Summary of Chapter 32
Joe is freaked out cuz he has to wear a leg cast. Frank finds his brother at Iola's Masoleum in the cemetery. Frank and a sleeping Joe, hide in Phil's penthouse. Frank tells Joe, the Bayport Clinic left a message on his phone saying he has syphillis. Joe says he is a virgin. Biker calls and asks if the clinic called with his test results. Frank realizes Biker has syphillis.
Fenton is back in Bayport. He listens to Joe and Tony talking. Joe says he doesn't have a relationship with his dad. Fenton drops the listening device and it shatters.
Frank and Phil outside The Bayport Times Newspaper Building
"This is a bad idea," Phil says.
"No. Weber had a bad idea. He never should have run a newspaper ad offering ten thousand dollars to anyone who tracks down my location."
Or Joe's. If it was just me, I could let it slide. But Weber crossed the line when he made my brother a target. Iola's death anniversary is coming up. My brother is stuck in a walking cast. I have to take some pressure off of him.
"That doesn't make your bad idea any better," Phil says. "Why don't you have your lawyer Marlowe send a scary, legal letter to Weber?"
It's a good idea, but I can't. Everything feels out of control. No house. No car. The only thing I can do is make the world a little bit safer for my baby brother.
"Will you get Weber to the lobby?" I ask.
"What is your plan?" Phil asks.
"To talk to Weber."
"Just talk?"
"Yes," I say.
I cross my fingers behind my back.
"Can I talk you out of this?" Phil asks. He sticks two pieces of gum in his mouth.
"No."
Phil sighs, puts on a baseball that says APEX DELIVERIES, and walks into the building. I wait five seconds and follow him.
"Delivery for Vincent Weber," Phil says.
"I'll sign for it," the receptionist says, as she snaps her gum.
"Nah, I gotta give it to him," Phil says. He snaps his gum louder than the receptionist. "Weber's got ten minutes to sign for it, then he's in contempt of court."
That last part was Phil getting creative, but it lights a fire under the receptionist. She grabs her phone and starts talking.
Nine minutes later, Weber steps out of the elevator. He doesn't look happy.
"Need you to sign this," Phil says. He walks to a quiet corner of the lobby.
"I'M ON DEADLINE! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS CRAP!" Weber shouts.
I step in front of Phil.
"I am giving you one chance to cancel the ten thousand dollar reward you have out on me and my brother," I say.
"NOBODY TELLS ME WHAT TO DO!" Weber shouts.
I nod at a beautiful brunette across the room. She walks closer. A man follows her with a portable TV camera.
"This is Lauren Bell for Channel 13 News. I'm reporting live from the The Bayport Times Building with Frank Hardy. Frank, can you update us?"
Phil looks at me in shock. I owe him an apology. He walks out of the building. The red light on top of the TV camera attracts my attention. Why did I think this was a good idea?
"Frank?" Lauren asks.
"Mr. Weber offered ten thousand dollars for my location."
"Yes, it's in every edition of the newspaper," Lauren says.
My mind drifts back to finding Joe in Iola's mausoleum.
"Frank?" Lauren asks.
"I am turning myself in and collecting ten thousand dollars for the Bayport Food Bank."
"NO WAY!" Weber shouts. "I WANTED AN INTERVIEW!"
"That wasn't in your newspaper," Lauren says.
"I'M NOT PAYING!" Weber says.
Weber has a big ego. Lauren Bell exposed some of his top reporters were accepting bribes from the mayor. Weber retaliated by running an editorial that stated Lauren Bell was only hired because she was a former pageant queen.
I walk over to Weber, grab his hand and shake it.
"You sure you want to do this?" I ask.
"Definitely," Weber says.
"That's great!" I shout.
Weber looks confused. I feel the same way.
"Mr. Weber is doubling his donation to twenty-thousand dollars!" I say.
Weber looks like he ate a bug.
While Weber is confused, I strike.
"Yesterday, your newspaper reported the Bayport Food Bank didn't have enough food or funding. Your editorial asked businesses to make contributions. Thanks for making the first donation," I say and fake a smile.
I sound like I am running for office. How do I get Weber to write the check?
"Lauren, would you film Mr. Weber making out the check?" I ask.
I hand Weber a pen.
"I'll get you for this," Weber mumbles as he takes his checkbook out.
I smile for real as Weber writes out the check.
He rips out the check and throws it on the floor. Weber is halfway to the elevator when I pick up the check.
"Mr. Weber, you forgot to sign it!" I shout.
Weber turns around and signs the check. He squeezes the pen so hard, it explodes. Blue ink covers his white button down shirt.
How do I cash this check before Weber calls the bank to cancel it?
"What a generous donation," Lauren Bell says. "Frank, would it be ok if we filmed you buying supplies for the food bank?"
I nod.
