Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys or any of the canon book characters, and am making no monies from this story. Any Original Characters belong to the author(s).

Note: This story was written around the year 2002, so technology is not as advanced as it is today. People still used landlines! Also it was originally co-written with another person, to whom I give much credit for the entire plot, and heartfelt thanks.

Thank you to those readers who have left comments and feedback on prior chapters. It is much appreciated.

January Thaw

EvergreenDreamweaver and Sparks JSH

Chapter 6

Callie Shaw sat disconsolately in the bedroom, her left wrist handcuffed to the chair's arm. As prisons go, she supposed she was fairly well off. Her jailers were relatively polite; they escorted her to the restroom when she requested it, they had brought her things to eat, and the previous night she had been warm and comfortable in the bed, even if she had been cuffed to the bedpost. However, all three of the guards – there seemed to be three – kept their faces shrouded in lightweight ski-type masks that covered their heads completely, except for their eyes; and they talked very little. She had had no chance to see any identifying features, or pick out anything unusual about their voices.

How long is this going to go on? They made me make that tape this morning…I thought something would have happened by now. Does Frank even have it yet? Does he even know I've been kidnapped? And what is it they want him to do…what's so important?

The door opened, and three figures entered the room: two of the masked guards, and a small, feminine form dressed in slacks and a parka. She was blindfolded, stumbling between her captors as they pushed and pulled her along. They removed her coat, sat her in another armchair, similar to the one holding Callie, and attached her wrist to it in the same manner. Then they whipped the blindfold from her face, and Callie got a good look at her for the first time.

She's awfully cute…so tiny! Just look at that pretty hair! And her eyes are beautiful!

The strange girl was glaring up at the guards. "What kind of stupid game is this?" she demanded. "What are you doing, going around Bayport kidnapping girls, just for the fun of it? If you're looking for a ransom, I can tell you you've made a mistake; you won't get anything from my family; there's nothing to get!"

"Shut up!" growled one of the men. "If you're going to whine all the time, we'll either dope you to keep you quiet, or we'll shut you up another way – and I don't think you'd like it." He stepped toward her, his hand raised threateningly, but his companion caught his arm.

"Stop it, you know Sullivan doesn't want them hurt. At least not yet," he added, glancing at the girls. "Come on, let's get out of here," he continued, tugging his partner toward the door. "Someone will be back with your dinners, girls." The two men exited, shutting and – from the sounds – locking the door behind them.

Left alone, the two girls surveyed each other carefully. The little redhead spoke first:

"Do you have any idea what is going on?"

Callie shook her head silently. Her mind was suddenly racing. This must be Frank's new girlfriend! First these idiots snatched me, now they've got her! Why?

"My name is Megan – Megan Wright," the other girl continued.

"I'm Callie Shaw," Callie murmured. She waited for a reaction from Megan, but received none. So no one has even mentioned me? Frank hasn't even told her my name? I wasn't even worth that much?

"How long have you been here?" Megan asked gently, "and have they hurt you – or anything?"

"I've been here since yesterday afternoon," Callie replied. "They grabbed me when I was going to the dry cleaners'. And I don't know why; they haven't told me what they want. But they haven't hurt me, no – unless you count the chloroform!"

"They pulled me right out of my boyfriend's car!" Megan said with a shudder. "But at least they didn't chloroform me."

"Your boyfriend – what did he do? Was he there?" Callie asked.

"He couldn't do anything – they'd already grabbed him and put handcuffs on him, and shoved him in the back of a police car – well, it looked like a police car, anyway!" Megan pulled on the handcuff holding her in the chair. "Do you think they're just going around Bayport snatching women off the streets?"

"No, I don't think so." Callie considered the situation a moment and decided honesty was the best way to go. "They wanted us especially."

"Wanted us?" Megan gasped. "Why?"

Callie smiled bitterly. "Because you are currently Frank Hardy's girlfriend…and I used to be!"

Megan's long-lashed eyes widened, and Callie felt a stab of envy. Those eyes are really something. Wonder if she wears tinted contacts, or if that color is natural. "You – you're the girl who went to Colorado…and then broke up with him?"

"So you have heard of me!" Callie snapped.

"I didn't know your name," Megan faltered. "I just knew whoever it was he used to go with went away to school – and then wrote him breaking up." Her lips compressed in a grim line. "You hurt him."

"Obviously he didn't stay hurt very long!" Illogically, Callie was angry – Who was this little interloper, anyway? "He found you quickly enough! How does it feel to know you were picked up on the rebound?"

Megan gasped as if she'd received a dousing with ice water. "I – you – Oooh! How dare you? After dumping him the way you did!"

Suddenly ashamed of herself, Callie dropped her gaze. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. We're in an awful mess, and fighting isn't going to help anything." Curious, however, she cocked her head to the side. "Frank met you at school?"

