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 plot and undying thanks.

Thanks to those leaving reviews, even though they don't show up any more. I still appreciate the kind thoughts.

January Thaw

By EvergreenDreamweaver and Sparks JSH

Chapter 16

"Are you crazy? Megan just reminded you what would happen if you hurt any of us," Fenton quickly tried to reason with their captor. He didn't know what had prompted this sudden change but he knew it couldn't be a good sign.

"All three of you might have gotten out of this alive if your boy had done what he was told. He shouldn't have come nosing around." Sullivan pointed his revolver at Megan. "You, come here."

Megan stayed rooted to her spot. What did he mean? Was it possible that Frank was near? Was the nightmare almost over? Oh, Frank, please get here soon, she pleaded silently.

Sullivan cocked his gun. "I said, get over here, or all your boyfriend is going to find when he gets in here are your brains all over this floor."

"Megan, do what he says," Fenton quietly urged. He hoped, as Megan did, that Frank and Joe were here; that the boys had discovered in which house they were being held prisoner. If so, the girls and he would have to stall for time until his sons planned and carried out their rescue. Stall, and not get themselves killed in the process.

Megan took a faltering step toward Sullivan. Her legs were still stiff and slow to obey. She wasn't sure how much of that was due to sitting in the chair all night and how much was because of the ice-cold terror coursing through her veins.

"Leave her alone!" Callie ordered. She was tired; tired of all the threats and tired of all the danger. She should be home right now preparing to return to Colorado. She was ready for school, where her friends didn't think she was a horrible person for sending Frank a Dear John e-mail. Back where her boyfriend never canceled a date because he had to be on a stakeout instead. She longed for Colorado, where danger was defined as choosing the mystery meat the cafeteria served on Tuesday nights.

Callie held her head high. She couldn't stand idly by and wait for Frank and Joe to rush in and save the day. Hadn't she always told Frank while they were dating that she could take care of herself? Gathering up all her courage, she launched herself at Sullivan, hoping to knock away his gun long enough for Frank and Joe to arrive. The sudden attack caught Sullivan off guard but Callie's 120-pound frame was no match for his 250 pounds.

More annoyed than mad, Sullivan slung her aside, much the way he'd swat at a pestering fly. Callie fell, striking her head on the nightstand as she did so. She lay there semi-conscious on the floor, a thin trickle of blood on her forehead.

"Callie?!" Megan, worry overriding her fear, rushed to the girl. Before she could reach her however, Sullivan snaked his arm out and snatched her to him. Megan started to scream but he clamped his hand over her mouth tightly.

"I don't think so. I'm not quite ready for the Boy Wonders to come in here. Scream and I'll make you wish your parents had never met. Understand?" Once Megan nodded, Sullivan lowered his hand and firmly kept a grip around her slim waist. She couldn't stop a whimper as he placed the barrel of the gun against the side of her head.

"Why are you doing this? You have the plans. What more do you want?" Fenton practically growled. He was concerned about Callie and worried about why Sullivan had a strong hold on Megan. He wished he wasn't helplessly cuffed to the chair.

"Those plans are nothing if I don't have insurance against you changing them. No, I'll have to come up with some other way to see justice done for my brother. But first, I'll have my revenge here. As soon as your sons come in this room, I'll make sure Frank Hardy learns the consequence of double-crossing me. And I'll start by killing his girlfriend, right in front of his eyes."

##########

Joe and Frank entered the house cautiously. Frank had to rein in his desire to rush straight up the stairs and free Megan. Good detective skills told him that they had to search every room downstairs in case Sullivan was lying in wait for them.

Silently, using only hand signals to communicate, Frank and Joe moved from room to room. Time seemed to have slowed as they painstakingly searched every room and closet. Joe, as a rule, always preferred battle to caution; now was no exception even though his head was pounding from the blow he'd taken earlier. For Frank, every moment Megan – and Callie, and his father, he reminded himself sharply – remained in danger seemed like an eternity. After what felt like hours but was in reality only minutes, the two young detectives started up the stairs; neither having any idea that Sullivan was aware of their presence and was waiting for them.

After soundlessly checking the other rooms, Frank flattened himself to one side of the door to the room where he was convinced the girls were being held. The gun in his hand felt unwieldy and unfamiliar; looking at Joe, he knew his brother felt the same way. Neither boy was comfortable with guns even though their father had taught them how to use them properly. Under normal circumstances the brothers would have left the weapons they had taken off Sid, Rocco and Bob in a safe place and gone in unarmed. But this was far from normal circumstances. Frank had no doubt that Sullivan wouldn't hesitate to kill any of his captives if he believed he'd been compromised. He and Joe had to be prepared for anything.

