Enjoy the new chapter! I will be regularly updating every 2-3 days.
Disclaimer: I only own, Agatha, Carl, Burton, Yaxley, Will, and Marco.
Chapter 7
After receiving the address of one Mrs. Figg's place of residence, police cars sped off followed shortly by Fenton Hardy. His long-time partner Sam Radley happened to be at the station and had no problem helping him find his sons and their friend. Currently he was in the passenger's seat with a flashlight and a map, scouring the vicinity from where Frank had telephoned earlier. Hoping the police were doing the same and at least one car was heading towards the barn that Frank had described, he consulted his laptop. He had recent realty information pulled up. Learning who owned the land the barn was on was vital. They needed a starting point. Frank's sketch of the men was general and nothing came up directly on the police station's computers. Until the men were recognized, he and Fenton had to start from scratch.
"Anything?" Fenton broke the silence ardently waiting for some information on the criminals who kidnapped the three teens.
"Uh," Sam redirected his thought to his companion. Fenton was tapping the wheel in impatience and kept scouring the area, looking for something that wasn't out there in the bad weather. Knowing that it was unwise to aggravate the man he continued, "Nothing new in the last five minutes."
He smiled, but it wasn't received by the worried driver. "Sam, I think I am most uncomfortable because I have no possible idea who the culprits could be. They aren't on any cases. We just zipped up the loose ends on the Beckendorff case. I haven't got any notifications of thugs recently escaping or let out. I have no clue."
"And you're sure it has nothing to do with the girl?"
"Yes I am certain. Frank said he knew who they were, but just grabbed her because she was with them."
"Oh," Sam responded crestfallen at the hopeful lead. "At least they got out, I'm sure that old lady will take care of them."
"Yeah, you're right. Now let's go over what we've got."
"Okay. It was a professional, sleek and clean grab and go kidnapping. No noticeable witnesses, only the girl who saw the racing car in the parking lot."
Fenton added, "Frank said they were tied up and drove for quite some time and were guided into a barn. This barn was extremely irregular because it was setup like an office with all the connecting cubicle walls forming rooms and hallways."
"Man that has to be one heck of a large barn."
"Yes, well maybe they took out the stalls so it's just a big empty space. Oh and he said there was a half- finished insulation job done on the outer walls."
"So that means this place wasn't a last minute. It's most likely a headquarters for some organization. Quite possibly bringing them there was a last minute thing."
"What do you mean?"
"You said earlier they were tossed in a room labeled inventory, correct?"
"Yes, and? Gosh what am I missing?" Fenton hit the steering wheel in frustration.
"Maybe they just put them in that room at one of their organization's locations because it was the closest or something? Maybe because of the weather or something they couldn't go to where they needed."
"Or maybe it was just a stop on the route to the intended holding place?"
"Exactly!"
"Progress! Whew, okay so what does that mean?"
"Quite possibly if they noticed the kids made a break for it they could track them down easily and go after them. Frank said it was pretty desolate correct? These maps do show quite a bit of private and protected land. There were only so many options where they could go."
"True, so then their steps could be traced easily. If that lady's house was the only one for miles and they took one of their cars, the kid's location would stick out like a sore thumb."
"Oh, great. Do you think we should check up on them?"
"I don't know Fenton. That old lady would probably keep a good eye on them."
"Sam, you just said old lady. Do you really think she's a match for a team of professional kidnappers?"
"Good point. How much longer until we get there?"
"About ten minutes or so."
"So you're definitely heading to all speed limits then?" Sam smiled, he got a chuckle outta Fenton.
The eased conscience was broken shortly by the shrill of a phone. It was Mr. Hardy's and he asked Same to answer it ask he needed to focus on the road.
"Hello, this is Fenton Hardy's phone, may I ask who is calling?"
"My name is Agatha Figg," Sam turned the speaker on, and she went on, "I am calling you because they aren't here! I looked everywhere. Those three kids are gone!"
"Please start from the beginning Agatha. When was the last time you saw them?"
"Okay, well after your son, Frank finished talking on the phone he joined us in the kitchen. Then there was a man who came to the door, but left after only a few minutes. We exchanged some short words then I shooed them off into the living room to relax while I warmed up some food and cocoa. In the middle of washing dishes, I realized there weren't many blankets out there. I asked for one of the boys to grab some from the upstairs closet and Joe volunteered. That was the last time I actually heard one of their voices," she considered, pausing.
She continued a few moments later, "He did get the blankets; they were bunched up on the couch. I think that's what made me believe they were still there when I called out that the stuff was warmed up, even though no one answered. I returned to the kitchen to finish cleaning. I worked some crossword puzzles. I noticed a TV ad was blaring and thought it odd there was no movement from that room. Once I realized they were gone I looked around and found your number on the table by the phone and called you," Mrs. Figg told the two anxious men.
"Thank you so much. You should probably tell the police when they arrive, which should be soon."
Fenton added, "Now make sure everything is locked up and remain in your kitchen Agatha. We are less than five minutes or so away."
"I will. Thank you so much. I am so relieved now. Drive safely. See you shortly, I believe I hear the sirens." She hung up leaving a lingering silence in the car.
The sirens could be heard a little while later. Fenton pulled into the large driveway. As he made if for the house, Sam went to the officers who were gathering by the couple of cars.
"Hello," Mr. Hardy said as he entered the house and walked over to a little old woman knitting in the rocking chair. At his entrance her demeanor did a complete one-eighty. Mrs. Figg got up faster than expected and closer the space between her and Fenton with an embrace.
Pulling away she asked, "What can I do you for? Coffee? Tea? Pizza roll? Cake?"
Fenton smiled, "Coffee would be splendid." She retreated to the kitchen.
