Hey Everybody! I'm finally wrapping up this Hardy tale. I hope you've enjoyed it so far! I still don't own the characters in the Hardy household or their friends.
Chapter 19
"Shhh!", "Stop", "Come on", "Hurry up!" and stifled giggles were heard when Mrs. Hardy entered the second floor landing. What on earth could be going on now, she wondered, consciously making her footsteps quieter as she approached her sons rooms. The door to Frank's room was wide-open and it was empty, while Joe's was only open a sliver.
Peeking in she shook her head, what has gotten into her cautious son? Was he really leaning over his little brother, tickling him with a feather? Laura didn't know what to make of that girl who was putting another glop of shaving cream on her son's open hand. She seemed so young and innocent at the beginning of the week. Now, Mrs. Hardy saw her in a completely different light. She was young, but had a past that she wasn't too fond of speaking of, much like her younger son, something traumatic had happened. Being goofy was her only option of feeling comfortable in certain situations.
Train of thought was interrupted by the blond-haired boy awakening. "Ahh! Ohhh! Frank I'm gonna get you for this!" Joe cursed the air after sitting up and noticing the shaving cream everywhere. When he tried to get up he failed because he was extremely wrapped up in the covers.
This made Frank and Kailey stop and laugh even harder at the spectacle before them. Then the angry teen rose up, untangled from the gnarly mess he referred to as his bed. The two instigators ran through the bathroom and Frank's room with the blond-haired boy hot on their trail.
"Boys!" Mrs. Hardy tried with no avail as the teens continued downstairs.
Mr. Hardy looked up from his cup of coffee and newspaper as Frank and Kailey flew into the kitchen in fits of laughter. The teens came to an abrupt halt as they saw his questioning glance.
Frank began, "Dad…" but was cut off by thundering steps and an "ahh!" The two teens moved behind Mr. Hardy.
Joe came in the kitchen highly infuriated. His shirt was ruffled and covered with shaving cream periodically topping off his disheveled look with distinctly tousled hair. "YOU are going to GET IT!"
Mr. Hardy waved his paper up in between the teens. He wasn't getting up off the chair to stop his younger son from lunging at the older one, but that curt movement froze both of them.
"Now, WHAT on God's green earth happened?" Fenton asked glaring intently at the teens.
No one spoke at first. They just looked at each other, daring the other to talk. Then Kailey braved it. "Well, you see Mr. Hardy," she said stepping from behind Frank between the eagerly poised brothers. "It was all my fault. I was joking around with Frank this morning and we kind of teased about it yesterday, but then we both chose to pull a prank on Joe."
Fenton took in the volunteered testimony of the house guest and looked at his sons for further statements concerning the unusual actions this morning. At this moment his lovely wife walked in, "Is the coast clear?"
"Well honey, I'm not too sure about that. You see that blond boy in front of you?" Mr. Hardy replied smirking.
"Why yes I do sweetheart. But I don't understand, what are you sure about? It seems this boy has stopped yelling."
"Well yes, but it appears that there's more to the story that the brown-haired boy over there has yet to disclose. Depending on what he has to say and the reaction of the blonde one, then I'll be able to gauge whether or not the coast is clear."
"Ohh, I understand now. I'll just take a seat right next to you so I can hear it for myself," Mrs. Hardy replied walking across the kitchen and taking a seat to see all three teens.
"Yeah, and that's when Frank told them our evil plot and Joe almost bulldozed him over. I think he forgot I was there and ran me into the counter. He apologized and the boys went upstairs to wash up. We did hear some pounding a little bit ago, but hey, they have to work out their differences some way," Kailey finished telling Callie an hour in a half later in the Hardy's living room.
"Oh, boys, what are we gonna do with them?" Callie responded and glanced at her watch for the fifth time.
"I'll tell them we're leaving, then they'll surely come down," Kailey told her. "FRANK! Your girlfriend and I are going to the mall. I guess we'll just see you later," she shouted at the foot of the stairs.
A few moments later there was pounding on the stairs and the Hardy brothers entered the room. "See what I mean," Kailey added quietly.
