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.
Chapter Seven
Laura had forbidden Frank and Fenton from entering Joe's room until a full hour had passed. So he and his father had just begun making their own notes on what Joe had said when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Laura said as she passed by the office.
It was only a few minutes later that she popped her head in the door and said, "Frank, could you come out? It's Chet and Iola."
Frank looked to his father who stood up. "Actually we'll both go. I'd like to ask Iola a few questions if she's up to it."
Laura nodded and led them back into the living room.
"Hey," Frank said as he moved around to give Iola a hug. Just like last night, she tensed in his embrace. For someone who was supposed to have a crush on him, she certainly wasn't acting like it. Letting her go, they all moved to take seats.
"How's Joe?" Iola asked as she seated herself on the edge of the chair.
"He's resting upstairs," Laura said. "He's doing fine really. The painkillers make him sleepy and that's why you can't see him right now. But we'll tell him you stopped by when he wakes up."
"That's good to hear," Iola said and eased herself back further into the chair.
"Iola, could you tell us what you remember from last night?" Fenton asked as he placed his tablet on his knees.
She glanced at her brother and then back to Fenton. "Of course, Mr. Hardy."
She then gave him the same story that Joe had except Frank noticed that Iola didn't mention the girlfriend reference. Her details about the robbers were less than Joe's but Fenton thanked her for them anyway.
"I'm going to the office and work some on this." Fenton held up the tablet and then let it drop to his side. "Thank you for stopping by."
Laura stood as well. "I'm going to go start on lunch. Would the two of you like to stay?"
Chet beamed. "We'd love to Mrs. Hardy!"
"Are you certain, Mrs. Hardy?" Iola asked somewhat nervously.
"Definitely," Laura responded. "Joe's bound to be awake either by the time we start eating or by the time we finish. That way you can get a chance to see him."
As his mother left the room, Frank noticed that Iola had a slight blush that was reminiscent of his brother's earlier. Just what is going on with Iola and my brother? His eyes caught sight of Joe's coat on the back of the couch. "I see you brought Joe's coat back. He'll be happy to see it. It's one of his favorites."
"It was the least I could do after what Joe did," Iola said. "I don't know what would have happened to me if-"
Chet leaned over and patted his sister on the knee. "Hey. Don't think about that. Nothing happened."
Iola drew a ragged breath. "You're right."
A yell sounded from upstairs.
Frank smiled as he quickly stood. "That's Joe's way of asking for help. Be right back." The call hadn't sounded desperate, but Frank still hurried up the stairs two at a time. Opening his brother's door, he found Joe holding tightly to the doorframe of the bathroom. "What are you doing?" Frank asked in exasperation.
"I went to the bathroom."
Frank put his arm around his brother and helped him over to the bed. "You should have called."
"I did."
"Earlier, you nut." Frank noticed that Joe was a little clammy as he sat back down. "The blood loss and painkillers might make you lightheaded."
Joe looked up at him with a glare. "That's why I called. I didn't think I could make it back over to the bed by myself."
"Well, at least you didn't try." As Joe started to get back into the bed, Frank stopped him. "You've got visitors."
Joe looked up. "Who?"
"Chet and Iola." There is was again: the blush. "Dad and I can help you downstairs if you want to join us for lunch."
"Nah, I feel wiped out after that trip to the bathroom and back. I think I need to rest up here a little longer." He settled back into the bed and Frank had to admit that he did look exhausted. "Maybe mom could send me something up?"
Frank pulled the blanket up for his brother. "Sure thing," he said before he left the room.
.**********.
"Well, I think this chicken noodle soup and crackers will be just the thing for Joe," Laura said as she put a bottled water on the tray with the bowl and spoon. Looking at the other teenagers gathered at the kitchen table, she said, "I'll be right back."
"I'd be happy to take it, Mrs. Hardy," Iola said as Laura picked up the tray. "I'd like a chance to thank Joe for what he did."
Laura carefully set the tray down. "I think Joe would love to see you." She stepped away from the tray and asked, "Another sandwich, Chet?"
Iola heard her brother answer yes as she picked up the tray and headed for the steps. She glanced back and saw Frank staring at her. Obviously he knows something was up, but how much does he know? She carefully climbed the steps realizing she didn't even know what was going on between her and Joe.
The door to Joe's room was open and she took a step inside. His eyes were closed and she was shocked at his pallor even though Frank had warned her about his blood loss. The small bandage on his forehead didn't cover the bruise that had formed. Her eyes moved to his neck where there was a small bandage and down to his wrists which were wrapped in gauze as well. The zip ties had been put on tightly and cut him. His worst injury she couldn't even see as his leg was under the blanket. She must have made a sound because Joe's eyes opened and he sat up further, obviously surprised to see her.
