Hi I want to thank everyone again for your awesome reviews, and thank you again to those who are favorites , following, or just reading. And thank you to my beta reader for all your help and advice for my story you are awesome. :)

And to a certain reviewer I won't name names just note I will never abandon my story I'm sorry if my taking too long to update. I'm writing this as I go. And sometimes it takes me awhile but I've always got the next chapter in my head. please patient with me. thank you.

A Brother's Revenge Chapter 3

"What do you mean this gun is yours?" Fenton asked. He took his hand off his son's hand and sat back in disbelief. "You don't own one."

"But it is." Frank replied; handcuffs clanging as he moved his hands as he shifted uneasily in his seat. "It's the gun I use every time we go to the shooting range."

He felt all eyes on him it felt like the air sucked right out of the room. He didn't understand this. How is this happening? He sniffed back his tears forcing himself to be strong. No time for falling apart, no time freaking out. "I don't know how it got to the crime scene? I swear, I didn't kill Hayden." He repeated the last part again.

"When did you last use this gun?" Chief Collig asked, trying to stay in professional. He didn't know what to make of this. It wasn't looking good for Frank.

Over the years there were times he'd butted heads with him and his brother, mostly out of his own selfish pride because he felt two teenagers were trying to show him how to do his job. In truth, the Chief had come to admire their passion when it came to crime solving; just like their father. He always thought Frank was a natural and had a bright future in any field in law enforcement.

Hopefully there was a logical explanation for this. He wanted to believe with his whole heart that the young man in front of him didn't commit this murder.

"Son, please explain." Fenton said, leaning forward working hard to keep his temper at bay. There was no reason to be angry with him. But Fenton didn't expect those words to come out of his son's mouth. Where the heck did Frank get that gun?

"When did you go to the shooting range?"

Frank looked at the gun as if it was staring back at him. He took a calming breath and forced his mind to focus on the case at hand. He couldn't fall apart, not now.

"It was, uh, two days before graduation." He tore his eyes away from the gun and cast them up at his father. "I was feeling angry and frustrated thinking about Henry. It's his fault that Phil wouldn't be there to graduate with us."

Frank felt anger flared up inside of him as that little lunatic's face came to his mind.

He was about to reveal a secret Fenton wasn't going to like. He took a breath, here goes he thought, "You know Mr. Price the vice principle? Well he took over Ryan Hayden's position as principal."

Fenton nodded wondering where Frank was going with this. He let him continue, "Anyway, he called me into his office that Monday. He told me that Phil was supposed to be the valedictorian of our class. And I came in second as class salutatorian, but since Phil..." His voice trailed off.

He cleared his throat and started again."Mr. Price offered me the honor of valedictorian. But, I turned him down. It didn't belong to me, it belonged to Phil he had the highest grade point average of our class. He worked hard for it."

Frank's stomach began churning this was the part he knew his father wasn't going to like. he said sadly, "In fact I turned down both honors because I felt I didn't deserve either one of them."

"Why wasn't your mother and I informed of this?" Fenton asked in shock, it was the first he had heard of this. What the heck was going on with his son?

"I asked Mr. Price not to say anything. I didn't want anyone to know, not even Joe." Frank slowly shook his head, he said with a frown, "Mr. Price reluctantly agreed and gave the honors to Marcie Greenly and Randy Meyers." He took a deep breath and turned his head away.

Fenton was floored by this news, he remembered the commencement and noted Frank had been quiet during that time. He let it go because he knew it was a hard day for him to get through at the loss of his best friend Phil Cohen. Thinking of that day Fenton remembered the young lady Marcie Greenly giving her speech as valedictorian and that she did honor Phil in her speech which was a thoughtful and touching moment on her part.

What had the detective floored was that his son kept something like this a secret. It was a noble and selfless thing he did in turning down those offers, valedictorian, salutatorian were commendable honors and Frank was deserving of either one. It did break his heart hearing the negative tone in Frank's voice in the way he spoke about himself.

"I was still frustrated and angry about that, and on top of everything else going on. I went for a run that morning to clear my head, but it didn't seem to help. So I had the idea of going to the shooting range. And it did help, I felt better," he added calmly, "I don't know I guess something about blasting large holes in a paper target was very therapeutic for me."