Callie just smiled as Frank walked over and gave her a hug.
"So it's just going to be you girls?" Joe wondered aloud.
"Yep! No boys! Though I'm sure you will be dreadfully missed at the mall. Shopping with us fellow ladies," Callie remarked, getting a chuckle from Frank and Kailey.
"Actually we're fine. You girls go spend time together, just not with any boys. You see my brother wouldn't like that," Joe continued.
"That won't be a problem," Kailey replied, "Come on let's go!"
The girls headed out, leaving the Hardy boys to fight over the remote control for the TV. A few minutes later they heard, "Boys! Come here." They each begrudgingly left the comfort of the couch on a Saturday afternoon and joined their father in his office.
"What's up?" Frank asked.
"Does mom know you're working?" Joe instigated.
Fenton just threw his youngest a look. "That's none of your business. BUT better getting stuff done sooner than later, right?" Frank and Joe nodded in agreement both mimicking smirks.
"Okay well, I asked both of you in here because we, I mean, the police as well as Sam and I need some help looking at some of this information we've gathered. Did you happen to notice anything peculiar about the set up they had going on? If you do remember something write it here," Mr. Hardy handed them a notepad. "Alright. Look at this and let me know."
"Okay," they both said as they got up to leave with the files.
"Wait," the boys turned around to face their exhausted looking father, "Don't forget to let me know before your mother walks through that door. She wants me to take off the whole weekend. I think yesterday was enough. Sam can't do this alone."
"No problem dad, I've got your back!" Joe replied. "But I don't know about this one, he's tricky."
"OH, come on Joe," Frank whined, punching him in the shoulder. "Don't worry dad I got you!"
Fenton just shook his head as the boys left to look over the various files.
"Dad," Frank said not too long after sifting through the notes, and entered into the messy office.
"Yes, what is it?" Fenton asked, eager to learn something new.
"Well, you gave Joe and I all the info that wasn't deleted from the computer. All the records of the people that we blackmailed for this and that, but we couldn't find any in the police reports except that one you and Sam had found," Frank paused. "Also, I have a question did you or mom ever receive a threat or ransom? They have it checked off that they had accomplished step two with our family, which was the warning note after the kids were kidnapped."
"Yeah, it was given to evidence asap."
"Okay, so what exactly do you want?"
"Son, we have an idea of what they are doing, but are waiting for their confession. There are only general theories to go on. We have no idea how far this organization branches out. We don't know if they kidnapped you for ransom from us because they thought we could pay a lot without alerting the police, which would be ridiculous. Maybe they were threatening with more? Something doesn't make sense."
"OH," Frank mumbled, looking down at his notes. He slowly retreated, leaving his exhausted father in his mountains of folders.
About ten minutes later the doorbell rings and Joe volunteers to answer it. "Hey Sam! How ya doing?"
"Fine thanks. Where's your father? In his study?" Sam said quickly, eager to get inside the warm house. Joe just nodded and the guest shed his winter attire before getting reacquainted with his partner.
"Hey Fenton!" Sam said, taking a seat in one of the plush chairs across from his dedicated partner.
"Hey yourself! What news do you have?" Fenton asked, extremely desperate for another lead.
"Well," he looked at the boys in the doorway, then back at his partner who nodded his head. "I did some digging into the family and was extremely surprised that you hadn't said anything before."
Fenton didn't want to go into detail about Kailey's father or history. He wanted to close the ring of kidnappers and blackmailers. "What about the other case?"
"I wanted to let you know that I talked to the man I shot," Sam replied quickly. Fenton looked at his long-time partner with disbelief. "Okay, well actually Con talked to him, but whatever. He admitted to being in cahoots with that woman Elena. He felt extremely guilty, especially betraying one of his friends. I guess I can understand why Kailey made that assumption. Anyways, there's some good news from some of guys we picked up at the mansion."
"What? Did that Warren talk?" Frank asked intrigued, he had not seemed like an easily persuaded or intimidated man.
