Chapter Four

"Are you sure this is the right address?" Joe asked, peering out the van window at an old rundown house.

"It matches the address the girls gave us." Frank again looked at the piece of paper Sammy had handed him the night before.

"Well, should we go knock?" Joe looked to his older brother.

"I guess so."

Frank undid his seat belt and stepped out of the car. The two brothers walked to the front door and knocked. No answer. Frank looked at his brother.

Joe shrugged. "Maybe he's not home."

"Even so. Let's try again."

This time, they heard a voice come from inside.

"I know. I know. I'm coming. I'm coming!"

Seconds later the door opened and the boys came face to face with a teenaged boy with dirty-blonde hair.

"Sorry about the wait." The man held a crying infant in his arms.

"Um…" Joe looked to Frank.

Frank got straight to the point. "Hi, I'm Frank Hardy and this is my brother Joe. We're looking for Gary Brent. Do you know where he is?"

"Speaking." The young man looked at them with suspicious eyes. Frank figured he couldn't be any older then seventeen.

"Um…well… We understand you knew Charlie Sunders?"

Gary's eyes narrowed. "Who are you guys? Some sort of cops?"

"We're friends of Charlie's." Joe answered calmly.

"Oh." Gary looked like he was going to shut the door, so Frank stepped in, placing his foot in the doorframe. "Please, Gary. We just want to talk. Charlie went missing at a band performance last night and we're trying to talk to anybody who may have seen her."

"Well, I haven't seen her! Haven't even heard from her in months! Can you believe the agony you go through when you like a girl and she totally ignores you?" Gary looked at them, waiting for a reaction.

"So, you and Charlie didn't date?"

"Oh, she and I went out alright. Until she decided to dump me for some guy named Josh."

Frank and Joe exchanged glances. "Josh?"

"Yeah. Joshua Limlech. She met him at some club she and the band performed at. Fell for him like a ton of bricks!"

"I take it you didn't approve?"

"Approve? That guy was a heel! A cad! He didn't deserve a girl like Charlie!"

Frank had to think about this for a moment. Gary Brent didn't seem to be a thing like Sammy and the rest of the girls had described him. He hardly seemed like stalker material, or even a kidnapper for that matter. If he were acting, he was definitely good at it! "Do you know where we can reach this guy… Josh Limlech was it?"

Gary shrugged. "I don't know. Just check around at all the local clubs I guess. He's always going to places like that. Lookin' to flirt with any skirt he can find."

Frank nodded. "What does he look like?"

Gary paused to think for a moment. "Um… tall…dark… I don't know. But just ask around. You're sure to find him."

Frank nodded. "Well, thanks for your time."

Gary shrugged. "Sure." The baby in his arms began to cry again.

Frank raised an eyebrow.

"Yours?" Joe motioned towards the infant.

Gary looked a little confused and then his face broke out into an embarrassed smile. "Oh, No! No! This little brat belongs to my sister. I'm babysitting."

Joe nodded. Frank was sure his brother was just as relieved as he was.

"Well, catch you later, Gary."

"Sure. I hope you guys find Charlie. She was always a tricky one. Here one moment, gone the next." He laughed. "Later, fellows!"

"Later, Gary."

Frank and Joe headed for the van. When they got in, Joe turned to his brother. "What do think he meant by that? Here one moment, gone the next?"

Frank shrugged. "Who knows?"

"Do you think he was hinting that Charlie disappeared purposefully?"

"Maybe."

"But that's impossible! Ann said herself that they were attacked!"

"Maybe."

Joe looked to his brother. "What are you hinting at? That Ann may have lied?"

"All I'm saying is she and Charlie are friends. It is possible that Ann would make up a story about a kidnapping if Charlie told her to."

Joe shook his head. "No way! I'm sorry Frank, but I think you're way off the line on this one!"

"I'm just keeping an open mind."

"Alright, but I still think you're dead wrong." Joe paused. "Let's just find this Josh guy and question him. I'm sure we'll learn more once we know a little more about Charlie."

Frank nodded. "Alright. Let's go."

* * *

Joe knocked on the door of the girls' hotel room.

"Who is it?" Sammy's voice came from the other side of the door.

"It's Joe and Frank Hardy. We wanted to ask you a few things." He smiled as Sammy opened the door for them.

