Hello everyone I'm back! I know it's been awhile been working some crazy hours lately and now with summer approaching its going to get crazier, but I'm still working on the this story and will never abandon it. I am determined to see it through. Here's the next chapter hope you like.
Oh and thank you to those who've reviewed my last chapter, and following, and favorites or just reading. and a big thank you to my beta reader for helping me with my story. you are awesome :)
A Brother's Revenge Chapter 22
"It was the scariest thing, Fenton, Joe's behavior changed so quickly." Gertrude said voicing her concern. "We need to do something now before he ends up hurting himself."
Fenton had re-joined the ladies a few moments ago, after his phone conversation with Dr. Reese and meeting with Chief Collig. With the picnic cleaned up and put away, Laura and Gertrude could now focus on other things and they each took turns filling him in on what happened with Joe as they kept a close eye on the teenagers and Trevor playing their tag game on the grass several feet away from them.
Fenton sat at the table with Laura sitting beside him, listening and processing the information. The more he heard the greater his concern grew for his youngest son. "And I agree." He replied with a heavy sigh once his sister had finished. "We can't let things go on any longer."
Laura couldn't get her worried thoughts off her boys. She tore her eyes away from the ongoing game. "Fenton, how did your call with Dr. Reese go? You texted me that the two of you were working out a plan to help Joe, right?"
"We did." Fenton nodded. "I was able to get a hold of and talked with Dr. Reese through her emergency line. She's currently out of town visiting with her family over the holiday weekend. I told her that the whole family is under a lot of stress, which is true, as you know, surrounding Frank's arrest. I explained to her about what happened today as well as the incident with Joe when he lost his temper and threw his crutches when he broke the window as well as when he broke into the safe in my office. Not to mention the constant tension and fighting between Joe and I. She wasn't planning on being back in her office until Monday. However, she was deeply concerned after I told her about what happened on the boardwalk and how close Joe was to jumping over the railing. Dr. Reese told me that she's cutting her visit short and is on her way back to Bayport. She'll stop by the house tomorrow morning around 8 AM to check in with the boys."
"If she does that Joe will know right away that something's up when he sees her." Laura brought up a concern. "I'm worried about what he might do considering he's being resistant with going to counseling."
Fenton nodded, "Yeah, I know and Dr. Reese knows that too. She did tell me something interesting about both of our boys without violating their confidence."
Laura raised a brow at Fenton as he continued, "When the boys first started to go see her for their one-on-one Wednesday counseling sessions, it was a slow process at first but then with each session she noticed a big change in the boys. Laura, you were right in saying that Frank seems to be handling the highs and lows of his depression. Dr. Reese said the same thing to me. She said Frank has progressed well in opening up to her about his feelings with his depression and health. However, there's one area he won't talk about and that's the abuse Hayden inflicted on him." Fenton sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Joe is the same way. He would only give her vague answers, 'Like everything's fine', just like he tells us when we ask him how his session went with Dr. Reese."
All at once Fenton's mind flashed back to that day when he, Sam and the Bayport police burst through the door of Hayden's basement. He would never forget the horrific sight his eyes laid on… Frank with his wrists tied to that bedpost as he was laid out on the dirty old bed. Hayden standing over him, with a belt ready to beat him in his hand. And Joe...damn it! What that bastard did to his baby boy... with…a knife…the rats… that closet... the emptiness followed by the fear in Joe's eyes was forever ingrained in his mind. The shock and pure rage Fenton felt he wanted to strangle Hayden with his bare hands, he probably would've if Sam hadn't stepped in when he did, thankfully.
Laura said tearfully interrupting his thoughts, "How are we going to get Joe to see her?"
"Dr. Reese said that she will start with Frank." Fenton replied rubbing his tired eyes. "She wants to talk with him and see how he's handling his depression and stress. If Joe doesn't tell Frank about the incident on the pier, then we will have to take him aside and tell him because he's not going to like what we've got planned." he said with a heavy sigh, "He may fight us on this because he'll see it as someone taking his little brother away. But I think once he's had time to calm down and think after we tell him that we're doing this is to save Joe's life, he will agree or at least cooperate. Then she'll gradually move on to talk with Joe. " Fenton paused to prepare himself for the next part of the plan to help his youngest child which was not going to be easy to explain.