He interrogated the cops. It was the same story she had previously told him. A team was inspecting the area and they were waiting for him and any further information. They were planning on checking out the barn about ten minutes down the road. After relaying what he knew, Fenton took an empty chair in the kitchen. He stayed out of the way of the busy-body, rushing around pulling numerous treats from her pantry.
Finally he settled with a few pizza rolls and Mexican wedding cookies. Fenton then began to ask some more intimate questions about the state of the three teens, "Agatha, thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me. How did they look?"
"Truthfully," she turned and gave him a coffee while taking up the seat across from him, "They mostly looked cold and scared. Only their wrists looked a little raw. I didn't want to call too much attention to it and make them uncomfortable, so I left it at that."
"Okay that's good. My mind was racing with numerous horrible scenarios, each worse than the last."
"Now, just go do your job. I'm sure they will be fine. I've heard of your detective skills, which are something to be proud of."
Fenton just smiled as he finished chowing down and finishing it off with a swig of coffee. "Well, thank you for you hospitality. I need to find my sons and their friend."
"Go right ahead. I'll clean up here."
Mr. Hardy left the kitchen and ran into Sam. They didn't fall, but let out a chuckle. Motioning him outside the other followed. They jumped into the police officers' conversation.
"A dark car was spotted running a red light not too far away. There are men going to check out those pictures. We, including Fenton and Sam, are going to that barn. Yaxley you stay here with the old woman. Marco and Will finish writing up the report on the alleged kidnapping."
Seeing Fenton's look another man elaborated, "There wasn't any forced entry and Mrs. Figg noticed nothing out of the ordinary. We know those boys are reliable, but we must follow the rules right now."
"Yes, Burton will accompany me. Fenton you and Sam follow. There's a pair currently casing the place, so once we get confirmation from them we will enter the premises. I have your assurance you will follow us no matter what, you will not barge in?"
"Yes" was the reply from both investigators. The group broke apart. Fenton and Sam quickly got into the car and sped off after the officers in charge of the operation. The car ride was silent. Each was forming their own schemes. Knowing not who their adversaries were only increased their anxiety and desire for precise plans of action.
High beams off, they rolled next to the parked police car. Officer Burton and the main officer Carl got out, greeting the two investigators. The first team was across from the four of them in between the men was the lawn and gravel drive to the large barn at the end of the lot. Understanding they had the element of surprise each of them stuck close to the woods as they advanced on the building.
Finally the large structure was in sight. There was a faint glow of light from the inside. No cars could be seen from their position. Running in the open to the front porch of the dinky house, the four paused. Then they made a break for the barn's entrance. The other two officers would remain hidden to be backup if needed.
Carl advanced on the doors, gun in hand pointed straight ahead. Burton went to the side of the barn, away from the doors, preparing for an attack from the unknown. Fenton and Sam lingered behind as requested on look out. Slowly Officer Carl grabbed the handle to the barn door and yanked it. It slid to the right. Everyone tensed, but sighed from relief once realizing there wasn't any imminent danger. Acting according to protocol the officers cased the place and bid the investigators to come forward and make sense of the establishment.
A tornado must have gone through. Parts of caulking and insulation were scattered everywhere. Fenton could only imagine what it had looked like when the boys were there. Partitions were a mess, papers decorated most of the hay covered floor, and it just felt empty.
"Alright, let's go to the right, then we'll check out the rest of the place," Carl stated and the others nodded. Officer Burton went directly to the computer system; he was young and knew what to look for. Sam and Fenton divided and conquered the space. Taking some pictures with his phone after radioing the other officers, he tried to form an idea of what could have caused this place to look so messy.
"I think this was a clear out sir," Burton called to his partner, "Hard drives are missing and there's nothing much of immediate use on the computers."
"Okay, thanks. You two find anything yet?" Carl asked.
"Nothing definite, only am working on assumptions."
"What do you think occurred?" Carl picked at the well-established investigator's brain. They were now walking in the opposite direction, looking for more clues.
"This is only a theory, but let's say they noticed the kids broke out. Obviously they left with one of their cars because of this weather, so there would be a team sent out to retrieve them, hoping they had not gone far and weren't missing for too long. Once realizing they had contacted the police and I, these criminals knew they were treading treacherous waters, so they sent a man in to read the old woman protecting them."
"Since they didn't take her out, we can only assume they have some kind of heart," Sam deduced.
"Yes, and once they figured their hideout was compromised a plan of their abduction was put in action. Those who remained at the barn got the message to prepare to clear out and move. So while the kids were grabbed for a second time, men ransacked the barn and left with important documents and other significant items. After that I don't know."
"Wow, that's pretty good reasoning, sir." Burton complimented.
"Thank you," Fenton paused. The door he was about to open had a cracked sign with "inventory" label on it. Noticing his frozen stature, Sam came up behind him and asked, "What is it?"
"This was the room they were kept in."
"Oh," Office Carl said and pulled out some gloves with which he carefully opened the door. This room wasn't as messy as the rest of the place. The only out of place items were the ropes lying on the ground. He took pictures after Fenton left the room through the broken wall in the back.
Satisfied and eager to look at more of the building officer lead his crew past more run of the mill offices. Noting there wasn't anything significantly important that would lead them to the organization's current whereabouts, they decided to leave and check out the exterior of the building.
Once outside the four of them began to walk to the hidden officers. After a few feet away from the entrance there was a loud "boom". Each slowly turned around filled with surprise at the scene before their eyes. The building had erupted into flames and was beginning to implode.
Author's Note: Yeah, this chapter is quite a bit longer than the previous one. Don't worry we'll see the Hardy boys in the next chapter, just didn't want to go back and forth within in the same chapter. Please Review, I can see all those just quickly reading the story. Feedback helps:)