Iola's Treasure 12
At that moment Frank stood next to his father, neither one of them taking their eyes off the ski mask. It was a clue. Perhaps the most valuable piece that would help them identify Joe's attacker.
"Officer Baker!"
Officer Riley shouted, startling Frank out of his thoughts. "Take this mask to the crime lab. Tell them it's top priority". He handed the plastic bag to a fellow officer in his late twenties.
"Stay with it." Fenton added firmly. "Notify me or Officer Riley the second they have something. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir!" Officer Baker responded and left to carry out the orders.
"Con, did you find anything else?" Frank asked eagerly.
"No, I'm sorry Frank."
Frank nodded in reply.
Officer Riley caught the sadness in his eyes. He felt bad for the older Hardy boy. It was clear to him that Frank was simply lost without Joe. He sometimes wondered if the brothers could experience each other's pain. Deep down, he knew it had to be the case. "If it makes you feel better Frank, I'll do my part to keep Joe safe by standing guard outside his room. Nobody'll get past me".
"Thank you Officer Riley, we appreciate it." Fenton said graciously, putting a comforting arm around Frank. "And that ski mask you found will be a big help. It's one step closer to identifying Joe's attacker."
"You're welcome Fenton." Officer Riley just nodded. "Hopefully we'll know something soon."
Frank spoke up. "Dad, did you find out anything, in New York?"
"Yes, I did." Fenton explained. "Douglas and Underwood Real Estate Company are a legitimate business fully staffed in a prestigious high raised building."
"Did you see Mr. Douglas?"
"No. Sadly, I didn't get the chance. According to the receptionist at the front desk, both Mr. Douglas and Mr. Underwood were out of the office." Frank's eyes light up as he went on. "She said something about an urgent matter they had to take care of.
"Really" Frank piped up. "When and where was this?"
"I believe around eight this morning out at the Barmet Island Resort." Fenton replied. "That's when your mother called me about Joe being attacked."
"Isn't that a coincidence?" Frank replied sarcastically. "It's a good thing that we don't believe in coincidences. Why don't we go pay them a visit?"
"We will do just that," Fenton knew exactly what Frank was thinking as he also had Mr. Albert Douglas at the top of his suspect list. Then he noticed Frank, rubbing his eyes.
"Before we do anything I want to see Joe." He insisted and expecting a protest he continued, "In the meantime Frank, you and Chet will get some rest as well as something to eat".
"Dad, I'm fine." Frank lied.
"Son you're exhausted." Fenton said to Frank. "I know you were up early this morning, making sure that Joe was ready to go to Mrs. Granger's. Right now, you need to take care of yourself. Go home and get some rest."
"What about Joe's community service?" Frank fired off some questions. "Will this incident affect that?"
"I don't know. We can worry about that later." Fenton answered. "Right now let's just focus on getting your brother well."
"Now go home and get some rest."
"I'm not tired." Frank argued. "Chet can go home if he wants to. I'm staying here."
"Well then at least go to the hospital cafeteria." Fenton kept going, using the one tactic he knew for sure would work on Frank; his brother. "If not for me, then do it for Joe. He'll need you to keep up your strength."
"Like you said before: Joe comes first, am I right?"
"Yeah, but Dad..."
"Come on, Frank, listen to your Dad," Chet said cutting his friend off. He put a hand on Frank's shoulder and proceeded to steer him in the direction of the cafeteria. "Let's go get some lunch. It'll be my treat."
"Chet..."Chet continued to ignore Frank."We'll be back before Joe even knows you're gone."
"Fine" Frank sighed in defeat. "But, I'll be back."
"Thank you Chet." Fenton said with gratitude.
"Thank goodness for Chet." Officer Riley commented after the boys had left. "I hope he'll get Frank to relax."
"I'm sure Chet will do his best," Fenton nodded. "But, if I know my eldest, like I do; Joe'll be on his mind the whole time".
"I'm certain you're right."
"Now getting his mother to leave Joe's side," Fenton added as he and Officer Riley headed off to see his son. "Will need some work."
Laura sat quietly at Joe's bedside watching his chest rise up and down as he slept. "God, please allow my baby to be okay", she prayed silently.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps enter the room. Instantly, her mind flashed to Dr. Bryce, thinking he was coming back to check on Joe. Then a voice whispered, "Laura" and strong but gentle hands began massaging her shoulders.
Laura knew the voice instantly. "Oh Fenton..." She rose to her feet and immediately threw her arms around her husband. Fenton just held her, letting her cry.
"Our... baby... someone ... hurt our baby."
Fenton kissed the top of Laura's blond head. Then he pulled back a little. "Ssh… I'm here. Everything will be okay." He soothed gently wiping her tears away.
"Look at our baby… just look at Joe. It hurts to see him like this." Laura quickly pulled herself further away from her husband. "I don't care what it takes Fenton; you find that monster that did this."
