Frank stared at the silver-haired man – he could see Jason’s resemblance to him. When Bill came to a stop, Frank slowly got out of the van. The bottoms of his feet were throbbing with pain but he didn’t want to let Sterling know how much it hurt.

“Where are Joe and Callie? What have you done with them?!”

Sterling just smiled.

Con and Biff followed the van with the older man keeping a close eye on what looked like an old barn. He signaled Biff and the two left their cover, running over to a pile of boards. Biff thought he saw a shadow in the doorway and dived for cover, surprising Con.

“I think Mr. Sterling was coming out – I hope he didn’t see me!” Biff whispered, his voice tinged with fear.

Although he couldn’t make out what was being said, Con knew that Frank was speaking. “I don’t think he saw you, Biff – he’s too occupied with Frank,” he replied.

Still feeling a little nervous, Biff almost gasped in fright when he felt his cell phone vibrate. He carefully took it out of his clip and read the text message. For the first time he smiled as he showed the message to Con:

“Security cams disabled.”

While Frank and Bill had Mr. Sterling’s attention, Fenton and Collig quickly made their way to the back of the barn. The two men noticed that the upper hayloft door was open. They searched for something to use to get up to the loft. Collig lucked out – he found an old ladder when he almost tripped over it.

“Real smooth, Ezra!” Fenton said in a low voice.

Collig scowled at him as he lifted the ladder. Fenton just shrugged and helped his friend. The two men studied the ladder, noting that the first three steps were missing.

“You’re lighter than I am, Fenton – you better go first. I’ll hold onto the ladder – once you’re inside I’ll start up.”

“I don’t think we both have to go up,” said Fenton as checked the back barn doors. “Think you can sneak inside?”

“If I can’t then I should retire as the Chief of Police!”

Frank was trying to stay calm but it was hard to do when Raymond Sterling just stood there smirking at him.

“Okay Bill, you did your part – you can leave now.” Mr. Sterling stole a glance at the young man.

“No, sir…I can’t do that.”

“DO AS I SAY, BILL!” Sterling roared with anger but Bill shook his head no.

“I can’t let you do this – Frank and Joe didn’t have anything to do with Jason’s death!”

Bill slowly began to walk towards Mr. Sterling.

Callie was glad that Sterling had tied her hands in front as she tried to untie her legs. She kept glancing worriedly at Joe, praying that he wasn’t hurt too badly.

“Well, he may be great with computers but he’s terrible with knots!” mumbled Callie as she tossed the rope away. She hurried over to Joe and started to work on the knots of his rope.

While Callie worked to free Joe, she didn’t hear Chief Collig enter from the back. It wasn’t until he softly called out her name that she was aware of his presence.

“Oh thank goodness,” sighed Callie with relief. “I’m having trouble getting Joe loose!”

Chief Collig took out a switchblade from his pocket and gave Callie an embarrassed smile. “A birthday gift from the men.”

While Collig was cutting Joe’s bounds, Fenton peeked out to see if the way was clear. He spotted Callie, who was now free from her restraints. She was speaking to Chief Collig, a frightened expression on her face. Not wanting to make too much noise, Fenton concentrated on reading Callie’s lips but the young girl was talking so fast he was having a hard time making out what she was saying. One word caught his attention: Bomb!

*****

Sterling pulled his gun out and pointed it at the young man. Bill stopped in mid-stride a shocked look on his face. He stared at the face of his best friend’s father and saw anger and rage there.

“You do as I say Bill, and leave!”

“I can’t,” replied Bill, a determined gleam in his eyes. “Frank didn’t kill Jason and somewhere deep inside you know it!”

Now that Sterling had turned his attention away from him, Frank started to make his move. He was trying to get behind the demented man – hoping to grab hold and surprise him.

Fenton quickly found the steps that led the way down. Keeping a close eye on the open barn doors, the concerned investigator went halfway down and caught Chief Collig’s attention. “Ezra,” he hissed.

Collig turned around, his gun drawn. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his old friend.

Fenton was also relieved when he saw Joe slowly getting up with Callie’s help. The boy had begun to come to as Chief Collig cut through the last of the rope.

“Get them out the back door, Ezra! I’ll go out the same way I came in!”

Ezra gave him a thumbs-up sign. “Hang on to me Joe, till you get your strength back!”

Phil and Chet had climbed out the back of the van. They pressed their bodies close to the van and made their way towards Frank.

Biff lifted his head to see what was happening as he raised his upper body. He took a small step and accidentally stepped on a twig.

Hearing the noise, Sterling turned his head and caught sight of Biff. He let out a frustrated growl as he turned back to face Bill. “You tricked me!” He raised his gun, aiming straight for Bill’s heart – and suddenly let out a painful shout.

Con had been watching everything, his body tense and ready for action. When he saw Sterling raise his hand, the young officer immediately acted. He drew his gun and shot the gun out of Sterling’s hand.

At that moment Phil was getting a text message informing him of the bomb – Joe and Callie were safe – and that they needed to get out of there fast!

“We need to get Frank away from the barn – and fast!”

Screaming with rage, Sterling turned and ran back to the barn. Just before he went in he turned to Frank. “You’ll never see your brother or your girlfriend again!”

Frank stood in shock as he watched Sterling run inside the barn. He started to go after him when he was grabbed and lifted up. Chet slung Frank over his shoulder, ran for the van and threw him inside. Phil had already jumped into the driver’s seat. He gunned the engine when he saw Chet get in after Frank, and putting the van in reverse, he drove as fast as he could away from the barn.

Biff, having received the same message, sprinted over to Bill and half-dragged, half-pulled him away from the barn. Con ran to help Biff, holding onto Bill as they moved as fast as they could.

Frank was struggling with Chet – he had to go after Sterling! “Get off me, Chet! Joe and Callie are still in danger!”

“Frank, calm down – calm down! They’re okay! Look, look!!” Chet thrust his cell phone at Frank.

Suddenly there was a loud boom!

*****

Frank was lying on the couch, his feet resting on Callie’s lap. Joe sat on the floor close to his brother, with Vanessa by his side.

Bill sat on the love seat with Chet, while Biff stood behind them. Laura was in the recliner with Fenton sitting on the chair arm. Con and Chief Collig stood behind the couch.

“It’s too bad Mr. Sterling died without learning the real truth about Jason’s death,” sighed Bill.

“His grief was just too great - I don’t think he wanted to know the truth,” Fenton replied sadly.

“You’re right, Fenton,” said Chief Collig. “We searched Sterling’s home and found that he had a copy of a report that you sent him. I think that he just didn’t want to believe the people at the camp were responsible!”

“I’m just glad that Bill came to his senses!” said Joe with a smile.

Everyone in the room agreed, praising the young man.

Later that night Fenton did something he hadn’t done in a long while. He checked in on Frank and Joe, gazing at his sleeping sons while a surge of pride engulfed him. Fenton felt blessed to have two wonderful sons. He knew that he and Laura could teach them about right and wrong, but ultimately it was Frank and Joe’s choice to follow the right or wrong path. He was proud that they had always made the right choices.

Fenton quietly closed Joe’s door, heading for his room. He climbed into bed and fell asleep with a smile on his face.

The End

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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.