"Oh, hi, Iola. I thought mom would bring that." He nodded at the tray.
She couldn't help but blush as she stepped into his room. Words seem to have left her as she stood beside his bed holding the food.
"Um, are you going to give that to me?" Joe asked with a gentle smile.
Her blush had to have brightened in her embarrassment as she carefully placed the tray across his lap. It had legs to it so it didn't put pressure on the wound in thigh. She took a step back.
"Thank you."
"You're… you're welcome," she stuttered.
Joe had picked up a spoon and then put it back down. Looking up at her, he said what she was asking herself. "What do I tell them, Iola? You called it date, but it wasn't really a date. We talked a lot and had a good time, but I don't know that we are anything more than friends. Just yesterday you thought you were in lo-"
Iola quickly cut in. "Please. Just don't."
"But it's true," Joe said softly.
There was a chair next to the bed and Iola sat down on it so that she and Joe could look at each other better. "I know that, Joe." She lifted both hands in the air and dropped them back to her lap. "I don't know what to say. I'm confused about things." She lowered her voice to a whisper as she added, "About us." She looked at him intently as she said, "Frank gave me a hug last night when I was upset. I had wanted a hug from him for a long time." She saw Joe look away but she continued. "But when I happened, it didn't feel right. It felt… wrong. Look at me, Joe." When he turned back, she reached out to take his hand, "I may not know what I'm feeling about us, but I know that I do NOT want to date your brother." She smiled and then quickly dropped his hand as Chet and Frank came into the room.
Chet took over the conversation and the trio stayed in the room for about ten more minutes. Realizing that Joe needed to eat, Iola encourage the other two to head back downstairs. As she paused in the doorway her fingers curled around the molding. "I just realized that I never thanked you for what you did last night." Her eyes looked over his injuries. "I don't think I can thank you enough."
"I'd do it again for you," Joe said softly and then added, "but don't base your feelings for me on what I did for you."
Iola nodded and moved to the stairwell. He was right, but her feelings had changed before he had taken her place as a hostage. True she felt like she owed him, but that wasn't why she liked him. We've been best of friends for so long. What made me look at Frank?
Chet's voice broke into her private musings. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah, I'm ready." As Frank helped her put her jacket on, she realized why. Joe treated her like one of the guys where Frank treated her like a girl. But he treated all girls that way. As she exited the house with Chet she realized that Joe was working to change that about their relationship. At Prito's he had opened the door for her and had been reaching to help her from the booth when the place was robbed. Joe really did see her as a girl and now she was starting to see him as more than a friend.
.*********.
As the door closed behind the Mortons, Frank was surprised to hear his mother's voice behind him. "Well, that was certainly interesting."
Frank watched the pair get into Chet's jalopy and then moved to join his mother in the living room. "What do you mean?"
"Well, just last week I was certain that Iola had a crush on you."
"Me too." Frank looked carefully at his mother. "But you don't think that now?"
"I'm not sure what to think but it was obvious that she wasn't interested in you today. She was interested in Joe," Laura said matter of factly.
"I noticed."
"You've been around you brother more since this happened. Is he acting differently?" she asked as she looked up toward Joe's room.
"Yes. He told the robber that Iola was his girlfriend."
Laura shrugged. "That in itself doesn't mean anything. He was trying to make sure they took him and not her. He might have said that about any girl he was trying to protect."
Frank knew that his mother had some private detective skills of her own. "True." He stood up and started toward the steps. "Maybe he'll-"
"Don't, Frank."
Surprised, he looked over his shoulder.
"He's got enough going on. If he wants to talk, let him. But don't push him about this." Laura's tone wasn't one that demanded but requested.
Frank looked back to the stairs. "Guess you're right. I'll let him decide when he's ready."
Laura smiled at him and said, "Exactly what an older brother should do."
.**********.
Joe was wiping his mouth with a napkin when Frank walked in. "Can you take this for me?" He indicated the tray.
"No problem." Frank moved the tray over to the desk and sat in the chair. "Feeling better?"
"Yeah, I think I really needed that soup. A full stomach helps make the pain in my leg and head a little less noticeable."
As Joe leaned back into the pillows, Frank asked, "You want to take a nap? I can leave."
Joe closed his eyes. "Nah, you can stay." He opened his eyes. "You and dad start working on the case?"
"We had just started when Iola and Chet came. Dad's working though and I'll help this afternoon."