Laura exchanged looks with Gertrude. she looked at her husband. "Taking his little brother away," She repeated then asked, "Fenton, what reason would Frank have to think someone's taking Joe away from him? Is Joe going somewhere? Please, what is Dr. Reese going to do?"
"Yes, What's the plan?" Gertrude pushed.
"Dr. Reese would like Joe to undergo a full mental health evaluation," Feeling their eyes on him, Fenton sighed wearily, "in a treatment facility."
"What!" Laura cried. "My baby is not going to a mental hospital."
"Honey, I don't like that idea either, but, given my family history with depression and mental illness, I don't think that we have a choice. We already know of Joe's PTSD and anxiety issues and now he's displaying suicidal tendencies. Like Gert said we need to do something to help him before it's too late. "
"I agree with him, Laura." Gertrude said, "We absolutely cannot let Joe share the same fate as his grandfather. We couldn't save Father; but we have the tools and resources today that can help Joe."
Fenton continued, "Dr. Reese said that we are correct in making sure Joe's not left alone, someone will have to be with him at all times even if it means someone has to company him to the bathroom. Plus, we will also have to make some changes at home as well, like making sure he doesn't have access to things that he could use to harm himself with, like medications or weapons. This means I'll have to make sure my gun is locked away in the case with a new code and in a new location, because he knows where I keep it."
Laura turned away for a second to watch the teens and Trevor play their game. They all looked relaxed and were having so much fun. "Okay where are these arrangements being made?" She sighed deeply to keep calm turning back to face her husband.
Fenton put his hand on his wife's shoulders. He knew this was not going to go well. He wasn't liking the idea either. Fenton cleared his throat and answered. "Bellevue, New York."
"Bellevue, Bellevue?" Laura's eyes widened and she asked sharply, "Isn't that where Hayden was taken to for his mental health issues?"
"That's correct.
"The one where the second floor of the hospital was on fire, just like at Bayport General."
"Correct again, except the fire at Bayport General was caused by a bomb." Fenton grimaced. "At Bellevue it was arson. The very place he escaped from that led up to the events of Joe being abducted out at the Morton farm, and missing for three days."
"Those three days where we lived a nightmare thinking that our son was dead." Laura heatedly replied. "And need I remind you, dear; both of those instances were caused by people associated with Hayden."
"I'm well aware of that Laura."
"Oh, you're right, Fenton, the boys won't like this plan. And neither do I." Laura heatedly replied. "So, why Bellevue?"
"For one thing, it's closer to home." Fenton answered honestly, "And secondly it's one of the best treatment facilities on the east coast. The repairs at the hospital are finished, so there should be no reminders about what happened. I've already given Dr. Reese the okay to help us make the arrangements, and since Joe's only seventeen, he won't have a choice. He'll need parental consent in order to sign himself out."
"You know Fenton, this is really going to increase the friction between you and Joe. It won't be good." Gertrude brought up.
"I know, but it needs to be done. If he is going to be angry at us for doing this I would rather have the majority of it aimed at me, so he can turn to Laura if he needs to." Fenton sighed and pulled Laura into a hug and held her as she started to cry. He was not looking forward to breaking this news to Frank and Joe, Joe was going to hate him for this, Frank may as well. But he reminded himself he'd rather have a mad kid, then a dead kid. He wanted to cry too, but he couldn't he had to be strong.
He released Laura as soon as she stopped crying. "So, what are we supposed to do in the meantime?" She asked sniffing back the tears.
"We are going to do what we came here to do, which is have fun and watch the fireworks. This will help to keep Joe's mind distracted and away from dark thoughts. Frank and their friends can help with that." Fenton said keeping his arm around his wife's shoulders.
"Oh God, I can't believe this. My poor baby in a mental hospital." Laura put her hand over her mouth.
"Speaking of the boys, here they come." Gertrude said nodding her head. Fenton and Laura looked up to see their boys. By the glow of the streetlights, they noticed Joe was looking straight at Fenton and then stop dead in his tracks and start breathing heavily.
"Oh my gosh! I think Joe's having a panic attack!" Laura gasped. She quickly started to get up from the table.
"Laura, wait." Gertrude reached out to stop her.
"Gertrude, I need to go to him..." Laura started to say.
"I know but you need to calm down first, Joe doesn't need to see you all frantic."
