Thank you to everyone for your reading and reviewing. I apologize for not updating in awhile I've been busy. I'll do my best to update. Here's my new chapter hope you like it. Please review :)
Iola's Treasure 17
It was around six on a Monday evening at the Hardy home. Laura; Gertrude and Hattie were in the kitchen, in the process of fixing dinner with the mouth-watering aromas of the many varieties of food wafting through the house. Fenton had decided to do some work in his office before dinner, trying to dig up any dirt on Douglas and Underwood on his computer.
That got him thinking about Joe. It'd been a few days since his discharge from the hospital and he was recuperating well from his terrifying ordeal. The bruises around his neck were now barely visible yet Fenton still couldn't stop the shivers from going down his spine at the thought of how close he'd come to losing his baby boy.
The most frustrating part was that Joe still couldn't remember who his attacker had been. Dr. Bryce had advised them not to push him; Joe would remember in time.
"Hopefully he'll remember soon before it's too late." Fenton murmured softly. After a few moments of silence, he added, "Douglas, if you tried to kill my son..."
All of a sudden, the telephone on his desk began to ring, jarring Fenton out of his thoughts. Grateful for the interruption, he immediately answered it. "Detective Fenton Hardy"
Chief Collig was on the line. "Fenton, I have some bad news…" Fenton listened to what the Chief had to say while trying to suppress his growing anger. As the Chief finished, he sighed and thanked him, hanging up the phone. Frank knocked on his open office door, causing Fenton to look up, startled, as as the boys entered their father's office. "Dad, can…"
"...Where's your brother?" Fenton bluntly cut him off.
"I'm right here." Joe answered casually, as he walked into the room.
"Dad, what's wrong?" Frank asked, curiously. The two boys stood in front of their father's desk, concern written all over their faces.
"I just got off the phone with Chief Collig," Fenton said, massaging the bridge of his nose wearily as he leaned back in his chair. "Douglas and Underwood have mysteriously disappeared."
"What!"
"It can't be true, Dad," Frank protested in both anger and disbelief.
"I'm afraid it is." Fenton began to explained. "Underwood was supposed to be brought into the station for questioning. When the police arrived at his office they found not only the office, but the entire building completely empty, clean from top to bottom; no furniture, no fingerprints. It's like a repeat of what happened with Douglas' office-just on a larger scale" Fenton stated, clearly still disgusted with the news. "It's as if Douglas and Underwood Real Estate never existed."
"So then... I was right" Joe slowly replied. "It was all a big scam."
"Yes, son you were right." Fenton nodded. "It also confirms some of the data I dug up."
Frank and Joe's eyerbrows rose to nearly their hairlines at this. Fenton continued to explain, before he was hit with the inevitable wave of questions. "There are no resorts in Australia or New Zealand. Underwood Real Estate went bankrupt four years ago. It seems that junior ran his father's company into the ground. That was right around the same time Douglas made Richard Underwood an offer to buy half of the company."
"He must've been desperate for money." Joe commented.
"What a coincidence that Harold Granger was killed in a car accident, right around that time", Frank said, thinking out loud. "That is if it was accident?" Frank shook his head. "Why, why kill Harold Granger? How does he fit into this?"
"What if Harold stumbled onto something shady?" Fenton theorized.
"And how is that his DNA just happens to be the same as the guy who attacked Joe?"
"Douglas does have gray hair and is built quite solidly" Joe stated. "He could very easily be my attacker. Underwood could also be his accomplice. "
"What if Douglas turned out to be Harold's son?" Frank asked. "Is it possible he killed his own father? If that's true, then that makes Douglas a very dangerous man."
"Yes, that's what I was thinking." Fenton reluctantly agreed, "We need more proof before knowing with certainty that either Douglas or Underwood is responsible for everything. I've started to look deeper into Harold's accident."
"What about Barmet Island?" Joe spoke up suddenly. "The resort was probably a scam too."
Frank had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach when he saw Fenton's face slightly pale.
"What?" Joe frowned.
"I'm sorry son" Fenton apologized. "A thorough search was conducted on the island. They were looking for the two men but all they found was an island that was ripped apart and most assuredly deserted. Officer Riley said it'd looked like a typhoon had hit the island".
Frank's face lost all color as he let his father's words sink in. He could see the mix of emotions on Joe's face; he placed a hand sympathetically on his brother's shoulder. "Joe, you alright?"
"I'm fine. Give me a little credit; I'm not going to fall apart over some stupid island" Joe plastered a smile on his face, hoping he sounded convincing. "It's not like Iola was really on it. She's been dead for over a year".
Fenton and Frank both knew he was lying. They looked at him, but said nothing, letting him vent.
"Barmet Island is all in the past. That's the way it has to be." Joe pulled away from Frank and began pacing back and forth. "Just a stupid kid's game. That's all it was, a kid's game."
"Today, I can truly let go of Barmet Island. I wish I didn't feel so stupid trying to save the damn place!"
"And look where it got me, arrested!" He snorted a dry laugh. "I was so obsessed with trying to save that stupid island! Now I have Albert Douglas' restraining order hanging over my head! The guy who only happens to be a suspect in a case we're trying to solve!"
"There is a bright side to all this little brother."
Joe stopped in his tracks and just looked at Frank, with a strange look on his face. "What bright side?"
"If you hadn't gotten yourself into this mess, we wouldn't have known that Douglas and Underwood Real Estate was a big scam until it was too late". Frank pointed out. "These guys robbed our town of thousands of dollars."
"Think about Hattie; if you hadn't stopped the person trying to break into her house, she might not be here right now". Frank added another point to his argument. "All of that happened because you were doing your community service".
"Okay maybe you do have some valid points." Joe admitted before asking for confirmation. "Do you really think Douglas or Underwood tried to kill me and break into Hattie's home".