"That's it for today. Tomorrow we will share our shopping trip. Back to you, Chuck," Lauren says.
The red light on top of the camera goes out.
"YOU JUST MADE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF YOUR LIFE!" Weber shouts. He walks into the elevator, and the door closes.
"That could have gone either way," Lauren says.
I nod.
"Hard to imagine your brother is the impulsive one," Lauren says. "See you at Bayport First National Bank in ten minutes."
I swallow hard and shove my shaking hands in my pockets. The only good news is Joe never watches the news.
Joe and Tony at Phil's Penthouse
"Joe!" Tony shouts.
Is someone attacking Tony? I grab a frying pan off the kitchen rack and limp down the hall.
"Dude, why are you staring at the wall?" I ask.
Tony pushes a button.
The wall becomes a TV.
My fingers drop the frying pan. I collapse into a recliner.
Frank fills the wall.
"Why is Frank on TV?" Tony asks.
Good question.
"Mr. Weber offered ten thousand dollars for my location," Frank says.
The woman reporter says something, but I don't hear it. Frank has a far away look in his eyes. I know he is caught in a bad memory. How did I get home from Iola's mausoleum?
"Frank?" The woman reporter asks.
"I am turning myself in and collecting ten thousand dollars for the Bayport Food Bank," Frank says.
"Dude, Frank is blackmailing Liz's dad on live TV!" Tony shouts.
"Not if he doesn't get his crap together."
"NO WAY!" Weber shouts. "I WANTED AN INTERVIEW!"
"That wasn't in your newspaper," Lauren says.
"I'M NOT PAYING!" Weber says.
Frank is in over his head. I can tell from the split second of panic in his eyes before he masks his expression. If Frank survives this, I will kill him.
"Why is Frank smiling and shaking Weber's hand?" Tony asks.
I spot a familiar face in the background. Phil.
"Mr. Weber is doubling his donation to twenty-thousand dollars!" Frank says.
Male menopause. That is the only logical reason for what I am seeing.
I hit Phil's number on my speed dial and walk into the hall.
"Cohen."
"Why is Frank acting like an idiot on live TV?"
"He didn't tell me what he was planning," Phil says.
"Like you didn't tell Frank you planned to streak at your high school graduation?"
"That was years ago."
"What did Frank do?"
"He punched me, knocked me out and told everyone I passed out cuz of heat exhaustion."
"How much clothing had you removed?"
"My left sock."
I hang up.
"What happened?" I ask.
"Frank bullied Weber into giving twenty-thousand dollars to the food bank," Tony says. "Lauren Bell helped. I think the only reason Weber wrote the check was because he was on live TV."
"Why does Lauren Bell care?"
"She hates Weber. Bell proved the Mayor bribed some of Weber's reporters. Weber ran an editorial saying Lauren Bell only got on TV because she was a pageant queen."
I can't protect normal Frank. How can I protect Frank if he's going to act like me?
Frank - Outside the Bayport Times Building
I always tell Joe to keep his emotions under control, but I didn't. I was angry. I wanted to take someone down.
I blame it on exhaustion. Mentally and physically I am not fit to work a case.
The last case took a lot out of me. I did not solve it - the bad guy just crashed at my house. Joe could have died.
It feels like there is something dark and ugly lurking under my exhaustion, but I don't want to uncover it.
A red sports car pulls up.
The passenger window rolls down.
"Need a lift?" Liz Weber asks. Her long, red hair blows in the wind.
Too embarrassed to say anything, I get into her car.
"So you got twenty thousand dollars out of my Dad," Liz says, as she zooms down Park Avenue.
"You saw it?"
"Everyone in Bayport saw it."
Callie, Liz and Iola were best friends. Iola died. I dated Callie. Liz was always just a face in the background.
"I'm sorry," I say.
"Don't be. I advised Dad against the ten thousand dollar reward idea. He didn't listen. Sometimes I wonder if Dad would value my opinion more if I was his son instead of his daughter."
"I doubt it."
"Why?"
"I'm Fenton Hardy's son. He doesn't listen to me."
Why did I say that?
Because it's true. Saying it out loud felt good.
Liz smiles.
"Working with my father is like trying to herd cats. Subscriptions and ad revenue are down for the paper. Everyone wants their ads and news online."
"Your newspaper is online."
"I twisted Dad's arm. I cut every expense to balance our budget. I even talked Dad out of buying a new printing press."
"Sounds like a good plan."
"Yesterday I saw a team installing the new printing press Dad ordered. No idea how we will pay for it."
I smile.
"You find that funny?" Liz asks.
"No. I find it depressingly familiar. Joe's beach cottage got destroyed in a case. Dad decided to rebuild it, but he left to work on a case. Then I got 'voluntold' to finish the build."
Liz smiles again.
"How are you going to pay for the printing press?" I ask.