"What do you guys need to know?" She let them go through the door and showed them the couch where they could sit. "Do you want me to get the rest of the girls out here?"

"That would be great. Thanks." Frank smiled up at her from his place on the couch.

They watched her walk over to a door and knock before walking in. The boys sat looking at each other before the four girls walked back out.

"And the Hardy's are here again." Dawn said as she sat on the counter in the small kitchen area.

"Yeah my brother and I have just a few questions about a guy named Josh" Frank looked at each girl.

"Joshua Limlech?" Ann spook up.

"Yeah you know him?" Joe asked her.

"Uh yeah. Kinda."

"What do you mean kinda?" Frank asked.

"Well he kinda tried to hook up with Charlie."

"Hook up?" Joe looked at his brother questioningly. Frank shrugged.

"Well, he asked her out." Said Dawn, "But she turned him down."

"Was he mad about that?" Frank asked.

"A bit. He totally flipped and started throwing things around in the club and was kicked out. It kinda scared her." Sammy told the brothers.

"I don't think we have ever gone back to that club since then." Leslie chimed in.

"Hmmm..." Joe thought for a moment. He looked to Frank. "Our suspect?"

"Maybe." Frank looked back to the girls. "Do you know where we can find him?"

Sammy nodded. "Sure. He's probably at that one club in downtown Manhattan. I don't remember what it was called..."

"Maybe you could draw us a map?"

"I've got a better idea, why don't we show you where it is?" Leslie suggested.

"All four of you?"

"Ann can go. She's the best with directions."

"Me?" Ann looked at the girls and then over to the brothers.

"Sure. You're good with directions." Sammy nodded.

"Well… I guess I could go." Ann stood to put on her coat.

"Great!" Said Joe.

Ann slipped her arm into her coat and then put her shoes on. She looked to the boys, who were still sitting on the couch. "Let's go." The boys got up and they all headed to the door. "Bye girls, we'll be back later."

"Be careful, Ann." Sammy said to her. Then she looked to the boys, "Watch her. I don't want to find you've lost her."

"We'll be fine." Joe looked back at Sammy and smiled.

"Bye." They exited.

"So where to, Ann?" Frank said as they got into the Hardy van.

"Um... Head for downtown. The club is not too far from the freeway." She told him as she buckled her seatbelt.

"Right-T-O." He said and with that they were off.

* * *

The club Ann directed them to looked very little like the place Joe expected to find a man like Josh Limlech. It was located at the very edge of downtown surrounded by a couple of nice looking restaurants with outdoor seating. Frank parked on the road and the three teens entered the club.

A blonde girl with freckles met them at the door. "You guys got reservations?" She asked, smacking the bubblegum she chewed.

"Reservations for a club?" Joe looked doubtful.

The girl grinned. "No actually, we just had a party of three reserve a table and we've been waiting all day for them to arrive."

Joe shrugged.

"We're looking for a guy by the name of Josh Limlech. Maybe you can help us?" Frank looked to her hopefully.

"Why? You three friends of his or something?"

"Or something." Said Joe.

She grinned. "Well, he's a regular here. Sits right back there at the last table." She pointed. The Hardys and Ann looked to where she directed. The table was empty. "If you're looking for him, he'll show up there. Usually around noon."

Frank nodded. "Thanks."

"Sure."

The trio headed over to the table and sat down.

"Seems like a nice enough club." Joe looked at the two across the table from him.

"And they have a great sound system." Ann said with a smile.

"You would think of that." Joe smiled at her. Ann turned a deep shade of crimson.

"Just wait until you meet Charlie. She is ten times worse about that kind of thing then I am." Ann said.

"Hey, you're sitting at my table..." They three teens looked up to see a black haired teen dressed in blue jeans and a black t-shirt. "Well?"

"Josh." Ann said quietly.

"Wait. This is Josh?" Frank asked.

"Yeah so what?" Josh sized Frank up.

Joe shrugged. "Nothing. We were just searching for you."

Josh took a seat beside Ann. "Me? Why were you lookin' for me?"

"What can I get you folks today?" The blonde girl from earlier came to the table with a notepad in hand. She winked at Frank. "Found him, eh? What did I tell you?"

Josh frowned.