Joe crouched down low and nodded to Frank to open the door. As soon as the door eased open just a hair's breadth, a harsh voice called to them. "Both of you come on in real slow or Megan here will be leaking gray matter."

Keeping a tight hold on his gun, Frank stepped cautiously into the room. Joe followed right behind. Joe immediately surveyed the room. He was relieved to see that their dad appeared unharmed even if the eldest Hardy seemed worried. Then he saw Callie lying on the floor.

Frank saw Callie as well, as his steady gaze swept the room. For a moment he was transported back to a time when the sight of the pretty blonde lying so still would have chilled him to the bone. Now, although he was concerned, he couldn't help but wonder again how all that had changed so quickly, while at the same time turning his attention to Megan.

Silent tears slid down her cheeks as she mutely pleaded with him to do something, anything to save her. Frank's arms ached to pull her close. Every fiber in his body longed to comfort her and to kiss away her tears until every trace of fear drained from her face. He took a step toward her, his hand tightening reflexively on the revolver. Sullivan laughed and pressed the gun closer to Megan's head. "Easy, Hardy, I wouldn't come any closer if I was you."

"Megan, are you okay?" Frank asked softly; the only concession that he would heed Sullivan's advice was that he didn't take another step.

Megan gave a quick almost imperceptible nod. She choked back the whimper of fear that was stuck in her throat, threatening to suffocate her. As terrifying as the experience had been for her, she could tell from one look at his harried, worried face that the last couple of days had been just as hard on Frank. With Sullivan's threat ringing in her ears, she couldn't help but wonder if they were going to get out of this alive. If not, she wanted to reassure Frank how she felt about him in the time they had left. Her voice quivered. "I love you, Frank."

"I love you too," Frank promised, his voice catching on the last word.

"Isn't that sweet?" Sullivan's sarcastic tone was harsh in comparison. "Too bad you're lying to her, Hardy. You know, I almost admire her. I can see why you like her. She's gutsy; a real spitfire. Why, she almost got herself shot earlier trying to protect your dear old dad. But if you do love her you sure have a funny way of showing it. Because one of these bullets has her name on it and you signed her death warrant."

Seeing that Sullivan's attention was solely on Frank, Fenton turned to his younger son and whispered, "Joe, check on Callie."

Joe slid his gun into his pocket and knelt beside his brother's former girlfriend. Her eyes were half-open but she remained still. He couldn't tell if she was too scared to move or if the wound on her head had left her too dazed to do anything but lie there. "Cal?"

His voice was almost inaudible but that one syllable caused an immediate reaction in Callie. Her eyes closed then opened fully. Moving only her eyes, she looked at him. She seemed surprised to see him. "Joe?" she breathed.

Joe couldn't help smiling. Forgotten for the moment was any anger he still felt toward her for hurting Frank. "Shhh, we aren't out of the woods yet. Can you move?"

"I guess my intelligence was completely wrong about you, Hardy. I was told you would do anything to protect the ones you love; that you were too practical and levelheaded to risk someone else's life." Sullivan's voice grew louder and harsher. "I guess you don't love her very much."

"SHUT UP!" Frank raised his gun again, leveling it at Sullivan's head.

Callie groaned softly and turned over on her side. A small metallic key lying just out of sight by the leg of the bed caught her eye; it was the key to the handcuff that kept Fenton bound to his chair. Sullivan must have dropped it when Fenton tripped him earlier. She reached out and closed her hand over it, the cool metal comforting in her grip. "Joe..."

"Callie, I'm going to help you to the door. Can you make it downstairs? Tony is there; you'll be safe."

"YOU AREN'T IN ANY POSITION TO CALL ANY OF THE SHOTS, HARDY." Sullivan's tone was loud and mocking. He liked the way Megan was trembling in his arms. He liked knowing he could instill such fear in a person.

Megan wasn't the only one who was shaking. Frank's right arm, extended with the gun pointing at Sullivan, was far from steady. He didn't dare look at her; if he did he'd lose the already tenuous control he had on his emotions. Instead he narrowed his eyes, seeing only Sullivan and the gun. The gun that was pointed at Megan's head. No, Frank reminded himself. Don't think about Megan. Stay calm and you can save her. "Your position isn't too much better. Your buddies are tied up; the police are on their way. You have nowhere to go. Let Megan go and maybe you can get out of this alive. BUT IF YOU HURT HER, I'LL PERSONALLY SEE THAT YOU PAY WITH YOUR LIFE!"

"Joe, what about the others?" Callie whispered as she sat up. Her head was spinning and it throbbed with a dull pain. She didn't bother to stand. She wasn't about to make herself more of a target and she wasn't really sure she could even manage to walk if she wanted to.