Laura reluctantly sat back down to gather herself together. She was still reeling over the idea of taking her baby to Bellevue.
"Joe was looking at me, wasn't he?" Fenton asked, alarmed by this development. "Did I cause that, Gert?" It concerned him to think he triggered his son's panic attack. What did I do?
"I don't know." Gertrude answered slowly.
"It has to be because of the hurtful words I said to him when he got here, it could explain why he has some resentment towards me. I hurt my son, just like Fredrick..."
"Fenton, don't go there." Gertrude saw hurt and worry cloud her brother's eyes. She reached out and put her hand on top of his. "You are nothing like Father. This family may not be perfect, by any means, but you have showed more love and compassion for your boys then he ever showed either of us."
"Fenton, you have recognized the signs that Joe is in trouble and are taking the necessary steps to help him, and that goes for Frank too." She counted off with her fingers. "You've called in Dr. Reese for her help with both boys. If Joe needs to go to a treatment facility, then that's what needs to be done." She added lastly, "You are a good father."
"I know it hasn't been easy, Fenton, on both you and Laura," She looked at both parents and added words of encouragement, "The both of you are doing an amazing job of doing everything you can to help and support both Frank and Joe with their depression and health issues."
"Thanks, Gert." He squeezed her hand gratefully. "Your support through this means a lot to us."
"Yes, thank you, Gertrude." Laura smiled gratefully sniffing back tears.
"That's what family is for, I love you two and the boys more than anything." Gertrude smiled tearfully.
"Let's not say anything about Bellevue, or Dr. Reese to the boys just yet." Fenton took a calming breath, he suggested, "We need to try to keep things calm."
FJFJFJFJFJFJFJ
As Frank and Joe arrived back at the picnic area they saw their parents and aunt sitting at the table involved in a deep discussion as each wore a look of concern on their faces. Frank noticed that his father was sitting with his arms around his mother comforting her, just like earlier. Here we go again, he thought, more secrets. I wonder what that's about this time.
"Frank, wait a minute." Joe's voice broke through his thoughts.
Frank stopped walking and turned around to see his brother shifting nervously from one leg to the other while he held onto his crutches his blue eyes were focused straightforward.
"Joe."
Frank picked up on Joe's nervousness and the changes in his breathing. "Are you having another panic attack?" He asked concerned.
"Yeah... just give me a minute... please?" Joe said between breaths.
"OK. What brought it on this time?"
Joe kept his eyes forward; and he steadied himself with his crutches. Frank followed his brother's gaze as it landed on Fenton. Frank's eyes widened. "Dad? Dad triggered your panic attack?"
"I can't explain it, Frank." Joe whispered taking another breath. Joe shifted his eyes to Frank and back to Fenton. "For some reason Dad makes me nervous."
Anxious thoughts began running through Joe's mind again. Mom and Aunt Gertrude are probably telling Dad everything. Great. What was he going to do? He thought. Joe did feel ashamed of causing a scene arguing with Callie and the McNeely's and then glaring at Biff over the comment he had made about football. The only reason he had made himself sick eating that sandwich was simply because he had to get away and he didn't have any other option. He didn't want Frank to find out what he almost did on the boardwalk. He had just had to get away.
"Does it have anything to do with whatever happened on the boardwalk earlier?" Frank asked out of the blue. "Did something happen? Something you don't want me to know about?"
Frank knew Joe wasn't telling him everything. He knew he should be patient and give Joe time to talk to him, so he wouldn't drive him away. But Frank couldn't help himself he just had to know, it was driving him crazy and affecting his depression, he knew his parents and aunt were keeping something from him as well.
Joe tore his eyes away from his father and glared at his brother as his breathing began to speed up again. "I don't want to talk about it."
Bingo. Frank thought. "So, something did happen." He concluded. "You know you can talk to me, right?"
"Leave it alone, Frank."
"Joe, will you talk to me, please." Frank pleaded.
"No." Joe quickly got his breathing under control and gathered himself together and he hurried over to their parents table as fast as his crutches could take him leaving Frank stunned where he stood.
Frank shook his head, grumbled about stubborn brothers under his breath and followed Joe. This had to stop.
FJFJFJFJFJFJFJ
It was taking all the strength Laura could muster to keep herself calm and collected once the boys got closer to them. She got up from the table to greet them. She asked concern. "Joe, Honey, are you alright?"
