Disclaimer: We do not own the Hardy Boys or any of the canon book characters, nor do we own the Sentinel or any of the canon television characters, and are making no monies from this story. Any Original Characters belong to the author(s). Co-written with Talefeathers of the HDA.

For those of you who are not familiar with The Sentinel's characters, we hope this will be a pleasant introduction to them for you. For those of you who are already acquainted with Blair, Jim, Simon and the others – enjoy! Trying to fit these four stories into two different story arcs [Hardy Boys and The Sentinel] just barely worked. Band of Brothers and Welcome to Cascade take place before September Song [Hardy universe] begins, and any time after The Perfect Partner [Sentinel universe]. Missing Persons happens right after Fanfare for June [Hardys]; A Matter of Public Record takes place any time between Death on the Fourth of July and February Flirtations [Hardys], and before Remodel and Rebuild [Sentinel].

The stories in the series were written in 2006 and 2007. Technology does not match today's levels. Nor does airport security!

Thank you, Sarai, for the support and comments!

Welcome to Cascade

A Sentinel/Hardy Boys Crossover Story

By EvergreenDreamweaver &Talefeathers

Chapter 7

"You're really willing to have three teenage boys descend on us and stay?" Blair Sandburg eyed his partner and roommate over the rim of his coffee cup. "You sure about this, Jim?"

Ellison sighed a little, but nodded. "It's better than them staying over at Simon's under house arrest, isn't it? Hopefully Andy Martin hasn't figured out where we live, Chief!" He shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. "Sleepin' 'rangements?" he mumbled.

Blair glanced around their home. "It's going to have to be sleeping bags on the floor, for them, and the couch," he decided. "Unless you're going to give up your bed, that is." He grinned at Jim's emphatic head-shake. "Me either. It'll just be for a few nights anyway," he continued. "Until we nab that Andy guy."

"You'll pick 'em up?" Jim had swallowed the eggs now, and took a long drink of coffee.

"Yeah – you're heading into the station, right?"

Ellison nodded again, then did his own little glance about the apartment. "Maybe you could pick up a little before you go?" he hinted.

Blair eyed him coolly. "You aren't earning yourself any brownie points, man. But yeah, I'll see what I can do. After I pick up the kids I'm going to swing over to the hotel and check on Thor and the rest of his group. Make sure that he's doing okay, and that everything's set for the concert, since they rescheduled it for Sunday night. And I assume we're still on tap for handling the security." He grinned ruefully. "Not that we did such a great job last time – other than you – but what can you do, when the guests arrive armed, man?"

The Sentinel frowned, ignoring the last comment to concentrate on an earlier one. "You're going to take them with you? Isn't that a little risky, Chief?"

"Jim, I can't just coop them up here in the loft all day!" Blair exclaimed. "And they'd be thrilled to death to meet those guys from Valhalla! For that matter, I imagine the Valhalla people would appreciate seeing some new faces, since they're basically under guard in their hotel rooms."

Ellison looked dubious, but had to concede Blair's point. Valhalla had their own security people as well as Cascade PD's additional forces; there were uniforms over at Simon's with the three boys – and Simon, unless he'd already left for work – and Sandburg was right when he asserted that in all fairness, they couldn't keep Daryl, Frank and Joe confined to the loft.

Suddenly the older detective gave his partner a keen look. "You're doing it on purpose!" he said in surprise. "You want the guy to find them! You're using the Hardy kids and Daryl as bait!"

"Jeez, man, don't make it sound like that!" Blair protested. "I'm just..."

"Just using them as bait," Ellison reiterated. He considered that for a moment. There were some merits to the idea. It was risky, yes, but..."Were you going to warn them ahead of time, or just fling them out with targets painted on their backs?"

"Jim!"

"Yes, Chief?"

"I – um – I'll talk to them about it," the younger man promised. "But those kids are tough; I don't think they'd back down."

