Chapter 13

Sunday passed without anything fruitful turning up. There were no prints on the mailbox, tape or envelope, and the piece of material revealed nothing. The boot print suggested that the man in the bushes was roughly five eleven and weighed maybe two hundred pounds; a description which fitted James Moore perfectly.

It did nothing to appease Fenton's growing frustration and anger. "What now?" he growled at Sam, pacing the floor in his study. "What the hell do we do now?"

"Calm down, Fenton. There's nothing we can do," Sam told him. "We know Moore has Joe, and that he's here in Bayport somewhere. The Police are combing through Bayport with a fine tooth comb, they'll turn something up."

"Short of banging on every door in Bayport they'll turn nothing up!" said Fenton through gritted teeth. "If Moore doesn't want to be found then he won't be."

"You found him before," Sam reminded him.

"And I'm sure he'll have learned from that mistake!" spat Fenton. "Why is it always my family? Why can't they just go after me personally? I'm the one they have the grudge against!"

"Because they know it will hurt more," said Sam softly.

Fenton opened his mouth to reply when a soft knock on the door stopped him. "Come in," he called.

The door opened and Frank poked his head into the room. "Um, Dad? Can I have a word?"

Sam glanced at Fenton. "I'll go."

"No, no!" said Frank hurriedly. "I just wanted to talk to Dad about something."

Fenton looked expectantly at his son as Frank entered the room and closed the door. "I want to go to school tomorrow," Frank told him.

"Now I know why you wanted Sam to stay," said Fenton dryly. "So I can't explode at that little announcement."

Frank shuffled guiltily and Sam hid a smile. Fenton sighed. "Frank, school isn't exactly the safest place in the world for you to be right now."

"Dad, I'm going crazy here!" Frank pleaded. "I need to keep busy or I'll go out of my mind!"

"Frank," said Fenton patiently. "I can't let you go alone to school. What if something happens?"

"But I won't be alone," Frank argued. "I'll be surrounded by students and teachers, and Chet's already agreed to escort me to every class!"

"Even if it makes him late for his own?" asked Sam. "That's some friend."

Fenton didn't answer. "Dad, please?" begged Frank.

Sam took pity on the teenager. He had seen how lost the boy was over the last few days. "I can bring him to and from school, Fenton," offered Sam. Frank shot him a grateful smile.

Fenton sighed. "Okay. But, Frank, I mean this, don't go anywhere by yourself! Not even to the bathroom!"

"I won't, I promise! Thanks, Dad."

As Frank turned to go, Fenton shook his head. "I'm guessing you came to me and not your mother because you knew there was no way in a million years she would have given into you on this?" Frank just smiled sheepishly as he left the room.

"Figures," Fenton groaned to Sam. "And guess who the idiot is that has to explain this to Laura?"

XXX

The next morning, Frank left with Sam amid much angry muttering from his mother and even more pained shrugging from his father. Laura had not been happy with Fenton for agreeing to Frank's request.

"Do you think she'll have calmed down later?" Frank asked Sam as the car pulled up outside the school.

"Who, Laura? Of course she will," Sam reassured him.

Frank could see Chet making his way to the car. "I'd better go, Sam," he said as he made to open the door.

"Frank, wait. I know your Dad's already said this to you but I'm saying it as well. Don't go anywhere by yourself today. This guy is dangerous." Sam neglected to tell Frank that if Moore had both of Fenton Hardy's sons, he might consider one of them more expendable.

Frank nodded. "I won't, I promise. And thanks for siding with me last night, Sam. I really appreciate it."

"Don't mention it," Sam grinned. "I'll pick you up here after school, okay?"

Frank nodded. "See you later, Sam!"

Frank got out of the car just as Chet joined him. "Hey, Frank," Chet greeted him. "Where are we heading first?"

"Spanish," Frank murmured as they walked towards the school. He was painfully aware of the loud whispers and curious stares aimed in his direction.

"Hey, Frank, Chet!" a voice called, and both boys turned to see Tony Prito and another boy walking towards them. Frank recognised him as Phil Cohen, a quiet, studious boy in several of his classes.

"Hey, Tony," said Chet as they caught up with them. "What's up?"

"You two know each other?" asked Frank.

Chet grinned. "We have some classes together."

"Which he usually spends eating," laughed Tony.

"Hey, at least I don't spend them talking, Prito!" Chet retorted good-naturedly.