"Yeah, Mom, I'm OK. I'm sorry I scared you." Joe said, plastering a grin to his face hoping it would win her over. He shifted his crutches to give his mother a hug. Laura held her son tight willing herself not to cry.
"Okay, just no more taking off like that again." Laura released her son and smiled, "And please, Joe, no more gorging yourself with food and making yourself sick."
Gertrude added getting up from the table to give her nephew a hug. "And no more eating those dreadful sandwiches from Harry Garrett."
"Oh, don't worry, Aunty, I've learned my lesson. No more sandwiches from Harry. It was good sandwich though. " Joe said as his aunt released him from the hug. He patted his stomach; it was still feeling a little queasy and it wasn't from the sandwich. He shifted his eyes to his father and felt his anxiousness begin to rise again. Why was he feeling like this towards his father? It couldn't just be from earlier.
Frank picked up on Joe's nervousness again. He felt a twinge in his chest and saw Joe shifting nervously from one leg to the other while he had a white-knuckle grip on his crutches. What was going on? He also noticed the grim look pass between his parents and aunt and their faces looked like they had been crying.
"Dad, you're back. We noticed you had left the picnic earlier." Frank asked diverting his father's attention away from Joe and on to him. "Where did you go?"
"I went to give Chief Collig the flyer with the threatening message that Joe and Vanessa found on her Jeep. I also wanted to check in with Sam on the hospital case. He is following up on the Nurse Matthews lead." Fenton answered, vaguely.
Fenton shook the worried thoughts out of his head, and focused his attention on the boys. He began testing the waters, and he kept the tone of his voice calm and gentle while choosing his words carefully. "Your mother sent me a text that Joe was sick and that you ran after him. I came back as quickly as I could to make sure you boys were alright."
However, he couldn't hide the concern in his eyes. "Are you alright, Joe?" Fenton got up from the table to approach his youngest son. He wanted so much to put his arms around him or even touch his face, but refrained from doing so in fear of sending Joe into another panic attack.
Joe heard the concern in his father's voice and knew that it was genuine. "Yeah, I ate too much, or something didn't agree with me I guess." He shifted anxiously from one leg to the other while he held onto his crutches.
Fenton nodded slowly and then turned his attention to his other son. "Frank, how about you? Your mother informed me you were rubbing your chest earlier. Are you having pains again?"
"Its OK Dad, I'm fine. Actually, no, I take that back", Frank answered bluntly, "and pardon my French, Aunty," He shifted his eyes to his aunt and then back to his father. "I'm feeling pissed off at the moment." He folded his arms across his chest. "I thought this family was going to stop keeping secrets from each other. I guess I was wrong."
"What do you mean?" Fenton asked.
"I can see by the look on all of your faces, that you're upset about something." Frank said looking at the adults faces. "Just like earlier when everyone was getting ready to sit down to eat." He was done with all the secrets. He was going to find out what everyone was hiding once and for all.
"Dad, I saw the three of you go off to the side to talk privately, you were all upset, it was right after Joe had run off after the fight between you two and Joe's run in with Trevor. So, I'm guessing something happened on the pier... I feel like everyone is keeping something from me. Maybe I should go ask Biff. The question is, will he tell me, because I know Joe sure as hell won't. Then I think to myself, surely, my parents will tell me what's happening. But no! So, will one of you please tell me what's going on!" He began rubbing his chest.
Silence began to stretch between the Hardy's, Fenton exchanged glances with his wife and sister, they were all thinking it too. Joe hadn't told Frank he almost took his life on the pier tonight.
Out of the corner of his eye Joe noticed Frank rubbing his chest and refused to look at him. There's no way Frank can know I almost jumped off the pier. It will kill him.
"Well, I think..." Fenton started to respond to Frank's question when Joe blurted out. "Frank saw Bruce Linsky!"
Fenton was left opened mouth as what he was going to say to Frank was quickly forgotten, and the words Joe had said formed in his mind. He asked wrinkling his forehead, "What! You saw Linsky? Where?" He looked at his eldest son.
Frank pursed his lips together and glared at Joe. "No, I didn't actually see him," He huffed, correcting Joe. "I THOUGHT I saw a man fitting Linsky's description."