"No, actually the really weak guy. Um, Henry, I think his name was. He started to spill his guts."
"I didn't know he was one of the guys you arrested," Joe said.
"Yeah, there were quite a few. We actually found him in a car a little ways down the road. It had stalled," Sam told the Hardy men.
"That's extremely lucky," Fenton acknowledged, his mood lightening a little bit.
"Yeah, we know! It's worked out great and he told us about this gathering that's happening tonight. He had overheard the guys talk about it the other day. It was all hush hush, he was kept out of the loop. We learned that Henry was only kept around for technological needs and because he's Warren's cousin."
"That's interesting. I haven't been able to find anyone else related to Warren or acting extremely out of character on the police force except that one Officer Alan that was being pretty brutal when talking to kids the other day," Mr. Hardy relayed to the crowd in his cramped office.
"Has anyone found him or any trace of him?" Frank asked.
"Nope, he has dropped off the local grid, thought the police are widening their search. For me it's over, they'll keep me in the loop or I hope Con will. I think he was just glad you weren't there badgering him."
Fenton smiled and replied, "Yeah, he really can't stand it especially when it had something to do with Frank or Joe. I would be by his side, but this time he'd have no problem calling Laura and ordering me to rest at home."
"Yeah, I can definitely see Con pulling a stunt like that," Sam remarked. "I'm going to try and get together with the level-headed cop that interrogated us. Do you recall his name?"
Fenton closed his eyes and sat back in his chair, trying to picture the young man. "Officer Farnell?"
"What ever happened to the number the old woman took from the man at the door? Did you find it and look it up?"
"No, actually I forgot about that. Thanks Joe, maybe I'll go look into that before heading to the meeting tonight."
"No problem, Sam, but I have one more thing that has been annoying me."
"Yes, Joe?" Sam asked slowly standing up, stretching his old-rickety limbs.
"How did the police know that Brandon guy's name? I thought that was so weird they announced it before they came in."
Sam laughed, "Well the police was contacted by the Texas police chief. That's why Kailey's dad had to get off the phone, or at least that's what he told her because the chief was calling him with info about Elena on the run and Brandon contacting her at the jail."
"Oh," Joe said, racking his brain for any more questions before being drowned in more papers from the kidnappers.
"If that's it, then I'll head out. I just wanted to give you an update. If you think of anything or have any burning questions, feel free to give me a ring," Sam said before making his way to the front door and back out into the cold.
The Hardy boys sighed as they turned to leave.
"Wait boys," Fenton called. "What's for lunch in this house? I think we deserve a quick break."
"I'll check it out!" Frank said, glad his father was softening up.
"Do you need any help?" Joe ventured, poking his head in the office, watching his dad trying to get out of the chair and into the crutches.
Mr. Hardy smiled at his youngest, "That would be wonderful son."
Eventually the three Hardys were around the kitchen table, enjoying Grilled Cheese by Joe and chips Frank grabbed from the cupboard. He chose to read and play with his computer through the years, while his brother happily helped his mother with meals, it had finally paid off.
Soon enough each resumed their researching spots.
"Frank?"
"Yeah, Joe?" his brother returned, not bothering to look up from the papers he was reading.
"Have you noticed any similarities between the families that were chosen?"
Frank stopped what he was doing and looked at his notes. Comparing the families he had gone through extensively, he asked Joe, "What did you find? There aren't any similarities between my families. Some are from this type of background. They are all different races and different number of family members."
"Well, I've noticed they are all in positions or must have some sort of feelings to trust the letter, right? Not going to the police about a kidnapping is extremely serious."
Giving him all his attention, "So what are you saying? Each family told someone or someone found out that these scared views were held and that's why they were chosen?"
"Yeah, kinda," Joe replied.
"Let's see what dad thinks," Frank suggested. The brothers moved to the study and explained the thought.
"So you want me to widen the search to see what all these people have in common?" Mr. Hardy wondered after gaining this new insight.
"Yes. It's not really working on paper," Joe replied.
