Poster's Note: The Hardy Boys are owned by Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Syndicate. Thanks for reading! Chapters 17 & 19 were posted at the same time as this chapter.

CHAPTER 18

A bolt of lightning flashed brightly in the night as a roll of thunder boomed loudly. Carolyn Evans and Dr. Tyler walked quickly and quietly. They were going through the primate habitat. They weren't concerned that the monkeys might give them away. The security guard and maintenance personnel were used to the constant noise. Nor were they afraid that the monkeys would attack them. For the last few months, Carolyn and Dr. Tyler had been getting themselves acquainted with the animals.

They made it to the exit; Dr. Tyler disarmed the alarm. He pushed Carolyn out, following closely behind her. He took her hand, and they ran towards the open road, where a car awaited them. As they reached the vehicle, the skies opened up.

"This is Mr. Gray," Dr. Tyler told Carolyn. "He's going to help us."

With a frightened gasp, Carolyn woke up. She found herself in an unfamiliar room. Her heart pounding with fear, she took in her surroundings. Turning her head, Carolyn saw someone that eased her fears.

Chet was sleeping in a chair, softly snoring. Carolyn sat up in bed; she reached out and touched Chet's knee.

"Chet," she whispered.

Chet woke with a start; he blinked a few times. When he saw Carolyn smiling at him, Chet smiled back.

"I was afraid you'd never wake up. How are you? Are you feeling nauseous? Are you hungry?"

The two heard a chuckle and turned towards the doorway.

"Give her a chance to answer one question, Chet," Joe teased. Then, more seriously. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Yes, a little dizzy, but otherwise I'm fine. Where am I?"

"Welcome to Hardy Manor!" Joe said with a smile, as he swept his arms out in an exaggerated gesture.

Chet rolled his eyes as Carolyn giggled. Frank came into the room, and smiled at Carolyn.

"I guess you're wondering what happened after you found your uncle," Frank said.

"He really wasn't my uncle. I'm sorry I had to lie to you. But Mr. Gray..."

Frank held up a hand. "We know all about the Gray Man."

Chet moved to sit by Carolyn, Frank sat in the chair that Chet abandoned. Joe leaned against the wall.

"Do you work with Mr. Gray?" Carolyn asked.

Joe and Frank exchanged a look. "Not exactly. You see, Joe and I are detectives. A few cases we've worked on, kind of involved the Network."

"Gray," Joe continued, "came to us and he told us about you and Dr. Tyler. He wanted us to look after you and keep an eye out for Mr. Black. After you saved Vanessa, Frank and I thought we should let our dad know; he's done some work with the Network."

"I'm just sorry we didn't tell him sooner. Maybe we could have saved Dr. Tyler," Frank said sadly.

"Don't blame yourself, Frank. You didn't know Mr. Black. He would have killed Dr. Tyler even if you had spoken to your father before today." Carolyn wiped a tear from her face. "Black was a mean, cruel and vicious man."

"Carolyn," Frank began. "Joe and I feel that…well, that Mr. Gray and the Network will want to use you the same way the Assassins did."

Carolyn nodded her head. "Dr. Tyler thought as much."

"Is there anyone you know that could hide you?" Joe asked.

With a shake of her head, Carolyn wiped away another tear. Chet took her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"I think I might know someone," Chet quietly said. "Do you remember my cousin, Mark? His family lives in Saskatchewan; my aunt and uncle work at the hospital on the Lucky Man Cree Reservation. I bet Mr. Gray and the Network wouldn't find her there. And if they did, I doubt if they could get her out of there."

Joe and Frank turned towards each other. Joe grinned widely when he saw the look on Frank's face. Joe could almost hear the wheels turning in Frank's head. Joe turned to face Chet.

"I think Frank has a plan."

*endofchapter*endofchapter*

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