Phil sighed. "And I'm usually the one caught in the middle."

Frank couldn't help but smile at the good-natured banter. "I hate to be a killjoy," he said as the bell went off. "But I think we all have somewhere to be."

"Yeah, Spanish!" Phil grinned. "Coming, Frank?"

"Okay," said Frank. "See you later, Chet!"

"Hey!" Chet objected. "I thought I was supposed to be your bodyguard!"

"You've been fired!" Tony teased. "He's got a new one - Phil!"

"Some bodyguard I'd make," commented Phil as he glanced at his skinny frame. "Mice aren't scared of me!" Laughing, the boys set off for class.

The morning passed quickly enough for Frank. He had several classes with Phil and found that he had a lot in common with the boy. They spent most of their time between classes talking about computers. Frank liked the quiet boy with the dry sense of humour.

After morning break, Frank was just saying goodbye to Phil before Maths when he met Tony Prito. "Hey, Frank," waved Tony. "Want to help me actually understand Math today?"

"Sure, Tony," Frank agreed. As they set off down the hall, Frank caught sight of Chet heading to another class. Chet smiled and waved at them. It was only then that Frank realised that Chet had orchestrated all of this. Between himself, Tony and Phil, Chet had ensured that Frank was never alone.

And Frank was profoundly grateful. Not because of James Moore, who Frank seriously doubted would come running into a crowded school to abduct Frank in the middle of the day, but because of the other kids. Frank could see he was the hot topic of gossip that day; everywhere he went, kids pointed and whispered. Frank followed the lead of Chet and the others and pointedly ignored them.

It was lunch time when Frank ran into his first spot of trouble.

He had seen Paul in two or three of his morning classes, and although the two teenagers had acknowledged each other, they hadn't spoken. It was lunch, however, before he saw Ryan and Keith.

They were sitting at their usual table in the cafeteria. Keith looked pale and depressed, and most unlike his usual cheerful self. Ryan, Frank saw with a sense of shock, had a heavily bruised face.

His Dad did beat him! Why don't Social Services do something about it? Frank wondered.

He sat with Tony while they waited for Phil and Chet to join them. Frank was playing with his food when an angry voice to his left said, "back to being the Golden Boy again, Hardy?"

Frank looked up and saw Ryan standing over him, an ugly look on his face.

"You promised you wouldn't tell!" Ryan hissed.

"That was before my brother was kidnapped, Ryan!" Frank retorted.

"You mean the brother you cared so much about that you told him you wished you didn't have a brother?"

Frank looked at the table. "That was said in the heat of the moment, Ryan. I didn't mean it."

"Yeah? Well, I didn't mean to hurt that old lady!" Ryan spat. "But now I'm being dragged up before a Judge next week, all because of your big mouth!"

"It's Juvenile Court. And we're all going to have to face the Judge at some point about this," Frank reminded him.

"Oh, please," said Ryan bitterly. "You think you have anything to worry about? I bet Daddy's buddies will make sure you get off with nothing more than a smack on the wrist, while the likes of me take the fall!"

"Take the fall?" Frank repeated. "Ryan, you hit that old woman! And if I remember correctly, you were the only one who did! So yes, you're the one who should be punished!"

"Sanctimonious little shit!" said Ryan viciously. "I'll teach you!"

Before Frank knew what was happening, Ryan had jumped on him, slammed his head into the table and put a knife to his throat!

Chaos erupted around them as students screamed and backed away from the scene of the disruption.

"I'll make you very sorry, Hardy, you just wait and see," whispered Ryan dangerously in Frank's ear, keeping the knife to his throat. Frank struggled to get out from beneath him, but Ryan was bigger than he was and used his weight to keep Frank pinned down. "You think you can say things like that to me?"

"I'll say what I want to you!" Frank hissed angrily. "You have a nasty temper, Ryan, and you need to learn to control it!"

Ryan laughed. "Oh, and I suppose Saint Hardy hasn't been losing his temper at all these last few weeks? People like you make me sick! You think different rules apply to you just because your family's rich!"

"My family's not rich!"

"Well they ain't exactly poor either," said Ryan. "But money of any kind still buys you immunity; just look at that retraction your Dad got printed the other evening!"

"That wasn't my Dad," said Frank through gritted teeth.

"Sure, whatever you say," sneered Ryan.

"Ryan Aston!" a shocked voice rang out. "What are you doing?"