The Chief looked at him blinking after hearing his explanation, "Okay so two days before your graduation," He cut in, getting back into the conversation, "you went to the shooting range which would've been on Wednesday the 19th, correct?"

"Yes that's right, because I graduated Friday the 21st."

"At what time were you there?"

Frank thought for a minute. "3 in the afternoon."

"And where is it exactly did you go?" Carl asked his client.

"The Police Department range downtown."

"How often do you go there?"

"Dad takes Joe and me there once in a while."

Carl gave Fenton a questioning look.

Fenton nodded in agreement. He began to explain his reasoning, "That's true. My boys knew from an early age there's a gun in the house."

"It's my responsibility as a gun owner and with me in law enforcement to teach them. That their Dad's job requires him to carry one. I've shown it to them, and they've held it. And they both know where I keep it. They knew it's not a toy. I didn't want them stumbling on it by accident, because we know kids can be curious at times often end up in places they shouldn't be. "

Sam and the Chief both nodded in agreement.

"And as the boys got older and expressed interest in law enforcement I enrolled them in a couple of gun safety classes to learn respect and have proper training. And as Frank said, I take him and Joe to the shooting range every once in a while."

"Okay, I understand that," Carl replied then asked needing a question cleared up, "Don't you have to be at least 18 and accompanied and directly supervised in the shooting booth by a parent or legal guardian?"

He looked at Frank. He was trying to get the facts straight so he knew the best way to help his client. "You are 18, and someone was with you, right?"

"I'm 18 until the end of July," Frank answered, honestly and directly. "To answer your other question. Mom took Joe to his physical therapy appointment at 2pm. Aunt Gertrude was out running errands and Dad was out working on the hospital fire case. So...I went by myself." his handcuffs clanging as he moved his hands as he shifted uneasily in his seat.

"You went by yourself." Fenton stated heatedly leaning forward in his seat.

"Dad, I'm not a total idiot, yes I went myself, but I wasn't by myself. Most of the guys there know me. And Pete he was there and he did accompanied me while I shot off a few rounds."

"Who's Pete?" Carl asked curiously.

"Pete McNeely." The Chief answered. "He's in his late thirties, he use to be one of my officers. A few years back he was badly injured on the job and had to quit the force. He now works the front desk at the shooting range."

"Did you sign in a log to show you were there?" Sam brought up. He was making a mental note of everything Frank was saying. Anything that was going to help his case, so far it wasn't looking good for him.

"Yes."

"Did you sign out this gun?" He nodded coming over to the table.

"I did."

"This particular gun." Sam pointed at the weapon on the table.

Frank looked at the gun as if it was staring back at him. He took a calming breath and forcing himself again not to fall apart, not now. "I've always used this gun."

"Why this gun?" The Chief asked curiously.

"I don't know. I guess, I'm more comfortable with it." Frank replied, with a shrug of his shoulders. "It just feels good when I hold it in my hands."

Everyone sat back for a moment processing all Frank had said. Fenton still didn't know what to make of Frank's behavior. The secrets and the negative tone in his voice were really concerning to him. But right now that wasn't important. Finding out the truth and proving his son's innocence and who killed Jack Hayden. and so far everything Frank had said wasn't looking good for him. He exchanged looks with Sam and saw the concern on his face too.

Now he was dreading Frank's answer to his next question, but he knew he had to ask it. It was inevitable. Squeezing his eyes shut for a moment, he asked, "Please tell me you, did sign the gun back in when you were done?"

Frank looked at his father, his eyes then shifted to the Chief, Sam and Carl before returning back to his father. His head started wandering off again, his thoughts flashed to Hayden, to Henry, to Callie, to Joe...the hospital fire...the abuse, Joe's abduction...fearing he was dead...Ryan Hayden...the hospital fire again fearing Joe was...then Phil...oh God Phil...he's dead... it's all my fault...I should have been there. I should've stopped it. It's my job! Damn! People I love and care about are counting on me...I can't fail them...It's my job!

Fenton grew deeply concerned seeing the blank stare back on his son's face. He did not like this. Damn depression he cursed to himself. He had to get Frank to focus. He reached over and put his hand on top of his son's hand, "Frank, Son," he said firmly to get his attention, "Did you hear the question? This is important, you have to answer."

