I don't own the Hardy Boys
Iola's Treasure 2
It was roughly noon, by the time the Hardy brothers arrived at the church with their donations. They assured their mother of fair stature and slim build, smiling and arriving to greet them as they walked in the doorway. "Good, it's about time you two showed up. Come on, I'll show you where to put your things."
The boys put their things on the table she had indicated. Laura looked at her youngest son who was unusually quiet. She recognized right off that something was amiss. Anytime Joe walked into a room, he was anything but quiet. She saw the sadness in his blue eyes. Laura also knew her son had had a rough year. It was a rough year for the whole household. She wished she could shield him from that kind of pain. She also wished Fenton hadn't gone out of town on his case.
"Okay, what's wrong?" Laura asked suddenly concern.
"Nothing, Mom, everything is fine." Frank said reassuring her. Even so, she didn't look convinced.
"I know something is wrong." She argued shooting her boys a demanding look while folding her arms to her chest. "I could tell the minute you two walked in the door."
"Mom, everything's ok, I promise." Joe said, plastering a grin to his face hoping it would win her over.
But then Laura saw Gertrude walk in the room with a box of donations in her arms. "Joe would you see if your Aunt Gertrude needs any help? She's getting Mrs. Granger's things out of her car."
"Yes, Mom, I will."
As soon as Joe had left to help his aunt, Laura turned to Frank wanting an answer to her question. "Frank, I want an honest answer. Tell me what's wrong, and don't tell me everything is fine."
"Okay, Mom." Frank took a deep breath, and then began to explain to his mother about the Christmas gift Joe had found from Iola. "Inside the box was a book Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson."
"Treasure Island I used to read it to you, when you boys were little." Laura said, "It's also one of your brother's favorite stories, he carried that worn out book all over the place."
"Mom, what ever happened to that book?"
"I don't know." Laura thought for a second, before saying, "I suppose I threw it out because the pages kept falling out."
"How come you never replaced it?"
"Well, I think it was around the time you lost interest in being pirates, and started reading mystery books, and wanting to be Sherlock Holmes." Laura answered with a smile. Just like her husband her boys had decided to follow their father's footsteps as detectives. She knew of the dangers they would be facing while solving cases and, at times she wished her sons would consider being doctors or lawyers. But, deep down Laura knew she would never take away their dream of being detectives.
Frank lightly chuckled at his mother's response, before turning all serious. "There was also a letter from Iola inside the book. He's just upset after reading it; I guess it triggered some painful memories for him."
Laura put a hand over her mouth at the thought. "Oh, no, what did it say?" She asked, worriedly.
"Iola gave Joe that book, because she knew it was his favorite story, and that he somehow lost the one he had. She also wrote that it reminded her of their secret place."
"What secret place?"
"Barmet Island," Frank answered. "Dad and Mr. Morton took me, Joe, Chet and Iola there once on a camping trip when we were kids." Then Frank quickly went on to explain about what Joe told him about him having to stay with Fenton at their campsite because he hurt his ankle and couldn't go on their hike. Iola stayed as well to keep him company, and they even made up a game pretending the island was their private island, and about their buried treasure. "Joe said he couldn't remember what they had buried. But, I guess it doesn't matter now. They were just kids playing a game, it's probably nothing important."
"Mom, please don't worry about Joe." Frank added, again trying to reassure his mother. "Like I said he's just upset after opening Iola's gift; it triggered some painful memories for him. He'll probably get distracted by something else and forget all about it and be back to his old self in no time."
"Why don't you take him to Prito's?" Laura suggested. "Maybe even call some of your friends to join you and go do something fun. That would be a good distraction for Joe, just get his mind off Iola and her gift."
"That's a good idea Mom." Frank replied. "But, I think most of our friends are either working this summer, or out of town on vacation with their families."
"Well, please do something to keep Joe distracted."
"Okay, Mom, I will."
After helping the volunteers with their donations and receiving hugs from their aunt and mother the boys were off to Prito's. Frank had called their friends to join them, but as he suspected, their friends, Phil Cohen, and Biff Hooper were out of town on summer vacation. Even his girlfriend Callie Shaw was away on vacation.
However, he did get a hold of their good friend Chet Morton saying his parents had him busy working on his family's farm. He told Frank he would join them at Prito's saying he had some big news to tell them.
A few minutes later, the Hardy brothers were sitting in their usual booth eating a large pepperoni pizza waiting for Chet and waiting to hear his big news.
Frank was amazed at his little brother; pizza from Prito's was one of his favorites. He was usually on his third slice by now, before he had his second. Joe barely touched his first slice, and was just sitting there across from him staring complacently out of the window. He was unusually quiet.
"Okay, Joe. I can't take the silence anymore." Frank said, placing a hand on top of Joe's hand to get his attention. "Do you want to talk about it?'
"No, I'm fine." Joe said, still staring out the window.
"Joe. Talk to me".
"I'm fine, Frank. There is nothing to talk about."
"Well, I think finding that gift from Iola shook you up," Frank argued, "You know you can talk to me about anything."
"It's just a stupid book, Frank!" Joe snapped, turning to his brother. "It doesn't mean anything!" Then he went back to staring out the window.
Frank let out a deep sigh and was about to respond, when he heard, "Hey guys!" dark-haired eighteen-year-old Italian, Tony Prito greeted, one of their good friends, and an assistant manager whose father was the owner of the restaurant.
"Hi, Tony, I guess you're working this summer."
"Yeah, I thought about taking a vacation, but, Dad said if I want a new car." Tony pulled a chair to the end of the table so he could watch the counter. "I had to work for it."
"Are you on a break?"
"I only have ten minutes or until a customer walks in." Tony answered before turning his attention to Joe and frowns at his half-eaten pizza. "Is there something wrong with your pizza, Joe?"
