Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys or any of the canon book characters, and am making no monies from this story. Any Original Characters belong to the author(s).
Note: This story was originally co-written with another person, who is not currently available to ask for permission to post it. Therefore it is being posted under one author name. Also, it was written in the late 1990s, so technology is not at a 2017 level.
Thank you to all who have left such nice comments! If I didn't send you a PM thanking you individually, I hope you know how much I appreciate it.
September Song
By
EvergreenDreamweaver
Chapter 5
Megan leaned forward, hands clasped tightly in her lap. "I have a key to my father's old office at Crowley Manufacturing," she said earnestly. "He was forever locking himself out of his office; locking his keys inside. So he had a couple of extras made, and asked me to keep one. The other one he left at home, with my mom. I know she gave that back to Ted Crowley after Dad died. He wouldn't have any reason to think there's another one around."
Megan tilted her head to one side, trying to judge the boys' reactions to her words. "We could probably get in there after hours. They don't have a regular watchman, or anything; it's all computer security codes. Unless they've changed those, I know the code that would get us into my dad's office, both the building and his private office."
"And what if the codes have been changed?" Joe asked skeptically.
She shrugged. "I'm only telling you what I have that might help. If you don't want to use it, go ahead with anything you want."
"It's worth a shot," Frank decided, and was relieved to see Joe nod in affirmation. "Let's do it tonight. No sense waiting around."
Joe shrugged. "Fine with me."
They decided to meet at Megan's house at 11:30, and proceed from there. Having given them the address, and thanked Laura for breakfast, Megan took her leave, saying she hadn't read Chapter 3 either, and she'd better get home and do it.
After her departure, Frank and Joe sat down on the porch steps and stared at each other for a moment.
"Wow," Joe said at last, "You managed to make college real exciting, real fast, bro!"
Frank began to laugh. "It wasn't exactly my intention, you know! I didn't do it on purpose!"
Joe grinned. "She's pretty! Nothing like a damsel in distress!"
Frank slugged him in the shoulder, a little harder than necessary, stood up, and went into the house.
Going upstairs to his room, he activated his computer and clicked to open his e-mail, out of habit. To his gratification, it indicated that there was mail, and he eagerly opened the one marked "Colorado Girl."
Dear Frank, the message ran. Thank you for writing about the football game. I'm glad Bayport won, of course, although high school football seems a little small in comparison to college games. We have a game this evening, here in our stadium, against Oklahoma State. Apparently the rivalry is very intense. Jen and I are going, of course, along with Jonathan. Steve is on the team. We'll get together with him afterwards – sort of the way we used to do when you were playing for Bayport.
I certainly am glad we didn't decide to make one of those no-dating-other-people compacts, Frank. It would have been a very silly thing to do, with me out here in Colorado and you back there in Bayport. A girl across the hall swore to her high school boyfriend that she wouldn't date anyone here – and she's already regretting it. Sorry to be so blunt, but I really am developing other interests, here.
Do try to keep in touch.
Callie
Frank stared at the screen, hardly able to believe his eyes. He blinked, and re-read the words printed there. He felt sick to his stomach, and for a minute was afraid he was going to throw up all over his keyboard. He leaned forward and buried his face in his clenched fists, groaning softly.
"Hey, Frank, whaddya think about my taking my lockpicks – " Joe popped his head into the room with a perfunctory tap on the door, then broke off as he took in his brother's slumped figure. "Hey, are you all right? What's wrong?"
"Come – come and read this," Frank said hoarsely. "It's a message Callie sent."
Joe stood behind Frank, blue eyes rapidly scanning the words on the screen. He shook his head in disbelief, and read it again. It remained the same.
"Why that little bi—"
"Joe!" Frank interrupted him, "don't…."
"The hell I won't! She is such a – agghhh!" Joe threw up his arms in fury and stamped around the room, muttering epithets more suited to a locker room than his brother's bedroom. Frank just sat, still staring at the computer screen. Finally, Joe calmed down a little and returned to stand behind his brother. He rested his hands on Frank's shoulders and squeezed, hard. "Frank, I am so sorry! I don't know what else to say. This is just – unbelievable. How dare she do this to you?"
Frank laughed bitterly. "At least she did it quickly. Sort of like yanking off a Band-Aid. Get it over with fast." He swallowed. "Oh God, I feel sick."
Joe wrapped his arms about his older brother, hugging him tightly. "Hang on, bro, hang on. I'm here, and you'll get through this." He clenched his teeth as he felt Frank's taut body shake with a dry sob. "Hang in there, buddy. Everything will be okay. You'll get through it."
And if I ever see Callie Shaw again, I'm going to plant my foot in the middle of her front teeth, for what she's done to my brother!