Again Frank zapped back into the present after feeling the touch of his father's hand, his handcuffs clanged as he moved. He looked back up at everyone, he could see the concern clear on their faces. Damn it, it happened again. What is happening to me? Am I going crazy? He composed himself quickly, all while saying nothing. Focus he told himself, you have to focus be strong...get it together.

Sam noted again of Frank's pale face and heavy breathing. His heart went out to him this kid has been through so much, being accused of murder was the last thing that needed to happen to him. It wasn't fair.

Blinking his eyes to force his thoughts away, Frank shook his head and focused on Fenton's voice. "I'm sorry, dad," He cleared his throat. "What was the question?"

Fenton sighed wearily and asked again, "Did you sign the gun back in?" He prayed with all his might that the answer would be yes.

But again Frank shifted nervously in his seat. If his hands were free he'd be running them through his hair. Finally he answered with a sigh," When I was done with the gun I did turn it back in at the front desk. Pete walked back to the desk with me. I told Pete I was running late for an appointment of my own with Dr. Reese. Pete said he'd take care of it. So I laid the gun on the counter and left."

Fenton's stomach felt like it dropped down to his feet. He risked another glance at Sam and saw the concern on his face too. He must be thinking it too. This was not good. at this point, it was unclear whether the gun was signed back in. he looked down at the weapon in question. This has to be a mistake, he prayed with all his might that it wasn't this gun. But his gut was telling him otherwise.

"So what happens now." Frank asked, looking at the chief, but he already knew the answer to that question. He knew he wasn't leaving this station.

Chief Collig hated the next part, and as much as he like Frank, it made it that much harder to do his job, he didn't want to do it, but there was no choice. It had to be done. He had a job to do. He cleared his throat, "Frank, I'm sorry but, I'm going to have to book you."

FJFJFJFJFJFFJ

Joe sat outside of the room with his crutches propped up against the wall waiting patiently, well he as patient as he could be, after all patience wasn't his strong suit. But he wasn't going to lie, he was anxious over what was going on with Frank.

He wasn't allowed to sit in on the questioning with Frank. He still couldn't believe it, that his brother was even here being interrogated in question of the murder of Jack Hayden. He knew without a doubt that Frank didn't kill that man.

His blue eyes shifted to the door of the room. He wished he could see right through it. What was going on in there? How his brother was holding up in there. He had a bad feeling he couldn't explain it was that same old familiar feeling that something was wrong with Frank. Joe wanted so much to burst into the room just to make sure he was alright. But he promised the Chief he wouldn't interfere or cause any trouble.

Of course, Joe told himself his brother was in good hands after all his father was in there. Dad wouldn't let anything happen to him. He'd see that Frank was alright. Sam and Carl Sims were in there too. They were doing their best to help him. And Chief Collig was in there too.

Although, the younger Hardy has had his share of moments with the chief of police. Butted heads with him over things he didn't agree with. When Joe first met the Chief he thought he was old fashioned, stuck in his ways of doing things and a bit of a hard ass.

It drove him crazy because the Chief didn't see him and Frank as equals but, only as amateur detectives, or a couple of 'nosy kids' trying to play cops he would call them. Joe supposed that was true in a way, he thought, after all when a couple of 'nosy kids' end up solving a case or two that the Bayport police department couldn't solve. It probably did bruise the Chief's ego a bit.

But over time Joe has come to like the Chief and respected him and the fact he does his job well. He also found Chief Collig to be a good and caring man. He cares about his town and the people here.

He remembered after he got arrested for hitting Hayden at school. Even though he knew the Chief had hated that part of having to do his job to arrest him, he still treated Joe with kindness, respect, fairness. And above all he believed he was innocent of the crime, even though he couldn't come out and actually say it.

Keeping his eyes glued to that door, Joe knew that Chief Collig was treating Frank the same way. So he had to trust that. Right now he just wished the damn door would open. He wanted to know what was going on. He just wanted to be with his brother.

"How long is this going to take?" He murmured.

