Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys or any of the book characters.
Thanks once again to Wendylouwho10 for reading over this for me!
Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is kinda blue spine and AU. Joe and Iola are 16, Frank and Callie are 17.
Author's Notes: Because this IS a Valentine related story and that special day was yesterday, I'll do an extra post. :-) And perhaps this will help Max2013's sanity level.
Chapter Four
"Wait! Iola! Calm down! Hold on a minute while we get the tv turned down." Frank looked at Callie with a confused expression. The two of them were sitting on the couch at her house finishing a movie. Callie quickly muted the set and turned to Frank. "Now what were you saying, Iola?"
"Prito's was robbed and they took Joe!" Iola's voice was frantic.
Frank stood up in a rush and the bowl of popcorn in his lap fell to the floor with clatter. "When?"
"About fifteen minutes ago. The police are here now."
"I'm calling dad; we're on our way."
"I'll be here," Iola said in a calmer tone.
Frank hung up and saw Callie standing at the end of the couch with his coat in her hand. "Call me when you learn something?" she asked quietly.
"I will," he said as he took the coat and shrugged it on as he headed out into the cold.
.**********.
Frank arrived at the scene at the same time as his father. As the two met up, Frank said, "I'll talk to Iola."
With a nod, Fenton responded, "And I'll locate the detective in charge." The two broke apart; each heading to find the answers they needed.
Frank spotted her profile instantly and noticed she had Joe's coat hugged to her chest. "Iola," Frank said as stepped into the restaurant and moved over to the seats where she and the staff were.
"Oh, Frank!" Iola said as she ran around an officer and threw her arms around him, Joe's jacket still clutched in her right hand.
Frank only hesitated a moment before enveloping her in a consoling hug. "What happened?" he whispered in her ear.
Slowly, Iola pulled back and drew a deep breath. She told Frank how she and Joe had talked until it was closing time and the burglary that had followed. Telling Frank how Joe had offered himself up she was unable to control her emotions. "I just don't know what I'd do if something happened to him." Iola hugged the coat close once again as if it would help erase the ugly memories she was experiencing.
Frank pulled her back into a hug and said, "Don't worry; I'm sure Joe will be okay. It's great that he has a friend like you." He felt her stiffen and was going to ask her what was wrong when the Mortons showed up and pulled her off again.
Chet stepped over to Frank and said, "Iola said that they took Joe. Is it a different group of robbers than the ones that have been in Southport and Exeter? This doesn't fit their regular MO."
"No it doesn't. But from what Iola told me, it sounds like them," Frank said without batting an eye at Chet's use of the lingo. There wasn't any way that he could be around the Hardys without picking up some things. "Let's go check with my dad and see what he's learned." The pair moved over to stand off to the side while Fenton finished talking to Detective Collins. Sometimes it was best to give his dad his space and let him work… even when it killed him not to be in there asking questions with him. Detective Collins wasn't Con Riley and he didn't take kindly to the younger Hardys investigating what he considered 'police business.'
As soon as Fenton stepped away from Collins the two boys moved in his direction. "What did you learn, dad? Is it the same group that's been on the news?"
Fenton glanced over his shoulder and back to the boys. "Yes. Everything points to them. Everything is pretty much their norm for a robbery except that this time they took a hostage."
"Iola said that she and Joe were here after closing and that a police officer happened to show up right about the same time."
"That's right. Chances are that there wouldn't have been a kidnapping if the officer hadn't shown up. They gave every indication that they were there for the money and then leaving. The addition of the officer made them change their plan. They needed someone to keep the police from arresting them." Fenton explained.
"And that someone was Joe," Frank said with resignation.
With a concerned glance at Chet, Fenton said, "That's your brother."
Chet looked at the black asphalt beneath his feet. "I'm sorry they took him. If-"
"Chet, any one of us would have offered to take Iola's place. You know that Joe wouldn't want anything to happen to her." Frank put his hand on Chet's shoulder. "If Iola thinks of anything, give us a call."
Nodding, Chet said, "Will do. What are you guys going to do?"
"We're going to search for a black Ford sedan with this license plate." Fenton held out his phone and showed them the letter/number sequence for the license. He looked at his son, "Can you call your friends? See if they'll help out?"
"Right now, dad," Frank said as he pulled out his phone.
"I'll call too," Chet added as he pulled out his cell.
"Chet you don't have to-" Fenton began but was cut off by the boy.
"Yeah, I do, Mr. Hardy. Joe took my sister's place and I'm going to help you get him back." Chet's voice rang with conviction as he looked Fenton in the eye.
"Then thank you, Chet. Let's get to work."
.**********.