"Keep an eye out, then," Jim warned, and got up to put his breakfast dishes in the sink. "I've got to go – I want to get in touch with Sneaks and some other people out on the street. It might be a long shot, but someone might have a line on our Mr. Marchlewicz." Suddenly he stopped and turned around sharply, staring hard at his roommate. "Wait a minute...Simon's gonna blow a gasket when he hears what you're doing with Daryl!"

"Gee, and I won't be there, will I, since I have to baby-sit the boys, and do liaison duty with Valhalla." Blair's voice was all honey and cream. "I guess you'll have to talk with him about it, won't you?"

"Sandburg, you are the Devil incarnate!"

"No..." Blair grinned a little. "I just figure you can withstand the screaming better than I can...you can dial down your hearing; I can't!"

"You owe me for this one, Junior!"

"I know...and thank you. Good luck, man. Keep in touch by phone," Blair requested, "and we'll see you this afternoon." He reached a hand back behind his head, and Jim gripped it briefly before picking up his gun and holster, his Cascade Jags cap, and heading out the door.

#####

"He's doing WHAT?" Simon Banks erupted from his chair, and unflappable though he usually was, Jim Ellison took a hasty step back from his enraged superior. "Sandburg's taking MY SON – and those Hardy kids, who are being stalked by a killer, to the OTHER targets of said killer? How could you let him pull a stunt like that? Has he lost his mind? Have you lost YOURS? I thought you two were going to keep them safe!" He loomed over Ellison, glaring fiercely. "You're not going to put my boy in danger like that, Ellison! I'll have Sandburg AND you on traffic duty for the next month for this! No, make that three months!"

Jim tightened his jaw, staring straight ahead. "Permission to speak, sir?" he said formally – and out of the corner of his eye, watched Banks' reaction. The captain knew he'd have good reasons for doing what he'd done, and he'd feel obliged to listen to them.

"Oh, for...Yeah, yeah...let's hear the explanation, Detective." Simon sighed, turned and paced behind his desk, picking up a chewed-on cigar stub in passing. "It better be good," he muttered, re-seating himself.

"Sandburg and I discussed it, and he maintains that we can't keep those kids penned up at your house or at the loft," Jim began, "and he's right. It's punishing them for something that isn't their fault – especially Daryl, who's basically an innocent bystander. He also reminded me that Valhalla has their own bodyguards, as well as the officers we've put on security detail; it's not likely that anyone can get to them while they're in their hotel suite, so it's a pretty secure place to go. We need to connect with Thor and make sure he's okay for the re-scheduled concert, and go over security measures – figuring on two different situations: either we've caught the assassin or we haven't. And," Jim concluded, "can you think of anyone else who makes more sense to deal with Daryl, Frank, Joe, and the Valhalla crew? Sandburg's used to dealing with kids that age, or he used to be. And he actually likes Valhalla's music!" The Sentinel shuddered a little as he uttered the last words.

Captain Banks had listened in silence, his face set in grim lines, but by the time Jim reached his final argument, he wore a reluctant smile. "I suppose that's true," he admitted.

"Captain, forgive me, but – would it bother you even slightly, if Daryl weren't involved?" Ellison asked gently.

Banks avoided the Sentinel's eye. "I think I'll take the Fifth on that."

That's what I thought. "And..." Jim continued, knowing that this part of Blair's scheme would appeal to the cop in Banks, if not the father, "we're hoping this might draw Martin out."

"Bait."

"Yes, sir."

"I don't like it, Jim...but I do see Sandburg's reasoning," Simon sighed. "But he's taking a terrible risk." He shook his head. "Did it occur to you that the Hardys – or Daryl – might not want to be used as bait? I know they aren't novices – I checked them out, before they came," he admitted, somewhat to his friend's surprise, "and they're about as tough as they come, and they've worked with their father quite a bit. But still..."