"I'm selling Dad's kidneys. Both of them."
"He needs a kidney to live."
"He should have thought of that before buying the printing press," Liz says.
Liz pulls her car in front of the bank.
"I hated Dad offering a reward for your location," Liz says. Her blue eyes meet mine.
"You did?"
"Yes."
"Thanks."
"For what? Me hating the idea didn't make a difference," Liz says, as she pulls into the bank's parking lot.
"It makes a difference to me."
I get out of the car. Liz drives away. I can't believe it. I found a woman I want to take out to dinner.
Frank - 2 am at the Penthouse
I came home late to make sure everyone was asleep. Never again will I voluntarily go on TV. I hated my plan, hated lying to Phil, and hated being in front of the camera.
I knew my plan was bad. I gave it a fifteen percent chance of working. I broke all my rules about researching a plan, having a backup plan, and never getting in over my head.
I didn't have the energy for more than a half-baked plan. Getting Weber off Joe's back was worth it.
Lauren filmed me buying crates cereal, instant oatmeal, granola bars, soup, and pet food.
For me this was a one and done, but Lauren may have other ideas.
She is attractive, but my only feeling toward her is gratitude. Lauren helped me protect Joe.
What was the best part of my day? Liz Weber.
Silently I open the door to Joe's bedroom. Bats' green eyes track my every move.
Joe is asleep, sprawled out on the whole bed. Tang sleeps by Joe's feet. Bats is curled up by Tang.
I shut the door, walk to my bedroom, and crawl into bed. Hopefully by tomorrow everyone will have forgotten about me being on TV.
Joe - Riding with Tony after Physical Therapy 10:30 am
I am frustrated, tired and sore.
"What's wrong?" Tony asks.
"The guy wouldn't give me any exercises to work on at home."
"Your physical therapist wanted to evaluate your range of movement."
"That's not gonna help me recover."
"Pushing yourself too hard will set you back."
I pull out my phone. I took a picture of a sign on the bulletin board.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
MONDAY 7 pm
St. Max Kolbe Church - Basement
Am I brave enough to go? Usually I would talk to Frank, but he blames himself for Iola's death. I need to talk to somebody before October 24.
What is going on with Frank?
"Does Frank seem irritable?" I ask.
"I'd be irritable if my car and condo were destroyed."
"Less energy or enthusiasm?"
"He had the energy to be on live TV," Tony says.
"Insomnia?"
"No, he was asleep when I picked up you at Phil's apartment."
"Does he have Man boobs? Moobs?"
Tony stares at me.
"What? It's a list of male menopause symptoms from the National Institute of Health in the United Kingdom."
"Let's change the subject," Tony. He turns on the car radio.
"This is Rebel, your favorite DJ, on WBAY. We're talking about Frank Hardy's live TV appearance. Hello to Hank on line one."
"Hardy is angling for some kind of reality show. I mean, his condo and his car are gone, right?" Hank asks.
"I don't know," Rebel says. "Hardy and his brother got a million dollars for capturing this last guy."
"Yeah," Hank says. "But how much is left? Hardy has to pay to fix Main Street. I figure that's half a million easy. He still has to buy a new car and a house. Plus he has to split the million dollars with his brother."
"I never thought of that."
"Yeah, Hardy is hurting for money. I mean, he acted desperate on TV."
I take out my phone.
"Joe, what are you doing?" Tony asks.
"I'm just gonna talk to the guy," I say.
"Hang on Hank, we have a caller on line two," Rebel says. "Hello, Joe."
"Can I talk to Hank?" I ask.
"Uh...sure," Rebel says.
"Hank, this is Joe Hardy. Frank hates TV. He is not looking for a reality show."
"So why did he do it?" Hank asks.
"I don't know."
"You gotta have an idea. What makes your brother do stuff he hates?" Hank asks.
Me.
Frank took out Weber and his ten thousand dollar reward to stop people from following me. He knows how much I hate October, walking casts and people crowding me.
I disconnect.
Frank - At Cohen Technology 6:30 pm Monday night
I owe Phil an apology.
Taking a chance I take a cab to his company. I press the intercom button outside the locked fence. Will he let me in?
"Phil?"
The lock on the fence clicks open.
When I walk in, Phil keeps typing on his computer and ignores me. I deserve that.
I sit down in a chair in front of Phil's desk and close my eyes.
"You were right. Humiliating Weber on live TV was a bad idea."
I hear Phil still typing.
"I'm sorry."
Still typing.
"I broke your trust. I lied."
Silence.
"This last case proved I'm not a good detective. The guy blew up half of Bayport. We only caught him because of dumb luck."
"Frank, I've read the papers. Nobody - FBI, CIA, Interpol - could catch the guy. Maybe all that matters is the guy is locked up."