"Okay," Fenton agreed. The next few minutes he played around on the computer and then finally let Frank help. Nothing was really gained. "How about we ask Sam?" he suggested, drained from the frustrating day.
"Sounds good dad," Frank told him. The afternoon continued to be filled with folders after folders while their mother volunteered at the hospital, her usual shift.
A few hours later, Mrs. Hardy returned to find her husband asleep on the couch with Joe flipping through the T.V. channels. Frank was at the table, constantly flipping back and forth between papers and folders spread across the table.
"Anything honey?" she asked her eldest, who was surely not willing to give up.
"Nope, not really much," he replied defeated.
"Well, you should look at your school stuff now. I don't want you cramming tomorrow like your brother. You don't need to be stressed out, you already had a crazy week," Laura advised her son.
Frank looked up at her concerned face. "Okay I will mom," he said with a smile and gathered up everything and replaced it in his father's study.
Returning from shopping, Kailey had a few bags that she just threw down while she wrestled off her boots and gloves, eager to get inside the warm Hardy home. The boys were focused on the TV and Mrs. Hardy was in the kitchen.
"Hey Mrs. H, so you need any help?"
"No, I'm actually almost done sweetie. How was shopping?"
"It was really fun. Callie and Lauren are nice."
"Find anything good?" Mrs. Hardy wondered.
"Just a sweater, scarf, and some boots."
"That's great. Yeah, I wonder though if I'll be going home soon, and all this will be a waste," Kailey replied, peeking over her shoulder at the stove.
"I'm sure you'll get use out of them yet!"
"I hope so!" Kailey said as she left the kitchen and put her bags in her room.
Hearing their house guest return, the boys expected her to acknowledge their presence or at least joining them soon, but since neither occurred, Joe decided to go see where she might be.
Joe knocked on the half open guest bedroom door.
"Come in!" Kaileys says, not looking up from her computer. She's sitting on the bed immersed in its contents. Joe smiled at her dedication and plops down at the end of the bed.
"What cha doin?" he asked.
"Nothing too exciting, just checking out Facebook," she replies, looking up at him.
"Nice," Joe continues, "I can't believe you didn't even come in to say 'hi' to us!"
"Oh come on, you were pretty preoccupied with American Pickers," Kailey told him, smirking. "Also, I had already seen that one and I wanted to see if your mom needed any help in the kitchen. Since she didn't, I came up here to plug into the digital world and put away my new clothes."
"Oh, well I guess that's a viable excuse."
"You bet it is Joseph Hardy! I can't spend all my attention on you or else people will start assuming things about us."
"Really? You think my family is a bunch of gossipers?"
"Not necessarily everyone, probably just your brother," Kailey said grinning from ear to ear.
"Yeah, he definitely is! His knitting club meets on Tuesdays, though he tells everyone it's computer club," Joe joked.
"Ha, yeah, the quiet ones you can never trust."
"You've got that right!"
"So, putting silly things aside, did the amazing Hardy detectives learn anything today?"
"Well, let's see.." Joe detailed everything went on during the afternoon. By the time he finished, Mrs. Hardy was calling them all to dinner.
Dinner was a simple affair. Oven-baked crispy chicken with sweet potatoes and peas filled everyone's plates, but not for long. All the food was ceremoniously thanked for its presence and shoved down the group's throats, leaving very small small talk.
Eventually all disperse after plates are cleared and glasses are empty. So that leaves the family spread through the house about an hour in a half or so later.
Frank is residing in Mr. Hardy's study. Joe and his parents are in the front room talking.
The doorbell rings. Kailey says from upstairs, "I'm not getting that. Remember what happened last time I did?"
Joe jumps in, "I will! Dad don't move." He rushes to the front door and looks through peephole, then looks at his father, "Were you expecting anyone?"
"No. You never know who it may be just answer it. It's cold outside."
"Okay, Okay," Joe mumbled as he unlocked the door. "Hello! Who might you be?" he greeted the stranger enthusiastically.
"I'm here for Kailey," the large, well-dressed, older man stated
A/N: Please review! One more chapter!