Chapter 8:

Fenton Hardy was sitting at his desk doing some paperwork for a government case. His son's, Vanessa, and Nancy came through the door.

"Dad can you check on something for us?"

He looked up and smiled. "Hello everyone. How is Callie?"

Frank shrugged. "She's doing alright considering..." He looked out the window.

Joe handed him a file. "We wanted to know what you could find out about these cases. And why hasn't the FBI gotten involved."

Fenton raised his eyebrows and took the information. He spent just over an hour reading the information. When he was done he was absolutely stunned.

"I'm speechless."

Frank narrowed his eyes. "Let's find this guy before he moves on."

Fenton said. "I'll get the police reports and contact the FBI."

"Thanks Dad." Joe said.

Christine Dupont was relieved that she had found Joe Hardy. When she read about her sister's rapist coming to Bayport she was thrilled. She got on the phone and dialled a number from memory. "Arthur Grey speaking."

"The brother's have the file...do you require anything else?"

"Not at the moment...we have to be careful Christine...the Hardy's don't need to be aware of all the details unless I determine it is necessary."

Christine fumed. "Listen you pompous ass, that bastard raped my sister and has been evading authorities for the last five years. All because he wants to get back a Fenton Hardy. He is trying to get to him by getting to his son. We know what his plans are why the hell aren't we doing anything?"

"Because all that matters is that we stop him. All the Hardy's need to know is that this guy is a rapist. Not that he is a terrorist."

"You could provide them with a picture of him."

"We aren't sure it is him Chris."

"LIAR!"

"My decision is final..." Christine Dupont furiously hung up the phone. Well he forbade me to tell the boys. What about Fenton Hardy himself.

Laura Hardy was cooking supper with Gertrude when the doorbell rang. Laura knew that her husband would answer the door. She heard his familiar greeting. "Yes...may I help you Miss..."

"Dupont...Christine Dupont."

Laura got some iced tea and put it on a tray and went into the den. She saw a girl with purple hair and wearing black. She looked to be about twenty three.

"Would you like some iced tea?"

Fenton nodded. "Thanks dear." He handed a glass to his guest. "Miss. Dupont didn't you speak to my son Joe and his girlfriend at the mall."

"I did and I met Frank and Nancy after work. But I only gave them the information I was told to give them."

Fenton was puzzled. Who was this?

Christine took a sip of tea and continued. "You see I know when I am working on a case it is best to work with all the facts. This man that you are trying to catch, the network already knows his name. His name is Anthony Andolini."

At the name Fenton paled. This was the man that he had arrested early in his career for espionage and he was suspected terrorist. He also knew that Mr. Andolini did not like him very much. "Why did he come to Bayport?"

Christine took another sip of tea. "The rapes are a smoke screen. He has been setting up terrorist cells...the latest in Bayport. But we believe that he is going to plot something catastrophic. We just don't know what. He also wants revenge against you."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because my boss forbade me to tell Frank and Joe. He didn't mention you. All I want to do is catch this creep because of what he did to my sister. She committed suicide because of what he did."

"I'm sorry."

"Thank you...just don't let them give up...I'll do what I can to update his profile that will help. You can use your contacts at the FBI and the Secret Service. Frank and Joe can do what they do best. Dig until they know the answer… by all means necessary."

Fenton laughed. "Yes that is definitely true."

Frank and Joe got home from a very long day. They were surprised to see Christine Dupont sitting in there den. She stood up. "Thank you for your time Mr. Hardy."

He nodded. "Certainly." He followed the young woman to the door and closed it.

He turned to address his son's. "She knows a lot more then we thought." Suddenly they heard gunshots from outside.

Fenton grabbed his service revolver and wrenched open the door. His heart in his throat. Christine Dupont was sprawled on the sidewalk a bullet hole in her head.

"Frank, call the police."

Vanessa pulled into the driveway. "Oh my god! Oh no!"

Joe ran to his girlfriend and pulled her into his arms. "Van, it's okay."

"Why did this happen?"

"We don't know."

A black car pulled up behind Vanessa's. Joe watched as a man that he both respected and loathed exited. It was the Gray Man.

Joe nodded to him in acknowledgement. However Fenton didn't do the same. He roughly grabbed the man's collar and shoved him against his car. "You are her boss aren't you? You failed to protect her now...look what happened. What does this woman know that we don't?"

Frank came outside at that moment and saw the unusual scene. What the hell?

He walked over and pried his father off the network operative. "What are you doing here?"

"I am here for the same reason she is to catch a criminal."

Fenton narrowed his eyes. "Don't you mean terrorist turned rapist."

The network agent narrowed his eyes. He could see that Frank and Joe were shocked at this. "So she told you Fenton. I expected much better from her."

Fenton seethed. "It is better to know who we are up against and it will make it easier to find him. Now are you going to come clean or not?"

"Do I have a choice Fenton?"