When it all Goes Wrong

by Shepherd1969

Frank's worst nightmare comes true. Joe saves Frank's life. But will Joe survive? And can Frank survive if Joe doesn't?

20. At Death's Door

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark.

Chapter 20

Dedicated to Fluffykitty12 and God

POV GRIF (the guy who found Joe)

"You're crazy," I say as I wrap the blonde's bloody hand in a rag. "He could have killed you."

The blonde is barely conscious.

Who saves your life when you've only known them for a few hours? The blonde guy I found a few hours ago.

"Brothers?" the blonde whispers.

"Yeah," I lie.

"I killed somebody," the blonde whispers. "Some guy with dark hair. I shoved him out a window."

"Happens," I say.

"Why can't I remember?" he whispers and looks at me with one blue eye. The other eye is swollen shut.

I need to make something up … another lie … but my mind is blank.

"Later," I say. "Get some sleep."

I can tell he wants to ask more questions. But his body is a mess. His good eye slowly closes.

I owe him my life. Unfortunately, I also owe Ray "The Enforcer" $3,000. No idea where I'll get that kind of money. Last time I bet on a sure thing with the horses.

My body starts to shake. A sharp pain stabs my stomach. I need a drink. Just something to tide me over. I'm out of money, but I've got the blonde's watch.

I make sure nobody is following me. If Ray's people catch me, they will slit my throat. Nobody owes "The Enforcer" money and lives to tell about it.

The neon, flickering PAWN SHOP sign draws me in.

Vito always buys, but he gives rock bottom prices. He never asks where I get anything. Which is good since the stuff I pawn is usually stolen.

"What you got?" Vito asks.

I pull out the gold watch. In the light of the shop, I notice the watch looks expensive.

I slide the watch over to Vito.

He picks it up and puts it under his magnifying glass. I hide my shaking hands in my pockets. I need a drink….now.

"It's got an inscription on the back," Vito says. "To Joe, Partner – Friend – Brother – Frank."

"I found it in the park. Give me $250?" I say.

"No way. Do you know how hard it is to move jewelry that's inscribed? I've got to find someone named Frank who wants to buy this for a guy named Joe. I'll give you $20. Take it or leave it," Vito says.

"I'll take it," I say.

My hands shake as I grab the money off the counter.

I go out the back door of the pawn shop. In the alley, I go in the back door of a small, run down grocery store. I buy a three bottles of cheap wine. I go in the alley and open a bottle. I drink half of the bottle and wait. Impossible to walk when my body won't stop trembling. Slowly my body stops shaking.

I peek out the alley to make sure no one is around. On my way back, I grab a newspaper off the bench at the bus stop. Then I head back.

The blonde is asleep or unconscious. I can't tell which. I pull out the newspaper and open another bottle of wine.

HARDY KILLED IN FIRE

The picture in the newspaper matches the guy inches away.

Joe Hardy. Son of Fenton Hardy – the detective.

Everybody knows Fenton Hardy sent "The Enforcer" to prison for ten years. He got out last year.

I dial my cell phone.

"Yeah, it's Grif. Let me talk to the Enforcer," I say.

"You got my money or do I need to slit your throat?" The Enforcer asks.

"I got something better than money. Meet me at the abandoned boathouse," I say.

The kid is in bad shape. I doubt he'll be conscious for the beating the Enforcer has planned.

I take another swig of wine and wait.

POV Frank

Joe's funeral starts in twenty minutes. Dad is MIA. I am alone. I've felt alone ever since Joe died.

I open Joe's Bible. He underlined "in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good." Psalm 52:9

Hope is in short supply. I read Joe's messy writing.

Are You real? Will you tell Iola I love her? Can you tell her I'm sorry? Will I see her again?

Joe had doubts. Just like me. I want to believe, but I can't. I need proof.

Sam drives me to the church. In the cemetery, I small white canopy is set up. Sam and I sit in two folding chairs in the front row. Chet, Biff, Tony and Phil sit by me.

While the priest conducts the service, I tell myself this is just a nightmare. I'll wake up and Joe will be alive. This can't be the end.

The priest stops talking. He nods at Sam. Sam goes up and drops a handful of dirt on the coffin. I stay in my seat. No way can I do that. Sam puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to his brown sedan.

I sit in the passenger seat wishing I were dead.

POV JOE

I hurt all over. My head pounds. My hand throbs. Who am I? Why did I push someone out a window? Who was he? Why do I keep having nightmares about it?

I look around.

Someone breaks open the wooden door of the boathouse.

I'm grabbed by strong arms and dragged to my feet. The room spins.

"Grif, you got something for me," a muscular white man in a leather coat asks.

"Yeah, he's Fenton Hardy's kid," Grif says.

What? Who is Fenton Hardy?

The man pulls my head back by my hair.

"Yeah, you're what I've been waiting for ever since your old man sent me to prison," he says.

He punches me in the stomach. My knees give out. I'd be in a puddle on the floor, but two guys hold me up. I throw up on the cement floor.

"Get him in the car," the man says as my world goes dark