"Frank will take care of Megan. As soon as I get you to safety, I'll pick the lock on Dad's cuffs and we'll help Frank."

Callie held out the key. "Will this help?"

"YOU ARE GOING TO KILL ME?" Sullivan shook his head, incredulous. "You wouldn't even know where to start. How many people have you killed in your life, Hardy? I bet the answer is none. Am I right?"

Joe hugged Callie briefly. "You are amazing. Come on, let's get you out of here."

The two teens slithered and squirmed toward the door, staying flat. They stopped about halfway when Sullivan exploded in anger. "I SAID, AM I RIGHT?"

"YES, OKAY? Yes, you're right. I've never had to kill anyone. Is that what you wanted to hear?" Frank screamed in response.

Callie looked from Frank to Joe. She'd never seen this side of her former boyfriend. Joe saw her concern and forced a smile. "He'll be fine. Come on."

Once they were outside the door, Joe helped Callie to her feet. Her world suddenly tilted and her stomach lurched. She would have fallen if Joe hadn't caught her. She leaned against him, taking strength in his reassuring hold. "I'm sorry, Joe. I'll be okay in just a moment. Go help Frank."

Joe glanced toward the room. He wanted to rush right back in. Despite his brave words to the contrary, he wasn't so sure that Frank or Megan would be okay. But he couldn't abandon Callie. No matter what she'd done in the past, right now she was hurt. He had to help her downstairs. "Lean on me. I'll help you down the stairs at least. I don't want you to fall and hurt yourself worse. But let's make it fast, okay?"

Callie smiled just a little. She had a pretty good idea how Joe felt about her and she also hadn't been fooled by his bravado. She knew what a sacrifice this was for him and she appreciated it. "Thanks Joe. But no, I'm good. I'll sit down and scoot, and as soon as I'm down, I'll find Tony. Go help Frank, before that maniac shoots everyone!"

Meanwhile, Fenton watched his son and his captor with growing dread. Sullivan was toying with Frank, managing to hit all the buttons that would infuriate the teenage boy. Fenton wanted to caution Frank not to listen to anything Sullivan said, but he remained silent. Both Frank and Sullivan were wound tight, braced for the next move; if Fenton said anything at all, he might start off a chain reaction that would end in disaster.

"That's the difference between you and me, Hardy. I have no problems with killing anyone or anything. I bet you've never met a single one of those world leaders, but you couldn't stand by and see them die even at the risk of the person you claim to love."

"I gave you the plans," Frank insisted bitterly.

"They're doing me a lot of good right now aren't they? No, those world leaders will have their little pow-wow and rest easy, never knowing the danger they were almost in. Too bad Meggie here will die in their places. Tell me, Hardy, are their lives worth her losing hers?"

"I GAVE YOU THE PLANS!" Frank repeated desperately, his voice rising an octave higher.

"TELL NO ONE! Wasn't that what you heard? WASN'T IT?" Sullivan glanced down at Megan. "I promise you he was warned what would happen if he told anyone. I guess you weren't that important to him because it didn't take Daddio long to show his face around here. And someone had to have followed Sid and Rocco back here after they had the damn plans. That shows such devotion, don't you think?"

"I didn't tell anyone. Joe found out on his own and followed me," Frank pleaded.

"Maybe I should have kidnapped his girlfriend instead. It sounds like he's the better detective."

"I did what you said. I promise you."

"Quit whining. It doesn't become you. Do you really want Megan's final memory to be of you playing crybaby?"

"You kill her, there's no way you are getting out of this alive."

"Maybe." Sullivan grinned. "But she'll still be dead. At least I'll die knowing you'll spend the rest of your life knowing you were responsible for your girlfriend's death. Can you live with that? I don't think you can. I think it will eat you up inside and make you wish you'd died in her place. I can die a happy man knowing that."

"Let me trade places with her, then," Frank urged. "Let her go and take me instead."

"Frank! No!" Megan's teary voice distracted him for just a second. He willed himself not to look at her. He could only hope she knew that he would do anything to protect her.

Fenton practically jumped out of his skin when hands suddenly fumbled at the cuff binding him to the chair. He looked down, relieved to see Joe kneeling beside the chair. "Where's Callie?"

"Downstairs." Joe's voice was as low as his father's. "What's Frank doing?"

"Trying to deal with the devil I'm afraid. Buying precious time. Hurry up and pick the lock. I don't think we have much to spare."

Within seconds, Joe had the cuff unlocked. Fenton was surprised; both boys were good at picking locks but he had no idea they were that good. With a slight grin, Joe held up the key. "What do we do now, Dad?"

"I'm not sure….Give me that gun you carried in."

Meanwhile the heated conversation between Dan Sullivan and Frank Hardy continued.

