Here is the final chapter of this story. Unless everyone begs me to write another chapter or two. I had to post this chapter so that I could post the next chapter in Ruthless Eyes. Another story in my little Hardy Boy's world. I appreciate all the great reviews and the wonderful feedback from Red Hardy and my wonderful beta xlilyx. Thanks again for reading. Amber
Chapter 16:
Fenton, at any other time, would have been extremely annoyed at the Federal Government planting transmitters on his sons. But he was going to over look this. Especially since it was going to lead them back to Joe. They were all huddled in a 'van' outside an abandoned warehouse. They had already determined that Joe was in the warehouse. They were using infrared cameras to see inside. They could see 14 people from the chopper's vantage point. Fenton himself was looking at the feed. He could see two people at the far end of the warehouse. Their movement for the last hour had been minimal. They finally realized it was Joe when they engaged in a brief kiss. Fenton smiled in spite of himself. Joe always found the positive in any situation. They were waiting for the warrants to arrive before they could enter the warehouse. Frank was lost in thought. His cell phone chirped. He looked at the display and answered.
"Hey baby."
"Hi...I'm in bed. My parents are sitting with your mom. But I had to talk to you."
Frank glanced over at his dad talking to the Grey Man. "I'm glad you called, baby...are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Frank...I just...miss you."
Frank could hear the despair in her voice. "I miss you too...we are about to go get Joe and Van."
"Good...just please be careful...I love Joe and Van...but...I need you."
Frank could see his father on his phone. He could tell he was talking to his mom. He answered his love. "I know...I need you too."
The Grey Man came into the van and said tersely. "It's time...we got the warrants."
Frank spoke into the phone. "I love you, baby. I promise it will all be over soon."
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Tony Andolini was looking over the final plans with the other heads of his cells. He knew they were close to their final target. Soon everything would be chaos. The Mississippi River's course would be changed...all the traffic in New York, Seattle, LA, and San Antonio would be at a dead stop on Christmas day. All because of his yellow trucks. And to think that they were all distracted by his fun little hobby. He was very angry to learn that Nancy Drew had found his Key West home and had eliminated her. She was such a pretty thing too. He looked over at the blond haired beauty next to Joe Hardy. Vanessa was her name. Just a few minutes with her. He knew he couldn't but he could scare her a bit. After all that is what the assassins were all about… fear. He stood up taking a long drag from his cigarette. He walked over to them and looked them over.
Joe saw Tony Andolini a second before Vanessa did. She gasped and started to tremble. He narrowed his eyes.
"Don't you touch her Andolini or I'll kill you myself."
He took another drag of his cigarette and blew it in Joe's face. "With your hands cuffed behind your back? I don't think so Hardy. How is your brother's pretty girlfriend? Is she still having nightmares? You know three of the girls that I have had the pleasure of acquainting have killed themselves."
Joe wanted to tear this bastard apart. "Callie...her name is Callie and she is doing just fine...No thanks to you."
Andolini laughed loudly and knelt down beside Vanessa. He touched her hair and ran his fingers through it. "So soft..."
Vanessa wasn't going to play this game. If he was going to rape her she wasn't going to let him without a fight. She lashed out with her free foot. It came in contact with his stomach. "Stay away from me."
Before Andolini could reply the doors in the warehouse were blasted apart and tiny canisters of tear gas came into the building. Joe flung himself over Vanessa and closed his eyes coughing.
Gun shots rang out and Joe glanced over at Andolini. He looked confused but only for a moment. He got down on all fours and went towards a window. He broke the glass and raised himself up. Before Joe could get up or try anything to stop him. A fist connected with Andolini's jaw sending him flying.
Joe watched as his brother jumped threw the window and tackled Andolini to the ground. Andolini kicked Frank in the ribs which sent him reeling. But it didn't stop Frank. He must have known that Joe was close by. Joe didn't think Frank knew who he was fighting and really didn't want to enlighten his brother at this moment. They were rolling around on the floor in a brawl. They were throwing punches and kicking wildly. Hoping something was going to connect. Finally Frank's elbow came in contact with his suspect's ribs. Fenton and Sam came in at that point and helped Frank subdue his suspect. When Frank turned him around he paled. Andolini's jaw was definitely broken and his lip was bleeding. He was balled up protecting his stomach. Frank wanted so badly to strangle the man but stepped back. He knew that if he didn't his emotions would get the better of him. Instead he stood up gasping for breath and clutching his side. He hurried over to Joe and pulled a handcuff key from his pocket.
