Joe Hardy has solved numerous cases at the age of seventeen. He's taken down a lot of crooks, and he's even been kidnapped at least a dozen times. He was, in a sense, unstoppable. Until it reached this point.

Broccoli.

"Joseph Hardy! If you don't eat some of that broccoli, you won't be able to play in the final game of the season!" Aunt Trudy yelled from across the kitchen as she poured herself a steaming cup of coffee.

"Aunt Truddyyyyy," "I will do anything - just don't make me eat this," Jospeh wined, poking at the green tree-like object with his fork. He speared the vegetable and held it up to his nose, sniffing it. His face immediately changed to one of disdain.

Frank, on the other side of Joe, laughed as he pushed a bite of vegetable into his mouth. "Come on Bro, it's not that bad."

"Says you." Joe said, pushing the plate away from him, "Anyways Aunt Trudy, can't I eat…a carrot or something? I have play the last game of the season! If I don't the coach will be out to get me!"

"Now listen to me Josep-" Aunt Trudy began, sternness in her voice before she was irrupted.

A tall, older man with salt and pepper hair entered the room. He was dressed formally in a blue suit with a black tie. He made his way into the kitchen, carrying a rolled-up newspaper with him.

"Boys! Exciting news!" He said, as he walked over to the counter to pour himself a hot cup of coffee.

"Oh, you have no idea Dad," Jospeh sighed in relief as he peered over at his Aunt, a look of annoyance filled her face.

"Now Fenton Hardy! I was just trying to get this boy of yours to eat his vegetables so he can grow healthy and strong! Can't you wait until he's finished?" Trudy lectured.

"Now Trudy, If I had any concern for Joseph's health, I would be making him eat a whole garden of vegetables." Fenton said, giving his son a wink.

Joseph grinned and sent his dad a silent thank you.

"Now back to what I was saying boys," Fenton started as he took a seat at the table with his coffee," I have a case for you."

At the mention of a case both boys straightened up in their chairs and gave their full attention to Fenton. Aunt Trudy sighed and threw her hands up in the air in defeat as she left the room mumbling.

"What is it dad?" Frank asked, excitement filled his voice.

Fenton pushed a newspaper towards Frank and brought his cup of coffee up to his lips.

Frank grabbed the paper and glanced down. Joe leaned over, looking at the article and read out loud.

"Teenagers missing from Finley's Home For Boys" Joe read the title, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Police are still baffled by the disappearance of two boys from a troubled young people's home." Finley's Home For Boys has been a favored destination for troubled youths since 1974. During a press conference yesterday, Authorities told reporters that two young men, Andrew McLitton, 18, and Bryce Allotte, 18, were last seen in their rooms the night before. Both boys vanished from their beds the next morning and have not been seen since. Authorities believe it is a simple case of runaway, but they want the public to be on the lookout." Joe stopped reading and looked up at his dad, confusion in his eyes.

"Dad, the authorities say it's just a runaway case. Why would this involve us?" He asked.

"That's what I thought aswell Joseph," "But I looked into both Boy's backgrounds," his father sighed. "Andrew was a good man. He did well in school and was never in trouble. He was only in the home because his parents were going on vacation and had no other place to put him."

"Some parents," Frank scoffed.

Joe nodded in agreement.

"Anyways," His father continued, "Bryce was almost the exact same. Good grades, perfect attendance at school, was even captain of the football team at his school."

"Then why would he be there?" Joe questioned.

"It seems he fell into a bit of trouble a couple months ago," Fenton explained, twirling a spoon in his coffee, "He got mixed up in the wrong crowd. This group he was with robbed a man on the street, and when authorities tried to catch the group, the were only able to catch up with Bryce."

"Awh man," Joe said, "That's so unfortunate. What about the other kids? Did Bryce not give them up?"

Fenton shook his head. "Seems like his pride got the best of him. He refused to name the kids that were with him."

"So, what does this mean for us?" Frank asked.

"Well boys, I would like to send you to the home undercover," his father explained, "I want you to figure out what's going on. Now you won't be alone. I have talked with the FBI, and they agreed to send in two additional men who will pose as janitors at the school."

Joe, unable to sit still, clapped his hands together. "Let's do this!"

Frank looked at his younger brother and chuckled.

"Alright Dad, when do we leave?" He asked, matching his brother's excitement.