Ryan froze. Frank couldn't see what was happening, but he guessed from Ryan's actions that the boy had forgotten he had an audience. "What?" said Ryan, confused.

"Let go of that boy now!" a voice commanded, and Frank guessed it was a teacher.

Ryan kept a grip on Frank, unsure what to do, and Frank felt a mad urge to laugh at the idea of a hostage situation at the hands of one of his fellow students.

But then another voice sounded. "Ryan! What the hell are you doing!"

It was Paul.

"I'm…uh…" Ryan stuttered.

"Ryan, let him go," said Paul quietly. "Can't you see what you're doing?"

Ryan glanced down at Frank, still pinned beneath him and stood up letting the knife drop. "I…I didn't think," he mumbled.

Paul shook his head sadly. "You never do."

Two teachers stepped forward and escorted Ryan out of the cafeteria. Frank didn't realise how silent it had become until shocked whispers broke out among the students.

He glanced over at Tony who was sitting frozen in his seat. Chet and Phil stood nearby, their lunch trays in their hands. As Frank straightened up, a teacher hurried over. "Frank, are you okay?"

It was Mrs. Williams, the Physics teacher.

"Uh, fine," Frank mumbled, trying to pretend he didn't notice the stares in his direction.

"Maybe you should see the nurse," Mrs. Williams persisted.

"No, I'm fine, Mrs. Williams, honest," said Frank. "I'd really rather just get on with my lunch."

The teacher looked uncertain but walked away and left him alone. Quickly, Chet and Phil dropped their trays on the table and sank into the chairs on either side of Frank. "Wow, Frank, are you okay?" asked Chet breathlessly.

Frank nodded.

"Man, life's never dull with a Hardy around," Phil mumbled and they all laughed, even Frank.

"I should start charging for the entertainment," he joked.

Lunch was almost over when an announcement rang out over the PA system, "could Frank Hardy please come to the Principal's office? That's Frank Hardy to the Principal's office, thank you."

Frank stood up with a sigh. "And here I go with the entertainment again. Talk to you later, guys."

As Frank headed for the cafeteria doors, the other boys glanced at one another. Wordlessly they rose from their seats and followed Frank. They caught up with him in the hall. Frank raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Thought you might like the company," Chet shrugged. Frank smiled gratefully and they continued in silence to the Principal's office. Once there, the other boys were forced to wait outside while Frank went in. He wasn't surprised to see his parents sitting there.

"Frank, are you okay?" asked his mother at once. "Principal Woods called and told us what happened."

"I told you what the eyewitness and Ryan told me," he corrected her. "But I'd like to hear from Frank now."

Quickly Frank told them everything that had passed between himself and Ryan. When he was finished, the Principal sighed. "That's what I thought. I've had trouble with Ryan before, but nothing like this."

"What will happen to Ryan?" Frank asked. "None of this is really his fault, his dad beats him and I think Ryan is pretty angry about it."

"So I gathered," said the Principal. "But I'm afraid that really is a matter for Social Services, and I've reported everything to them today. My concern is for this school, and I'm afraid Ryan is just too unstable to risk keeping around other kids. I have no other alternative but to expel him."

"What?" Frank exclaimed in shock. "You can't expel him!" Wait, he thought, why am I defending Ryan?

"It's already been done," said the Principal. "Ryan was treading on pretty thin ice before this, but pulling a knife on another student is a very serious matter. Even the eyewitness agreed that Ryan is out of control.

"Hold on," said Frank confused. "Who was the eyewitness? Chet, Tony and Phil were with me all through lunch…"

"It was Paul Knox," the Principal told him quietly.

XXX

Later that evening, Frank was at home doing his homework when his father got a call from Chief Collig. James Moore had been spotted at a rundown factory on the outskirts of Bayport. Fenton told him he would be there in fifteen minutes.

"Laura, there's a Patrol car just outside the front door," said Fenton. "Don't answer the door unless you know who it is, just in case."

"Fenton, I do know what to do," said Laura irritably, watching her husband put on his coat. "But it sounds as though Moore is at this factory, so surely we don't need to worry?"

"Reported to be at the factory, Laura, there's a difference."

Laura glanced down at her hands where she was tightly clutching a cloth, the only indication of the turmoil raging inside her. "Do you think Joe will be there?" she asked softly.

Fenton paused on his way out the door. "I hope so," he answered. "I'll call as soon as we find something."

