Just the Epilogue after this.

Chapter XV

They related their story to Lt. Richards at the downtown precinct, trying to gloss over some of the more objectionable parts. He listened in varying degrees of astonishment, disapproval, and wrath, and looked at them very sternly at the end.

"You should have come to the police immediately. I don't care who your father is. You never should have tried to handle this on your own."

"They would have killed Frank," Joe pointed out.

Lt. Richards glanced through some paperwork a sergeant had recently dropped on his desk and tossed it across the surface to them. "Kovran certainly planned to do that anyway. Jerry Stryker, in hopes of impressing the DA, turned over the second hypo. Of course, he didn't know what was in it. Lab analysis shows a hefty dose of potassium chloride."

Frank gulped. "You mean-"

Lt. Richards nodded. "That's right. By the morning of the Gala you would have been dead. Townsend would have had a corpse in her apartment, Stryker would have been the one who pushed the plunger. Kovran could see they were getting shaky, and knew that they would be sure to panic and agree to go through with the theft in return for his help escaping the country. Of course, they wouldn't actually go anywhere." He looked at Frank, who was suddenly very pale. "By the way, we found a bomb wired to Jerry Stryker's ignition. Thanks for the tip-off."

"Sure," said Frank faintly.

"Clever guy. It fits with Kareechniva's claims that he was once an undercover KGB. Russia should be happy to have him, now that they have something to hold him on. But you can see what you were actually up against - nothing for a bunch of teenagers to take on. I feel pretty sure this isn't the way your father would have wanted you to handle things."

Frank and Joe exchanged uneasy glances. They were pretty sure, too.

"Well, we did save the necklace," Joe pointed out stubbornly. "And you big pros would have left it to be tossed around or even thrown out backstage."

Frank kicked him discreetly.

Richards' face worked strangely. "There could be some truth to that," he said at last. "Though I like to think a search would have turned it up. Either way, I guess you kids are big news."

Frank cleared his throat. "Actually...we were kind of wondering...if you could keep our names out of it."

Responsibility struggled with relief on Richards' face. "I suppose...if that's what you want..."

"We do," said Frank devoutly.

Both Callie and Joe looked so eager that Richards' face relaxed.

"Okay. One condition."

"Anything."

"You kids let Officer Petty escort you to the Emergency Room and get checked out. I need to know you're A-OK or at the very least I'll have to call your parents."

"No problem," said Joe hastily.

Richards excused himself to alert Officer Petty to her new responsibility.

Frank turned to Joe. "How did you find the necklace?"

Joe grinned. "It was just a fluke. When I went back for the gun, I stopped to help right the Prop Table. I figured it would only take a second, and it was the least I could do. The jewel casket was smashed - I think it must be what I grabbed to brain Kovran - and something was poking out of the lid. It turned out to be the necklace, so I palmed it. There must have been a compartment in the lid Jerry used to conceal it."

Callie shuddered. "When I think of that priceless treasure just lying there, among all that junk..."

Frank nodded solemnly. "I think we've been more lucky than smart this time."

Joe chuckled. "Maybe. But did you catch Richards' face? It was a heck of a finale, wasn't it?"

They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

000

The Emergency Room gave Callie and Joe a clean bill of health and released them into Officer Petty's custody. When the doctor heard about Frank's run in with the hypodermic, however, he looked grave and requested that he spend the night for observation.

Frank was exasperated. "I've been in San Francisco for five nights with two different hotel rooms, and I've spent exactly one night in one of them. Is this really necessary?"

"If we don't want Lt. Richards to spill the whole thing to Dad, it is," said Joe bluntly. "Besides, Frank, it's really a good idea." He smiled winningly "Do it for me."

"Or me," added Callie "After all, I saved your life. In some cultures that means I'm responsible for it."

Frank smiled. "I don't think I've had a chance to thank you for that."

Callie twinkled demurely. "I'll see if I can think of some way for you to make it up to me. Get some rest, Frank. We'll see you in the morning."

"All right, but only if you promise to bring my clothes. No way am I checking out of here in broad daylight in this soldier suit!"