"Hey little brother."
Joe breathed a sigh of relief. "Boy is it good to see you Frank." He rubbed his wrists and wrapped his arms around Vanessa before Frank was done with his ankle shackle. Frank could see her trembling from head to foot. Frank stared at her. "He...he didn't hurt you did he Van?"
She shook her head. "No he just wanted me to think he would. He scared the shit out of me."
Frank and Joe looked over they saw their father pale. Then they heard a sickening 'crunch'. Fenton Hardy had punched Andolini in the nose. Joe watched completely shocked as Sam made sure that Andolini hit the ground forcefully. One of Reno's finest came over and took Andolini into custody. Joe watched as Agents were swarming everywhere. They were collecting evidence.
The Gray Man approached. "Well it looks like we hit the jackpot. We have the address of all the other cells. They are being hit by the National Guard and FBI as we speak. I appreciate all your help Fenton."
Fenton took the Gray Man's hand and shook it. He pulled the agent closer to him and hissed. "Get those fucking devices off my sons or I am going to show you what fatherly love really means." Then he said more loudly. "Glad to help keep the country safe, Gray."
Joe didn't know what his father said to the Gray man or how they found them so fast but he was chilled to the bone. He looked over at Frank who shrugged. Frank's cell phone chirped again. He picked it up wincing. "Hey baby...I'm alright. Here...someone wants to say hello." He handed the phone to Joe. "Make her laugh."
Joe grinned at his brother. "You know Cal...When I mentioned I wanted to go to Nevada...I meant Vega's at Caesars Palace. Not this tiny warehouse in Reno." Joe was grinning and said. "Yep...he's fine...just got a few bruises. I'm sure you could nurse him back to health." Frank narrowed his eyes but rubbed his side painfully. He watched as Joe talked on his phone. "Hey mom! Yeah we're fine. I didn't get a scratch. Frank on the other hand is a bit banged up...Oh no it wasn't dad's fault. You should see the other guy though. Yeah...hold on." Joe walked over to Fenton. "Here you'd better take this...and I'd put on body armour if I were you."
Joe walked over to Vanessa and Frank and watched as his father took the phone with a wince. "Hi Honey...No we're fine. Frank's fine. Honey I don't..." He paled..."Okay...okay I'll take Frank to the hospital...but he's fine. Okay...I love you too."
Frank rolled his eyes. "You know this wouldn't have happened if you had kept your big fat mouth shut Joe."
Joe was grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Yeah but it is nice to have the tables turned for once."
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Callie was waiting at the baggage claim in Chicago for Frank, Joe, Fenton, Vanessa, and Sam to arrive. They were going to attend the funerals of her Aunt, Carson, Nancy, and Ned. Her Aunt and Ned were going to be laid to rest tomorrow...Nancy and Carson the following day. Laura was looking at her watch. She looked worried. Callie hated being short sometimes. She couldn't see over anybody's heads. Finally she gave up and stood up on a chair. From this vantage point she could see a lot more. Then she saw someone wave...he was about six one with dark hair and brown eyes the colour of milk chocolate.
"Frank!!" She jumped out of the chair and ran to him. Forgetting about the crowded terminal. By some miracle the crowd thinned and she could see him clearly. Fenton was walking beside him. Joe and Vanessa were on his other side but she didn't see them. He didn't either. He ran to her and scooped her up into his arms and held her tightly. Callie, when she felt the warmth of his embrace, cried into his shoulder. Frank held her there for a long time. She looked up at him and smiled through her tears. Frank returned the smile and wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. "It's alright baby...I know."
Callie's lip trembled...wait...what did he mean? She looked into his eyes searching for his answer. He leaned over and whispered. "I know what you lost...what we...lost."
Callie's eyes widened and her eyes began to sting. Oh my god how did he figure it out? He's a detective Shaw that's how. "Frank...I...I'm so sorry...I...just couldn't bear to tell you."
He held her even tighter. "I know you wanted to protect me...but your pain of our loss was too painful to bear alone...we need each other."
She had collapsed against him and cried. "I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough."
Frank pulled her away. "There is nothing you could have done. Callie...I promise when the time is right we will have children of our own."
Callie sniffed and looked up at Frank through her tears. "Two boys...one with dark hair and eyes...the other blond a year or so younger perhaps."
Frank grinned at her. "Maybe..." He kissed her tenderly. "We have a lifetime Callie."