Frank quickly gave his father the description of the man he thought he saw. "He had on a blue polo shirt with the Bayport pier logo in red print on the front with the name Jim on the badge that was clipped to his shirt. He was sweeping up the ground right outside of the bathrooms. As I told Joe I'm probably just being paranoid about the whole thing. I had gotten distracted talking to Pete and was in a hurry to find Joe to make sure he was okay."
"No, you were not being paranoid, Frank." Joe retorted. "Didn't Tony tell you earlier about an elderly couple he saw fitting Linsky and his wife's descriptions. They came into his family's restaurant two, maybe three days ago? They ordered close to a hundred bucks worth of food, but then skipped out on the check. Both the man and the woman had gray-hair and looked to be a couple in their sixties."
"Yeah, he did." Frank said. "I do know there was something weird about the man's face, but I can't figure out what it was."
"So, it's possible they both could be here. Using fake names and disguises." Joe said.
"Could be." Frank agreed.
The boys sat down at the table which was a relief for Joe, as his leg was really starting to bother him and he needed to get off of it. He propped his crutches against the table and continued where Frank left off. "Dad, we think this Jim person could be Linsky and that he works here, or at the very least stole a uniform to blend in. None of the workers we asked on the way here knew a Jim who worked at the pier or anyone fitting Linsky's description, but they all said that a bunch of temps had been hired to help fill-in with the pier for the July 4th celebration."
"And since Frank and I aren't allowed to investigate." Joe felt his nervousness start to kick in while talking to his father but he pressed on, he had to do this, this was about Frank not him. "We were wondering...well hoping actually, if you could ask Chief Collig to see about getting a list of people who work here. Hopefully there's a Jim on that list. It would prove that Frank is not being paranoid."
"What do you think, Dad?" Frank asked. "Am I being paranoid? I don't want to look like an idiot if I'm wrong, you know." His voice deflated as he ran a hand through his hair. "I probably am."
Fenton's heart broke at hearing Frank doubt himself. After mulling over the information his sons had given him, he cleared his throat and answered, "Well, let me start by saying this." Fenton looked at both boys straight on. "I've told you boys before when you're working on a case to look at it from all angles. Once you've crossed every T and dotted every I then you will know."
"If you're wrong then you're wrong and you move on to the next thing. If you're right, and there is a chance you could be right, then we go from there. From what you boys have said you brought up some very valid points. Frank, if you and Tony saw someone fitting Linsky's description then it's worth looking into." He looked right into his eldest son's brown eyes that matched his own. "So, no, Frank, I don't think you're being paranoid."
"So, are you going to ask Chief Collig for a list?" Frank asked.
"Yes, I will." Fenton agreed. "In fact, Chief Collig has asked me to help look into locating Linsky. That is until I know if he has a connection to Hayden, at which time I'll have to turn it over to someone else. That way there is no chance of me jeopardizing Frank's case."
Joe smiled and let out a sigh of relief. A smile slowly spread across Frank's face. He felt relieved too that his father agreed, but he still had his doubts about the man he saw.
Fenton stole a glance at his wife and sister they both had a tear in their eye and smiles on their faces. Seeing his family smiling was a good sign. It gave him a glimpse of hope.
"I don't suppose Chief Collig gave you any updates about my case? I know we aren't allowed to be a part of the investigation." Frank asked curiously. Maybe he shouldn't push it, but he had to know. "However, I think that I at least have a right to know what's going on, especially considering my life and future is at stake."
"You're right Frank, you do have a right to know." Fenton replied regrettably. Their happy moment was about to be short lived with his answer. "But I'm sorry. It pains me to have to tell you this. They've hit a dead end. So far all of the evidence is still pointing at you."
Silence filled the table Frank turned away from his family for a moment so they couldn't see the disappointment on his face. "I'm running out of time, aren't I? The only reason I'm out on bail, is because Hayden's lawyer didn't show up to represent him." He questioned. "I don't suppose we know where Bartend is?"
"No, the police have been unable to locate him. There's no paper trail to show his whereabouts. And I'd doubt he'd show his face here in Bayport considering there are warrants out for his arrest, both as an accomplice in the murder of Phil and Seth Cohen, and for Joe's kidnapping." Fenton answered. "It's as if he's disappeared. He could be in hiding somewhere, out of the country, or even dead. We just don't know."