Megan's lips twitched into a wry smile. "I asked him to help me—" The smile dimmed. "to help me find out who murdered my father."

"Who mur – oh, I'm sorry!" Again, curiosity won out. "Did he?"

"Yes." To Callie's surprise, Megan suddenly laughed, and a dimple appeared in one cheek. "I got kidnapped then, too! I'd only known him three or four days! Does this happen often?"

"Entirely too often," Callie admitted, "and here I thought it wouldn't be happening anymore, once we weren't dating!"

The door opened, and both girls tensed. The man who entered the room was also wearing a ski-type mask, but there was an indefinable air of authority about him. This was no simple guard.

"Well girls, are you comfortable? Anything you need?"

Both Megan and Callie glared at him; neither bothered to answer. Undeterred by their hostility, the man sat down on the bed where he could watch them both.

"The tape you made, Miss Shaw, is now in Frank Hardy's possession. Assuming he has listened to it, he should be waiting for further instructions. That he follows these instructions completely is germane to your continued safety – and yours, Miss Wright."

"What kind of instructions?" Megan asked quietly. "What is it you want him to do?"

Although they couldn't see him smile, amusement tinged their captor's voice. "Do you really want to know? I suppose you do, at that. All right, listen…."

##########

Joe Hardy sat at the kitchen table, moodily watching his mother as she loaded the dishwasher. "Mom, did he talk to you when you took up his dinner? Anything to tell you what's wrong?"

Laura shook her head. "No. He very politely let me talk at him – and didn't hear a single word I said!"

Joe sighed and got to his feet. "I'm going to make a couple of phone calls."

His mother glanced at him. "Honey, I know you're worried about Frank…but don't go interfering, please? Let him work things out for himself."

"Yeah, yeah…." Joe walked from the kitchen, his brow furrowed in thought.

He ascended the stairs, glancing unhappily at his brother's closed door as he passed it, went into his own room and picked up the extension phone on his bedside table. He dialed a number and listened to a disturbing number of rings…and no answer. Where's Megan? She ought to be home…She said her mom went to New York the day after New Year's, to visit a friend for a few days; Megan's alone in the house…she's obviously not with Frank, so where could she be?

A sudden impulse brought him to his feet. He picked up his car keys, hurried down the stairs, and grabbed his coat. Giving his mother a hasty kiss, he murmured "I'll be back in a little while," and dashed for the van before Laura could frame a reply.

Shivering in the bitterly cold air, Joe hopped into the van and started the motor. He backed down the driveway cautiously, mindful of the icy spots, then swung the van onto the street.

When he reached the Wright house, Joe was very surprised to see it was completely dark; although his call had gone unanswered, he had cherished the hope that perhaps Megan was simply not answering the telephone. If she and Frank had a fight, he reasoned, maybe she'd just assume it was him calling – oh, they may have Caller ID – and maybe she's too mad to talk to him! He got out of the van and rang the doorbell, but there was no response. Somewhat concerned, Joe walked over to one of the front windows and tried to see in, but the interior of the house was dark, and he could see nothing. Maybe she went over to Vanessa's? I could call Van and ask…but still, she'd leave a light or two on, for when she came home, wouldn't she? The garage doors were down, so he had no idea whether Megan's car was there, or not. Joe reached into his pocket, only to discover that he'd left the house without his cell phone.

Somewhat discouraged, Joe climbed back into the van and drove home, listening absentmindedly to a CD of Christmas carols that Frank had put in the player a month ago. After parking the van, Joe reached to pop out the CD and take it in the house – Enough with the Christmas carols, it's past New Year's! – when a cassette tape sticking out of the dash caught his attention. That's odd. Where did that cassette come from? Somewhat puzzled, he turned the ignition back on and pushed the cassette back into the tape player. Nothing but silence greeted him; after a few moments he pushed Rewind, waited until the tape stopped, then hit Play once more.

Two minutes later, Joe ejected the tape and turned off the motor. My God – no wonder Frank's going out of his mind! Megan – and Callie! I thought he was bad when Megan was kidnapped before; this is so much worse…! And I can't let him know I know about it; he might give something away to the kidnappers!

Joe strode into the house, hung up his coat, and went upstairs without encountering either of his parents. Frank's door was still closed, but Joe could hear faint sounds within; he stopped in the hallway and listened. Rhythmic footsteps approached the door, then retreated; Frank was evidently pacing. Joe winced, and went into his own room. He perched on the edge of his bed and reached for the phone.

"Vanessa? Hi, babe…have you got some time? Can I come over? I need to talk to you – right away….Well, it's sort of personal – but it's sort of about a case, too. I need your help….No! – no, it's not something I can discuss with Frank…."