"No. I was mad and tired of feeling powerless. I wanted to make someone pay."
"Maybe right now you are too exhausted to judge yourself."
Silence from me.
"Financially the case was successful. You and Joe earned a million dollar reward," Phil says.
"Most of the money is going to rebuild Bayport. Financially, it's a wash."
"Still caught the bad guy."
"Phil, I caught him cuz he crashed my house. He almost killed Joe. I burnt down Fox Haven and destroyed Main Street."
"No. The guy you caught did that. Would you rather have Bayport intact, but the bad guy still on the loose?"
No. He was targeting Joe.
"No."
Phil holds up the newspaper. There in all our glory is a picture of Shark wearing a toilet seat, Joe and me right after we escaped my burning condo.
"The bad news is Weber printed this photo before you ticked him off. Imagine what he is gonna print now."
BIKER - 6:45 PM
Nobody knows where I live. I like it that way. I spent most of my childhood trying to get away from people. My uncle was a mean drunk who didn't remember I was covered in bruises because he beat me the night before. My older brother was dangerous. I learned to stay away from him after a lot of painful "accidents." I was terrified of going into foster care so I kept everybody at school at a distance.
I sit on my porch on Maple Avenue. I don't know my neighbors and I never will.
I stare as a familiar figure limps toward St. Maximilian Kolbe's Church.
Joe.
He looks around before he goes inside the church.
What is going on? Is he on a case?
I've never been inside the church. I've been to lots of scary places: prison to visit family, gang hangouts, and the police station, but I draw the line at churches.
I pull out my phone.
"Hardy."
"Where are you?"
"Biker?" Frank asks.
"Why is Joe limping into a building alone?"
"What?"
"He can't defend himself!"
Silence. A scary silence.
"Where is Joe?" Frank asks.
"St. Max's Church."
"What is the address?"
"56 Maple Ave."
"Keep an eye on my brother."
"I can't."
Silence
"I don't do churches."
"Watch Joe's back or else."
Frank disconnects.
I walk down my front porch steps and cross the street. My steps get slower as I get closer to the church.
God and I have an understanding. We leave each other alone. Going into a church is definitely breaking my end of the deal.
No thunder or lightning when I open the church door. That's a good sign.
I follow a guy downstairs.
I'm definitely in enemy territory. Joe owes me.
If I find him alive, I'll kill him.
JOE - 6:45 PM GOING TO GRIEF SUPPORT MEETING AT ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE CHURCH
My cab pulls in front of the church.
"Fifty bucks," the cabbie says.
I hand him the money and step out of the cab.
There are a few cars in the parking lot. I am too nervous to sit waiting for the group to start.
I walk upstairs to the church and sit in a pew.
"God, I'm scared. Help me."
I close my eyes. I'm walking down the hall in junior high school.
"Hey, dummy! How does it feel knowing your brother got all the brains in the family!" Someone shouts.
They vanish into the crowded hallway.
"Bet your parents wish they stopped at one!"
I steel my face to show no emotion and keep walking.
"I have two sons - super smart and special needs!"
The bell rings.
"Hey, you ok?" Iola asks.
I nod. It's all I can manage.
We always sit with the gang at lunch, but today Iola leads me to an empty table by the windows.
"How do you feel?" Iola asks.
I start to make a joke to hide my feelings, but I stop.
"Broken," I whisper.
Iola grabs my hand.
"God works with broken."*
The memory fades. I glance at the clock. It's time for the grief support meeting. I kneel by the pew, make the sign of the cross, and leave.
My stomach lurches as I walk downstairs. The lights are on in the front, but the rest of the room is in darkness. Plastic chairs are spread out in rows. I sit in the back row behind a pillar.
If only I had saved Iola, things would be different. Truth is - unless we are solving a case, I feel useless.
October twenty fourth terrifies me. It was the day Iola died. It's been eight years. I should be over this. Am I crazy?
"Welcome. I am Dr. Charles Tager. My wife died years ago of cancer. I miss her every day."
Maybe I'm not crazy.
"There is no yelling, no judging, and no swearing. Who would like to start?"
"My sister died eight years ago."
I know that voice. Chet Morton.
"When Iola died, my world ended. My parents were a mess. I needed my best friend, but he deserted me."
Frank. He didn't leave my side after Iola died.
"Then my friends deserted me."
I was barely surviving. I couldn't face Chet or his family. Did Biff, Tony, Phil and Callie desert Chet because of me?
"I'm mad!" Chet says. "My sister should be alive! Joe flirted with another girl in front of Iola. She was mad. She walked to the car to get some privacy. The car exploded."
This isn't happening.
"If Joe Hardy hadn't treated my sister like trash, she would be alive today!"
I have to get out of here, but my legs won't move.
God, help me.
* Father Mike Schmitz, Bible in a Year online, sorry I can't remember which day.