"I wish I had something more to give you," Joe said with a shake of his head.
"The info about the knife was good. I'm sure dad will be up later with some pictures for you to look at."
"Bring me the tablet or laptop and I'll look at them myself."
Frank laughed. "Mom has said no working for you today. You are to rest and I won't get myself in trouble by defying mom. Looking at the pictures of the knives will be about the extent that mom will allow."
"Okay, but tomorrow-"
"We'll see what mom says about tomorrow," Frank said as he continued to smile. "And you might have more visitors to keep you occupied."
Joe looked away from his brother as he replied, "Yeah, visitors are nice."
Frank watched Joe carefully as he said, "Iola brought your jacket back."
"That's good. It's one of my favorites."
Frank didn't say anything but waited to see if his brother would comment more. Then after taking a deep breath Joe turned to him and asked, "Is there something you'd like to ask, Frank?"
Leaning back in the chair, Frank said, "I'm just curious about what happened with you and Iola before the robbery. But if you don't want to talk about it, I'll drop it."
Joe held his gaze. "What makes you curious?"
"That was a long time for the two of you to be talking."
"Not unusual."
Frank continued, "When I saw her last night she seemed a little distant."
"She'd been through a lot," Joe replied calmly.
"Today she didn't make one single comment to me about the dance."
"Perhaps she thought it would be in bad taste considering what just happened," Joe continued to speak with little emotion.
Frank leaned forward. "If that's what you believe, then I'll leave it at that." If Joe didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't push him. It wasn't his business. He stood to leave.
"Wait." The one word brought Frank back to the chair.
"I told Iola that I liked her and I was sick of hearing her talk about you." Joe's mouth turned up in a partial smile. "Nothing like hearing the girl you like talk about how wonderful your brother is."
"Joe, I never-" Frank was afraid it was something like this but he found himself unprepared to deal with it.
"No. Not your fault that she likes you. I mean, you are a great big brother."
"So you and Iola talked?" Frank asked carefully, unsure what the situation was.
Joe gave Frank a lopsided grin. "Yeah. Talked for two hours. It was nice. Felt like a date." His smile faded. "I know it's too early for it to be anything. She can't have switched her feelings so quickly. And now she feels like she owes me for taking her place during the robbery." He shook his head in resignation. "That robber's attempt at playing cupid certainly didn't do anything for me."
Frank watched Joe settle back into the pillows. "I think she cares about you more than you realize."
Joe snorted but didn't move. "Yeah, like a friend."
Feeling slightly frustrated, he responded, "A friend that she's possessive of."
That got Joe's attention. "What do you mean?"
"The other week when you went to talk to Callie and the other girls, she didn't like it and that's when she thought you were going to ask Callie out."
"Well, that's not-"
But Frank interrupted. "And just this past week, Iola told me that I should warn you that Georgia had her eye on you."
Joe's brows drew together in puzzlement. "You never told me about that."
Frank shrugged and smiled, "Figured she didn't really have a say in who you wanted to ask out. Even told her that."
"Really?" Joe asked in surprise.
Feeling better about the conversation, Frank grinned widely. "Sure did. She didn't like it one bit. In fact since that day, she's glared at Georgia any time she's been around you."
Joe closed his eyes. "Thanks for telling me."
Seeing that Joe was wearing out, Frank stood up. "Take a nap. When you wake up, we'll have some pictures printed for you to look at."
"mmphf" was the only response Frank received but it that was all right.
.**********.
That evening, Joe had looked at all the pictures that Frank had printed of the Premium KA-BAR line and he didn't recognize any of them. Fenton contacted Detective Collins who emailed over a file they received from the company with all the KA-BAR models they made over the thirty years they had been crafting them. The file was too large to print, so Laura had relented and let Joe look at the pictures on his tablet.
"This one," Joe said with assurance. His voice was stronger now that he had rested and had his mother's cooking for lunch and supper.
Frank moved to sit on the side of the bed. "Model 56, Custom." Frank whistled at the cost. "That cost a pretty penny." Frank pointed at the screen. "And it says in the description that they only made twenty-five of this model."
Joe read further and said, "Looks like a group of retired or discharged army buddies placed the order." He looked at his brother, "Whether he got it legitimately or stole it, we should be able to get some information."
"Definitely," Frank said as he stood and took the tablet. "I'm going to tell dad. Collins should be able to get the names."
"Bet he won't let dad do any of the investigating."
"Probably not. But he'll tell him what he finds out and if Collins can't find out the connection, dad will." Frank smiled as he left the room.
