slapped Chet on the back. "Way to go!" He told him and turned to Callie. "I am so happy to hear this, Cal. I imagine you are beyond words?"

Callie pursed her lips and nodded. "You could say it was a surprise, Tony. But a pleasant one!"

A moment later, Luigi brought their drinks and then took their food orders. Over the next hour and a half, the group sat around the table eating a wide variety of Italian fare and drinks. Talking about the news that had been dropped. It was a happy celebration as there were no judgments voiced. No real anxiety for Callie who was in need of a lighter ending to a serious day. Just good friends and happy bantering.

Joe and Iola sat next to each other, hand in hand. A good meal finished and just enjoying the company and ambiance of their environment. Well, most of it. By this time Chet and Tony had each consumed eight Angelo Azzurros and were feeling quite comfortable. Relaxed enough to be singing a duet, arm and arm. The instrumental music in the background served them well. Or so they thought. Iola giggled at her brother who was three sheets to the wind.

"When I was seventeen….." Chet sang. "It was a verrrryy good year.
It was a very good year for small town girls….And soft summer nights…
We'd hide from the lights
On the village green….When I was seventeeeennnnn"

Tony wrapped his arm around his chum tighter and smiled with a slight laugh and continued.

"When I was twenty-one, it was a very good year
It was a very good year for city girls
Who lived up the stairs
With all that perfumed hair…hahahaha…
And it came undone
When I was twenty-one"

Chet shook his head at him in an exaggerated manner.

"No, no, man… it goes like this…

When I was thirty-five, it was a very good year
It was a very good year for blue-eyed girls" He sang giving Cal a significant glance.
"Of independent means
We'd ride in limousines…or maybe even Jaguars…
Their chauffeurs would drive
When I was thirty-five…."

A moment later Chet saw one of the old men from the other table stand up and raise his fist.

"You fuck up one more word to my song, Pally, and I will have Dino throw your ass out!"

Chet blinked in a nervous yet quite drunken way and nodded.

"Uhm, yeah. I think we better quit now, Tony... before we get whacked. I think I saw Peter Lawford around here…"

Tony blinked a couple times and nodded to him with a twisted smile. "For sure, man... You can't screw with that dude. Rest in peace, Marilyn."

Callie closed her eyes and shook her head, then rubbed her temples. "Oh, dear God. Let's not go there. Every time you two come to this place and have a few of those Angelo Azzurros, we have to go there. It's ok when I'm drunk too... But not tonight, huh?" She pleaded.

Joe smiled and shook his head at all that was transpiring. "Could be worse, Cal. Jerry Lewis could have made an appearance.

Callie smirked and nodded knowingly.

"Yeah, think it's time to call it a night."