As Fenton left, Laura turned to her eldest son who had been watching the exchange between his parents. "Dinner is ready, Frank," said Laura in a hollow voice.

It was a very subdued meal with just Frank, his mother and his aunt. Ethel had returned home earlier that day. None of them ate much and their eyes kept straying anxiously to the phone.

Laura was the first to get up and bring her half-eaten meal to the sink. Frank quickly followed suit.

"Guess you're not too hungry either, huh?" his mother smiled sadly.

Frank shook his head. "No, not really." He tried to smile at his mother but the smile died on his face when he saw how upset she really was. Instinctively, he reached over and hugged her. "It'll be fine, Mom," he whispered. "Dad will find him."

Gertrude appeared behind them carrying her own plate. "Laura, why don't you take a hot bath and I'll clear up."

Laura immediately started to protest but Gertrude silenced her. "I insist, Laura. A hot bath might help you relax enough to sleep tonight. You haven't slept properly in days and you don't look well."

There was too much wisdom in Gertrude's words for Laura to argue. "Alright," she conceded. "Frank, I want you to take out the garbage for your aunt."

"Sure, Mom, no problem."

While Laura headed upstairs, Gertrude briskly set about clearing the table while Frank emptied the bin and headed out the back. Most evenings Frank took the garbage out, but occasionally Joe insisted that he would do it. Frank would then watch for several minutes while Joe stubbornly tried to lift the bag out of the bin before admitting defeat. And then Frank would take the garbage out anyway.

Frank grinned to himself in the darkness of the garden. Despite his size, Joe was always trying to prove that he could do everything Frank could, and it frustrated him no end when he couldn't. Frank's smile faded as he walked back towards the house. Joe had been missing for five days now, and it was the longest time that Frank had ever spent without speaking to his brother.

Frank just hoped he would get the chance to talk to Joe again. There was a lot he needed to tell him.

Just as he reached the screen door, Frank heard the phone ring in the hall. "I'll get it!" he yelled as he bolted through the kitchen. Reaching the phone, Frank snatched it up and answered breathlessly, "hello?"

"Frank?" his father's voice sounded on the other end.

"Dad! Did you find anything?"

"No….the place….so we had…."

"What? Dad, I can't hear you, the connection is terrible!" said Frank.

"….your mother…home…"

Frank felt frustration and impatience rise. "Dad, did you find anything?"

"No…Sam…"

"I still can't hear you, Dad!" cried Frank. Suddenly there was a click and he heard the distinct buzz of a dial tone. His father was gone.

Frank stared at the receiver in his hand for several seconds. He hadn't heard most of what his father had said, but it sounded as though they hadn't found anything. Crushed, Frank returned to the kitchen to tell his aunt the news. As he pushed open the kitchen door, Frank froze in horror.

His aunt was lying unconscious on the floor.

"Aunt Gertrude!" Frank cried, moving towards his aunt. Suddenly he was aware of movement behind him and whirled around. A large, muscular man had been hiding behind the kitchen door and as Frank turned around he threw himself on the boy, clasping a large hand over his mouth.

Frank struggled furiously, causing the man to lose his balance and fall…right on top of Frank. The teenager gasped as the air was driven from his lungs.

"Well, well," the man sneered as he stared down at Frank. "Aren't you the real miniature Fenton Hardy? Did Daddy get my message?"

Frank knew who he was instantly. This was James Moore, this was the man who had his brother.

"I've decided to leave him a more interesting one though," said Moore as his fingers found Frank's neck. "The body of his son."

Frank choked as the man's fingers tightened around his throat. Moore was trying to strangle him!

A/N: Sorry it's taken me so long to add the chapters, I'm just really busy at the moment and it's hard to find time to get online. But the story is fully written and I promise, 3 days at most will be the wait for each chapter.

Shee-cj: The site didn't show your email so I'm responding this way. Thank you for the great review. I'm a massive Joe fan too (but I always try to give each brother equal page time). To answer your questions; there are 21 chapters in Broken Threads, but I'm afraid there are no other HB fanfiction sites. The Hardy Boys aren't one of those topics that people tend to write alot of fanfiction about. And for what it's worth, you'll never find Nancy in my stories!

The Silent Rumble: I know you're a fan of Frank angst so I hope this chapter and the next one satisfy you a little! Thanks for the review!

Paperdaisies: And I appreciate the reviews! It's fantastic to know that someone likes my story enough to take the time to review. Thank you so much for taking that time.