"Why should I let you take her place?" Sullivan asked suspiciously.

"If you take me we can walk out of here right now before the police arrive. I can be your insurance that Dad won't change the plans. We can both get what we want then. Megan will be safe and you can carry out your plan."

"Well, like I said earlier, I do admire Megan. Put your gun down, Hardy and kick it over this way."

Frank hesitated. Could it really be that easy? All he had to do was put down his gun and Megan would be safe? He wavered. "Let Megan go first."

"And give you an easy target? No way. Come on, Hardy, it's not that hard a decision. Put the gun down and she goes free. Don't and I give her a third ear hole. It's up to you – but don't wait too long."

"Frank, don't do it," Fenton warned. Joe paused in handing over the gun. There was no way he'd let Frank become a ready-made hostage.

"Okay." Squatting down, Frank set the gun on the floor and set it spinning toward Sullivan. "There, now let her go."

"Step over here first."

His heart pounding in his head, Frank did as he was told. Soon, there was a pathway to the door. Sullivan smiled and dropped his hand from around Megan's waist. For a moment the girl didn't move. Sullivan frowned. "Go on, Megan. Get out of here. He's just bought your freedom. Go before I change my mind."

She just stared at Frank. She didn't want him to trade himself for her safety. Especially not because Sullivan had made him feel guilty for everything that had happened. "Frank…"

Frank hung his head. "Go on, Baby. It'll be okay. I love you."

Sullivan gave her a little push toward the door. "Unless you just like being held at gunpoint, get out of here."

She wanted to run to Frank, wanting to be held by him as much as he wanted to hold her. Wiping away her tears, she took a couple of unsteady steps toward the door. Then she turned to look at Frank. "I love you too."

Sullivan shook his head. "It's a good thing I'm not diabetic because this is too sweet for words. But that's okay because I have a confession to make. I lied."

Frank's eyes widened in alarm as Sullivan leveled the gun at Megan's retreating figure. "NO!"

He lunged toward Sullivan, hitting him just as the madman pulled the trigger. No sooner had the shot been fired than Frank locked his hands around Sullivan's wrist and jerked it in the air. Instantly, the two men were locked in a deadly struggle for control of the gun.

For a moment, Megan was stunned. The sound of the gunshot rang in her ears long after the actual sound waves had dissipated past the point of being heard. She was sure she'd been hit until a single rational thought penetrated her confusion; she was in no pain. She'd never been shot before but she was sure it would have to be painful. If she hadn't been shot, however, why was she lying on the floor? It was only then that she noticed someone lying next to her. She gasped.

Fenton had seen what Sullivan was about to do and jumped up just as the gun went off. With lightning-quick reflexes that belied his time cuffed to the chair, he shoved Megan to the floor just as a fiery pain exploded in his shoulder. He landed on the floor with a thud, clutching his bleeding shoulder.

Joe leveled his gun at Sullivan but didn't dare take a shot. Frank was too close. There was no way he could fire and be sure he wouldn't hit his brother. He was completely helpless to do anything, a feeling that he hated. It would probably haunt him forever if anything happened to his brother because he was powerless to help.

"Joe! Your dad…"

Joe looked down at Megan's plaintive call. He dropped the gun as he realized his father was injured. He gently pushed Megan aside and knelt beside his father. Blood streamed through the eldest Hardy's fingers as he clutched his wounded shoulder, and Fenton's face was contorted in pain.

"Easy, Dad, let me look." Joe gently eased Fenton's hand away and tore his father's shirt at the shoulder to get a better look at the wound. Instinctively he reached in his pocket for his handkerchief. Only when he came up empty did he remember that they had used his handkerchief as a gag when they tied up the three goons in the van. He looked around. Hastily he shrugged out of his jacket and wadded it up. "Megan, shove this against his shoulder to slow down the bleeding."

The teenage girl quickly did as requested and with shaky hands held down the makeshift bandage. She glanced back to where Frank was still struggling with Sullivan for the gun. The two men were locked in a deadly dance, with the gun currently between their chests. Megan's heart skipped a beat; it was hard to believe she was more frightened now than she'd been since she'd been grabbed out of the Hardys' van.

"Joe," Fenton's voice was steady despite the pain he was in. "Don't worry about me. Help your brother."

Joe nodded but disregarded the gun lying next to him. He knew he wouldn't be able to get a clean shot as long as Frank was battling for Sullivan's gun. His only hope was if he jumped Sullivan from the other side, two against one would win out.

But before he could do anything, another shot rang out, echoing in the room. For an instant nobody moved and there was no further sound. And then both Frank and Sullivan collapsed in a heap on the floor; Frank's body buried beneath Sullivan's.