I am so sorry for taking so long to update. I've been really busy. Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing. Here is my new chapter, Hope you like it.

Iola's Treasure 3

"What was that about?" Chet asked with confusion all over his face. "I thought he'd be excited about this resort. All those outdoor activities are things Joe likes to do."

"There's a reason why he's upset." Tony replied.

"What do you mean?"

"It has to do with the island and… Iola," Frank said, hesitating to say the last part.

"Iola…" Chet gasped, his eyes widening at the mention of his late sister's name. "What about her?" He looked from Tony to Frank wanting answers.

Frank and Tony exchanged looks with each other. Frank ran a hand through his hair, not sure how this was going to go. "Chet had every right to know what was going on. It was his sister, after all." He thought, and then turned back, giving Chet his attention.

"Chet, you do remember Barmet Island, right?"

"Yes, of course I do."

Frank sighed wearily. He began by explaining to Chet about the gift and letter Joe found from Iola, ending with the camping trip to Barmet Island their fathers had taken them on when they were kids. When he had finished Chet quietly sat back, soaking up the words in his mind.

The two boys could see tears seeping out of the corners of their friend's brown eyes. Frank felt bad for him; he was still grieving the loss of his little sister. It may have been a year since she was killed, but the pain was still new and fresh. It was a pain he hoped to never experience at the thought of losing Joe.

He put a hand sympathetically on Chet's hand. "Chet..."

Chet quickly pulled his hand away, "I wish I'd never bought that newspaper!" Chet nodded at the newspaper lying on the table in front of them, his voice started to quiver mixed in with bits of anger. "It was a very stupid thing to do upsetting Joe like that!" He shamefully turned away to look out the window as he went on. "I can never talk about Iola for that reason."

"I'm so sorry, Frank."

Frank wasn't taken back by this; It was just like Chet to think of someone else's feelings over his own. "Chet look at me."

Chet did as Frank instructed.

"You have nothing to apologize for." Frank held up his hand, seeing Chet was about to argue. "I appreciate you thinking of Joe's feelings," He said simply. "Your feelings are just as important. Iola was your sister, a very big part of your life. Buddy, you have every right to talk about her."

"Yeah, Frank's right, you're still hurting as much as anyone else. If you want to talk, we're here and ready to listen." Tony added, offering his support.

Chet nodded to show he was listening. "Thanks guys." He said quickly wiped away the tears from his face. "I just wish Joe would talk to me. Is he mad at me or something?"

"No, Joe's not angry with you." Frank shook his head no. "It's himself he's angry with. When someone close to him gets hurt, he takes it very personally. He lashes out like that because it's his way of dealing with Iola's death. He feels guilty for what happened to her. In a way, I think my brother would feel better, if you hated him."

"I don't hate him," Chet replied, "It wasn't Joe's fault. I never once put the blame on either one of you for my sister's death."

"I know that. However, trying to convince Joe of that is like talking to a brick wall. He'll have to eventually work it out for himself."

A heavy silence filled the air, but neither boy spoke a word.

"I do remember the camping trip to Barmet Island." Chet spoke up first as he quickly changed the subject. "Iola begged Dad for weeks to let her come with us. He and I both told her it was an all boys camping trip. But oh no, my little sister wouldn't hear of it, she insisted on going. She would argue that we were being unfair and that girls could do anything that boys could do. Finally Dad gave in like he always did. Iola had him wrapped around her little finger when she wanted something. Even at ten years old, that girl was feisty and bossy." He let out a slight chuckle thinking of Iola.

Frank and Tony too laughed at the thought.

"A few days after the funeral, my parents and I were in her room going through her things," Chet began again, sadness filling his eyes as he struggled to keep his voice steady. "My mom came across that shoebox with Joe's name on it, in a top dresser drawer. She felt that it was important to Iola that Joe had the gift. I had no idea the book Treasure Island or the letter was inside it."

"There was also a notebook that had Mrs. Iola Hardy or Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hardy scribbled all over it with hearts circled around it. I knew she had a big crush on Joe. He was the real reason she wanted to go on the camping trip. She always found some excuse to be near him."