Fenton stood beside his wife, his arm around her shoulders as he thought about what Frank had told him regarding Joe's condition. According to Frank, Dr. Bryce had said that although Joe needed a couple more days in the hospital in order to start the healing process, he should make a full recovery.
As Fenton got his first glimpse of Joe, his calm thoughts deserted him as he gasped in shock. There was a monitor as well as an IV sticking out of his youngest. An oxygen mask covered his nose and mouth, making breathing easier for him; a bandage was wrapped tightly around his head. Fenton's eyes blazed in anger as his eyes travelled down from Joe's split lip to the red handprints circling his throat.
All at once Albert Douglas's face flashed into his mind. The guy was so persistent in wanting to talk to them; what could he possibly want? Was this his way on getting his revenge on Joe? Was he intentionally trying to kill him? Fenton silently cursed the billionaire. "Damn you Douglas...if you did this to my son...I will come after you personally. There will be hell to pay".
"I will." Fenton spoke up, "Laura, Chet took Frank to the cafeteria to eat something; why don't you join them? I'll sit with Joe?"
"What if Joe wakes up? He might need me. He may be seventeen, but he's still my baby." Laura objected.
"Yes, he's also my baby too." Fenton encouraged. "Honey, please go. Joe will be fine. Chet will need reinforcements in order to get Frank to eat something."
"If anyone comes in here and tries to hurt him, I'll tear them apart because that's the way I'm feeling right now."
"Okay." Laura huffed. She leaned forward to kiss Joe's forehead. "I'll be back, baby". She then gave Fenton a hug before leaving the room.
Soon Fenton was alone with Joe. A mix of emotions started swirling inside him; guilt, fear, sadness and anger were all there.
"How could I let this happen? I'm supposed to protect you." Fenton said softly, gently stroking the side of Joe's face. "You've been going through a rough time lately. Like this ordeal with Mr. Douglas and Barmet Island becoming a resort, on top of that dealing with Iola's death."
"Son... I failed you as a father... I-I'm sorry." He began to tear up. "It's my fault you... If only I'd paid more attention to you… You would've gotten into trouble... That led you to getting arrested… and in jail. I'm sorry Joe."
"Now here you are lying in a hospital bed… because someone tried to kill you." He took a moment to calm down. "My family's needs come first, always. I'll fix this. I won't let you go to jail. And I'll get whoever did this. They will never hurt you again."
"I love you son." Fenton quickly wiped a tear away before leaning forward and kissing Joe's forehead. To his great surprise, Joe opened his eyes. He looked up to see his father in tears as a smile slowly stretched across his face.
"I'm right here. You're safe". Fenton soothed his son as he wiped his tears away.
Joe began to get frustrated with the oxygen mask, trying to speak.
"Joe don't try to talk". Fenton said to him. "Just rest and you'll feel better soon."
Joe pulled his oxygen mask away from his face. The words "I love you Dad" came out in a soft whisper just enough for Fenton to hear. Fenton smiled back as Joe drifted off to sleep.
Fenton pulled up a chair and just sat quietly watching his son sleep peacefully.
Soon Laura and Frank were back from the cafeteria with food in their bellies and feeling much better. Chet had gone home; his parents needed him to run some errands, but he'd promised to come back later in the day.
Laura went back to her post at Joe's bedside.
Frank and Fenton had decided to check on Hattie Granger, hoping that the sweet lady had more information on Joe's attack. They were just outside her room when Frank spoke up.
"Dad, there's something I forgot to tell you."
Fenton raised an eyebrow at this. "What is it?"
"Aunt Gertrude told me Mrs. Granger's husband, Harold used to work for Douglas and Underwood Real Estate."
"Really, that's interesting" Fenton said.
"Do you think there's a connection?"
"It's possible."
"Harold died in a car accident four years ago." Frank began theorizing. "But what if it wasn't... you know an accident?"
"Frank, I know you want to find something to incriminate our Mr. Douglas because of Joe." Fenton stated. "We can't make assumptions like that."
"Yeah, but isn't worth checking out." Frank pointed out. "Don't you find it a bit strange that both Mr. Douglas and Mr. Underwood were out of the office?"
"This so called urgent matter, they had to take care of at the resort took place right around eight this morning, the same time Joe was attacked."
"I agree with you." Fenton sat down in a chair and began pondering the information. "Maybe we need to look into Harold's past as well as Mr. Underwood's".
Just then a disturbing thought entered Frank's mind, "Dad, what if this person wasn't just there to attack Joe? What if this person was after Mrs. Granger too?"
"Why would someone want to go after Mrs. Granger?" Fenton questioned.
Frank shrugged his shoulders. "That's what we have to find out."
"Okay, let's go talk to Mrs. Granger." Fenton said. "Try to keep things calm while we do."
Frank nodded okay and followed his father into the room. They found Gertrude at Mrs. Granger's beside chit chatting.
"Mrs. Granger may we come in?" Fenton lightly knocked on the door getting the ladies attention.