The boys fell silent thinking of their late friends, they missed Phil so much and wished he was still here with them. They were both angry and saddened that they never got to meet Seth, but from what they had heard about him from their friends was that Seth was just like Phil, a likeable and upstanding guy. Frank and Joe has never forgotten the fact that Phil and Seth ended up losing their lives to Henry trying to help them. Somehow, they both had to get their own shit together because they still had a job to do. To find Henry and bring him to justice. Some how, some way they were going to do it or they wouldn't be the Hardy Boys.
Going back to the topic of Hayden, Frank cleared his throat, "So, If the police don't find Hayden's real killer soon, then I'm going back to jail. Well, there's got to be something we can do."
"I agree." Laura replied. "There has to be something."
"Wait," Joe cut in. "Dad, didn't you give the Chief the other disc? That was last Monday, right? The same day that Hayden was killed. So, he would've had plenty of time to get the footage enhanced."
"The Chief did have it." Fenton replied grimly.
"What do you mean, he did have it?" Joe demanded.
"The disc was destroyed."
"Destroyed?" Everyone asked.
"The Chief ordered one of his officers to take the other disc to the lab to have one the technicians to get the footage enhanced. It was later found on the floor in pieces, and the officer that was responsible for bringing it to be enhanced is unavailable for questioning. An investigation is currently under way to find out what happened."
Frank nodded somberly. "So, the only evidence that the police have right now is ballistics saying my gun, with my fingerprints on it, was used to shoot him."
"I'm afraid so." Fenton nodded.
"You have got to be kidding." Joe scoffed, "Further proof of the incompetence of the Bayport Police department. So much for your justice system Dad." He felt his temper kick in and slammed his fist on the table. "This is bullshit!"
"Joseph! Watch your mouth!" Gertrude said sharply, scolding her nephew. "There will be none of that kind of talk. Now calm down."
"Sorry Aunty." Joe apologized. "It's just I can't believe Dad is just going to sit back and do nothing... while Frank's being accused of murder!"
"Joe...don't even start." Fenton said working hard to keep his own temper at bay.
"You have the other disc in your safe." Joe argued. He looked at his father with anger in his eyes.
"Joe..." Fenton paused, debating about what he was going to say. If Joe was going to explode on him over the security footage, he could just imagine what his reaction would be to Bellevue. He reminded himself that he was doing this is to save Joe's life.
"… Dad, come on." Joe kept arguing, "You know as well as we do the person on that security footage is not Frank. That's why you have it, isn't it?"
Fenton pursed his lips together biting back his anger and cast his eyes down as he tapped his fingers on the table. He took a calming breath, and looked up at Joe. "Yes, I do. I don't believe for one second that that's Frank on that footage." He finally admitted. "For a split second I thought about enhancing the footage myself, but then I decided against it since I'm restricted from investigating the case, and I probably shouldn't even have kept a copy of that disc. I don't want to take the risk of violating the court order which would mean that Frank would go back to jail."
Joe questioned slowly. "So, what are you going to do with it?" His eyes widened as a thought crossed his mind. "Please tell me you're not going to turn it over to Chief Collig."
"I have to Joe."
"At least wait until we've had a chance to make another copy of it and enhance the security footage and look at it first then you can give it to the Chief." Joe argued.
"Joe." Fenton sighed.
"Yeah, but Dad..."
"Joe, leave it alone." Frank said firmly as he put a hand on his brother's shoulder to calm him down and to stop him from saying anything more. To his relief and that of his parents and aunt, Joe began to calm down, his blue eyes never leaving Fenton. Laura shook inwardly at Joe's outburst, her baby needed help. Maybe Bellevue was the answer.
When he started arguing with his father the only thought that popped into Joe's head, was that it was becoming clearer to him that it was going to be up to him to clear Frank's name and he was determined to do so, no matter what the cost. I'm not losing my brother. I'll do it, or I'll die trying.
"I don't understand something." Joe heard his brother ask, "Why would the officer destroy the disc? What connection would he have with Hayden? Who was the officer anyway?"
"I don't know if there is a connection." Fenton sighed and calmly answered, "And the officer was Officer Marcel Davis. He'd only been on the force for about a year. He was in his late twenties, single, and not much of a family. He lived in an apartment here in town. After the disc was found destroyed Chief Collig sent Officers Con and Baker to the apartment this morning to locate him. The landlord let them in and they found him dead on the floor of his bedroom."