"Blair's going to discuss that with them," Ellison promised, with a quirky little smile. "If they turn him down, that's the end of it. But we don't think that'll happen."

#####

"Are you kidding? We can go with you to see Thor and Valhalla at their hotel?!" Joe Hardy's blue eyes were wide with astonishment – and hopeful delight.

"Blair, man, do you mean it?" That was Daryl, grinning like a maniac.

"Wow...just...wow." Frank, characteristically, was the most reserved, but he was smiling widely, and his dark eyes sparkled. "That would be super, Blair!"

"Sure I mean it. But first let's drop off your stuff at the loft, okay? We'll head for the hotel afterwards. I need to call ahead anyway."

To Daryl, of course, the Ellison-and-Sandburg residence was a familiar place, although he wasn't there nearly as often as his father. But still, he knew what it looked like, where things were kept. He'd dropped by for help with his homework from Blair, once or twice during high school. He'd even stayed overnight a time or two when bad weather kept him and Simon from going home after watching a Jags game on television.

For the Hardys, it was a chance to see the two police officers in a more casual light – and they were intrigued by the apartment nearly as much as they had been initially intrigued by the two men themselves.

To begin with, it was on the very edge of Cascade, close to the Sound, so close that you could see the sparkling water out the windows. What a difference from Simon's house, which was located in a suburb with not much view at all! As Blair parked his car and led the way into the building, the Hardys stared about with appreciation.

Frank wasn't quite sure what he had expected. Something ultra-modern, perhaps – definitely minimalist and macho, judging from Jim Ellison's tough-guy image. A third-story condo over a clothing store certainly hadn't been in his mind, though! He and Joe shared smiling glances as they slowly ascended in an elevator which, Blair remarked, sometimes decided to take a vacation. This was fun, despite the dubious reason for them being there!

"Here we are!" Blair unlocked the door and opened it with a flourish.

Their first impression was of light – lots and lots of light. Windows, even with drapes drawn, let in the summer glow...Skylights. Brick. Lots of wood. Dark green walls and protruding yellow pipes. Hardwood floors and sleek, basic furniture. Surprisingly neat and tidy!

But it wasn't stark and it wasn't barren. There were bookshelves, crammed with books, CDs, DVDs, photographs and all sorts of art objects; a colorful afghan was folded on the back of the couch and there was a multitude of pillows there as well; there were lamps and end tables, and a well-equipped kitchen that was definitely used on a daily basis – and most amazing of all, a bicycle hung on a support pillar – whether as a decoration or merely because it was a convenient storage place, they didn't know.

"Wow..." Joe whistled appreciatively, and nodded approval at Blair, who was smiling at the boys' reaction.

"We like it," was all he said, and closed the door, then tossed his keys into a little basket set atop a convenient table. "You can stow your things in my room," he went on, pointing to a set of glass French doors. "We'll figure out the sleeping arrangements eventually, but we do have foam camping mats and plenty of sleeping bags, as well as the couch." Privately, Blair suspected that he would end up occupying a piece of the floor in Jim's bedroom, leaving the three boys downstairs together. Oh well...he'd slept on the floor before, and likely would do it again...

"There's so much...stuff!" Joe whispered as they put their things in the little room Sandburg had indicated. He looked in amazement at the shelves jammed with more books, more little statues, more strange things. Spears, for instance! And masks, both beautiful and grotesque.

Daryl chuckled softly. "Blair used to be an anthropologist, before he was a detective," he reminded the Hardys. "He's got things from all over the world; places he traveled. Jim probably does too, since he was in the Army, but he doesn't display 'em like Blair does!"

After settling in a bit, being shown a few essentials – such as where the bathroom was located – and inspecting the view of the Sound from the balcony, which included trying out the telescope – all three boys were anxious to get started over to the hotel where Valhalla was staying. But as Blair ended his call to make sure they were expected, Joe raised a point which had been niggling at his brain ever since the plan had been suggested.

