Disclaimer: I don't own the Hardy Boys!

Chapter 6

They could hear the voice of the leader, but his back was to them, so the teens slinked back into the shadows. He quickly shut the door and turned right. Breathing sighs of relief that the criminals didn't come their way, the three teens made it slowly for the door. With the coast clear, one by one they exited the barn into the freezing cold.

"Now what?" Kailey asked.

"I believe there was a house not too far away from here. So we should go up the drive and turn left."

Joe looked at his brother, "Why not just take a car?"

"Genius, I would suggest that but we don't have the keys nor the time to hotwire the car," Frank retorted and added, "not like we know how though."

"Ye of little faith," Joe said causing the other two to stare at him. He held up a set of keys. They began running to the car. Its lights came on when Joe pressed the button. At the car Frank demanded the keys, stating he was a safer driver. Knowing that the bad guys could spot them any minute, Joe begrudgingly took shotgun. Frank slowly backed the car out of the drive and on to the main road. Driving slowly in the messy weather, it took them ten minutes to reach the closest house. Joe definitely packed in the comments about the distance and their delicate state until the door was answered by an old woman.

"What can I do for you m'dears?" she asked to the three disheveled teens.

"Can we use your phone m'am, please. It's an emergency," Frank pleaded.

"Why certainly. Now come inside before you catch a cold." They followed her inside and she directed Frank to the phone and invited Kailey and Joe into the kitchen. Those two ate, drank, and explained their situation, while Frank called the police and then his father.

"Son, thank god you are okay."

"Thanks, Kailey and Joe are also fine. We are at a house down the street from the barn waiting for the police."

"Good to hear, I'll be coming along shortly. I'm going to hang up because of the weather, so I'm not talking and driving. Don't forget to tell me everything when I get there!"

"No problem dad. I will. Bye." At that Frank joined the gabbing in the kitchen, helping himself to some hot cocoa.

"So Mrs. Figg, what did you used to do? Before you retired to this lovely house?" Joe inquired.

"Well, sonny I used to…" whatever she was going to recount was cut off by a few harsh knocks at the door. "Now just a minute," Mrs. Figg yelled as she left the kitchen in a rush, afraid her front door was going to be knocked down. The teens kept hidden, but lingered close to hear what the stranger wanted.

"Hello m'am, m'name is Charlie Barker and I was just wondering if I could take a minute of your time? I understand it's a late hour, but I think I may need your assistance."

"Yes, well then continue. I opened the door and everything, so I would at least like to know what it was for at this hour of the night."

"Um yeah, well I'm looking for three teenagers, one girl and two boys. Have you seen them?"

"Why are you looking for them? No offense lad, but you don't look like a police officer."

He sighed, quite aggravated by this nosy old woman. "As a matter of fact m'am. Those three kids are my niece and nephews and they haven't returned home yet, so I've been just checking around the neighborhood because they don't seem to be answering their phones."

"Oh, well I'm sorry sir, but I haven't seen your nephews and neice. If I do, who should I call?"

Looking a cross between dejected and frustrated the man replied, "I'll give my number, do you have a pen and paper?"

Mrs. Figg nodded and handed him the materials from the front stand. He scribbled down some info and bid her good night. Then she turned off the porch light and retreated to the kitchen facing three nervous faces.

"Mrs. Figg who was it?"

"Sweetheart, you don't fool me. I'm sure you were listening," at that they all became interested in the floor and concentrating on their shoes.

"Yeah, but I don't understand why you did that."

"Oh, well, that man seemed a bit off and kept glancing at the black car in the driveway."

"No! We totally forgot! That probably gave us away!" Frank said irritated at his rookie mistake.

"He didn't ask about it though, Frank, so that's a good sign, right?" Joe tried to calm down his brother

"Maybe, but still doesn't mean we're off the hook."

Kailey spoke up, "At least the cops are on their way. We shouldn't worry too much longer."

"Yeah, I guess we're safe for now."

"You kids most certainly are. Now just go sit down and I'll warm up some food and more cocoa. Don't forget to make yourselves comfortable!" She shooed them out of the kitchen into the living room as they muttered thanks. That's how the three of them ended up watching the news and slightly nodding off a few minutes later.

"Hey! Can one of you charming young gentlemen grab some blankets from the upstairs closet? I don't need you getting sick and want you to be comfortable," Mrs. Figg asked while she was busying in the kitchen. Joe volunteered and left the half asleep Kailey and Frank on the couch.

Joe made his way to the second floor. It was an older house with carpeted stairs and old wooden frame. The closet was easy to locate, but the light not so much. Finally he just resulted to the small table on the table in the hallway. He grabbed a few blankets from the top shelf, closed the door, and turned off the light. Turning around for the top of the stairs he froze. He knew he heard the click of a gun, but thought he was being paranoid for a second. The old lady didn't seem to have a top notch security system, so someone could possibly breakin with ease. Joe's worry was confirmed as a gun was shoved in his back a few seconds later.

"Don't say a word and walk down the stairs," said a male voice pushing him down the steps. "We can't forget the other two."

Slowly they made it to the foyer and stopped by the front door. The man whispered in Joe's ear, "I have my gun trained on the girl. Now get them to follow you and do not alert the old woman or my hand may just slip."

Joe nodded. He was terrified. Why does this always happen? That girl's probably never going to be allowed back to stay with us. Detective work it's quite the love hate relationship. Approaching his dozing brother, Joe shook him lightly. Instantly he was up and alert, awakening Kailey. Joe motioned for them to quietly get up and follow him. Stopping Frank before he spoke, "It's life or death. Come on, now". That's when those two took notice of the gun behind Joe and the large man at the end of it. With that realization they left the couch and met the man at the front door.

The criminal wasn't looking to go down, so he motioned for them to walk in front of him as they went out the front door. The man grinned. Everything was finally working out.

Author's Note: Please Review. It's the motivation to upload a new chapter. Oh and sorry this is a bit shorter than the others, hope you enjoy:)