"Do they know his cause of death?"
"Yes, but I can't tell you. It's classified information." Fenton stated leaving know room to argue.
Classified? The brothers exchanged looks with each other. Their detective minds were wanting to know more.
"You know what," Laura cut in diverting the topic to something else. "Today is supposed to be fun. Let's forget about the case and detective stuff for tonight."
"Hey, we're back! Thanks for watching Trevor for us." Pete's voice broke into the brother's thoughts. They looked up to see the former officer and his wife coming up to their table. Lindsey was carrying a small plastic sack.
"Oh hello, welcome back." Laura greeted the couple. "Lindsey, how are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling better thank you, Laura. I'll tell you; morning sickness is brutal; I don't think the baby liked the smell of that spicy sandwich." She patted her stomach.
"Fenton, it's good to see you again." Pete said extending his hand to the detective.
"Good to see you too, Pete." Fenton replied accepting the man's handshake. "Please come join us."
"Thank you." Pete said kindly and Lindsey joined the Hardy's at the table.
Lindsey said smiling. "We stopped at one of the booths selling fireworks and got Trevor some sparklers. Pete was a little hesitant about it, but I talked him into getting them. My parents always got sparklers for me when I was a kid, and I thought Trevor might like them."
"I'm sure he will." Laura replied. "Pete, you don't like sparklers?"
"Oh, yeah I do." Pete laughed. "I'm just not sure sparklers and Trevor is a good mix. He can get a little rambunctious at times. But I guess that's normal for a seven-year-old to be at that age. I just don't want him get carried away and set the pier ablaze or hurt himself because he is so excited."
"Honey, relax, I told you it will be fine." Lindsey smiled laying a hand on her husband's arm.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry." Pete apologized sheepishly, "I think I'm starting to become one of those helicopter parents. My parents were like that with me, constantly overprotective and worrying about my safety. You could imagine their reaction when I told them I wanted to become a police officer."
"Well, it's normal for any parent to be worried about their kids, no matter how old they are." Fenton looked at his boys as he said, "All you want to do is keep them safe from harm. When they do get hurt whether it's physical or emotional it's the worst feeling in the world. There comes a time when you have to learn to step back and let them try new things. If anything, just be there and love them." Frank responded to his father's comment with a slight nod and grin. Joe said nothing and turned his head away.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Pete agreed. "I shouldn't be so uptight in letting Trevor try new things. and as long as Lindsey or I are with him, he can't get into too much trouble. And I do love that kid, no matter how much he drives me crazy. And I'm sure the new baby will be the same way, but I'll love him or her no matter what."
Fenton's cellphone began to ring, he took it out of the front pocket of his shirt, and saw Sam's name come up with the Caller ID. He was grateful for the interruption as he needed an excuse to collect himself after Joe's outburst, "Excuse me, I need to take this." Fenton said politely and got up from the table walked away from the group.
Joe felt a little relieved that his father had stepped away and yet he felt guilty for going off on him the way that he had. His dark thoughts began to seep back into his head, I'm no good...I'm not...How could I treat my father like that? I hate myself...I'm no good. I should leave this world...but I can't...not until I clear Frank's name.
Pete asked looking around for his little boy. "Speaking of Trevor, where is our little monster? I hope he hasn't been too much trouble for you?"
"Well, he did get a little scared with all the commotion going on." Laura said.
"Oh no." Lindsey gasped in concern looking around for Trevor.
"Oh it's OK Lindsey, he's just fine now." Gertrude answered. "He's over there playing Gotcha with the kids." she pointed over to the grassy area not too far from them.
Suddenly a little voice shouted, "Gotcha!" followed by laughter that grabbed everyone's attention. Frank followed their gaze until his eyes landed on his friends and their dates playing with Trevor running, laughing and having fun over in a grassy area not too far from their picnic area. His friends were doing their best to keep up with the energetic child, although he could tell that they were getting tired.
"Oh boy, Trevor's going to have those kids worn out by the time the night is over." Pete commented.
"I don't know where he gets his energy, sometimes." Lindsey said watching her son play. "We have a hard time keeping up with him. I wish we could bottle it and save it for later."