"Blair...if this Andrei guy is gunning for Thor – and apparently gunning for us – is it a very good idea for us to go over to his hotel? Seems like if we're there, Martin gets us all in one place, assuming he's watching the hotel. Sitting ducks!"

There was a twinkle in Sandburg's wide blue eyes. "Very observant. Good for you."

Frank's eyes narrowed. "You're doing this on purpose! You're using us as bait, aren't you!?" he accused. "You're trying to get him to come after us, get him out in the open!"

Blair didn't stop smiling. "Don't you want to meet Thor and the others?"

"Blair..." Daryl was a little suspicious now. "does my dad know about this?"

The smile faltered just a bit. Simon's reaction had been the weak point in their scheme. "Uh...yeah. He probably does by now, yeah," he replied. "Jim's going to talk to him about it." Well, Jim hadn't called to tell him to drop the idea. Either Simon had acceded to their plan, or he'd killed the Sentinel, and hidden his body...He looked at Daryl questioningly. "Would you rather stay here, then? You'd be safe here, I think." He glanced at Joe, then Frank. "If you'd rather not, it's okay, you know."

Frank looked at Joe. Joe looked at Daryl. They both looked at Frank, who spoke for them all: "Heck no, we're not staying here and hiding! Bait or not, we want to meet Valhalla!"

#####

Valhalla was occupying the penthouse suite of the Cascade Hilton. Blair displayed his badge, a telephone call was made, and in a few minutes another bodyguard similar to Sven, and a uniformed Cascade police officer arrived to escort them upstairs, by way of a special elevator that required the use of a key to function.

"You ever stayed in a place like this?" Daryl whispered to Joe, as they followed Blair and the guards down the richly-carpeted corridor towards the double doors at the end. "Not the hotel, I mean, but...like this?"

"No," Joe answered, "but I have really high aspirations to make a habit of it!" They both snickered softly.

"Detective Sandburg – come in." To the surprise of all four of the visitors, Kjetil – Thor himself – opened the door to the suite, a smile of welcome lighting his face. He was barefoot, dressed in black jeans and a loose, long-sleeved shirt which served to conceal the bulky bandage wrapped around his arm. "And you brought us some friends...?" There was a hint of question in the softly-accented words.

"That's right," Blair nodded. "When I called, you said it would be all right—?"

"It is very all right," the singer chuckled. "We're so bored, cooped up here under guard, we are ready to kill each other; no need for assassins!" He grinned at Daryl and the Hardys. "It is nice to see some new faces!"

"In that case, may I present Daryl Banks – that's Captain Banks' son – and two friends of his, Joe Hardy and Frank Hardy, who are visiting Cascade from back east."

Thor cordially shook hands with the three teens. "Let me get the others," he said then, and went to an inner door. Opening it, he spoke a few words in Norwegian, then returned, followed by four other young men of varying heights and appearance, also dressed very casually.

"As you know, Valhalla refers to Norse mythology," the singer prefaced his introductions, "and so we have stage names that reflect that. This," he began, pointing to a large guy who looked like he was into body-building, "is Odin. His real name is Invar Jensen, and he's our keyboardist. Odin, this is Daryl, Frank and Joe. Oh, and Detective Sandburg, of course."

"Glad to meet you." Odin, like Thor, was a blue-eyed blonde, but his hair was a short, fluffy mass of curls, rather than Thor's long, straight locks. "Welcome to our humble home." He gestured grandly at the ornate suite.

"This is Bjorn Haugen." Thor pointed to the next man, who was slight and on the short side – about Sandburg's height. He looked younger than the rest, and he had blue eyes, and dark brown hair hanging to his collar. "He goes by the name Sigurd, and he plays lead guitar."

Sigurd nodded shyly and smiled. "Hello."

"This is Nils Lindholm—" Thor began.

"LOKI!" Daryl burst out, unable to stop himself. "You're Loki!"