"Um… a root beer please. No ice." Said Joe." He looked to Ann. "You want anything?"

Ann shook her head.

"Same for me thanks." Said Frank.

"Nachos and a Pepsi." Josh added.

"Alrighty. Well then, I'll be back soon with your order!" The blonde smiled and waltzed off towards the kitchen.

"So, where were we?" Said Frank, turning to Josh.

Josh frowned, "I was asking you punks why you were looking for me."

"Aw yes…" Frank nodded.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Why are you guys lookin' for me? Is it your girlfriend? 'Cause I swear, she came to me first!" Josh settled back into his seat as their waitress returned with their drinks.

"Here you folks are." She looked to Josh. "Your nachos are comin' up next."

He waved her off and she returned to the kitchen.

Joe sipped his soda before looking back to Josh. "Actually, we're here to ask you about a girl. Does the name Charlie Sunders mean anything to you?"

Josh huffed. "Yeah, that singing broad? What about here?"

"We understand the two of you dated?"

Josh shrugged. "Yeah? What about it?"

"She's missing. We're just wondering when's the last time you saw her?"

Josh scratched his chin. "I'd say about six weeks ago…"

"That's not true!" Interjected Ann. "You came to see her last week!"

Josh turned to her. "Now what is this? Who are you?"

"Ann. Charlie's friend. Remember? I was there when you asked her out."

"Last week? I have no clue what you are talking about. You are whacked! I wasn't even here last week."

"You were too. You asked her out and she said no. You stared throwing things and got kicked out." Ann added.

"I don't need this." Josh turned around to leave.

"Wait." Frank stopped him, "We just have a few more questions. Please, just help us out a little bit."

"Why should I? She's not important to me."

"But she's been kidnapped." Joe spoke up.

"So? What's it to me?" Josh eyed the younger Hardy.

"You're a real jerk you know that?" Ann said as she got to her feet and walked away.

Josh raised an eyebrow and watched her go.

"Forgive her." Joe said tensely. "This whole kidnapping thing's got her upset." He set off after Ann.

Josh looked to Frank. "What is it with these girls?" He threw his hands up in the air. "Women! Ha!"

Frank only turned back to his soda and took a sip. The waitress soon returned with Josh's plate of nachos.

"Where'd everybody go?" She asked, setting the plate on the table.

Frank shrugged. "Forget it. What's the tab?" He pulled out his wallet.

"That'll be eight ninety-six."

Frank handed her the money. "Keep the change."

She smiled, "Gosh. Thanks."

Frank then turned to Josh. "Enjoy your lunch and if you think of anything that may help us, don't hesitate to call." Frank hastily scribbled down their number on a paper napkin and handed it to Josh. "If no one answers, just leave a message."

Josh nodded his mouth full of food. "Sure."

Frank smiled and then left in search of his brother. He found Joe and Ann standing outside of the club. Neither looked very happy.

"You okay Ann?" Frank asked as he walked up to them.

"Yeah… fine." Ann said.

"Get anything from him after we left?" Joe asked his older brother.

"Not a thing. But I gave him our number and told him to call us if he thinks of anything." Frank said as the three teens walked to the van and got in. Frank turned the key and they headed back to the hotel.

"I can't believe he'd lie like that." Ann sat in the backseat fuming.

"It's okay, Ann." Joe turned around to look at her. "He's a jerk. That's what jerks do."

"What about Charlie? We need to find her before anything else happens!"

"That's what we are here for." Said Frank. "But you'll have to cooperate with us."

"Of course!" Agreed Ann.

When they arrived back at the hotel though. Frank couldn't help but feel that something was amiss. His bad feelings increased as they approached the girl's room.

"Something wrong, Frank." Joe asked his brother as they paused outside of the band's room.

Frank shook his head. "Just thinking. Come on, knock on the door."

Joe did as directed. Ann and the Hardy brothers waited, but nobody came to the door.

"That's strange…" Said Ann. She knocked again. No answer.

Frank and Joe exchanged worried glances.

"They must have gone out somewhere." Ann said and dug through her purse for her key. "Don't worry. I'll get us in." She pulled out the passkey and entered it into the lock. When the light turned green they pushed open the door and stepped inside. All three of them paused in shock.

"We need to call the police."