But it was noon before Callie actually showed up at the hospital, and she was alone. She studied Frank smilingly. Except for the white square of bandage on his forehead, he looked much more like himself.

"Sorry I'm late. We got in so late last night I overslept. You too, from the look of you."

Frank nodded. "Like the dead. If you'll pardon the expression. Where's Joe?"

"I'm not sure. He was up before I was, if you can believe it, and left a note saying he'd meet me here at about this time."

They had reached the curb by this time, and Frank stopped dead in his tracks."Callie - " he gasped.

Parked at the curb was a large, dark blue Lincoln, with a license plate that read AIDA. Before they could react, the tinted rear window lowered with a soft whirring sound, and Joe Hardy leaned out, grinning at them.

"Hi! You guys gonna get in, or what?"

Frank and Callie climbed rather hesitantly into the back seat with him.

"At least it's not TOSCA," said Frank wryly. "What gives?"

"Mr. Carstairs is faint with gratitude to us. He's knocking himself out trying to thank us. He insisted we borrow it, with the driver, for the duration of our stay."

"Which shouldn't be too long," Frank pointed out ruefully. "We have just about enough time to go back to the hotel, pack, eat, and make arrangements to catch our flight tonight. Some vacation."

Joe grinned, but he only said, "So, how'd the head exam go? They find anything in there?"

"Very funny. Perfectly normal, except the doctor said I'd be a good candidate for phrenology." And, in answer to Joe's puzzled look, "Reading peoples' characters by the lumps on their heads. Why is he stopping? This sure isn't our hotel."

Joe's grin broadened as the driver came around to open their door. "Sure it is. Ladies first."

Callie stepped out wonderingly and looked up at the beautiful facade of the Westin St. Francis Hotel. "But- there must be some mistake. Even if we could stay, we couldn't stay here!"

But Frank was watching his brother shrewdly. "You look like the cat that swallowed the canary. What have you been up to?"

Joe looked pleased with himself. "I told you. Mr. Carstairs wanted to do something for us. I told him what had happened to our vacation and he insisted on changing our tickets for new ones three days later - first class, of course - and putting us up here. Presidential Suite. All meals, everything. Plus the car. Plus, Galina Kareechniva is throwing a party in our honor tonight. Don't worry - I called Mom and Dad and they said it's okay and they'd pass the word to your parents, Callie. We'll still be back before school starts."

"You've been busy." Frank looked up at the magnificent hotel wistfully. "And it sounds great, Joe, really, but you're forgetting. We have that courier ticket. We have to deliver a package. Tonight."

Joe shook his head sadly. "Frank, Frank. You have so little faith in me. Of course I didn't forget. The honor of the Hardys is at stake. Luckily, I happen to know a very responsible person just dying to go to New York and greatly deserving of a reward, so - "

Callie was listening in dawning understanding. "Alissa!" she exclaimed jubilantly.

Joe nodded, smiling like the Cheshire Cat. "What's more, both Carstairs and Kareechniva are giving her references at the Met, and Carstairs arranged a place for her to stay for the first month. Looks like Alissa's on her way at last."

Callie smiled mischievously. "That's great, Joe, you've really thought of everything...except for one! You've left yourself without a date! Unless you go with Suzy, and I think she's a little young for you."

"True." Joe looked sorrowful. "But I have debts to pay, and I am an honorable man. Debts incurred, not on my own behalf, but while snatching my brother from the jaws of death…" Frank groaned and rolled his eyes. Joe continued unperturbedly. "...but still not begrudged. Debts...ah, there's my loan officer now." They followed his gaze to a small, trim blonde girl in a mini skirt, heading towards them.

Frank grinned. "Dru," he said wonderingly. "Nice work, Joe. I'm impressed."

Dru was staring as she approached. "Joe Hardy! You don't mean to say we're eating here!"

Joe nodded. "Dru Larkin, Callie Shaw. You've met Frank. Wait till you see what we're doing tonight. I pay my debts in style."

Dru wrinkled her nose. "Well, that's great and all, Joe, but by this time I just want to hear the story!"

Frank put his arm around Callie and led them toward the hotel. "Better settle for lunch, Dru," he advised "The story you'll never believe!"

TBC