Lindholm grinned. "Who else?" he asked. He had evidently chosen his stage name to match his appearance, for he had red hair and a short red beard, and mischievous green eyes.

"And you play bass," Joe filled in happily, as they shook hands. "Awesome, just awesome!"

"And last we have Mikhael Leinonen," Thor concluded. "Mik doesn't call himself anything else. He's not Norwegian; he comes from Helsinki, Finland. But we try to overlook it...because he's a pretty good drummer."

Leinonen rolled his eyes and shook his shoulder-length mane of dark blonde hair.

"The only reason I joined Valhalla," he said, with the same lilting accent the others used, leaning towards Daryl, Frank and Joe to speak in a confidential tone, "is to give the band a little class – which they sadly lack without me! And," he added in a loud whisper, "not one of them can hold a beat!" He reached to shake their hands.

Joe was surprised by the strength of his grip, and then realized that a drummer probably built up a lot of muscle strength in his hands and forearms. At least, Mik Leinonen had!

"Finns!" Loki cut in. "Always think they're better than anyone else!"

Mikhael grinned, his blue eyes crinkling. "Not think...KNOW!"

"Anyone thirsty?" Odin inquired, going to the kitchen area and opening up the refrigerator. "We have...everything, I think!"

"There's chips and pretzels," Sigurd reminded his bandmate.

They settled onto the couches and chairs with their drinks and snacks – the rock stars and the detectives' kids – and for awhile, there were just eight teen-and-twenties guys in casual conversation, which ranged from movies to music to video games to sports – all the while carefully avoiding the reason they were having this chance to meet.

Blair Sandburg sat a little apart, listening to the chatter. He was fascinated by the rockers' easy ability to switch from Norwegian to English, mid-sentence, or sometimes mid-word, as they commented on something among themselves, and he loved the sing-song rise and fall of their speech patterns. The detective in him was calculating risks and wondering if their prey was going to take the bait – but the anthropologist in him was delighting in the situation and the social interaction.

At last he felt obliged to bring the visit to a close. Reluctantly, he got to his feet. "Daryl – Frank, Joe – we really need to go," he said in a regretful tone. He felt annoyingly like an intruding parent breaking up a party. "The band probably has things to do."

"Not really," Thor said, but he rose as well. "We are very glad you came to see us!"

"It's been just...incredible, getting to meet you!" Frank smiled. "I'll never forget this!"

"Are you coming to the concert tomorrow night?" Mikhael asked. "If you didn't get tickets, we can get you comp passes."

"Well, we're sort of hoping..." Joe glanced at Blair, eyebrows arching inquisitively.

Sandburg didn't disappoint. "Frank and Joe may be helping us with security, so they wouldn't have to have tickets," he said, "but Daryl might need one."

"No problem, but I'll give you the comps just in case the security thing doesn't pan out," Loki said, and rummaged through a manila envelope on the desk to find both tickets and backstage passes. "And a little something else..." He glanced at his fellow Valhalla members as he held up a couple of CD jewel boxes. "Okay to give them?" Receiving confirming nods, he held out one each to Frank and Daryl. "Latest. Not released to the general public yet. If you'd like it...?"

"Are you...you mean it?" Daryl's face shone as he accepted the CD and tickets. "Oh, man, THANK YOU!"

Frank held the little box reverently, as Joe gaped over his shoulder at the unexpected gift. "I can't wait to hear it!"

"Good." Loki grinned. "See you tomorrow!"

"Thanks for coming!"

"See you tomorrow night!"

"It was fun, hope we can get together again!"

Escorted by the police officers and the burly bodyguard – whose name, it turned out, was Kevin – again, they made their way to the elevator and descended to street level. As they walked to Sandburg's car, Joe exhaled a long breath.

"I can't believe I just met Thor and Valhalla!" he said with a happy sigh.

###

Across the street and a half block down, the watcher tightened the focus on his tiny binoculars. His patience had at long last paid off.