"Huh," Joe said as he turns from the window, realizing Tony had just joined them. "Oh, no the pizza's fine."
"Oh good," Tony threw his hand to his chest, "You had me worried there for a minute."
"I'm sorry Tony," Joe apologized, "It's not you. I just have a lot on my mind, I guess."
"I need to wash my hands." He suddenly announced getting up from the table and headed to the restroom.
"What's wrong with Joe?" Tony looked at Frank, "Is he okay?" He asked worriedly.
"I don't know, Tony. He says he is but…"
"You don't believe he is." Tony picked up on what Frank was saying.
"It all started when he found a gift from Iola." Frank quickly filled Tony in on about Iola's gift Joe had found.
"What secret place?"
"It's Barmet Island."
"Hey guys!" Announced, eighteen year old, husky Chet Morton comes up to their booth. "Sorry, I'm late," He said, taking Joe's spot while grabbing a slice of pizza. "I had to deliver some apples from our orchard to Mrs. Granger for my Dad."
"That Mrs. Granger is such a nice lady." Frank commented.
"Yeah, she always has great stories to tell." Tony added.
"That's why I'm late; I couldn't get away because she was in the middle of telling me one of her stories." Chet continued on before taking a bite of pizza. "Hey, where's Joe?" he asked, looking around for the blond boy.
As if on cue, "I'm right here." Joe responded with a smile on his face, coming back to the booth.
Frank moved over so Joe could sit down beside him. "Frank, I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier." He apologized. "Can we just forget what happened?"
"What happened?" Chet raised an eyebrow at this looking for Frank and then to Joe. "Did I miss something?"
"Nope, everything's fine." Joe spoke up quickly, glaring his eyes at Frank. "Right, Frank?"
Frank knew he was still upset about Iola's gift and didn't want to discuss in front of Chet, so he decided to let it go for now. He shook his head, "Yeah, you know how it is with us; we're always getting into stupid arguments. All is forgotten."
Joe put a smile on his face, before quickly changing the subject. "So Chet what it's your big news."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot my big news!" Reaching around to his back pocket of his jeans, Chet handed him a newspaper.
Frank watched the smile on his brother's face slowly fade away to a frown, then his eyes widen, landing on the front page of the paper. "Oh no... No! This can't be!
He took the paper out of Joe's hand, "Oh no!" He whispered under his breath. Tony glanced over his shoulder as he read the page," Coming soon to Bayport! Barmet Island Hotel Marina & Getaway Resort,
Joe looked right at Chet and asked in disbelief. "Is this true?"
"Yup...," Chet swallowed the last of his pizza before answering, "Some big billionaire bought the island. A Mr. Albert Douglas he's the chairman and president of Douglas & Underwood real estate in New York."
"I didn't know that Barmet Island was for sale?" Tony commented curiously. "I've never heard of the guy."
"Me neither." Frank added, and then continues on reading the newspaper. "And according to the paper this Mr. Douglas buys and owns property all over the world. This resort is supposed to be a great asset for the town of Bayport. It'll create jobs, as well as a big tourist attraction for everyone who enjoys outdoor activities, such as camping, boating and fishing, and for those who like to live in the lap of luxury."
"There will a big hotel with a spa and everything!" Chet piped up excitedly. "There's a formal gathering at the Bayport Pier Hotel tonight around eight o'clock to celebrate the occasion. All the dignitaries in Bayport are invited. Mayor Dixon..."
"Frank, we have to be at that party." Joe cut in.
Frank just stared at his brother strangely. "Why?"
"Because, we have to, that's why!" Joe exploded, unable to control his temper, his face turning pale, then brick-red. Feeling pressure building up inside of him, he knew he was about to explode; he just couldn't help himself. The sudden outburst brought the restaurant to abrupt silence.
Frank, Chet and Tony just looked at him, blinking.
"Joe, calm down," Frank ordered, placing a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. "First off, you're being rude, you just interrupted Chet. And second, how do you know we are even invited?"
Joe took a deep breath to calm down, he turned to Chet, "I'm sorry, Chet, I didn't mean to cut you off." Before turning back to Frank, "Chet, said all of the big names in Bayport are invited, right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Well, what are the chances that Dad has an invitation too? There is probably an invitation at home waiting for him."
"Yes, but Dad's not here. He's out of town on a case."
"I know that." Joe said dryly. "Don't you think, as the sons of the famous Detective Fenton Hardy, that we should be there to represent him?"
Frank thought at about this for a moment, suddenly it dawned on him as to Joe's reason on why he wanted to go to this party. Then finally he answered, "Joe, I understand why you're upset, but..."
Suddenly Joe slammed his fist on the table and and jumped to his feet. He began puffing up his chest and his breathing got heavy and ragged. "Frank, we're going to that party! We have to talk Mr. Douglas out of building that resort!"
Frank was really concerned when he saw the wild look in his blue eyes. "Joe, get a hold of your self!"
"He can't have that island!" Joe ranted on, not caring about the stares, and whispers coming from the restaurant, which included the stunned faces from Chet and Tony.
"We have to stop Mr. Douglas from building that resort!"
"And, how do you suppose we to do that?" Frank challenged, feeling rage flare up inside of him without his consent. It took every part of him to fight the urge to beat the hell out of his little brother. He simply couldn't believe the way Joe was behaving. He took a deep breath, keeping his voice calm and steady, "Little brother, you better watch what you're saying."
"I don't care." Joe replied hotly leaning over the table to meet his brother at eye level, "If you won't help me, then I'll find away to do it myself!" With that he got up and heads for the front doors.
"The Barmet Island Hotel Marina & Getaway Resort is not going to happen." He turns back to Frank. "That's a promise!" before storming out of Prito's slamming the front doors behind him.
Please review thank you!