"Yes, come in."
"Who are you?" Hattie asked in puzzlement.
"Hattie you remember my brother Fenton, don't you?" Gertrude quickly introduced seeing the puzzled look on her friend's face. "He is Joe's father."
"Yes, Fenton it's so good to see you." Hattie concluded. "You're the famous Detective I hear so much about."
"Yes, that's right", Fenton replied. Blushing slightly, he reached out to shake the woman's hand.
Frank stifled a smile at his father's reaction. He hated when someone referred him as the famous Detective. Fenton thought of himself as just an ordinary man. Being a detective and solving cases were just a job. Being famous was never his intention.
"Mrs. Granger this is my other son, Frank." Fenton shifted the attention on to Frank.
"Ah, Frank the spitting image of your father." Hattie said cheerfully. "I can see where you and your brother get your handsome good looks."
"Thank you Mrs. Granger." Frank smiled, shaking the kind woman's hand. He snuck a glance at his father, amused to see his face go from a light pink, to almost red.
"You're welcome, and please, call me Hattie." The women insisted. "That's what I told Joe."
"Speaking of Joe, how is he doing?" Gertrude asked worriedly.
Hattie frowned. "Joe was such a sweet boy. I can't understand how anyone could do that to him. If there is anything I can do, please let me know."
"Actually, Hattie there is..." Fenton said gently. "Are you up to answering a few questions?"
"Oh, of course" Hattie agreed. "If it will help Joe ask me anything."
"Joe's going to be fine. He just needs a few days to heal. In fact Laura is with him now." Fenton answered. "She refuses to leave his side."
"I think I'll go look in on Joe a spell." Gertrude said rising to her feet. "Hattie I'll be back. I'm leaving you in good hands."
"Yes, I know," Hattie smiled towards Frank and Fenton. "Take your time Gertrude."
"Thank you." Gertrude said, patting Hattie's hand. She turned to the men with a warning, "Now you two go easy on her. Hattie needs her rest."
"We will Aunty." Frank said.
"Hattie, why don't you go over your story again?" Fenton asked soon after Gertrude had left the room. "Frank said you heard a commotion outside your bedroom window."
"Oh, I did," Hattie nervously said, as Frank and Fenton pulled chairs over to her bedside, each preparing to hear a gruelling tale. "I was in my bed resting my eyes, when suddenly I heard that sweet boy of yours screaming...I got out of bed as fast as I could to see what was going on".
"When I got to the window Joe was lying unconscious on the ground." The women paused to take a breath. "I could see blood on his face."
"I hurried downstairs all in a panic to see about Joe. That's when Frank and the Morton boy came in. Frank went to find Joe; the next thing I knew Joe was being loaded into the ambulance".
Frank cringed as the image of how he'd found Joe came back to him.
"That's all I remember".
"Hattie, do you know an Albert Douglas?" Frank asked, changing topics.
"Albert Douglas…" Hattie wrinkled her forehead in thought. "No that name doesn't ring a bell."
Frank and Fenton exchanged looks with each other.
Fenton turned back to her and asked, "Have you ever heard of a Douglas and Underwood Real Estate Company?"
"No, my husband, Harold, used to work for Underwood Real Estate." Hattie said sadly "Up until he died."
"I can still remember that horrible rainy night. Harold was on his way home from New York. He had some news to tell me. Late that night a police officer came knocking on my door to tell me...Harold had died in a car accident." Hattie paused for a moment.
"Hattie, we can stop if you want." Frank put his hand on top of hers.
"Yes Hattie, we don't have to do this." Fenton added.
"No, it's okay. I can talk about this." Hattie went on. "The officer told me that someone called 911 to report the accident and that another car had deliberately driven Harold off the road."
Frank and Fenton exchanged looks again. Frank questioned, "Did they find the driver?"
"No." Hattie shook her head. "It was odd; both the caller and the driver were never found".
"Thank you Hattie. You've been helpful." Fenton said mulling over this latest information.
"You're welcome. Tell Joe that once he's all better, he can come back to work for me".
"I'll tell him." Fenton replied. "However, right now it's not safe for you to go home. So you will be staying with us once the doctor releases you from the hospital."
"Why don't you make out a list of things you need?" Frank proposed. "And I'll get them for you."
"How nice of you, I feel safe already." Hattie said. "I'll make a list for you."
"We are going to go and let you get some rest." Fenton told Hattie as he and Frank rose to their feet.
Fenton and Frank went out into the hallway with their minds reeling over what they had learned from Hattie.
"Dad, what do you think?" Frank asked anxiously.
"I think it's time to get some answers." Fenton stated. "We're going to New York."
Thank you all for your wonderful review from my last chapter.
What do you think of my story so far? Do you think the story is coming together and making since? Do you think the story is progressing too slow/fast? I'm trying to stay focus on the main part of the story. Your feedback will be helpful to me in getting an idea of which way to go with this story.
Please review. Thank you :)