"I think we all figured it out at some point that the two of them liked each other even at a young age." Frank said reminiscing. "Joe would never admit it, but I knew. It wasn't until junior high that they finally became a couple. I guess you could say they were the hottest couple in the school."

Then he paused for a moment, before getting back to the subject, "What I don't get is why Barmet Island is so special?" He nodded, frowning thoughtfully, "It was just a game Joe and Iola were playing, even burying some treasure. Whatever that was? There has to be more to it than just a silly kid's game."

"Joe and Iola may've been ten years old at the time." Tony suddenly spoke up, "What if Barmet Island was where their love for each other began? Maybe their young love grew into their teenage years. Maybe they were meant to be Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hardy."

"My parents were high school sweethearts."

"Mine too." Frank said, picking up on what Tony was suggesting. "They were married right after college and Dad decided to go into law enforcement."

"So that's... why Joe was so upset about the resort." Chet said slowly, thinking out-loud "He doesn't want to see the island destroyed with all the construction."

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking." Tony agreed. "And, why Barmet Island is or... was their secret place."

"I think you're right, Tony." Frank agreed.

Chet shook his head, frowning in disgust. "The Barmet Island Hotel Marina & Getaway Resort doesn't sound so exciting anymore."

"Do you think Joe will actually do something to stop the resort?" Tony asked worriedly.

"Honestly, I don't know. Hopefully he's had time to cool off and had time to think." Frank said, trying to sound optimistic. "Joe was already upset after finding Iola's gift and letter. He just got blind sighted by that article about Barmet Island becoming a resort." Unfortunately, he couldn't escape the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, that was telling him trouble was brewing.

Then suddenly he was hit by a disturbing thought, Oh God! What if this ordeal caused Joe to have a setback? After Iola's death he became a different person. Frank thought about it some more, and then his stomach sank. What if he went back, locking himself away in an empty shell, completely shutting me and everyone out again?

Joe could be unpredictable at times when he wanted to be. No stop thinking like that! He berated himself quickly shaking the thought out of his head, He's not some suspect on a case, that you're investigating. He's your brother and best friend, your partner in crime solving. Instantly his big brother instincts began kicking into high gear, as the continual thoughts of Joe ran though his head. He rose to his feet, "I better go find him."

"I even entertained the idea of us being family one day." Chet looks up at Frank. "I guess now we'll never know." He said sadly.

"Chet, we are a family down to the letter." Frank placed a hand on Chet's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. He replied back. "We've known each other since middle school. We support and care for one another through good times and bad, especially this past year. And we will continue to care and support each other no matter what, because that's what a family does."

A smile spread across Chet's sad face. "Thanks Frank."

"You're welcome and I'll talk to Joe. So don't worry, we'll get this worked out."

"I hope so. Just don't let Joe do anything stupid."

"I'll do my best." Frank commented, reassuring his friend. "I can't promise you anything," he whispered under his breath as he headed for the door to go find Joe.

Arriving home about an hour later; Frank pulled the black van into the driveway.

"Good Mom and Aunt Gertrude must still be at the church." He noted not seeing their cars in the driveway, "That'll give me time to talk to Joe without any interruptions."

He had tried calling Joe several times on his cell phone, but as usual, Joe either hadn't bothered to charge it, or he lost his phone."

"Or, he could just be avoiding me altogether." Frank muttered in frustration getting out of the van. Once inside, he found the kitchen and living room empty.

"Joe!" he called out, hoping he was here. When he didn't hear a response he quickly ran upstairs leading to the hallway of their bedrooms.

"Joe! Are you here?!"

"In here!" Joe called from his room.

Frank let out a sigh of relief at hearing Joe's voice. Upon entering the room, he found his brother hanging a suit and tie on the hook of his closet door.

"I've been trying to call you. Didn't you get my messages?"

"Yes, I did."

"Well then, why didn't you respond back?"

Joe just shrugged his shoulders. "Busy."

"Doing what?"

"On Dad's computer trying to find all I can on Albert Douglas."

"Did you find out anything?" Frank inquired.

"No. At least nothing incriminating," Joe grumbled, sitting down on the edge of his bed looking down at his hands, "Just that Albert Douglas is a big business tycoon. He has a business partner named Richard Underwood. Together they own a real estate company mainly in New York. Apparently, they have a thing for islands because they have property in New Zealand, as well as Australia."