"Biff looks like he's running out of steam." Frank laughed. Expecting to hear a wisecrack about Biff's predicament fly out of Joe's mouth, which was a typical Joe thing to do, nothing came. Frank looked over at Joe and saw that he had begun looking around franticly at their friends.
"Wait, Where's Vanessa?" Joe asked looking for his beautiful angel. She was nowhere in sight. "Did she leave. I scared her off...how can I be so stupid!" Joe said between breaths.
"Callie's not here either." Frank said realizing his fiancé was gone as well.
"Vanessa went to meet up with her mother, and Callie went with her." Laura said quickly trying to defuse another panic attack.
"Vanessa's mom is here?" Joe asked worriedly. Great he thought, no doubt he was going to blow that first impression, especially with the way things were going today.
"It looks like your friends could use some reinforcements." Laura said to her boys. She saw that Joe was starting to get lost in his thoughts, this would be the perfect distraction that he needed. She reached over and touched Joe's hand. "Joe."
Joe zapped out of his dark thoughts and turned his attention to his mother. "Joe, Trevor did get a little scared when you got sick from that sandwich and ran off the way you did. We managed to calm him down and your friends agreed to play that tag game with him to keep him distracted."
"I scared Trevor?" Joe frowned, feeling bad for scaring his little friend. What is wrong with me? How can I be so stupid, he berated himself? "I'm sorry, Pete, Lindsey, I didn't mean to scare him." He apologized.
Frank knew his brother felt bad for that his actions tonight scared Trevor. Joe's actions were scaring him...he could feel it in his soul that something was wrong with his little brother.
"We know you didn't." Pete said, Lindsey nodded in agreement.
"What can I do to make it up to him?" Joe asked. It was the truth. "Name it. I'll do anything."
"Why don't you start by spending some time with him." Laura suggested. She kept her voice calm and soft. "Trevor had his heart set on playing a game with you. You know how much he looks up to you, the both of you." She looked at Joe and then Frank, "You're a big deal to him. Joe, I know you can't play Gotcha because of your leg, but why don't you boys take him over to the game area and then play ring toss or one of the other games or you could even let Trevor pick?"
"I think we can do that. What do you say, Frank?" Joe exchanged looks with Frank.
"Sure. " Frank said with a sigh. He put a smile across his face. He really wasn't in the mood to play with Trevor. however, he didn't want to disappoint the little guy.
"The girls should be back soon in time for the fireworks and if you aren't back by the time they are we will give you a call." Laura said reassuring her boys. "Now the both of you go have some fun. That's what we all came here to do remember."
Joe took a deep calming breath and quickly forced his anxiety and dark thoughts away. He did want to have fun, and to laugh and to have a good time with his friends. He grabbed his crutches which were leaning against the picnic table and, got to his feet. With Frank right behind him as they headed over to the grassy area to join their friends.
FJFJFJFJFJFJFJ
"Time out!" Biff collapsed on the ground huffing and puffing. "Man, I think I'm gonna die."
Tony and Chet plopped down next to him. "I told...you." Tony said between breaths. "Little kids have... lots and lots... of energy." Lizzy, Brenda and Marcy, all excused themselves to go get some water.
"You weren't kidding. Man! I thought I was in shape." Biff rolled over flat in his back arms sprawled out beside him. "But, Oh MY God...All that training for football...didn't prepare me for Trevor." He added looking up at the night sky,
"I know. Where... does he get his energy?" Chet said between breaths. "The kid's like... keeping up with a pint-sized Joe." He wiped the sweat of his forehead.
Trevor jumped up and down in front of them planning his hands on his hips. "Come on, guys, let's play!"
'Ooooh!" The three teenage boys groaned. Biff closed his eyes and pretended to cry.
"Who wants to play a game!" A familiar voice called. Biff knew that voice. That sounded like Joe.
He opened his eyes and sure enough Joe standing in front of him with Frank right beside him. "You guys don't look so good." Frank smirked looking at his worn-out friends.
"Frank, Joe! You're back! You're back!" Trevor cheered jumping up and down, he so excited to see his heroes were back.
A spark had ignited in Joe's blue eyes, and a huge smile spread across his face at seeing Biff sprawled out on the ground his face red and huffing and puffing while he tried to catch his breath. "What's the matter Biff all pooped out?"