Joe flinched as the man leaned forward and grabbed the bottom of his sweater and pulled it up exposing Joe's stomach. The burglar turned kidnapper carefully drug the tip of the knife across Joe's abdomen leaving a very fine line of blood. He stopped at a point above Joe's navel and said, "Do you remember what I told the cop?"
Joe looked him in the eye. "I think you threatened to give me a gut shot." He didn't know how but he managed to keep his voice steady. If the man gave him a belly wound here in the parking garage, he could very well die before he got medical attention.
The man laughed and moved the knife which had left an additional small cut. "You're a cool one. I believe your dad must be good at what he does for you to be so calm. Following in his footsteps maybe?"
Joe didn't answer but he did grow more concerned at the gleam that appeared in the man's eye.
"I think having a motivated PI after me might add to the excitement don't you think?" He paused and looked at the knife. "Now what might motivate your father?"
"I'm sure this is enough," Joe replied with a hint of anger.
Laughter. "No. I don't think it is. I think an injury to a beloved son would be good motivation."
"Are you going to kill me?" Joe couldn't help but ask and hated that he had given the man that kind of power.
"No. I'm not ready to step my game up that much," he paused menacingly, "yet."
There was a knock on the window and Joe turned to look. The other robber was indicating they needed to go. Joe could now see that they had a recent model silver truck with an extended cab and tinted windows. He was still looking out the window when he felt excruciating pain in his right thigh. Screaming, Joe pressed back into the seat. His breath came in short gasps causing the vapor clouds to form in short spurts due to the rapidly cooling temperature in the car. A second scream escaped him as the knife was pulled quickly from his leg. He hissed in pain, but looked at his captor as he spoke.
"Doesn't look like I hit anything major."
Joe could feel the hot blood on his thigh as it soaked into his jeans. He wasn't sure how bad it was and with his hands restrained behind him he couldn't stop the bleeding. Unable to stop himself he lashed out verbally, "You're sick! You won't get away with this!"
Joe's tormentor laughed again. "But I will until someone stops me." He looked at the bloody blade and wiped at it with his index finger. "Valentine's is next month. If you don't freeze to death out here, this might just earn you some points with the pretty pixie."
"Leave her alone!" Joe shouted as he leaned forward, only to be pushed back by the knife at his throat.
The man didn't make a comment but used his bloody gloved finger to mark on Joe's cheek. When Joe tried to move away, the knife pressed close to his neck. The man wiped more blood off the blade and touched Joe's cheek again. Joe had no idea what the man was doing but it only took him a few moments to finish whatever it was.
He appeared pleased with his work as he leaned back and sheaved the knife. "Just call me Cupid," he said.
From the man's warm tone, Joe could imagine the smile on his face under the ski mask. Joe was going to respond when the man hit him in the jaw. He sat there dazed for a minute and then realized the man was putting zip ties around his ankles.
The man sat up, smacked Joe lightly on the cheek and said, "Tell your old man I look forward to meeting him."
As he exited, Joe yelled, "When you see him you'll be going to jail!" The man didn't look back as he left the vehicle, locking it behind him. "Great," Joe muttered out loud and looked down at his legs. "But door locks are the least of my worries." He felt the man was right in that he missed an artery, but the bloody stain on the light-colored upholstery was still growing. Carefully, he moved to the closest door and maneuvered his body so he could unlock it. When he saw the truck drive down the ramp, he drew a deep breath and exhaled. The plume of vapor only reminded him of the below freezing temperature that awaited him. "You can do this," Joe said aloud as he pulled on the handle and the door opened.
.**********.
Frank scanned the left side of the road while Callie looked to the right. It had been late when he had called to ask for her assistance but she had been up hoping to get a call or text saying that Joe had been found.
"I'm sure he'll be all right," Callie said with her eyes scanning the sparse row of parallel parked cars.
There was silence and then Frank answered, "Trouble seems to find us." He saw Callie glance his way and then back to the cars. "You know we're detectives and work on cases. Danger just comes with the territory." He knew he was sounding a little melodramatic but Joe was missing and who knew what Callie was thinking about all of this.
A note of concern could be heard in Callie's response, "Have you ever been… hurt?"
"A concussion, a broken arm and more cuts and abrasions that I can remember."
"Oh."
Frank let out a pent-up breath; his worry over Joe causing him to read into Callie's reaction. "I understand if you don't want to go out with me anymore."
"Frank, I haven't changed my mind." Her tone was soft and caring.
Even with the tenseness of the situation, Frank couldn't help but smile. With Callie's reply a sense of hope began to grow and push his worry to the side. "Thanks."
"Now let's find you brother."
Callie's tone sounded determined and Frank thought to himself that he was so very glad that Joe had invited the new girl to join their group.
