Frank was unaware of what was happening up on the first floor of the hospital. The hospital was built on a hill; the back part of the hospital was at the bottom where the emergency room was located. To get to the main floor you had to take the elevator going up.

Frank was under sedation while the doctor took out the pieces of glass that had gotten imbedded in his feet and legs. Luckily the glass pieces were not that small. He was given a heavy dose of antibiotics, his feet bandaged and the cuts on his legs taken care of.

Frank was ready to go find Mr. Sterling. He was disappointed to learn that he was to stay off his feet for a few days. He was still feeling a little woozy from the sedative when a nurse wheeled him out to the waiting area. He looked around searching for Callie and Joe.

“Where did Joe and Callie go?”

“We weren’t sure how long you would be with the doctor so he, Vanessa and Callie went to go get us something to drink.” Laura told him, a worried expression on her face.

“What’s wrong, Mom?” Frank noticed her concern.

“Oh nothing, it’s just – they should be back already.”

*****

The elevator doors opened, Joe shoved the tray of drinks into Vanessa’s hand and pushed her inside. “Go get my Dad!” he yelled as he ran towards the exit stairs.

Before she could protest the doors closed. There wasn’t anything she could do as Joe had pressed the first floor button before he ran off. Vanessa willed the elevator to move faster; when the doors finally opened she ran out, dropping a few drinks on the way.

“Hey Van, if you needed any help you should have said so!” Chet said as he looked down on the mess.

“Where’s Mr. Hardy?!”

“Why – what’s wrong?” he asked, hearing the concerned note in her voice.

Vanessa quickly explained about Callie and the spilled drinks.

“Does he think that guy –Mr. Sterling – has something to do with this?”

The look on Vanessa’s face gave Chet his answer.

*****

Joe opened the door in time to see Mr. Sterling shoving Callie into the trunk of a car. He ran across the short hallway and out the other door that led to the underground garage. Mr. Sterling turned, a smile on his face. To Joe it appeared that the older man was waiting for him.

“Hello Joe, glad you could join in the fun.”

Before Joe knew it someone had punched him in the back, and he was then shoved inside the trunk next to Callie – the trunk was shut soon after.

Raymond Sterling smiled at the young man in front of him. The death of his son had almost killed Mr. Sterling. He had been inconsolable; not even his wife could get through to him. The only person that could was Jason’s best friend, Bill Wagner. With Bill’s dark hair and green eyes – although tall and gangly to Jason’s more muscular build – the two teens were close as brothers. It wasn’t until they entered high school that the peer pressure got really tough – drugs were constantly being offered – alcohol was present at every teenage party. Somehow Bill managed to ignore the temptations. Jason was not so fortunate.

When Jason’s drinking and drug use became too much, it was Bill who found out about the ‘Last Chance’ boot camp. He found a site for the camp on the internet. Bill had printed out a copy about the camp and had given it to Mr. Sterling. He was overcome with guilt when Jason was killed, and would do anything for Mr. Sterling because of it.

“You know what to do, Bill.” Raymond stood with his hands on the young teen’s shoulders, staring intently at him.

“Yes, sir – don’t worry Mr. Sterling, I won’t let you down.” Bill glanced at the trunk, wincing at the noise Joe was making. “Are you sure you don’t need my help?” he asked worriedly.

“Don’t worry about him – just go do your job.”

Bill nodded his head before he turned to leave. He had to find Frank so the older Hardy brother could join in the game.

“Help! Someone help us!!” Joe yelled as he continued to bang his fist against the trunk. He knew he was making a lot of noise – why wasn’t anyone coming to help?! He suddenly realized that Callie wasn’t moving or making any noise. Joe felt the car begin to move – carefully maneuvering himself, he wanted to check on Callie.

Joe wished he had his penlight with him. It didn’t give out much light but at least he’d be able to see Callie a little better.

“Callie – Callie are you okay?” His eyes having adjusted to the darkness, Joe gently shook her shoulder.

“Ooooh,” moaned Callie. Her eyes fluttered open only to find she was in darkness. For a second the young girl thought she was in her room – then she remembered someone placing a hand over her mouth. Callie let out a gasp and tried to sit up only to regret it when she banged her head. “Ow!”

“Easy, Callie.”

“Joe, is that you?” She let out another pain-filled moan – reaching up to tenderly touch her cheek.

“Yeah, it’s me – are you okay?” asked Joe with concern.

“Yes…no! He hit me – that jerk hit me!” she exclaimed angrily.

“WHAT?!” Joe almost roared. “He hit you?!”

Her eyesight adjusted to the darkness, Callie could make out Joe’s features a little better. She felt comforted by his concern.

“I’m all right, Joe – he just hit me hard enough to knock me out.” Although Joe couldn’t see it, a small smile crossed Callie’s face. “I elbowed him in the stomach and almost got away but then some other goon came out and sucker-punched me.”

“That’s no reason to hit a girl!” growled Joe. If there was one thing that made Joe and Frank’s blood boil, it was a man hitting a woman.

“Don’t worry about it, Joe – now pop the lock already and get us out of here!”

“I wish I could,” sighed Joe. “But this is an older model car and it doesn’t have that emergency release. We’re stuck in here.”

“How do you know it’s an older model?”

“From the brief glance I got when I ran out the door. You know me and cars!” Joe replied with a shrug.

Callie did; Joe loved cars – all his friends teased him, saying that he owned every car magazine printed. She let out a small sigh, wondering what was going to happen to them.

*****

Vanessa and Chet ran into the waiting room where they found Mr. Hardy speaking with Frank.

“Mr. Hardy!” gasped Vanessa. “Callie’s gone and Joe thinks Mr. Sterling got her!”

“Where’s Joe now?” asked Fenton as if he already didn’t know.

“He went after Mr. Sterling,” Vanessa confirmed.

“Frank, what do you think you’re doing?!” Laura tried to get Frank to stay in the wheelchair.

“I have to help Dad find Joe and Callie!” he exclaimed with determination.

Fenton placed his hand firmly on Frank’s shoulder, forcing his son back into the chair. “No Frank, you heard the doctor. You have to stay off your feet. You’re going home and straight to bed.”

He turned to Biff and Chet. “Would you mind going with Mrs. Hardy and helping Frank up the stairs?”

“Yes sir.” – “We’d be happy to help,” Chet and Biff replied.

Fenton gave Laura a kiss goodbye, a stern look to Frank, and after getting more information from Vanessa he then left. Laura went to sign Frank’s release papers…and Frank began to form a plan. There was no way that he was going to sit at home and do nothing.

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.