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: Sorry this is a short one! But the story asked for a break at this point. But I can say the next chapter is longer. Also, I'm currently on chapter thirteen so I can't really post any faster or I'll run out of chapters! Thanks for reading! And to those of you who are reviewing, THANKS so very much! I do appreciate it!


Chapter Nine

The same day that Callie visited Iola, Fenton told Frank and Joe that the robbers had hit another restaurant in Bayport. It had just happened the previous night, Saturday. They didn't take a hostage but one of the robbers stabbed one of the employees in the left thigh and wiped the blood on the knife on the guy's sleeve. No heart, no mention of cupid.

"Left leg?" Joe asked as he propped his crutches against the wall and carefully sat down in the kitchen chair to join his father and brother at the kitchen table. "Wonder if he specifically wanted the left leg since mine was the right or if he just wanted to stab a guy in the leg again."

"No way to know since he didn't say anything," Fenton said.

"Any word yet on the knife from Premium?" Frank asked.

"Collins says that they're still running down people. A lot of them have moved since the knives were bought and tracking them is taking time."

"Then why don't they let us help?" Frank asked; his irritation obvious.

"Because he's trying to run the investigation and keep us away from it since Joe is involved." Fenton looked carefully at his older son. "You know we have to be careful about the process since we have a vested interest in this one."

"Yeah, I know," Frank said as he looked over at his brother. "But to be sure we could help with tracking down the customers."

"And I will be. Collins is going to give me some names and last known addresses. I'm to locate them but not talk to them without him or another detective present."

"Great!" Joe shouted. "When do we start?"

Fenton cleared his throat, "It's not 'we' boys, it's 'me.' For now, I'll be helping Collins. He'd rather you boys were not involved if possible."

Frank's face darkened as Joe sputtered, "He just doesn't want us to find out who the guy is first!"

It was obvious that Fenton thought similar thoughts but didn't want to voice them. "Just be glad that he's willing to take some assistance from me."

"Yeah, I guess so," Joe muttered. "Doesn't mean I have to like it though."

Fenton smiled. "No you don't. But I'm glad you respect me enough to do as I ask." The look he gave both of them said 'no investigating on your own.'

Both boys answered that they would respect his wishes.

.**********.

When their father left the room, Frank turned his attention back to his brother. "So have you decided about the dance?"

Joe turned to his brother with a surprised expression. "Dad tells us there's been another robbery and you're interested in my date for the dance?"

Frank shrugged, "Dad's told us we can't do anything right now and do you realize just how much trouble we'd be in with both our parents if they found out we were investigating?"

"We've done it before," Joe said with a mischievous smile.

Frank grinned at his brother as he acknowledged that they had indeed gone against their parents' orders before. His expression turned serious as he said, "But other than a bump on the head or a broken arm that was healing, we've never gone out investigating when one of us was seriously hurt." Frank knocked his knuckles on the oak table to get his brother's attention. "The muscle inside your leg is cut. The wound is just healing up. What would we do out there if we came upon both of those guys? You're in no shape to be going up against criminals right now." He could see the belligerence in his brother's expression. "You've got a bum leg and I'm not letting you have the keys to the van."

Joe looked away from his brother, "Just like I told dad. I don't have to like it."

Breathing an internal sigh of relief that his brother was going to let it go, Frank asked, "I guess this means that you won't tell me about the dance."

Rolling his eyes, Joe turned back to his brother and leaned across the table. "One. I am not asking Iola. Two. I am not asking any other girl. Three. I haven't decided if I'm even going." He leaned back and gestured toward his leg. "I can't even dance."

More information that I expected, Frank thought. Although none of it was really news except for point number three. "By the end of the week I bet you can slow dance."

Joe tilted his head and glared at Frank from beneath his blonde brows. The only response he gave was, "I'm going upstairs." He stood and took a limping step to his crutches which he snatched from the wall.

Frank watched him go and said quietly, "Hope Callie's talk with Iola went better than mine did with Joe."

.**********.

At lunch on Wednesday, Chet elbowed Frank and whispered, "Is your brother as cranky as my sister?"

Frank looked down the table to see Iola staring at his brother and Joe viciously stabbing some broccoli. "I'd say by the looks of it that my brother is much crankier than your sister."

"You can only say that because you don't live with her. She's worried about something but she won't tell me."

Frank thought for a moment and then turned to his friend. "You know they like each other?"

"Yeah. It seemed to happen kinda sudden after the robbery," he whispered. "It went from everything being about you to nothing." He shrugged. "And now all she does is smile and stare at your brother."

Frank shook his head as he thought how things were. "And all he does is avoid looking at her and talking to her."

"Why is he doing that if they like each other?"

"Two reasons," he replied. "One is he's afraid she likes him because he took her place as a hostage." Frank stopped and watched his brother continue to ignore the girl across from him.

"Yeah, I can understand that, but I don't think that's why she likes him." Chet paused and then nudged Frank. "What's reason number two?"

"Me," Frank responded and looked at Chet. "Or more precisely, the fact that she thought she was in love with me just a week and a half ago."

Chet frowned as he looked away from Frank to his sister and Joe. "That's a hell of a mess." He looked back to Frank and leaned in closer as some of their friends sat nearby. "Any ideas on how to fix it?"

"I don't have any, but thankfully, Callie does." Frank said with a smile, pleased at the plan that Callie had come up with.

"Callie?"

"Yep. Actually, she and Iola have been working on it."

"And Joe doesn't know?" Chet asked in surprise.

"Nope," Frank said with a smile.

"I can't wait to see what happens," Chet whispered and then turned his attention to Tony who sat beside him.

Me neither, Frank thought. I'm not sure what will happen but something will change this Friday and I hope it's for the better.