As promised Con was standing next to him as they waited. He still couldn't believe Frank was their prime suspect in Hayden's murder. He wanted so much to believe he didn't commit this crime. There was no way.

"I'm sure it won't be too long. It's been only an hour." He tried to reassure the younger Hardy boy.

Joe just nodded, never taking his eyes off that door.

Then Officer Baker came rushing down the hallway grabbing Joe and Con's attention. They saw he was carrying something in his hand.

Joe's face paled it looked like an evident bag containing a gun. That's not good. He saw the Chief opened the door and Baker had handed the evident bag to the Chief, then Baker left and the door closed with the Chief disappearing inside.

"That's not good, isn't it?" He asked Con worriedly.

The officer just shook his head. He wished he had an answer for him, "I don't know." was all he could give him.

Fenton stepped out of the room with Sam both with grim looks on their faces. "Dad?" Joe finally spoke up.

Ignoring his crutches, he quickly stood up causing his leg to hurt. Con held on to him to support him and asked, "When are we getting Frank out of here?"

For a moment it looked like his father was going to bust out in tears. Joe didn't like that. He didn't like that at all. He had a bad feeling about this.

Just then Carl stepped out of the room, his brown leather briefcase in hand. "Fenton, I promise to do everything in my power to help Frank."

"Thank you Carl. I know you will." Fenton answered simply.

"Would you like me to explain things to Joe?"

"No, you better let me."

"Okay, I'll speak to you tomorrow." Carl replied before he left the police station.

'Explain, what?" Joe stepped up to his father and looked at him straight in the eye. "Please, tell me Frank's coming home? It was a misunderstanding, right?"

Fenton managed to say calmly as he could, shaking his head. "I'm afraid it's not that simple, Joe, There's a bail hearing for tomorrow morning."

He was doing his best to fight the tears that were threatening to fall from his eyes. He didn't even know how he was going to tell Laura. "Frank will have to remain here." He didn't want to leave his eldest son here locked up in a cell. He was worried how he'll handle it. At the same time Frank can't be locked up with other inmates.

"No!" Joe exploded, at once expressing the same thoughts his father was thinking. "He can't! He'll be in there with all those criminals that we helped put away! They will kill him the first chance they get!"

"Joe, I assure you that won't happen. Frank will be well taken care of. You have my word on it." Con offered the distraught teenager. "He'll be in a cell away from everyone else."

"He'll be alone." Joe seethed through clenched teeth. "That's even worse."

"Little Brother."

Joe looked up to see Frank standing in the doorway with Chief Collig next to him. "Are those damn things necessary!" He snapped, noticing the handcuffs on his brother's wrists.

He looked pale and he had that far away look in his eyes that Joe's come to recognize, when he's going through depression. It made him want to cry. He didn't want to see his big brother and protector like this. He was biting his lip to stop himself from breaking down, he had to be brave. He couldn't cry here.

"Please don't lock him up! Damn it, He didn't do this! "

"Joe, take it easy..." Fenton started to reprimand him.

"It's okay Fenton," Chief Collig cut in. "Joe, I'm sorry, I..."

"I know you're just doing your job." Joe immediately threw his arms around Frank pulling him into a hug. He said whispering in his ear, "I'm going to get you out of here. I promise." He refused to break down. He was going to be strong for Frank.

"Don't worry about me Joe. I can handle this". Frank said calmly refusing to break down. He was going to be strong for Joe. Then he whispered back in Joe's ear, "we'll get this figured out."

A few minutes later after his father and brother reluctantly left Frank had been fingerprinted and his picture taken, and escorted to a cell by Con.

Dressed in an orange jumpsuit and lying on a cot. Frank looked up at the iron bars staring back at him. He was in a jail cell at the Bayport Police Department!

He sat up and swung his legs over the cot. How did this happen? I don't understand? I didn't do this! He was being set up, that was what his gut was telling him. That was the only logical explanation for this mess. But who?

He suddenly felt a swish of emotions come over him, anger, sadness, loneliness, he couldn't hold it in. He hated feeling like this. He felt himself breaking, but as he looked around his cell. He was alone. No one would see him break.

He placed his elbows on his knees, burying his face in his hands. "God, help me I didn't kill Jack Hayden." With that he let the tears flow.