"Yes I think so, all we need is proof." Fenton replied.
"So if we can prove it, that would mean I'm off the hook, right?" Joe asked. "No community service or restraining order, and best of all, no jail time."
"It's very possible." Fenton answered. "But, until that happens everything remains the same. Do not go near Douglas or that island. You boys are to stay close to Hattie."
"Is that understood?"
"Yes." Joe nodded.
Just then there was a slight knock at the door. The three Hardy men looked up to see Hattie standing in the doorway.
"Sorry for intruding," Hattie said cheerfully. "I wanted to let you boys know dinner is ready."
A few minutes later the Hardy family and Hattie sat down to a roast dinner with all the trimmings. Hattie dabbed at the corner of her mouth and cleared her throat before saying. "This meal is just wonderful, and I also want to thank all of you for your generosity and kindness for letting me stay here in your beautiful home."
"You're welcome Hattie; we're delighted to have you here." Gertrude smiled.
"We want you to make yourself at home." Laura added, "If there is anything you need let us know."
"Thank you." Hattie smiled. "There are a few things I do need from my house."
"Frank and I would be happy to go get them after dinner." Joe offered casting a glance at his brother.
"Yes, we'd be happy to." Frank agreed. He knew what his brother was thinking; it would be the first time Joe had seen the place since his attack. Maybe if he'd go back to where it all took place, it might jog his memory. However he glanced at the head of the table and saw the angry glare his father was sending Joe's way. It told him that his father was none too pleased with Joe's idea; it would take some convincing on his, the big brother's part to get their father to let Joe leave the house.
"Thank you again." Hattie said graciously. "I feel so blessed being with all of you young folks. I only wish Harold and I could've been blessed with children and grandchildren. It gets lonesome at times living in that big house."
Frank exchanged looks with Joe and Fenton. "If only she knew the truth."
"Why do you stay there?" Joe asked. "Would you consider moving closer to town?"
"Oh, I don't know. I'd have to think about it" Hattie replied simply. "You see, I was born in that house; it means a great deal to me".
"Actually Hattie, that's not a bad idea" Fenton added after taking a sip of his water. "Joe told us about the condition of your home. Maybe you should consider moving".
Laura, who was sitting at the foot of the table, added, "We're concerned for your safety Hattie, especially now that someone tried to break into the house. Fenton can see to it that the house is safe and secure for you; however we feel that the house is too big for you to manage alone".
Everyone nodded in agreement. "It would give us some peace of mind." Gertrude said, sitting beside her friend and patting her hand. "We could even find you a house closer to us."
"Hattie, you don't have to decide anything now." Fenton put his two cents in. "It's just something to think about".
Hattie paused for a moment as if mulling all this over.
Frank continued, "Plus, it'd make it easier for us young folks to visit you".
"Please Hattie? Say you'll consider moving." Joe pretended to pout, giving Hattie his sad puppy dog eyes. "You're like our favorite person in the whole world. All of Bayport loves you; and you know we love hearing your amazing stories".
"Now how can you say no to that?" Gertrude lightly chuckled.
Hattie looked around the table, seeing all the smiling faces, waiting for her to answer. She couldn't keep herself from smiling, "Yes, I'll consider it".
"Woohoo! My plan worked!" Joe celebrated as he jumped to his feet, running around the table. He came up behind Hattie throwing his arms around her, giving her a peck on the cheek.
"Oh my!" Hattie said, gently patting Joe's cheek. "I'll bet you're quite charming with the young ladies."
Frank's smile dropped as he silently gasped at the comment. He looked at Joe wondering how he'd respond. Joe hadn't dated anyone since Iola. But, to his surprise Joe gave Hattie a slight wink,
"Right now, I only have eyes for you."
Everyone let out the breaths they were holding. Hattie started laughing as everyone joined in.
"Well" Gertrude pushed back from the table and began to stack plates. "I'll clear the table and bring out dessert". She said as she began stacking plates. "And then if we're lucky enough maybe Hattie will entertain us with one of her stories."
"I'd be delighted." Hattie replied picking up her empty plate. "But only if I help you clear the table."
"Hattie, you're a guest..." Laura began.
"...Please, I insist." Hattie cut her off. "As long as I'm a guest in your home, I must earn my keep."
"I have a better idea. Since you ladies spent most of the afternoon preparing the wonderful dinner." Fenton proposed. "I'm sure the boys wouldn't mind cleaning up. We can bring our dessert and coffee into the living; they can join us once they're finished. Is that alright boys?" He looked straight at Joe before turning to Frank.
Frank got the hint. "Yes, you ladies go into the living room. Joe and I will take care of the dishes and join you when we're done". The older brother shot the younger a look, daring him to protest. If there was one thing Joe hated more than anything, it was washing dishes. He always found a way out of it.
"Sure." Joe smiled mischievously at Frank. "Happy to help, you ladies go relax." With that he grabbed a stack of plates and went into the kitchen.
After a quick debate as to who would do which task the boys got to work. Soon they joined the adults in the living room, finding spots on the floor, while their parents took the sofa and Gertrude and Hattie got the recliners. They were all eager to hear Hattie's story and waited with anticipation.
"Let's see..." Hattie started thinking. "Oh! Did I ever tell you the story about my grandfather, James Barmet and his treasure?"
"James Barmet was your Grandfather?" Fenton repeated in astonishment.
"Yes that's right."
"Did he have any connection to Barmet Island?"
"He bought the island in October of 1929," Hattie replied simply. "Would you like to hear the story?"
Frank and Joe's eyes widened as they exchanged surprised looks with their father. Now their case had gotten even more interesting. Frank's heart started beating wildly in excitement. With a smile on his face Joe turned back to Hattie. " Please, we'd love to hear it."