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Chapter 2
When Joe awoke the next morning, it was snowing heavily. He grinned. He had been hoping for a white Christmas.
He climbed out of bed and pulled on a heavy sweatshirt and jeans then headed downstairs, where he could smell the aroma of pancakes cooking.
"Morning Mom, Aunt Gertrude," he said cheerily. Laura Hardy smiled fondly at her youngest son.
"You seem in good spirits this morning, Joe," she remarked.
Joe grinned cheekily at her. "It's Christmas spirit, Mom!"
Frank heard his brother's attempt at a joke, and rolled his eyes.
"Bad one, Joe," he said, his brown eyes twinkling.
"Breakfast!" Mrs. Hardy announced, setting two plates of pancakes in front of her sons.
"Mmm, this is good!" Joe said, his mouth full of pancake.
"No talking with your mouth full, Joseph," Gertrude scolded her nephew.
Joe swallowed before saying, "Sorry,"
After Joe finished, he stood up and pulled his coat on.
"Where are you going?" his mother asked.
"Mall," Joe replied.
Frank grinned. He knew his brother hated shopping. It didn't surprise him that he still hadn't finished purchasing his presents.
"I thought you didn't like the mall," Frank said shrewdly. "What happened? Did you buy something for someone and decide you liked it too much, kept it, and now need to get a replacement?"
Joe gave him a sour look. He had done that once, but he had thought everyone had forgotten about it by now.
Joe was half way out the door when he turned around. "Do you mind if I use the van?" he asked Frank.
"Go ahead, bro," Frank grinned, tossing Joe the keys. "Just don't forget, we promised to help Vanessa this afternoon with the decorations for the party tomorrow night."
Joe nodded. "About three, okay?"
"Okay," Frank agreed.
Joe climbed into the Hardys van and turned the heater up.
He had been driving for a few minutes when his cell phone rang. He fumbled around in his pocket and answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Joe."
"Hey yourself, Vanessa."
"I'm just calling to remind you that you promise to help set up for the party."
"Yeah, Frank just reminded me before I left."
"Oh, okay."
"Hey Vanessa?" Joe said quickly, before she could hang up.
"Yeah?"
"Do you need me to pick anything up at the mall for you? I'm heading there now."
"Umm…." She paused. "Another packet of balloons would be nice."
"Okay! I'm on it."
"Bye!"
"See you later."
Joe hung up and returned the phone to his pocket. He switched the radio on and listened to Christmas carols the rest of the way.
Joe emerged from the shopping centre feeling elated and proud. He had found the perfect gift for Frank. Well, gifts.
He had been browsing round a sporting store, when he saw a sale on survival equipment. His interest peaked, he went over to the display and mulled over the various devices, but didn't see anything especially interesting.
Then something caught his eye. It was a special edition Swiss-army knife with four blades, a bottle opener, a pair of tweezers, scissors, and a few more accessories.
It was perfect. He winced at the price, but then dismissed the worry. It was for Frank.
Plus, Frank needed a new one since his last one had been ruined on their last case, courtesy of Joe.
He though that he at least owed Frank a replacement.
He paid for it and left the store. Then he saw an engraving booth. He sat down on a bench to think of a possible line to engrave on the knife.
Joe stood up a short time later and made his way over to the booth. He handed the man the knife and gave him the slip of paper with the wording on it.
Twenty minutes later, Joe unlocked the van, climbed in, and turned up the heat.
Frank glanced at his watch and frowned. It was two-thirty.
Relax, Frank told himself. Joe usually turns up at the last minute anyway.
Joe listened to the soft tune of 'Silent Night' emanating out of the speakers in the van.
He didn't notice the dark car swerve around the bend with its lights off.
Suddenly the van's headlights picked up the image of the car, careening towards him at full speed. The car was on a collision course with the van!
Please R & R!!!!!!!!!!!! (pretty please?)