"There's nothing wrong with a man buying an island." Frank said informing him, taking a seat beside Joe.

"Not, this one Frank." Joe adamantly shook his head, "Albert Douglas can't have Barmet Island!"

"How are you going to stop him?" Frank argued.

"I'll talk to him."

"And if that doesn't work..."

"I don't know Frank! I'll think of something!" Joe snapped, jumping to his feet. "When I go to the party tonight, I'll try and convince him to build his resort somewhere else."

"Did Dad get an invitation?"

"Yes, I found it in the mailbox."

"Where is it?"

"It's on my desk."

Frank spotted the invitation on the desk and went over to pick it up. He noticed on the top center of the paper a round gold emblem with two swords crossing each other, "Interesting," he thought as he read out loud, "To Detective Fenton Hardy and family,

"Mr. Albert Douglas and Mr. Richard Underwood of Douglas and Underwood Real Estate Company, requests the pleasure of your company at a formal celebration in honor of the Barmet Island Hotel Marina & Getaway Resort, coming to Bayport. On Saturday, August fifth at 8:00 p.m., at the Bayport Pier Hotel 1600 Pier Street..."

"I already sent an RSVP to Albert Douglas to let him know we're coming." Joe informed his brother.

Frank let out a deep sigh while placing the invitation back on the desk, "Dad may not be too happy that you opened up his mail."

"Well the invitation did say to Detective Fenton Hardy and family." Joe retorted, "I think the family part was referring to us."

"So you are planning on going." Frank sat on the edge of the desk.

"Yes, aren't you?'

"Well, I guess I have to. To make sure you don't do something stupid."

Joe shot Frank a dirty look, but remained silent.

"Little brother, we need to talk about this." Ignoring Joe's dirty look, Frank went on, "I know you have a sentimental attachment to the island. That's no reason to act all crazy."

"I'm not acting crazy!"

"That display at Prito's has me worried." Frank shot back. "Everyone in that restaurant heard you make idle threats to stop that resort. God forbid something bad were to happen, everyone will be pointing fingers at you."

"I'm sorry for that." Joe calmly took a breath before saying, "After finding that gift and letter from Iola, then Chet showing me that newspaper article about Barmet Island being sold, for some stupid resort. I just lost it."

"That's another thing..." Frank cut in at the thought of Chet came to his mind. "You need to talk to Chet."

"Why? Is he alright?" Joe asked worriedly.

"Well, yes and no."

"What does that mean?"

"For some reason Chet has it in his head that you're mad at him. He felt bad for showing you that article. I explained to him about Barmet Island and, why you blew up the way you did. He can't even talk about Iola, because he's afraid of upsetting you."

"I've been angry, mostly at myself for not being able to save her. I never meant to take my anger out on Chet." Joe spoke softly, feeling guilty for not realizing the way he'd been treating Chet.

"I know you didn't." Frank said reassuringly. "That's why you need to talk to Chet. Let him know it's alright for him to talk about Iola."

"I will." Joe promised. "I'll talk to him, tomorrow." Then he quickly added, "Right now I have to focus on the party tonight.

"Why?" Frank asked, trying to understand his little brother's reasoning, "Help me to understand why this is so important to you."

Joe sat back down on his bed, "I loved her, Frank..." Tears began to trickle down his cheeks as his voice trailed off, thinking of Iola. "It's like a part of Iola is on that island. The minute it gets destroyed with all that destruction, it'll be like losing her all over again." He looked up at Frank all teary-eyed, "I can't go through that again. That's why I have to talk to Mr. Douglas. He can't have Barmet Island." He pleaded. "I need you there with me."

"Okay, Joe, we'll both go." It broke Frank's heart seeing Joe so upset like this. He gave Joe a stern look, "But, if you do anything stupid tonight, you'll answer to me. Got it?"

Seeing the seriousness in Frank's eyes, Joe agreed and answered. "Okay."

With that Joe stood up and headed for the bathroom, "I can't promise you." He said as he went inside and shut the door.

Frank just shook his head as an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach intensified, telling him this maybe a bad idea. "This is going to be an interesting night."